Underground Atlanta owner Lalani Ventures today announced Georgia’s first craft brewery, Atlanta Brewing Company, will relocate to the historic district and open a new indoor/outdoor taproom, brewery and restaurant on Upper Alabama Street later this year.
Atlanta Brewing Company has long been a beer pioneer. The first-mover originally opened in 1993 on Williams Street in Midtown, and later moved to the Upper Westside in 2007. Fifteen years later, Atlanta Brewing Company is ready to move again, this time to Underground Atlanta, where it will play a major role in transforming the historic area into a vibrant entertainment district.
“We are disruptors in our industry and we’re all about that life in Atlanta,” said Alton Shields, President, CEO and General Manager of Atlanta Brewing Company. “We wanted to operate in a place that’s creative and embraces Atlanta culture. What better way to represent the City of Atlanta than to move to Underground Atlanta and help bring it back to life. We are going to make this a place where Atlantans experience their most delightful moments over great beer in the heart of the city.”
Atlanta Brewing Company will transform the old Atlanta Visitors Center on Upper Alabama Street into an activated indoor/outdoor taproom, brewery and restaurant. The 8,600-square-foot space will feature ping pong tables, community events like Trivia Nights and glass roll-up garage doors that will create a great street-level experience for pedestrians. In one part of the building, guests will see the experimental brewing and canning process. The other part of the building will be a taproom and “phantom restaurant” with rotating chefs every two to four weeks. Each chef will feature a signature item, such as their famous empanadas or brisket. The brewery itself will be an experimental place where brewers use Atlanta Brewing Company’s famous barrel-age brewing techniques to test different flavors and treatments. The taproom will feature twenty beers and have pour-it-yourself taps throughout the space.
“Two iconic Atlanta brands coming together in South Downtown signals a turning point for the area,” said Mary Turner, Lalani Ventures’ Leasing Manager. “We are carefully targeting the right concepts that support our vision to become the center of gravity for arts, culture and entertainment in Atlanta. Partnering with brands like Atlanta Brewing Company not only enhances the guest experience at Underground, but also re-engages Downtown’s massive population of students and office workers who are craving great places to hang out.”
Since acquiring Underground Atlanta in late 2020, Lalani Ventures has been working on long-term redevelopment plans that will maximize the potential of the historic district by bringing a dense mix of uses to the property, including a variety of housing. The team has also been activating Underground Atlanta with new events, art and entertainment that are bringing energy back to the property now. The multi-level district spans Pryor, Central, Wall, and Alabama Streets and is surrounded by South Downtown, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Georgia State University, Centennial Yards and Five Points MARTA Station, which is readying for a $150 million renovation.
“We have been meeting with Downtown neighborhood groups and local institutions like Georgia State to incorporate their feedback into our master plan for the redevelopment,” said Shaneel Lalani, CEO of Lalani Ventures. “Our goal is to transform Underground Atlanta ahead of the 2026 World Cup, and we look forward to sharing more details about our plans soon.”
In addition to Atlanta Brewing Company, new concepts at Underground include Fulton County’s Public Arts Future Lab, an innovative artist residency funded by Microsoft, MARTA Artbound (MARTA’s public art program), and Arts & Entertainment Atlanta; YELLE Beauty, a Black woman-owned and operated beauty concept by Yandy Smith-Harris; Dancing Crepes, a new dining concept also by Yandy Smith-Harris; dolo’s pizza company, Alyson Williams and Yusef Walker’s new restaurant serving up “New York-style, with a hint of LA and the accent of the Caribbean” pizzas; and Daiquiriville, a 2,200 square-foot indoor/outdoor restaurant and bar with karaoke, fire shows and other entertainment, owned and operated by Colombian-native Luisa Duran. Prior to Lalani Ventures’ acquisition, previous owners signed leases with The Masquerade, famed Atlanta music and events venue; Future Showbar and Restaurant, a 14,000-square-foot, two-story LGBTQ restaurant and bar; and iScream Ice Cream, an old time ice cream parlor with modern edge desserts.
Lalani Ventures has also launched a rotating series of art installations, galleries and events at Underground, such as DIGATL, a 30,000-square-foot gallery featuring innovative virtual reality experiences, interactive installations, large-scale projection mapping and more by Atlanta-based artists. The property has also hosted a variety of immersive experiences like The Mad Hatter’s (Gin) and Tea Party, an Alice in Wonderland-themed cocktail experience, and The Art of Banksy: “Without Limits,” a 33,000-square-foot, 140-piece comprehensive exhibition that invited visitors to step foot into the mind of anonymous and controversial artist Banksy.
About Underground Atlanta
Underground Atlanta has long been the cultural heart of Downtown Atlanta. With historic roots dating back to the 1900s, this arts, entertainment, and retail district spans multiple levels and four city blocks. In 2020, Lalani Ventures purchased Underground with a vision to restore and revitalize this iconic destination. Bordered by Pryor, Central, Wall, and Alabama Streets and connected to the Five Points MARTA, Underground Atlanta is a central, accessible space that will house local retailers and restaurants, entertainment and exhibition spaces, and galleries with a special focus on immersive art experiences. With a new and visionary team at the helm and the support and enthusiasm of the Downtown community, Underground will once again reflect and enhance the vibrancy of the city we call home. Follow along on Instagram and Twitter and visit the website at undergroundatl.com.
About Lalani Ventures
Led by an immigrant who planted roots in Atlanta more than 20 years ago, Lalani Ventures is bringing financial strength and forward-thinking vision to the redevelopment of Underground Atlanta. The local investment firm’s CEO Shaneel Lalani has worked in retail his whole life, starting out as a store clerk. He bought his first real estate property in 2012. Shaneel has since grown Lalani Ventures’ real estate portfolio to more than two million square feet of commercial space, with the vast majority of properties located in Georgia.On the heels of the Underground Atlanta acquisition in 2020, Lalani purchased 34 Peachtree, a 300,000-square-foot office building in Downtown Atlanta, with plans to revive the dated office tower. The core business strategy for Lalani Ventures is to buy underperforming assets and add value through innovative redevelopment and leasing strategies.
