Environment Conditions

Atlantic Station is an environment intentionally crafted to promote specific social settings. This small section of Atlanta is dedicated to the indulgence of culinary creations, cinema, and consumerism. Clustered within this area are numerous restaurants, some casual and cheap while others challenge the contents of any wallet. This is done to encourage visitation from specific individuals in various age groups. College students and families can enjoy affordable meals and upper class citizens can splurge in more upscale restaurants. No fast food restaurants are located within Atlantic Station. This is likely done to discourage citizens of the lower class from entering this well preened location. There are many security personnel in Atlantic Station as well. This creates an environment where the desired guests (middle and upper-class) can enjoy their visit comfortably, believing their safety to be ensured. At the Regal Cinema 16, visitors can enjoy films from an eclectic mix of genres. The prices however, are always somewhat costly. Student discounts are offered Monday’s through Thursday’s, an added incentive for the educated. Undesirables’ (Poor and/or unruly citizens) are rarely seen.


Security has even instated rules such as no sitting on the benches after 9pm to prevent loitering of any kind. During the day there are many activities to be enjoyed. The borders of Atlantic Station are teeming with stores. This encourages sought citizens to consume clothing and other various products. Many of the stores placed in Atlantic Station are fairly expensive. This too discourages the visitation of impoverished guests.

Atlantic Station is an environment that encourages physical health and active citizens. An LA Fitness is located in Atlantic Station. Outside its doors are signs that read “are you ready for summer?”. This sends a specific message to consumers that Atlantic Station is an area that encourages a specific type of physique, likely those that are toned, seemingly sexy, and coveted by citizens. These signs for summer are not only found scribbled in chalk, but created in the very architecture of the buildings. Many of the restaurants have outside seating. It encourages visitors to enjoy the warmth of summer sun while spending significantly on their meals. Furthermore, it promotes the enjoyment of the natural elements added to Atlantic Station. Many potted flowers line the bricked streets, adding visual appeal. Trees are too planted throughout this space giving this concrete constructed area a more natural feel. Two large areas of synthetic grass are located in the center of Atlantic Station. This makes people feels more comfortable within the space. Visitors seem calmer as the walk through this area. It allows them to feel as though they have left the bustling city far behind and stepped into the soothing space of an exclusive park.

This green area is also one that promotes green ideology. This go green mentality is found in Atlantic Station’s celebration of Earth Day as well as its recycling centers set up alongside this green area. One recycling area is beside a Coke machine. This encourages visitors to purchase a Coke so that its container may be recycled. The underlying message is “Consume, it’s good for the earth”. Here guests are also encouraged to consume artistic works. There are a number of tents designated to artists selling original pieces. Guests can even have their portraits drawn in this space.

This allows Atlantic Station to be molded into the desires or needs of any potential visitor. It can be a small field, art show, restaurant, movie, gym, and more. Even a Publix is located in Atlantic Station so that guests can pick up their everyday needs without leaving this environment that provides entertainment. Many of the restaurants have some form of gating around its outside seating areas. Although this could simply be a way to separate restaurants, it also seems to emulate the structure of upper-class gated communities.

This gives consumers a sense of exclusivity. If visitors feel distinctive, confident, and comfortable, they are far more likely to purchase items than those who feel vulnerable and self conscious. These gates also give a sense of order, the lack of chaos too adds to the comfort of guests. There is also much access to technology in Atlantic Station. With plugs at the base of many trees, it insinuates that one needn’t unplug to enjoy the wonders of this space. The population of Atlantic Station, as a result of its well crafted environment, is one that encompasses all racial and ethnic backgrounds, middle and upper-class citizens, families, students, religious individuals as well as people of no specific faith. Overall it is a population that includes individuals from all aspects of the desired classes.



--Ayanda Dorsey