For 65 years, the Atlanta Decorative Arts Center (ADAC) has shaped how the Southeast experiences design, evolving from a trade-only showroom resource into one of the country’s most preeminent design campuses. A dynamic destination where inspiration, expertise and access converge. Today, that spirit defines ADAC as it celebrates this milestone anniversary.
“ADAC has always been about connection, bringing together talent, resources, and ideas,” said Katie Miner, general manager of ADAC. “As we celebrate 65 years, we’re proud to continue expanding that vision, ensuring that whether you’re a seasoned professional or simply design-curious, ADAC is a place where you can discover, connect and create.”
Central to that mission is ADAC’s role as a bridge between ideas and execution. Through its network of designers and showrooms, visitors gain access not only to exceptional products but to the expertise needed to bring projects to life, reinforcing that great design is not exclusive but attainable.
From its origins as a visionary concept to its role today as a global hub for trade and the public, ADAC’s story reflects 65 years of growth, reinvention, and a deep commitment to design and community.
A Vision Takes Shape: The 1960s
ADAC began in 1961 in Buckhead as the brainchild of architect and developer John C. Portman Jr., who created the Atlanta Decorative Arts Center as a display and distribution center for the interior design trade. The original concept brought fabrics, furniture, lighting, kitchen and bath fixtures, flooring, wall coverings and accessories together under one roof, helping establish Atlanta as a major design destination in the Southeast.
The Campus Begins to Grow: The 1970s
As the design industry expanded, ADAC added a two-story addition in 1970 that connected the original buildings and improved campus flow. By the late 1970s, further additions, including middle floors and an atrium in the central core, helped ADAC evolve from a simple showroom center into a more connected design environment.
Expansion + Momentum: The 1980s
The 1980s brought another major stage of growth, including the addition of fourth and fifth floors to the central core in 1982. In 1986, ADAC expanded again with the purchase of the neighboring warehouse, which became ADAC West, extending the center’s footprint. These changes reinforced ADAC’s position as a larger, more influential design resource for the region.
A Trusted Industry Anchor: The 1990s
By the 1990s, ADAC had become a well-established part of Atlanta’s Buckhead landscape and a familiar destination for designers, architects and builders. Rather than one single defining change, this decade reflects ADAC’s continued maturation into a trusted regional anchor for the trade.
From Resource to Gathering Place: The 2000s
In 2006, ADAC underwent an extensive renovation that marked an important shift in its role within the design community. The renovation added the Designer Lounge and Presentation Room, helping ADAC become not only a place to source products but also a venue for networking, education and industry events. This evolution continued in 2009 with the opening of The Hungry Peach, one of ADAC’s on-site dining destinations, introducing a new layer of hospitality and creating a natural setting for informal meetings and moments of interaction.
Broader Access, Bigger Reach: The 2010s
In 2012, ADAC opened to the public, broadening its audience and increasing visibility for the campus and its showrooms. Then 2013 saw KR SteakBar join the campus, further enhancing ADAC’s role as a destination where business and community intersect, offering an elevated setting for client dinners, industry gatherings and everyday exchange. In 2015, ADAC Design Studios opened on-site, giving select trade professionals collaborative workspaces and sample-library resources. In November 2018, ADAC was acquired by International Market Centers and parent company Blackstone, later becoming part of Andmore, marking a new chapter of investment and growth.
Legacy With Relevance: The 2020s
ADAC celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2021, highlighting six decades of influence in Atlanta and throughout the Southeast. Today, ADAC spans more than 550,000 square feet across ADAC and ADAC West and includes more than 65 showrooms and more than 40 design studios.
Its continued emphasis on community, education and design collaboration has kept it relevant as both a marketplace and a gathering place for the industry. That sense of connection continues to evolve, most recently with the 2025 addition of Krog Bar, further activating the campus with spaces designed for conversation and informal client engagement, extending the ADAC experience beyond the showroom floor.
Throughout 2026, ADAC will celebrate its legacy while looking ahead, with programming and initiatives that highlight both its history and its future as a more open, inclusive design destination.
