The Looking Glass Set to Transform Downtown Atlanta with Immersive Social and Dining Experience
CP Group, one of the Southeast’s leading vertically integrated commercial real estate firms, has announced the arrival of The Looking Glass, an innovative immersive social destination that will become a major attraction at The CTR (The Center) in downtown Atlanta. Developed by Atlanta-based AMP Up1 Hospitality, the team behind the award-winning social experience venue Your 3rd Spot, the project is expected to redefine entertainment, dining, and social engagement in the city.
Construction on the venue is scheduled to begin immediately following the conclusion of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with an anticipated opening in the second quarter of 2027. Once completed, The Looking Glass will occupy the former CNN Studios space overlooking Centennial Olympic Park, one of Atlanta’s most recognizable and historic locations.
CP Group currently owns and manages more than 8 million square feet of commercial real estate throughout the Atlanta region, including landmark properties such as Bank of America Plaza and Piedmont Center. The addition of The Looking Glass represents another significant step in the company’s ongoing efforts to enhance The CTR as a vibrant mixed-use destination that attracts residents, visitors, businesses, and tourists alike.
The new venue will span approximately 38,000 square feet across multiple levels and is expected to accommodate more than 1,000 guests. Designed as the flagship location of a new hospitality and entertainment concept, The Looking Glass aims to create a distinctive destination that blends elevated dining, immersive storytelling, interactive entertainment, and large-scale social experiences under one roof.
Unlike traditional restaurants or entertainment venues, The Looking Glass is being developed as an experiential environment where visitors become active participants in the experience. The venue will operate from late morning through the evening, contributing to the all-day energy and activity within The CTR while complementing the property’s growing collection of tenants and attractions.
The concept was created by AMP Up1 Hospitality, a company recognized for developing innovative hospitality experiences that encourage meaningful social interaction. The team’s previous success with Your 3rd Spot established its reputation for combining food, drinks, games, and community engagement into a unique social experience that resonates with modern consumers.
With The Looking Glass, AMP Up1 Hospitality is taking that vision to a new level. The concept is inspired by a rich and imaginative literary tradition but reinterpreted through a contemporary lens. The venue’s storyline explores themes of curiosity, discovery, and human connection in a world increasingly shaped by digital distractions and busy routines.
Guests will encounter a highly immersive environment designed as a “choose-your-own-adventure” experience. Rather than following a fixed path, visitors will be encouraged to explore different spaces, uncover hidden elements, and engage with various experiences throughout the venue. Each visit may reveal new discoveries, creating a sense of exploration that encourages repeat visits and deeper engagement.
The experience is built around the idea of rewarding curiosity and rekindling the sense of play that many adults often lose in everyday life. Through carefully designed environments, interactive features, culinary experiences, and social gathering spaces, The Looking Glass aims to foster meaningful connections while providing entertainment that goes beyond traditional dining or nightlife offerings.
The venue’s design will feature multiple themed environments and experiences, each representing different chapters within the broader narrative world of The Looking Glass. Guests will be able to navigate these spaces at their own pace, creating personalized journeys shaped by their interests and interactions.
Food and beverage offerings will play an important role in the overall experience. While specific culinary concepts have not yet been announced, the venue is expected to feature elevated hospitality experiences that align with AMP Up1 Hospitality’s reputation for quality service and creative dining concepts. These offerings will complement the immersive atmosphere while enhancing the social and experiential aspects of the destination.
The project is expected to contribute significantly to the continued revitalization and growth of downtown Atlanta. As tourism, entertainment, and hospitality activity continue to expand in the city, experiential destinations have become increasingly important in attracting visitors and creating memorable experiences. The Looking Glass is positioned to become one of the city’s most distinctive attractions, drawing both local residents and out-of-town guests.
Josh Rossmeisl, Founder and Chief Vision Officer of AMP Up1 Hospitality, described The Looking Glass as the culmination of years of planning, creativity, and industry experience. According to Rossmeisl, the project represents a long-held vision that brings together the company’s expertise in hospitality, entertainment, operations, and guest experience design.
With more than three decades of experience developing, opening, and operating restaurants and entertainment venues, Rossmeisl views The Looking Glass as the defining project of his career. He emphasized that the concept reflects not only his personal vision but also the collective creativity and talent of the AMP Up1 Hospitality team.
Rossmeisl highlighted the contributions of the many professionals, designers, operators, and partners who have helped shape the concept. He noted that the project showcases the organization’s commitment to creating experiences that encourage connection, exploration, and engagement while delivering exceptional hospitality.
For AMP Up1 Hospitality, The Looking Glass represents more than just a new venue. It serves as the launch of a broader concept that could potentially expand beyond Atlanta in the future. As the first and flagship location, the Atlanta venue will establish the foundation for what the company envisions as a new category of immersive social destinations.
For CP Group, the addition of The Looking Glass strengthens The CTR’s position as a premier destination in downtown Atlanta. By transforming the iconic former CNN Studios space into a cutting-edge hospitality and entertainment venue, the company continues to enhance the property’s appeal while contributing to the city’s evolving cultural and economic landscape.
When The Looking Glass opens its doors in 2027, visitors can expect a destination that blends storytelling, hospitality, dining, entertainment, and social interaction into a single immersive experience. With its ambitious vision, unique concept, and prime location overlooking Centennial Olympic Park, the venue is poised to become one of Atlanta’s most talked-about attractions and a landmark destination for years to come.
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