Georgia's capital has had twenty-six mall-type shopping centers developed in its environs since the first one opened for business, back in 1959. In the 21st century, five of these complexes have been demolished. Two others are still in operation, but in pronounced states of decline. Six failed shopping hubs will be covered in our Lost Malls of Atlanta section. All seven are listed henceforth, with original names used. 

 *STEWART-LAKEWOOD CENTER [1959]
 *COBB COUNTY CENTER [1963-1998]
*NORTH DEKALB CENTER [1965-2020]
 *COLUMBIA MALL [1967-2007]
 *PARKAIRE MALL & PLAZA [1974-1986]
*ROSWELL MALL [1974-1994]
*THE MALL WEST END [1972-2025] (no article)
An eighth Lost Mall, not included in this write-up, does have an article on our SHOPPING MALL MUSEUM SITE. RIO SHOPPING CENTER ("RIO MALL") was officially dedicated in April 1989. This unorthodox (for Atlanta) mini-mall lasted only 11 years and was bulldozed in the year 2000. 

 http://shoppingmallmuseum.blogspot.com/search/label/Atlanta%27s%20Rio%20Mall

A ninth Lost Mall also does not fit within our 1946-1979 timeline focus. In order to be inducted into the Mall Hall of Fame, a retail complex must have opened for business between 1946 and 1979. SHANNON MALL was in operation between 1980 and 2010. The complex went through various renovations and name changes before being entirely demolished in 2014. 
 
In the mid-2020s, two Greater Atlanta malls were technically still in operation, but teetering toward Lost Mall status;

*NORTHLAKE MALL [1971]
*GWINNETT PLACE MALL [1984]
 
 
A map showing malls that have operated in -or around- Georgia's capital over the years. Failed shopping centers are indicated with gray squares, with other malls indicated with black squares.
Click on image for a larger view

 Atlanta's current freeway system opened in segments. The Northwest Expressway, a portion of today's Interstate 75 and 85 Downtown Connector, was dedicated in 1951. Another section of "I-75," going through Marietta, was the final interstate segment built. This stretch of highway was completed in 1974. A tollway section of the Georgia 400 -or Alpharetta Autobahn- opened to traffic in 1993. GREENBRIAR CENTER, the first freeway-friendly mall in the metro area, had opened for business in September 1965.

 Heavy rail transit made its Atlanta debut in June 1979. The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority dedicated a 6.7-route-mile, Georgia State-to-Avondale, starter line. New segments of the MARTA rail system were inaugurated in 1979, 1981, 1982, 1984, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1992, 1993, 1996 and 2000. Today's system extends for 47.6 route miles and serves thirty-eight stations.
 
In the here and now, there are two MARTA-adjacent malls;  LENOX SQUARE and PERIMETER MALL. THE MALL WEST END was also adjacent to the MARTA rail system. This complex was shuttered in January 2025 and eventually demolished.