CNN Center facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Center |
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Aerial view of The Center with previous CNN signage
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| Former names | Omni Complex (1976–1987) CNN Center (1987–2024) |
| General information | |
| Status | Complete |
| Address | 1 CNN Center Atlanta, Georgia 30303 |
| Coordinates | 33°45′29″N 84°23′41″W / 33.757934°N 84.394811°W |
| Current tenants | List of stores and restaurants |
| Opened | 1976 |
| Owner | CP Group |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Tvsdesign |
| Developer | Cousins Properties |
The Center is a large building in Atlanta, Georgia. It was once known as the CNN Center. For many years, it was the main home for the news network CNN. This is where many of CNN's news channels had their offices and studios.
Other parts of the building were used by different companies. These included parts of the former Turner Broadcasting System. The Center is in downtown Atlanta, right next to Centennial Olympic Park.
In 2020, CNN decided to move its Atlanta offices. They went back to their old campus in Midtown Atlanta. A company called CP Group bought The Center building in 2021. CNN finished moving out by February 2024.
On April 4, 2024, CP Group announced that the building would be updated. It was also given a new name: "The Center."
Contents
History
Early Years (1970s and 1980s)
The building now called The Center first opened in 1976. It was known as the Omni Complex. It was built by Cousins Properties. A sports arena called the Omni Coliseum was built nearby in 1972. It was connected to the Omni Complex.
For a while, the office parts of the Omni Complex were mostly empty. Then, in 1987, CNN moved its main offices there. CNN bought the building in 1985.
Over the years, many different businesses had offices in the building. There were also offices for foreign countries. The main floor had an indoor ice rink. There were also a few restaurants and a video arcade.
A special indoor theme park called The World of Sid and Marty Krofft opened in 1976. It was inspired by popular children's TV shows. This was the first indoor theme park in the United States. But it closed after only six months. The complex also had a movie theater. For many years, this theater showed the classic film Gone with the Wind every day.
Changes in the 1990s
The Omni Coliseum arena closed on May 11, 1997. A new arena, Philips Arena (now State Farm Arena), began being built nearby. The Omni Coliseum was taken down on July 26, 1997. The CNN Center had some small damage to its outside windows because it was so close. Philips Arena opened on September 18, 1999.
Events in the 2000s
On March 14, 2008, a strong tornado hit downtown Atlanta. It damaged the CNN Center. Water and dust got into the upper floors. The ceiling of the main open area was also damaged. This caused water to pour in and flood the food court. CNN's library was also damaged. The Omni Hotel, which is part of The Center, was emptied for safety. More than 400 rooms could not be used for two weeks.
The 2010s
On June 13, 2014, a car crashed into the CNN Center. It caused minor damage to the building. The driver said they fell asleep while driving.
Changes for the Omni Hotel
In 2016, Turner, the company that owned CNN, decided to sell its share of the Omni Hotel. They wanted to improve their other campus in Atlanta. This is where other Turner TV operations are located.
The 2020s
On May 29, 2020, The CNN Center saw some damage during protests. The building has a police precinct for the Atlanta Police Department. Protesters wrote on the CNN logo outside. They also damaged the glass front of the building. The front lobby was damaged. However, protesters did not get into the main part of the building. The logo sign was repainted soon after.
On June 29, 2020, WarnerMedia announced plans to sell the CNN Center. WarnerMedia would still rent space there for a few years. This would give them time to expand their Techwood campus. This campus was CNN's original home until 1987.
On November 21, 2020, a group of activists gathered outside the CNN Center. They were protesting the results of the 2020 presidential election.
On January 11, 2023, it was reported that CNN would leave the CNN Center. CNN's control rooms moved back to their Midtown Atlanta campus on October 30, 2023. Some weekend shows stayed at The Center until the end of 2023. The last CNN shows moved out on February 25, 2024.
On April 4, 2024, CP Group announced that the building would be updated. It was also renamed "The Center."
Features
The Center also has an Omni Hotel. It has a large open area with a food court. Many people visit this food court. These include local workers, tourists, and people going to events. It is also popular with visitors to State Farm Arena and Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Large screens around The Center used to show CNN's news broadcasts. Until 2020, visitors could take tours of the CNN studios. These tours showed how TV news is made. You could see how special effects like Chroma key work. You could also see the newsrooms where anchors for CNN International and HLN worked.
The huge escalator in the main open area is very famous. It is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records. It is the "longest freestanding escalator in the world." This means it is only supported at its ends. It is about 196 feet (60 meters) long. It was built for the theme park that used to be in the building.
You can get to The Center by train. The MARTA train has a station right at GWCC/CNN Center station.
List of tenants
- Arby's
- Atlanta Police Department
- AT&T Store
- BurgerFi
- Cartoon Network Store
- Chick-fil-A
- China Breeze
- CNN Store
- Dantanna's Downtown
- Dunkin' Donuts
- Fresh to Order
- Great Wraps
- McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurants
- Moe's Southwest Grill
- Natural's Ice Cream, Yogurt & Smoothies
- Roman Delight
- Starbucks
- Subway
- TJ's Sandwiches
- U.S. Postal Store
- Wells Fargo Bank
Images for kids
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Aerial view of The Center with previous CNN signage
See also
In Spanish: Centro CNN para niños
