Things are finally clicking into place for Grant Hill and a few other visionaries who’ve had their eyes on something big for Downtown Atlanta. Two years ago, it was just a bold idea backed by a massive $5 billion investment—ambitious, sure, but not without its doubters. For decades, plans to breathe life into the area fizzled out. But this time, Hill and his crew weren’t taking no for an answer. Now? It looks like that dream is about to make a major leap forward.

To push things into high gear, Centennial Yards Company just announced a game-changing move—signing a long-term lease with none other than Live Nation. That’s right, the world’s leading live entertainment brand is officially on board. Their upcoming venue will sit right in the heart of the action, just steps from State Farm Arena and Mercedes-Benz Stadium. This isn’t just another stage; it’s a power play meant to cement Centennial Yards as Atlanta’s next big entertainment destination.

Naturally, Grant Hill couldn’t hold back his excitement. He shared the news straight to his Instagram story, and for good reason. This milestone adds serious momentum to the Centennial Yards vision—a 50-acre, $5 billion+ mixed-use development turning an overlooked pocket of the city into a walkable, culture-packed hub. And behind it all? A partnership led by Tony Ressler and backed by Hill, with CIM Group playing the master developer role.

Adding to the area’s star-studded lineup of venues like the Tabernacle, Fox Theatre, and Buckhead Theatre, the new space will pack in 5,300 fans. While not the biggest in the city, its size makes it the perfect complement to heavyweights like Mercedes-Benz Stadium (75,000 capacity) and State Farm Arena (17,000 capacity).

But what’s got everyone buzzing is the vibe. The venue promises a fan-first experience—from killer acoustics to crystal-clear sightlines and elevated food options. Expect everything from local talent to global names hitting that stage. So yeah, this all started as a dream for Grant Hill and his partners. Now, it’s shaping up to be Downtown Atlanta’s next chapter.

What’s Grant Hill and partners are planning in Downtown Atlanta?

The buzz around Centennial Yards isn’t just hype—it’s history in the making. Back in 2023, things got real when shovels hit the ground at one of the biggest city-center projects in the country. Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens stood alongside Hawks’ owner Tony Ressler, CIM Group co-founder Richard Ressler, Grant Hill, and Michael Russell to start the construction. That moment wasn’t just ceremonial—it was a promise. A promise to reshape the heart of the city into something Atlanta’s never quite seen before.

Since then, the vision’s only gotten bigger. The master plan—led by renowned global architecture firms Foster + Partners and Perkins &Will—is nothing short of ambitious. We’re talking about 50 acres of prime real estate where the city of Atlanta was actually founded. By the time this $5 billion transformation wraps up, it’ll house 8 million square feet—split right down the middle between new residences and commercial spots. Construction’s already rolling on two 18-story towers, a boutique hotel named Anthem and a sleek residential building. Both are just steps away from State Farm Arena and Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and both are estimated to open this year.

And they’re going all out. Anthem will bring oversized guest rooms, a rooftop bar with killer views, and a massive 8,000+ square foot ballroom. Next door, the residential tower packs everything from studio apartments to family-ready three-bedrooms—plus luxe extras like a co-working space, fitness center, poolside lawn, and even a dog run. Grant Hill’s name might be in the headlines, but this project is thinking about everyday Atlanta life.

Most importantly, Centennial Yards isn’t being built for Atlanta—it’s being built by Atlanta. The team’s locked in on 20% affordable housing for 99 years, minority- and female-owned business involvement, and construction job opportunities for locals. Now with the latest milestone now in motion, Grant Hill’s dream is officially moving from blueprint to skyline.