BUCKHEAD.COM – The Simon Properties Group made a big splash in 2018 when chef Nobu Matsuhisa, Robert De Niro, and Meir Teper joined Phipps Plaza and Simon executives to break ground on the most ambitious expansion of the mall since Simon purchased the property in 1992. A new Nobu restaurant and hotel, Life Time Athletic complex with a new lifestyle food hall, and a 12 story office tower, known as One Phipps Plaza, were announced to replace the Belk’s department store.
Construction was delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, but the project was back on track by early 2021. We toured the new facilities in October with Phipps Plaza manager Eric Howard. We were not able to access the Nobu or Life Time buildings since the Simon group has already turned over the keys to the new owners. Nobu and Life Time are scheduled to open in some capacity in November 2022, and Novelis, the main tenant at One Phipps Plaza, will begin occupying their offices around the same time. The 46,000 square foot lifestyle food hall that will occupy the base of the Life Time tower, known as the Citizens Culinary Market, will open in early 2023. Be sure to read our previous coverage for complete details about the Citizens Culinary Market, Life Time Work, and more.