Atlantic Station -- Sunday March 27

I wandered around 17th Street and its cross streets Sunday afternoon and took some updated photos (click here to view them), including a few of the IKEA (the blue and yellow building in the shots), which has so many people excited around here.  Since I've never been in an IKEA I don't at the moment share the excitement, but I was at least curious about what the building would look like and how it relates to the rest of the development.  My initial observation is that unless I'm missing something which is pending in the construction, not much effort was made to encourage foot traffic from the condos, which are located very close to the IKEA.  There is a sidewalk in front of the building, but it's currently seperated from the front entrance by both a dropoff on the edge of the parking area, and the front surface parking lot itself.  As a practical matter for pedestrians entering from the east it isn't insurmountable (one just steps off the sidewalk and walks across the parking lot, as usual for a big box), but it is rude.  Maybe when it's finished there'll be some better pedestrian connectivity of which I'm not aware, but I'm not optimistic.

I also took a few more shots of the ducks in the pond.  I was afraid they'd left the area, but either the original ducks or some relatives came back.

Comments

[Decaturguy]

I'd have to agree. The IKEA looks awful. It looks like they just dropped off a suburban big box store in the middle of the development. Part of the problem may be that the IKEA folks have never built in an urban environment before - this is their first non-suburban store.

[Brad]

But then again - is this big box retail store different than most other big box retail stores, particularly other Ikeas? A resounding yes. There is very limited amount of surface parking lots & the store is situated generally closer to the street.

I'm not saying it's pretty, but for those of us that have survived walking through parking lots at other shopping centers at Ponce (Home Depot) or unfortunately Edgewood (Target) it isn't half bad. Also it is built on the farthest edge of Atlantic Station, near Northside - so it's impact is highly minimal.

[Brad]

Also - I have to admit, my wife & I are consumer whores & we like Ikea quite a bit.

[Florian]

A number of comments from a European Ikea addict:

Ikea is very familiar with construction in an urban environment. Most of their European stores are located in relatively central locations. The stores are all very similar. From walking past IKEA ATL this store appears to be identical to the one in German cities I have lived in.

By its nature, IKEA is not a store anyone would visit on foot. They sell furniture (and other trinkets) - things that are generally hauled by car or rented truck. I know that good urban design would still want to integrate the pedestrian, but there is little economic incentive for IKEA to do so.

IKEA generally solves the parking problem well by locating much of the parking under the building. I am not sure whether they are doing that here. Generally the outside parking is limited to a few hundred spots and loading areas for people who bought furniture.

Larry, I think you will be well pleased with the INSIDE of the store. An IKEA store has more retail space that Wally, World, but addresses the space much differently. The scale is much more human. A pleasant experience - with a nice and reasonable cafeteria.

I think that on balance you will quite like the experience.

[Decaturguy]

I'll amend my comments to say that this is IKEA's first non-suburban store in the U.S.

[SOUNDHOUND]

Great Website- I myself have become quite drawn in by the whole Atlantic Station building and planning. As an Atlanta native, I am so glad to see this area start to thrive and come alive. I just saw IKEA for the first time 2 weeks ago- and I must say that is one large blue box. 300,000 sqft- I agree with some of the postings- I have a retail/construction background- I personally would have done a neutral color with stacked stone or some sort of natural stone- but thats just me- afterall, the people will come, they will shop and IKEA will make millions- thats what it is all about!!!

[georgiapeach]

Atlantic Station will be the best thing to happen to Atlanta since freaknik was outlawed! Once construction is finished on all the retail and restaurants it's residents are going to be some of the luckiest people in this city. Let's consider the benefits that come with this development...CONVENIENCE (everything needed to live comfortably will be within walking distance-Publix,restaurants, shopping,movie theatres),ENVIRONMENTAL (with MARTA stopping by at numerous locations within the development every 10 minutes and the conveniences listed previously driving will be kept to a minimum, at least for the thousands of residents and employees of Atlantic Station, which helps reduce the amount of smog this city generates per day), DIVERSITY (many people from all cultures and walks of life are migrating to this city and particularly Atlantic Station), AFFORDABLE LIVING WITH CITY PRESTIGE (in the many developments being constructed for leasing purposes there are a number of lower income units set aside for singles, couples, and families that wish to live in nice neighborhoods but couldn't otherwise afford to do so). For all you neigh-sayers out there this community is going to put Atlanta back on the map!