(ATLANTA) - Hines, the global real estate investment, development, and property manager, today announced that Atlantic Station has welcomed the first ever illy in Georgia. With only 18 locations across the United States, the Atlantic Station storefront offers a true taste of Italy with authentic and thoughtfully sourced Italian coffee, full-service breakfast, lunch and dinner and made-in-house pastries by 2022 James Beard Award Finalist and Café Claudia pastry chef, Claudia Victoria Martínez.
“We are thrilled to add a global and sustainable brand like illy to our restaurant mix,” said Starr Cumming, Southeast Retail Director of Hines. “We are persistently searching for unique and one-of-a-kind brands to add to Atlantic Station’s tapestry of diverse offerings, and we know illy will be the perfect complement to the 30363’s vibrant community.”
Located primarily in airports, museums and premier shopping destinations, illy is a global brand with more than 160 venues across 34 countries. The opening of the Atlantic Station location is a part of the iconic and award-winning brand’s continued expansion in the United States that began in 2019. The franchise is operated by Asad Babwari and Aamir Ali, who have expertise in restaurants across Atlanta and, most importantly, have a passion and love for the illy brand.
“We are excited for illy to officially be a part of the Atlantic Station community and to have the opportunity to provide Atlanta with a traditional European-style café experience,” said Babwari. “With Atlantic Station’s location in the heart of Atlanta and its reputation as a cultural connector, we knew it was the ideal site for illy’s entry into the market.”
The beverage menu features a variety of coffee, espresso and tea options, including seasonal caffé lattes, drip coffee, cappuccino and Nitro cold brew made with illy’s proprietary “Blade” machine. For breakfast, guests can enjoy traditional Italian pastries, like White Chocolate Bomboloni and Croissants, and breakfast plates such as Smoked Salmon Avocado Toast, Prosciutto and Mushroom Frittatas and Eggs Benedict. A full-service menu is offered for lunch and dinner, featuring Italian-style sandwiches such as Prosciutto and Mozzarella on Focaccia, fresh-baked Flatbreads and authentic pasta, like Cacio e Pepe and Fusili al Pesto. Guests can also indulge in the rotating assortment of locally made sweets, including Tiramisu made with illy espresso, Macarons, Lemon Bars, Fudge Brownies and Fruit Tarts. An adult beverage program and Aperitivo (Italian Happy Hour) menu will follow in 2024. The storefront will also offer retail items for purchase, such as illy’s acclaimed espresso machines, whole-bean coffee and additional coffee accessories.
Founded in Trieste in 1933 by Francesco Illy, the illy family brand reshaped its governance structure into a Certified B-Corporation in 2021, making it the first Italian coffee company to obtain this certification. Along with exceptional Italian coffee, the illy brand features the illy Art Collection, the Università del Caffè, acclaimed espresso machines and much more. illy is the latest addition to Atlantic Station’s diverse tenant mix. The Heart of Atlanta recently welcomed a range of new tenants, including the Museum of Illusions flagship location, Sephora, Angry Crab Shack and Soma.
Located at 264 19th Street NW, Unit 2140, illy is open Monday through Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
After stopping by illy, check out the festive happenings around the 30363. Shop the perfect gift from black women-owned brands at The Sistah Shop Holiday Market, dribble over to Overtime Elite for thrilling matchups, get into the holiday spirit at NaanStop’s Holiday Cookie Party and Skate under the stars at the largest outdoor ice-skating rink in the Southeast with Skate the Station. Atlantic Station makes the perfect home for the holidays.
Additional information, interviews + photography available upon request.
About Atlantic Station
Opened in 2005, Atlantic Station is a 138-acre sustainable neighborhood located in Midtown, Atlanta where you can dwell, create, savor, enjoy and shop. Known for having its own zip code, 30363, and being the Heart of the ATL, this artery not only connects the West Side and Buckhead, the 19-city blocks are also home to nearly 8 million square feet of mixed-use development featuring 1.5 million square feet of best-in-class retail (Sephora,Athleta, Banana Republic, DSW, H+M, Nike, Old Navy, Publix), entertainment (Bowlero, Museum of Illusions, RegalCinemas) and restaurants (illy, Azotea, California Pizza Kitchen, HOBNOB, Salata, Yard House), nearly 2.2 million square feet of Class-A office space, full-service hotels (Embassy Suites, Twelve Midtown), several multi-family communities, single-family homes, apartments, lofts and luxury condo residences as well as a freestanding IKEA, Target and Dillard's. Global industry leaders in finance (Wells Fargo), tech (Microsoft, Amazon, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn), health and wellness (LA Fitness, Mayweather Boxing + Fitness, Overtime Elite Arena) and consumer brands bring thousands of employees to the area daily. Atlantic Station is rich with amenities and features its own dog park, children’s playground, walking tour, neighborhood shuttle and concierge program. In 2020, Atlantic Station revamped the central greenspace, the Atlantic Green, and now hosts more than 300 events and cultural activations a year throughout the neighborhood and in the freestanding Pinnacle lot for staples like the Atlanta Open and Cirque du Soleil. For more information on this award-winning community visit, atlanticstation.com, and follow along on Facebook, Instagram and X.