Atlanta’s Skyline Answered: What Is the Tallest Building in Atlanta?

If you’ve looked up at the Midtown and Downtown skyline and wondered, “What is the tallest building in Atlanta?”, you’re not alone. Whether you live here, you’re visiting, or you’re just curious about the city, Atlanta’s towering skyscrapers are hard to ignore.

The tallest building in Atlanta is the Bank of America Plaza, a landmark that dominates the skyline and serves as a major point of orientation for people moving around the city.

The Tallest Building in Atlanta: Bank of America Plaza

Bank of America Plaza

• Height: About 1,023 feet (312 meters)
• Floors: 55+ stories
• Location:600 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30308
• Area: Between Downtown and Midtown Atlanta

This skyscraper is not just the tallest in Atlanta; it’s also one of the tallest buildings in the United States. If you’re anywhere near Peachtree Street in the city center, you’ll likely be able to spot it, especially at night when its spire is illuminated.

What Makes Bank of America Plaza Stand Out?

A few key features you’ll notice:

• Distinctive spire: The pointed spire at the top is one of the most recognizable parts of Atlanta’s skyline.
• Central location: It sits at the edge of Midtown, very close to Downtown, making it visible from highways like I‑75/85 (the Downtown Connector) and many in-town neighborhoods.
• Office tower: It’s primarily an office building, so it’s not a tourist attraction in the same way an observation tower might be.

You cannot generally go inside for a public observation deck, but it still serves as a visual anchor when navigating the city.

Quick Comparison: Atlanta’s Tallest Buildings

Here’s a simple overview of where Bank of America Plaza ranks among other well-known Atlanta skyscrapers:

Different sources occasionally rank buildings slightly differently depending on whether they include spires, parapets, or roof height, but Bank of America Plaza remains the clear tallest structure in the city.

Seeing the Tallest Building in Atlanta: Best Viewpoints

Even though you can’t usually go inside Bank of America Plaza for a view, there are several great spots around Atlanta where you can see it clearly or use it as a landmark.

1. From Midtown Streets

Walk or drive along Peachtree Street NE in Midtown and look south toward Downtown. You’ll see the building rising high above the corridor. Areas near:

• North Avenue
• Ponce de Leon Avenue
• 10th Street

often offer clear line-of-sight views.

2. From the Downtown Connector (I‑75/85)

If you’re driving through the city on the Downtown Connector, especially near the North Avenue and Freedom Parkway exits, you’ll get dramatic views of Bank of America Plaza on the east side of the highway.

⚠️ Tip: If you want photos, it’s safer to use nearby streets, sidewalks, or parking decks—not to try to take pictures while driving.

3. From Public Viewpoints and Attractions

While not built specifically to showcase Bank of America Plaza, several popular Atlanta destinations offer nice skyline views where the building stands out:

• Jackson Street Bridge (near Freedom Parkway and Boulevard NE)
  Popular for photos of the Downtown skyline, where you can spot several of the city’s tallest towers.

• Piedmont Park (especially the Meadow and Lake Clara Meer areas)
  Offers views of the Midtown skyline, and Bank of America Plaza is often visible rising above or behind other buildings.

• The Roof at Ponce City Market (675 Ponce De Leon Ave NE)
  This entertainment space offers broad views of the Midtown skyline, including Bank of America Plaza in the distance.

Can You Visit or Go Inside Bank of America Plaza?

For most people, Bank of America Plaza is not an open tourist attraction. There is:

• No general public observation deck
• No routine public tours advertised

It functions primarily as an office building with controlled access. If you see it on your commute or while exploring the city, you’ll mostly experience it from the outside.

If you need to visit for work or a meeting, you’ll usually:

1. Enter from 600 Peachtree St NE.
2. Check in at the building’s security desk.
3. Use assigned visitor badges or instructions from the company you’re visiting.

How the Tallest Building Helps You Navigate Atlanta

Even if you never go inside, knowing which building is the tallest can genuinely help you get your bearings in Atlanta.

Using Bank of America Plaza as a Landmark

You can use the tower’s spire to:

• Orient yourself in Midtown and Downtown—spot the spire and identify roughly where Peachtree Street and the connector are.
• Estimate direction:
  • If you’re in Inman Park, Old Fourth Ward, or along the Eastside BeltLine, Bank of America Plaza is roughly west.
  • From West Midtown, it will appear more east/southeast.
• Spot the city center while approaching Atlanta from I‑20, I‑75, or I‑85.

Residents commonly use major towers like Bank of America Plaza, One Atlantic Center, and the Westin Peachtree Plaza as reference points when giving directions.

Why Atlanta Doesn’t Have a Public “Tallest Building” Observation Deck

Many large cities have public observatories in their tallest buildings. In Atlanta, things are a bit different:

• Most of the tallest towers are office-focused, not tourist-focused.
• Security and tenant privacy are important, especially in large commercial buildings.
• Atlanta offers city views more often from hotels, rooftop bars, parks, and mixed-use developments than from office skyscraper observatories.

If you’re in Atlanta and want a high vantage point instead, you might look at:

• Rooftop lounges or restaurants in Midtown or Downtown
• Scenic spots like Piedmont Park, Jackson Street Bridge, or Ponce City Market’s rooftop

These places aren’t specifically branded as “the tallest building,” but they give you sweeping views of the tallest building and the rest of the skyline.

How the Tallest Building Fits into Atlanta’s Growth

Bank of America Plaza is more than just a number on a height list. For people in Atlanta, it represents:

• A symbol of the city’s economic growth and its role as a business hub for the Southeast.
• A visual marker that helps tie together Midtown and Downtown.
• A long-standing skyline icon that locals and visitors associate with Atlanta, much like the Westin’s cylindrical shape or the gold dome of the State Capitol.

If you’re new to the city or planning a visit, keeping an eye out for the tallest building in Atlanta is a simple way to start learning the layout of the urban core.

In summary, Bank of America Plaza is the tallest building in Atlanta, rising over 1,000 feet above the city at 600 Peachtree St NE. You can’t usually go up inside as a public visitor, but you’ll see it from highways, parks, in-town neighborhoods, and many of the places you’re likely to visit in Atlanta.