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Ponce City Market Marked Its Centennial Celebration

The historic Atlanta landmark is honoring 100 years of operation with a monthlong series of events.

Updated on Sept. 19, 2026 in Openings & Closings

The iconic red brick facade and clock tower of the historic Ponce City Market building in Atlanta under golden afternoon light.
Jamestown is marking the 100th anniversary of the historic Ponce City Market property in Atlanta with a monthlong series of commemorative community events. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Jamestown has launched a monthlong celebration to mark the 100th anniversary of the Ponce City Market building. The centennial events include music, workshops, and art installations across the historic Atlanta property.

Why it matters

The celebration honors the evolution of the site, which has served as a retail facility, ballpark, and amusement park over the last century. It highlights the building's role as a centerpiece of the Atlanta community after its restoration.

Jamestown invested more than $180 million into the restoration of the property. The facility recently expanded with 700,000 square feet of new space added in 2024.

The players

Jamestown

This real estate investment and management company purchased the Ponce City Market property in 2010.

Sears, Roebuck & Co.

This retail corporation originally built and operated the facility starting in 1926 before closing it in 1989.

Three Taverns Craft Brewery

This local brewing company produced a special commemorative ale titled 100 Years on Ponce for the celebration.

The details

The monthlong event series features an archival photography exhibition on the building's second floor and a special commemorative ale from Three Taverns Craft Brewery. The building, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, has transitioned through multiple uses since its 1926 debut as a Sears, Roebuck & Co. facility.

Timeline

  1. 1926: The original building opened as a Sears, Roebuck & Co. facility.

  2. September 18, 2026: An archival photography exhibition opened and a panel discussion took place.

  3. September 25, 2026: A launch party for the commemorative ale is scheduled to occur.

  4. September 26, 2026: The main community celebration and history installation opening will be held.

  5. October 18, 2026: The photography exhibition will remain on display through this date.

Market Landscape

The revitalization of Ponce City Market represents a shift toward large-scale adaptive reuse of historic industrial sites in major metropolitan hubs. This positions the property as a key competitor against newer mixed-use developments by leveraging its unique historical pedigree.

Shoppers and residents can participate in the ongoing events, including workshops and music performances, at no additional cost. Local patrons will also have access to the limited-edition commemorative ale throughout the celebration month.

The takeaway

The transformation of this site demonstrates how historic commercial properties can be successfully integrated into modern urban life. Readers interested in local history can take advantage of the remaining exhibition dates to see archival materials documenting the site's century-long evolution.

Further reading

For more on local development projects, visit the Openings & Closings section.

Source note: This article includes information reported by WSB-TV Channel 2 - Atlanta.

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Do you believe the preservation of historic buildings creates more value for your local community?