Newport to revive Atlanta’s historic Hotel Row with pop-ups through (at least) July

Beginning in April, Atlanta’s historic Hotel Row on Mitchell Street will reopen for business—just not the hotel business.

As the next step in its South Downtown revitalization project, Newport US RE has announced the launch of Pop Up Row in the Mitchell Street storefronts that formerly served as a popular passenger destination in the early 20^th century for travelers arriving in Atlanta by train.

From April 4 through July 31, eight spaces in the former hotels will house a collection of local businesses, start-ups, entrepreneurs, nonprofit organizations, and artists looking to make their presence known in Atlanta.

Those chosen for Pop Up Row will receive free rent and utilities plus a $500 start-up allowance.

Newport officials say Pop Up Row is ideally located not only to nearby office workers and residents on a daily basis, but also to Atlanta United fans walking to Mercedes-Benz Stadium on game days.

Occupying spaces from 211 to 233 Mitchell Street, Pop Up Row will be just south of the Five Points MARTA station.

After July 31, it’s possible the pop-ups may turn into full-time occupants, but that is yet to be determined.

“Our hope is that several Pop Up Row participants will fall in love with operating their business on Mitchell Street and become longterm tenants,” Newport vice president April Stammel told Curbed Atlanta this week.

“Our current plans have construction on Hotel Row beginning [this fall], but we will strive to keep Pop Up Row active until construction begins,” Stammel said. “At this time, we can only commit to the end of July, but there is potential it could be later. There will be a period of time that the retail bays will be empty as we redevelop and restore those buildings.”

Newport’s South Downtown portfolio features 48 historic buildings and sites across eight city blocks along Peachtree, Mitchell, and Broad streets, plus Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.

With an investment of more than $100 million in the project thus far, Newport’s mission is to revive the area with a mix of retail and office space, loft apartments, and reimagined public spaces.

Newport is accepting applications for the pop-up spaces until March 31.