You’ll notice the familiar giant CNN signs—but as you approach, you may catch yourself asking: what is this place now? The Center is the breathing-room between Atlanta’s rich media past and its evolving urban future. Once the nerve center of CNN’s global operations, this building is in the middle of a big transformation: reinvented as a mixed-use complex for shopping, dining, business, and public life, rather than just newsrooms and studios.
Originally opened in 1976 as the Omni International Complex, this space has had multiple lives: an indoor amusement park, home to CNN, tourist attraction, and now a redevelopment project aiming to reimagine what a downtown anchor can be. Whether you came for the food court, the history, or the view of Centennial Olympic Park, there’s something here that ties together nostalgia and possibility.
Key Highlights: What’s Distinctive, What Stands Out
The Omni International Complex opened in 1976 with grand ambitions: office space, restaurants, an indoor ice rink, even an attraction called The World of Sid and Marty Krofft, billed as America’s first indoor theme park. That amusement venture lasted only six months, but it left behind memories—and a legacy in architecture (notably the massive escalator and wide, open spaces) that would soon be repurposed.
In 1987, CNN moved in, bought the entire complex, and re-named it. From then until recently, many of its functions—broadcast studios, large newsrooms, public observation spaces—were all present here. It was a place where you could take a tour (the CNN Studio Tour), see parts of news production, look down into the newsroom, watch live broadcast feeds, and feel part of something globally connected.
But change is underway. CNN has gradually moved out of the building; much of its production, nationwide-shows, and anchor operations have shifted to the original Techwood campus. By 2023-2024, nearly all national production under CNN’s name had left this site. Meanwhile the new owner, CP Group, is turning the building into “The Center,” a 1.2 million sq ft mixed-use destination with over 230,000 sq ft dedicated to retail and dining.
What Visitors Will (Or Would Have) Loved & What to Expect Now
You’ll love the sheer size and scale. The atrium, with its high ceilings, wide corridors, and the huge “freestanding escalator” (one of the largest of its kind), offers dramatic spaces that are more than just functional—they feel cinematic.
Food is a big draw. Even before the revamp, the food court had many options—fast casual, international, quick bites—that made the Center a go-to for lunch, dinner, or when exploring downtown. With the redevelopment, dining is getting more attention, with plans for new restaurants to enliven the space.
Historical quirkiness is everywhere. The World of Sid & Marty Krofft’s short-lived indoor amusement park is a classic example: rides broke down, attendance was lower than hoped, and it folded in about six months. But remnants of its structure, the idea of spectacle, remain part of the building’s DNA.
Tour elements used to be big: the studio tours, observation deck, the chance to see live newsroom activity. Reviews of recent years suggested disappointment as some tour offerings diminished—the “little to see” comment comes up. If you visit now, many traditional CNN-centered elements are reduced or gone. The focus is shifting.
Atmosphere & Décor
Stepping inside when it was fully operational felt like entering a place that was always “on.” Screens, cameras, the hum of news, people rushing, signage about broadcasts, open spaces—you could feel the energy of media production. Furnishings leaned toward functional but with a certain sleekness; glass, light, atrium space was exploited to highlight scale.
Now, with parts of it quieted and others under construction, there’s a sort of liminal atmosphere: nostalgic, spacious, sometimes echoing. Some areas feel underused or waiting for their next life. But many find that adds a contemplative charm—especially for architectural fans, photographers, or those interested in urban renewal. The décor in the food court and retail parts retain that downtown, eclectic feel—some polished, some gritty.
Other Considerations
So what about cost? Touring the CNN studios used to carry admission fees; now that many tour elements have wound down, there’s little to no cost for walking through public spaces like parts of the atrium or the food court. Dining and retail will cost what you’d expect in downtown Atlanta (mid-range to upscale depending on the establishment).
What about access & parking / traffic? Being downtown, it’s very accessible via public transit (MARTA). The GWCC/CNN Center station is nearby. Parking is available in garages, though prices and availability vary, especially during big events. Crowds tend to increase when State Farm Arena or big events are happening.
Best times to visit / avoid? Earlier in the day on weekdays when it’s less busy and more shops are open tends to be more pleasant. Avoid right before big event times, when traffic, crowds, and shuttle/parking chaos spike. Also check what is open—with the transformation underway, some parts may be closed or being renovated.
The Center (formerly CNN Center)
📍 One CNN Center, Atlanta, GA 30303
