Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens Addresses Downtown Office Vacancy and Housing Development
Mayor Andre Dickens has addressed the significant vacancy rates in Downtown Atlanta office buildings, noting that approximately 30 percent of these buildings are currently vacant. Speaking at an event on October 28, where Downtown Atlanta Inc. presented its 2026 State of Downtown report, Mayor Dickens emphasized that the city cannot base its future development on market conditions from two decades ago. He articulated a vision for Downtown Atlanta as a neighborhood where people can live, work, and play, highlighting housing as a crucial component of this transformation. The report indicated that over 34,000 people currently reside Downtown, with visitation levels returning to about 85 percent of pre-pandemic figures. Shirlynn Fortson, Downtown Atlanta Inc.’s vice president of planning and economic development, stressed the importance of a growing residential base for consistent demand for local businesses.
