OUR HISTORY

1836–1860s

The Railroad Era & Zero Milepost

Historical marker sign at the Zero Mile Post, with informational text and a nearby railing, under a bridge or overpass.
Historical marker sign at the Zero Mile Post, with informational text and a nearby railing, under a bridge or overpass.
An ancient rectangular limestone pillar with engraved inscriptions, isolated against a black background. 
In 1837, the Western & Atlantic Railroad marked its southern terminus in downtown Atlanta with the Zero Milepost. The surrounding blocks along Alabama Street quickly grew into the city's primary retail, freight, and trade center.

1866–1870s

Historical plaque for Georgia Railroad Depot in Atlanta with yellow text on a dark background.

Reconstruction Boom

Following Civil War destruction, Atlanta rebuilt rapidly. In 1869, the Georgia Railroad Freight Depot was completed. Today, its remaining structure stands at the entrance of Underground Atlanta as the oldest surviving building in downtown Atlanta.
Close-up of a hockey stick and puck on ice with a shadow of a statue in the background.

1928–1929

Bridging the Tracks
(Viaduct Construction)

To bypass heavy rail traffic and gridlock, Atlanta constructed a series of concrete viaducts over the railroad tracks, raising street level by one to two stories. Merchants moved their main storefronts to the upper level, leaving the original 19th-century brick facades, stone arches, and cobblestones sealed beneath.
Black and white photo of a city street under construction, with people walking along the sidewalks and on the uneven, dirt road. Buildings line both sides, and a bridge is visible in the distance.
A city scene in 1920s Atlanta showing viaducts and train tracks, with buildings and construction in the background. 
On April 8, 1969, developers officially reopened the subterranean level as an entertainment district featuring jazz clubs, speakeasies, restaurants, and restored gas lamps. The area was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980 shortly before closing due to suburban competition and economic shifts.
Wooden shutter with an arched top that reads 'Dante's Down the Hatch' against a black background.

1969–1980

First Entertainment District Era

Under an overpass, a corner of a brick building with a sign for 'Hearth & Pendulum' is visible. There are vintage-style street lamps and a person walking by.
Black and white photo of a city street scene at night with three men walking past a large billboard advertising drinks and snacks. The billboard has signs with words like 'Los Soda Co.' and 'Drink Coca-Cola,' and features decorative elements like ropes and chains. A street lamp is visible to the left, and there are brick buildings in the background.

1989–1996

Entrance sign for an underground transit station with the words 'Bringing the World Together' and the Olympic rings logo.

Festival Marketplace Reopening

After a $142 million city-backed redevelopment, Underground Atlanta reopened on June 15, 1989, as a major retail and festival marketplace. It served as a central destination for visitor gathering during the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympics.
Nighttime cityscape with illuminated buildings, a large decorated Christmas tree in the foreground, and a parking lot with cars.
A crowd gathers at an outdoor event in Atlanta during the 1996 Summer Olympics. People hold flags and banners with the Olympic rings and the words 'Atlanta 1996,' with a large Olympic flag hanging above. A person dressed as an eagle mascot is visible among the crowd.

2020s–Present

Modern Revitalization & Cultural Hub

Shaneel Lalani, CEO of Lalani Ventures, purchased the historic 400,000-square-foot, four-city-block with a vision to transform the district into Downtown Atlanta’s central hub for art, culture, and entertainment.  

Underground now hosts thousands of events annually and draws over 1,000,000 visitors per year into the heart of downtown.
A live outdoor musical performance on a stage set up in a city square. Four band members are playing instruments; one on keyboard, one on guitar, and others are either singing or playing percussion. The stage has a canopy, and the audience is not visible. In the background, there's a building with brick walls, the Olympic rings logo and a sign that says 'Underground'. The sky is partly cloudy with string lights hanging overhead.
Crowd of diverse people standing and walking in an indoor space with brick walls and ceiling pipes, some engaging in conversations, with a few sitting or leaning on benches. 
The site now features live music, restaurants & lounges and concert venues, artist studios, alongside pop-up retail and art installations.  
Expansion continues with plans centered around a revitalized Upper Alabama Street. 
UA hosts major watch parties and activations serving local sports fans and international crowds ahead of global events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

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