Atlanta’s Skyscrapers: A Local Guide to the City’s Soaring Skyline

Atlanta’s skyline is one of the most recognizable in the Southeast. Whether you’re driving down the Downtown Connector, flying into Hartsfield–Jackson, or walking through Midtown, Atlanta’s skyscrapers are the backdrop to daily life in the city.

This guide walks through the major skyscrapers in Atlanta, Georgia, how the skyline is laid out, the best places to see it, and what locals and visitors should know about navigating and enjoying Atlanta’s vertical side.

How Atlanta’s Skyline Is Organized

Unlike some cities with a single dense core, Atlanta’s skyscrapers are clustered in a few main districts:

• Downtown Atlanta – Historic business and government hub, many older high-rises plus some modern towers.
• Midtown Atlanta – Growing, vibrant district with many of the city’s tallest and newest skyscrapers.
• Buckhead – Northern commercial district with its own cluster of high-rise office towers, condos, and hotels.
• Perimeter Center / Central Perimeter – Just outside the city limits along I-285 and GA-400, with suburban-style high-rise office parks and a few iconic towers.

If you live here or are visiting, it helps to think of the Atlanta skyline as multiple mini skylines connected by interstates and MARTA rail lines.

The Tallest and Most Iconic Skyscrapers in Atlanta

Here are some of the most recognized skyscrapers you’ll see in Atlanta, and where you’ll find them.

Bank of America Plaza

• District: Midtown / Downtown border
• Address: 600 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30308

Bank of America Plaza is the tallest building in Atlanta and one of the tallest in the U.S. Its pointed spire is a defining feature of the city’s skyline, especially at night when it’s lit up.

• Primarily an office tower; not open for general public tours.
• A key visual landmark when orienting yourself anywhere along the Downtown Connector (I‑75/85).

Westin Peachtree Plaza

• District: Downtown
• Address: 210 Peachtree St NW, Atlanta, GA 30303

This cylindrical glass skyscraper is one of downtown’s most recognizable buildings.

• Operates as a hotel, which means:
  • Locals often use it as a landmark when navigating downtown.
  • Visitors staying here can walk to the Georgia World Congress Center, State Farm Arena, Centennial Olympic Park, and MARTA stations nearby.

191 Peachtree Tower

• District: Downtown
• Address: 191 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30303

191 Peachtree Tower is known for its twin crowns and classic postmodern design.

• Mostly office space, including law firms, financial services, and corporate tenants.
• The building’s base connects to downtown’s network of office towers and is close to Peachtree Center MARTA Station.

SunTrust Plaza (Now Truist Plaza)

• District: Downtown
• Address: 303 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30308

Truist Plaza is a major component of the downtown skyline, with a distinctive angular crown.

• Primarily an office building, tied historically to Atlanta’s banking and corporate presence.
• Close to major streets and within walking distance of attractions like the Peachtree Center area and hotels.

One Atlantic Center

• District: Midtown
• Address: 1201 W Peachtree St NW, Atlanta, GA 30309

One Atlantic Center stands out with its pyramidal copper roof and dark façade.

• One of Midtown’s earliest and most iconic skyscrapers.
• Located along West Peachtree Street, near Arts Center and Midtown MARTA stations and cultural spots like the Woodruff Arts Center.

1180 Peachtree (Symphony Tower)

• District: Midtown
• Address: 1180 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309

Nicknamed Symphony Tower, this building is known for its sloping roofline and “V” shaped architectural fins near the top.

• A modern, energy-efficient office skyscraper.
• Right on Peachtree Street, across from the Woodruff Arts Center and near the High Museum of Art.

Buckhead’s High-Rise Cluster

Buckhead doesn’t have a single tallest landmark like Midtown or Downtown, but instead a cluster of office towers and luxury condos, including:

• Terminus buildings (Terminus 100, Terminus 200) around Peachtree Rd NE and Piedmont Rd NE
• High-rise residential buildings near Phipps Plaza and Lenox Square
• Office towers along Peachtree Road and Peachtree Dunwoody Road

If you’re commuting or shopping in Buckhead, you’ll be surrounded by mid- to high-rise towers rather than one dominant skyscraper.

Quick Reference: Notable Atlanta Skyscrapers

Best Places to See Atlanta’s Skyscrapers

If you live in Atlanta, you probably see the skyline during daily commutes. Visitors often want the best vantage points to really appreciate the skyscrapers.

Scenic Drives and Overlooks

• Jackson Street Bridge (Old Fourth Ward)

  • Popular local spot overlooking downtown and Midtown, with Bank of America Plaza and other towers in the background.
  • Accessible from Highland Ave NE; usually street parking nearby.
  • Often busy at sunset; go early if you want photos.

• Downtown Connector (I‑75/85)

  • The stretch between the 10th/14th Street exits and the I‑20 interchange has dramatic skyline views.
  • Not a stopping point, but you’ll see both Midtown and Downtown towers as you drive.

• Freedom Parkway near the Carter Center

  • Approaching downtown from the east provides a sweeping view of the skyline in front of you.

Parks and Public Spaces with Skyline Views

• Piedmont Park (Midtown)

  • From the Meadow and around Lake Clara Meer, you get excellent views of Midtown’s skyscrapers.
  • Popular for locals running, walking dogs, or attending festivals, with the towers as a backdrop.

• Centennial Olympic Park (Downtown)

  • Surrounded by hotels and office towers.
  • Good spot to experience the feeling of being at the base of downtown’s skyscrapers.

• Old Fourth Ward and the Eastside BeltLine

  • As you walk or bike the BeltLine near Ponce City Market, you can see Midtown and Downtown towers peeking over the treeline.

