By Bill Read
May 2024
What’s Filling Atlanta’s Empty Anchor Spaces?
The end of a retailer does not mean the end of retail.
7.9M+
square feet added to the market
257
vacant units across the Atlanta MSA and Georgia
70%
of bankruptcy-related space already re-leased
Report Highlights
- Retail bankruptcies across Georgia have created one of the most significant backfill opportunities in the Atlanta market in recent memory. Big Lots, Toys “R” Us, Party City, JOANN, and others have collectively added over 7.9 million square feet of available retail space.
- Not all space is created equal. Well-located anchor spaces leased quickly due to their position in supply-constrained markets. Lower-quality real estate is taking longer to absorb.
- Despite the volume of space returning to market, demand has remained strong. Of all bankruptcy-related space tracked, 70% has already been re-leased.
- Of the retailers filing in 2024 and 2025, over 40% of that space has already found new tenants.
- The top users backfilling these spaces include discount stores, apparel retailers, furniture stores, fitness operators, and a growing wave of entertainment and pickleball concepts.
The Read Report
Industry report on trends with commercial retail real estate. Researched and written by Bill Read.
Bill Read
Executive Vice President
CORPORATE SERVICES, LEASING
404.307.2116
bill.read@retailspecialists.com
