Business & Retail Briefs

Computer hardware, software and electronics company NCR Corp . will move its headquarters to Midtown. The new Midtown campus will occupy a 4-acre site at 8th and Springs streets at Centergy North, right next door to Georgia Tech’s Technology Square. The site plan calls for a mix of an 8 to 10 story building with up to 1.5 million square feet of office, hotel and possible retail space. The new headquarters could be ready by 2017 or early 2018. The move from near Duluth in Gwinnett County is expected to bring 3,500 to 4,000 jobs into the city.

As Buckhead Atlanta continues to open new stores and restaurants, OliverMcMillan has announced five additional retailers will be opening soon. Billy Reid , luxury clothing for men and women; Davidoff of Geneva , premium cigars; Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery, top-of-the-line fixtures; Les Copains , French-inspired, Italian-made luxury apparel; and Vilebrequin , chic swimswear. The stores will be opening in spring and summer.

Philips Arena has been recognized as one of the top venues in the world for live entertainment yet again. Hosting 64 events and 608,084 guests this past year, Philips Arena earned a spot among the world’s top 10 venues worldwide based on ticket sales. Leading entertainment industry publication, Pollstar Magazine, ranked Philips Arena No. 10 in the world and No. 4 in the United States in its 2014 Year End ranking.

Sorelle boutique (sorelleatlanta.com) has opened in Virginia-Highland at 1393 N. Highland Ave. The shop sells women’s clothing and accessories from designers like Sanctuary, Bailey 44, Joie, Greylin, Gypsy 05, Ella Moss, Tart, Splendid, Amanda Uprichard, DL 1961, James Jeans and more.

Phipps Plaza in Buckhead is about to get a serious exterior facelift. Work on the new facade is scheduled to be complete in the fall and feature intricately designed metal panels and a backlit glass curtain wall. The new look comes on the heels of a big interior makeover last year including upgraded LED lighting, a complete repainting, new wood accents, lounge areas with Wi-Fi connectivity and chargers, upgraded restrooms, and the installation of a hotel-like concierge center. Also in the works by Simon is an adjacent residential project called Domain at Phipps, a 319-unit mid-rise from Columbus Realty Partners, Ltd. and a joint venture with Noble Investment Group, which will bring the AC Hotels by Marriott brand to Phipps Plaza.

Internet-based men’s clothing store Bonobos (bonobos.com) has opened a brick and mortar store at Buckhead Atlanta, 3035 Peachtree Road. Bonobos Guideshop is a 1,150 square-foot space for those who want to see and try on the clothing in-person before placing an order on the website. Experts trained in fit and style guide customers through the merchandise including tailored suits, dress shirts, blazers, casual shirts, denim and chinos.

Jamestown Properties has revealed the names of 13 retailers who will be moving into Ponce City Market , the gargantuan mixed-use redevelopment of the former Sears & Roebuck (and later City Hall East) building in the Old Fourth Ward. The retailers that will be opening later this year include The Frye Company , leather accessories; Oakleaf & Acorn , men’s apparel and accessories; The Jean Machine , custom denim; Williams-Sonoma Home , cooking and home; Madewell , women’s apparel; West Elm , furnishing and décor; Anthropologie , women’s fashion and gifts; Mountain High Outfitters , active wear; Rejuvenation , lighting and home décor; Goorin Bros. Hat Shop , styles for men and women; J. Crew, apparel; Michael Stars, custom-fit t-shirts; Lou Lou Accessories, jewelry and handbags.

speed is 11.5 Megabits per second. In contrast, Google Fiber will bring Atlanta residents access to “gigabit” internet connections up to 1,000 Megabits per second. The service will cost about $70 a month for Internet alone and about $130 a month for Internet and television, Google Fiber marketing director Scott Levitan said. A slower version will be offered for a $300 connection fee with no monthly charges or $25 a month for a year, Levitan said.

“Google Fiber is the infrastructure for the next generation of innovation in Atlanta,” said Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed. “High-speed internet access is essential to participate in the 21st century economy. In addition to supporting our thriving tech and startup communities, Google Fiber will bring greater economic opportunities to every quadrant of the city.”

The Atlanta Downtown Improvement District (ADID) has moved its offices from the Olympia Building (which is being transformed into a Walgreen’s) to 34 Peachtree St. in Downtown. ADID’s new headquarters occupy 8,200 square feet of space on the first floor and lobby level of 34 Peachtree, just one block north of Five Points. “Being near Five Points puts us at the center of Downtown and gives us optimum access to our entire 220-block service area,” said Dave Wardell, ADID Vice President of Operations and Public Safety.