High Floors, Hotels, and Restaurants

Many skyline views are from private or semi-public spaces:

• Upper floors of downtown hotels (like the Westin Peachtree Plaza and others).
• Rooftop bars and restaurants in Midtown, Downtown, and Old Fourth Ward.

These spaces change over time, so locals often check current listings or ask around for which rooftops are open to the public and have skyline views.

Living and Working in Atlanta’s Skyscrapers

Office Life in the Towers

Many of Atlanta’s major employers, law firms, consulting firms, and banks occupy high floors in downtown and Midtown towers. If you work there, a few practical notes:

• Transit Access:
  • Downtown towers are typically walkable from Peachtree Center, Five Points, or Civic Center MARTA stations.
  • Midtown towers often sit near North Avenue, Midtown, or Arts Center stations.
• Parking:
  • Most skyscrapers have attached garages; monthly spots can be costly, so many workers use MARTA or park-and-ride options.
• Amenities:
  • Buildings usually include food courts, coffee shops, and service providers at ground or concourse level.

Residential Skyscrapers and High-Rise Living

While some of Atlanta’s oldest skyscrapers are strictly offices, newer development has added:

• High-rise apartment buildings in Midtown, Buckhead, and West Midtown
• Condominiums with skyline views, especially around Peachtree Street, Peachtree Road in Buckhead, and near Ponce City Market

If you’re considering living in a high-rise in Atlanta:

• Noise: Streets below can be noisy, but upper floors often reduce traffic sound.
• Transit vs. Car: Many high-rise residents choose to rely more on MARTA, walking, and rideshare to avoid daily parking and driving hassles.
• Views: South- and west-facing units often get downtown or sunset views; north-facing units might capture Buckhead or Midtown.

How Skyscrapers Fit Into Atlanta’s History and Identity

Atlanta’s skyscrapers reflect its role as a transportation and business hub of the Southeast.

• Rail and airline history: The city’s growth as a rail center and later as a major airline hub helped attract regional headquarters and corporate offices that occupy many towers today.
• Olympics era boost: In the 1990s, especially around the 1996 Olympic Games, downtown and Midtown saw extensive development and renovations that shaped the current skyline.
• Ongoing Midtown growth: In recent years, Midtown has become Atlanta’s most active skyscraper construction zone, with:
  • New office towers.
  • Mixed-use projects combining offices, hotels, and residential units.
  • Technology and media companies moving into mid- and high-rise buildings.

When people picture “Atlanta, Georgia skyscrapers,” they’re often picturing this mix of historic downtown towers and newer glass-and-steel Midtown high-rises.

Getting Around the Skyscraper Districts

If you’re planning your day around downtown or Midtown skyscrapers, transit and parking logistics matter.

MARTA Rail and Bus

Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) is the main public transit agency serving the city.

• Headquarters Address:
  MARTA Headquarters
  2424 Piedmont Rd NE
  Atlanta, GA 30324

Key stations for skyscraper areas:

• Downtown: Five Points, Peachtree Center, Civic Center
• Midtown: North Avenue, Midtown, Arts Center
• Buckhead: Buckhead (on Peachtree Rd), Lenox, and Lindbergh Center nearby

Using MARTA can make visiting high-traffic skyscraper areas easier, especially during major events or rush hour.

Driving and Parking Near Skyscrapers

• Downtown:

  • Expect numerous parking decks and surface lots.
  • Many towers have private or tenant-focused garages; public parking is usually available for a fee.

• Midtown:

  • Parking decks attached to office and residential towers.
  • Street parking is limited and often metered or restricted.

• Buckhead:

  • Larger mixed-use centers and malls (like Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza) include sizable parking garages.
  • High-rise office buildings along Peachtree often have dedicated parking structures.

Locals often combine short drives with MARTA (parking at a station and riding in) to avoid driving directly through the core of downtown during peak times.

Skyscrapers and City Services: What Residents Should Know

While skyscrapers themselves are private buildings, they intersect with many public services:

Zoning and Development Oversight

• City of Atlanta Department of City Planning
  • Address: 55 Trinity Ave SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
  • Handles zoning, land use, and permitting for high-rise development within city limits.

If you’re interested in how future skyscraper projects might affect your neighborhood, the Department of City Planning and Neighborhood Planning Units (NPUs) are where residents typically participate in public processes.

Fire and Safety Regulations

High-rise buildings in Atlanta must comply with fire codes, safety standards, and regular inspections, overseen by:

• Atlanta Fire Rescue Department
  • Headquarters (administrative offices): 226 Peachtree St SW, Atlanta, GA 30303

If you live or work in a skyscraper, building management usually provides fire drill information, evacuation routes, and emergency contact details. These procedures are designed in coordination with fire and safety officials.

Enjoying Atlanta’s Skyscrapers as a Resident or Visitor

If you want to fully experience Atlanta, Georgia skyscrapers, here are some practical ways to do it:

• Take a MARTA ride through downtown and Midtown and watch the skyline unfold from the train.
• Walk Peachtree Street from Downtown into Midtown to feel the shift from historic towers to newer glass high-rises.
• Plan a skyline-view evening:
  • Visit a park like Piedmont Park around sunset.
  • Or choose a restaurant or hotel lounge with views of Downtown or Midtown.
• Explore different skyline clusters:
  • Spend time in Downtown around Centennial Olympic Park.
  • Visit Midtown around 10th–14th streets and the Arts Center.
  • Head to Buckhead around Lenox, Phipps, and Peachtree Road to see that distinct high-rise corridor.

Atlanta’s skyscrapers are more than just tall buildings; they shape how people live, work, commute, and spend time in the city. Understanding where they are and how the skyline is laid out helps you navigate Atlanta more confidently—whether you’re here for a weekend or putting down long-term roots.