Midtown Atlanta ‘Eyesore’ Purchased for $46M Park Development

A long-vacant lot in the heart of Midtown Atlanta — once considered an emblem of failed luxury development — is now on track to become a public park after being acquired in a $46 million deal by the Midtown Improvement District.

The 4-acre parcel at 98 14th Street, formerly tied to unbuilt high-rises and a canceled symphony hall, was officially purchased this week by the district, which is operated by the Midtown Alliance.

The deal was finalized using tax-exempt bonds from SouthState Bank, with construction and long-term design funding expected to come from a forthcoming philanthropic campaign.

From Ambition to Abandonment

The site has a long and complicated history. Initially proposed as the future home of a $300 million Atlanta Symphony Orchestra concert hall, the land later drew national attention for Opus Place, a high-rise luxury condo project announced in 2016.

New York-based developers marketed the tower as a 74-story, 400-unit glass structure — one of the tallest residential buildings in the Southeast. Over the years, that plan was scaled down multiple times, and although a sales center was built, construction never began. In late 2023, the property was placed in foreclosure auction.

“It was a high-profile promise that never broke ground,” said Kevin Green, president and CEO of Midtown Alliance.

A Park Where Condos Once Stalled

Now, the site is set to become one of Midtown’s most significant green spaces. Although Midtown borders the popular Piedmont Park, the district itself — which spans roughly 770 acres — contains just over 1 acre of protected parkland, according to Green.

The new acquisition will quadruple Midtown’s park acreage, bringing added greenspace access to one of the city’s most dense urban corridors.

“We’ve seen smaller parks transform neighborhoods,” Green said. “This is a rare opportunity in a dense part of the city.”

What Comes Next?

Initial work on the property will focus on interim improvements:

• Filling the large hole previously excavated for Opus Place
• Leveling the terrain and planting grass
• Adding gravel paths and basic landscaping
• Removing remaining fencing and visual barriers

The Midtown Alliance is also launching a public design selection process to hire a landscape architecture team. A community design survey was completed earlier this month to gather resident feedback.

Officials say the goal is to have a concept design by the end of 2025, with construction to begin following permitting and fundraising.

A New Civic Vision

Midtown Alliance says it hopes the future park will be a flexible and inclusive space — welcoming to residents, downtown workers, students, and visitors of all backgrounds.

The site is surrounded by office towers, hotels, museums, and transit stops, making it a potential hub for passive recreation, performance space, and public art installations.

“We’re not just creating a patch of grass,” Green said. “We’re planning something that brings people together across age, interest, and culture.”

Funding and Long-Term Maintenance

While the $46 million purchase was secured through bonds, future development of the park will rely on charitable contributions and grant funding. Midtown Alliance expects to launch a full fundraising campaign once the design phase reaches a defined concept level.

Ongoing maintenance and programming will be funded through the Midtown Improvement District, a self-taxing commercial district that also supports security, infrastructure, and transportation enhancements throughout Midtown.

Community Interest and Support

The announcement has drawn praise from local planners and community leaders who view the conversion of a failed development site into public space as a win for Midtown residents and small businesses.

“Greenspace in Midtown has always been limited,” said Casey L., a local business owner. “Turning a stalled luxury project into a park is the best-case scenario.”