Retail space is gaining prominence in office buildings as developers aim to make workplaces more attractive to tenants and visitors alike.
CPG’s push to blend work and retail
Chris Eachus, founding partner of CP Group (CPG), says the shift reflects a broader rethinking of how employees use office space. In a piece for Georgia Trend, he noted that companies now look beyond lease terms, focusing on environments that support collaboration, convenience and connection. The goal, he added, is to give staff a reason to come to the office.
CPG, a vertically integrated real‑estate firm that targets Sunbelt markets, claims a portfolio of more than 170 office and mixed‑use properties, totaling over 64 million square feet and valued at more than $8 billion. The firm is testing its retail‑centric model in several Atlanta projects, starting with the 55‑story Bank of America Plaza in Midtown.
The skyscraper, which houses 1.3 million square feet of office space, is undergoing a $50 million capital‑improvement program. Plans call for a 10,000‑square‑foot food hall and a 17,000‑square‑foot health club. National operator Episcope Hospitality will run three dining concepts covering 18,000 square feet, including a tenant‑only lounge on the 37th floor, a café and a market designed to draw Midtown residents.
Revitalizing the former CNN headquarters
South of downtown, CPG is redeveloping The CTR, a former CNN global headquarters located in the SoDo district. The multi‑phase project, budgeted between $150 million and $425 million, will turn the 1.2‑million‑square‑foot complex into an indoor‑outdoor mixed‑use hub. Roughly 900,000 square feet are slated for professional, creative, media and production workspaces.
One of the centerpiece amenities will be The Looking Glass, a dining venue projected to cover about 38,000 square feet and seat more than 1,000 guests. The space is promoted as a layered setting offering hospitality, interactive activities, culinary variety, and large‑scale social gatherings. The operator, AMP‑Up1, describes the project as a defining career moment.
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Other features include an atrium, a food hall with murals by local artists, and a cultural platform for community events, pop‑ups and live broadcasts. The design invites visitors to move through different story chapters at their own pace.
While the scale of the CTR redevelopment is ambitious, the success of such mixed‑use concepts depends on sustained foot traffic and tenant interest. If the surrounding SoDo area continues to attract businesses and residents, the project could reinforce the notion that retail and office functions can coexist profitably. Conversely, any slowdown in local employment could leave the new amenities underutilized.
Piedmont Center’s shift toward mixed use
In Buckhead, CPG acquired Piedmont Center for $200 million through foreclosure in 2025. The 2.2‑million‑square‑foot site comprises 14 low‑rise office buildings set among lawns and trees.
The remainder of the property is slated for conversion into a mixed‑use destination. A walkable, street‑level retail and dining corridor along Piedmont Road is a core element of the plan. Eachus emphasized that retail is no longer a peripheral amenity; it now helps office properties attract tenants, activate common areas and sustain activity throughout the day.
Overall, CPG’s projects illustrate a growing trend where office developers integrate retail, hospitality and experiential spaces to create more lively environments. The firm’s focus on Sunbelt markets suggests confidence that these regions will continue to support such hybrid developments.
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