The Galleria Specialty Mall opened in 1983 as an upscale retail complement to the Waverly Hotel in Smyrna, Georgia. The 14-story Waverly Hotel opened a year earlier in 1982. Both the Waverly Hotel and Galleria Specialty Mall were developed across the street from the Cumberland Mall. Completed in 1973, the Cumberland Mall was Georgia’s first four-anchor mall and second in the Southeastern United States. Its original department store anchors were Davison’s, JCPenney, Rich’s and Sears.
The Galleria Specialty Mall initially encompassed two levels surrounding a large central court. In 1992, the mall’s second level was closed and reopened in 1994 as the Cobb Galleria Centre. At the time, it was the first convention facility in the country to combine retail, hotel, meeting and exhibition space in a suburban setting. Despite being the first, the anchor-less Galleria struggled as a primary retail destination. Over the years, restaurants and specialty retail boutiques have come and gone. Its largest tenant was an eight screen AMC cinema that closed in 1998. Yet, the presence of adjacent hotel and convention space has kept the mall operational over time. However, never undergoing any significant renovations since its opening 41 years ago may be the mall’s most attractive feature.
There aren’t too many retail shopping scenes where one can go and have a 1980s Atlanta Hot Tub Time Machine experience. However, its future may be short lived as there are plans to redevelop the property.
The atrium of the Renaissance Atlanta Waverly Hotel & Convention Center. The hotel opened in 1982. The Gallery Specialty Mall was added to complement the hotel in 1983.
The Cobb Galleria Centre opened in 1994. A portion of the convention center utilizes the second floor of the Galleria Specialty Mall.
The mall’s center court serves as the primary connection between the Cobb Galleria Centre’s retail and convention facilities.
The mall’s interior, including flooring and lighting, is preserved in its original 1983 style.
Looking from the mall’s main exterior entrance.