Atlanta's Ready For Its Close-up

In the past, Atlanta tended to play it safe architecturally. "In a region where spending resources on great design often is viewed as frivolous, governments and cultural institutions usually concentrate on the bare minimum. Developers and the tenants they serve rarely venture outside an established norm for something that might be controversial and expensive."

That is, until now. "Last year was a watershed time for the city architecturally...In the process, a style is emerging that's surprisingly appropriate to Midtown's emerging urban landscape. And A-list 'starchitects' like Meier, Piano and Calatrava are part of the pull that will establish a higher standard for marquis buildings in the city."