Photos: How South Downtown looks a week from FIFA World Cup kickoffJosh GreenMon, 06/08/2026 - 15:47For South Downtown, a whirlwind dash toward a wave of grand openings is afoot, with kickoff for Atlanta’s first 2026 FIFA World Cup match just a week away. Jon Birdsong, a partner with Atlanta Ventures (the company with 58 historic structures and 16 total acres of South Downtown in its portfolio), said today his team is working with the city to secure Certificates of Occupancy for all signed tenants as construction continues. Other checklist items include life-safety and fire inspections for buildings the South Downtown investors have spent two and ½ years resuscitating.El Tesoro taqueria has announced it will open its third location on Wednesday along Mitchell Street, though Birdsong says it might not be able to serve alcohol. Glide Pizza and Brewhouse Café are aiming to open Friday, while “some form” of the Broad Street BBQ concept could be in business by this weekend, said Birdsong. “I’d say best case, everyone’s open Friday,” Birdsong told Urbanize Atlanta today. “Worst case, it’ll bleed into the beginning of next week.”Woodwork at ground level along three Broad Street buildings. Josh Green/Urbanize AtlantaHow El Tesoro’s covered patio has come together at the corner of Broad and Mitchell streets. Josh Green/Urbanize AtlantaBusinesses with signed leases around South Downtown are: Mule Train (a farm-fresh Southern cuisine concept); Brewhouse Café (second location for the soccer bar); handmade leather goods store KMM & Co.; Glide Pizza; Broad Street BBQ; Delilah’s Everyday Soul; and a breakfast and lunch counter from Todd Ginsberg (The General Muir, Fred’s Meat and Bread) and Josh Kim, among other concepts. Along with new office tenants such as Atlanta Tech Village, newer commercial ventures in South Downtown include Village Books, Crates record store, and Smorgasburg Atlanta (a seasonal food fest on Saturdays), plus Spiller Park Coffee and Tyde Tate Kitchen. Bottle Rocket burgers and sushi joint, a former Castleberry Hill staple, has also recently opened on Hotel Row. KMM & Co. hosted a grand opening party in late May at 87 Peachtree St. The South Downtown team also launched pre-leasing several weeks ago at historic, circa-1899 renovation project 85 Peachtree. That late-Victorian building, considered Atlanta’s original department store, has been remade into 26 loft apartments with retail space below. Founders Green, a ½-acre central greenspace made from a former parking lot, was opened during a ribbon-cutting ceremony last month attended by Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens. That park is bookended by El Tesoro and Broad Street BBQ. Sound like a lot? Head up to the gallery for a thorough, pre-World Cup tour that should help it all make sense. Also worth noting: Saturday will mark the official South Downtown kickoff, with an event scheduled from 9 to 11 a.m. at Founders Green.  **…**Follow us on social media:Twitter / Facebook/and now: Instagram  • Downtown news, discussion (Urbanize Atlanta)Tags110 Broad St. SWFounders GreenHotel RowAtlanta VenturesHistoric Hotel RowAtlanta RestaurantsAtlanta Restaurant NewsSmorgasburgSmorgasburg AtlantaSouth DowntownAtlanta Food TrucksAtlanta Food NewsSouth Downtown developmentSouth Downtown NewsMule TrainThe Plate Sale2026 FIFA World CupAtlanta World CupWorld Cup NewsFIFA World CupWorld Cup 2026MARTA Rapid A-LineA-LineDowntown ApartmentsAtlanta HistoryAdaptive ReuseAdaptive-ReuseAdaptive-Reuse DevelopmentAdaptive-Reuse ProjectDowntown Atlanta HistoryAtlanta ParksDowntown ParksDowntown GreenspaceAtlanta GreenspacesImagesRevised facades along Mitchell Street in South Downtown. Josh Green/Urbanize AtlantaJosh Green/Urbanize AtlantaFresh plantings and a BRT lane at the southeast corner of Mitchell and Peachtree streets today. Josh Green/Urbanize AtlantaFront entry to El Tesoro’s third location along Mitchell Street. Josh Green/Urbanize AtlantaEl Tesoro’s patio, scheduled to open for business on Wednesday. Josh Green/Urbanize AtlantaA mural being painted in honor of Spain’s Casa de España declaring South Downtown its official party headquarters for this month. Josh Green/Urbanize AtlantaAn architectural highlight for South Downtown is 185 Mitchell St., where a breakfast and lunch diner concept will operate under offices and two apartments. Josh Green/Urbanize AtlantaHow El Tesoro’s covered patio has come together at the corner of Broad and Mitchell streets. Josh Green/Urbanize AtlantaJosh Green/Urbanize AtlantaPatio bar-style seating at El Tesoro. Josh Green/Urbanize AtlantaJosh Green/Urbanize AtlantaEl Tesoro’s proximity to the new Founders Green park. Josh Green/Urbanize AtlantaJosh Green/Urbanize AtlantaFounders Green includes seating areas, a stage, and enough space for concerts, viewing parties, and movie nights, officials have said. Josh Green/Urbanize AtlantaHow Broad Street BBQ spaces (background) will link with the new park. Josh Green/Urbanize AtlantaBBQ smoker at the ready on Sunday. Josh Green/Urbanize AtlantaA common area between buildings immediately north of Broad Street BBQ spaces. Josh Green/Urbanize AtlantaJosh Green/Urbanize AtlantaThree consecutive Broad Street BBQ spaces, in relation to the new greenspace. Josh Green/Urbanize AtlantaLooking north up Broad Street toward Underground Atlanta. Josh Green/Urbanize AtlantaLooking south on Broad Street, El Tesoro’s patio is at left. Josh Green/Urbanize AtlantaWoodwork at ground level along three Broad Street buildings. Josh Green/Urbanize AtlantaLooking south along Mitchell Street toward the Smorgasburg Atlanta lot, used for a seasonal food fest on Saturdays. Josh Green/Urbanize AtlantaGlide Pizza (at left) and a patron patio space along Mitchel Street. Josh Green/Urbanize AtlantaA Mitchell Street stop for MARTA’s new Rapid A-Line bus route. Josh Green/Urbanize AtlantaWhere Bottle Rocket restaurant and bar (center) has opened along Hotel Row. Josh Green/Urbanize AtlantaA fresh donut concept between Hotel Row and Centennial Yards. Josh Green/Urbanize AtlantaRecently installed way-finding signage around South Downtown. Josh Green/Urbanize AtlantaLED signage on the former The Sylvan Hotel along Mitchell Street. Josh Green/Urbanize AtlantaAlong Peachtree Street, where an Atlanta Tech Village outpost is bound for this landmark building. Josh Green/Urbanize AtlantaTemporary bar areas being constructed across the street from Wild Leap Atlanta. Josh Green/Urbanize AtlantaNewly painted murals along Peachtree Street. Some 600 volunteers showed up for a communal cleanup day recently. Josh Green/Urbanize AtlantaSimple but effective way-finding on South Downtown sidewalks. Josh Green/Urbanize AtlantaJosh Green/Urbanize AtlantaSignage for soccer bar Brewhouse Pub, coming soon. Josh Green/Urbanize AtlantaAnd back around to centralized new park Founders Green, as seen here from Peachtree Street. Josh Green/Urbanize AtlantaSubtitleLatest additions to historic Atlanta district on tap to open this weekNeighborhoodDowntownBackground ImageImageBefore/After ImagesSponsored PostOff

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