Peachtree Center facts for kids

Peachtree Center, showing the Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotel (left) and the Atlanta Marriott Marquis (right)

Peachtree Center is a unique area located in Downtown Atlanta, Georgia. It's a busy spot with many tall buildings, hotels, and places to shop. Most of the buildings here were designed by a well-known Atlanta architect named John C. Portman, Jr.. A special feature of Peachtree Center is its network of enclosed walkways, called sky bridges, which are built high above the streets. These bridges let people move between buildings without having to go outside. You can easily reach Peachtree Center using Atlanta's train system, MARTA, at the Peachtree Center station.

The Story of Peachtree Center

Skywalks are a defining feature of Peachtree Center

Peachtree Center began to grow in the early 1970s. It was planned to be a new, important part of downtown Atlanta. This area became known for its hotels, shopping areas, and office buildings. It's located about a quarter-mile north of a central spot called Five Points.

The buildings in Peachtree Center mostly share a similar look. They were built in the "modern" architectural style that was popular at the time. The most notable thing about Peachtree Center is how it was designed to be somewhat separate from the street. People could walk through the area using the sky bridges, avoiding the busy streets below.

By the mid-1980s, Peachtree Center had become a key area for hotels and conventions. It was very important to the economy of downtown Atlanta. However, some city planners later criticized this design. They felt that creating areas that "turn their back" on the streets could make the city less lively.

As downtown Atlanta started to improve after 1990, Peachtree Center faced more criticism. Some people felt it made the city feel too much like any other place. Others said it was confusing to navigate. They also believed it hurt street life and didn't fit well with the existing city.

Despite these criticisms, Peachtree Center was recognized for its architecture. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2018.

Buildings and Design

Sacred Heart Catholic Church, located on Peachtree Center Avenue

The beige buildings of Peachtree Center

Peachtree Center is home to many impressive buildings. Here are some of the most notable ones:

Who Works Here?

Many important offices are located in Peachtree Center. The U.S. Census Bureau, which collects information about the country's population, has its Atlanta office here. Several other U.S. Government agencies also have their regional offices in the Harris Tower. These include the Department of Transportation and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

Peachtree Center also hosts several consulates. A consulate is like a smaller embassy. It helps citizens from other countries who are visiting or living in Atlanta. For example, the Consulate-General of Argentina, Germany, and South Korea all have offices in Peachtree Center.

Gallery

See also

In Spanish: Peachtree Center para niños