In 2005, Georgia’s state government bought the original World of Coca-Cola building in downtown Atlanta for $1 million. However, since then the three-story museum has been vacant as Coca-Cola moved out in 2007. Now, the state government has decided to demolish the building to make way for a new parking lot, with the demolition expected to be completed by August 1 at a cost of around $1.3 million.
Since its opening in 2007, the newer, larger Coca-Cola Co. museum located in Centennial Olympic Park has become the main tourist attraction in downtown Atlanta. The park has become the heart of the city’s tourism industry and is surrounded by hotels and other notable attractions such as the Georgia Aquarium, College Football Hall of Fame, and National Center for Civil and Human Rights.
The decision to demolish the original World of Coca-Cola site was made due to an increasing demand for parking near Capitol Hill. With limited space available, lawmakers have approved a project to build a new legislative office building and renovate the 1889 Capitol building which is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.