07/24/2026
After the city-owned grocery store we worked on was named one of Fast Company’s World Changing Ideas for 2026, we felt even more passionate about sharing this project and looking for ways to bring the public-private partnership model to more cities across the country.
Azalea Fresh Market | Atlanta Grocery is already on track to open its second location. An idea that was initially met with skepticism has become a model for addressing food deserts in a way that’s sustainable, replicable, and rooted in the needs of the neighborhood. The city made the project possible, a local operator runs it day to day, and together they created something built to last.
Our 15 years of experience working on adaptive reuse projects brought us to this moment. The building that became Azalea was an existing historic landmark in downtown Atlanta, and we worked alongside the Mayor’s Office of Atlanta, Invest Atlanta, Savi Provisions, and neighborhood residents to bring it back to life as a grocery store.
Before we got to work, we asked the community what they wanted to see. One of the biggest requests wasn’t just for a grocery store, but for a place to grab quick, affordable, healthy food. That conversation led to a flexible second floor with plenty of seating, a local coffee shop, and a grab-and-go counter for prepared meals.
There were plenty of creative challenges along the way, and we’re excited to keep bringing this model to more places.