ATLANTA — Channel 2 Action News got an up-close look Tuesday at the renovation plans for one of Atlanta's most famous restaurants.
Manuel's Tavern in the Poncey-Highland neighborhood is a must-stop spot for politicians, and has been for decades. It will close at the end of the month for a face-lift.
Owner Brian Maloof showed Channel 2's Sophia Choi around the bar that his late father, former DeKalb County CEO Manuel Maloof brought to life nearly 60 years ago.
Manuel's Tavern is now getting some much needed renovations behind the scenes, with infrastructure. Maloof promises the look and feel though of the bar will remain.
All the iconic artwork, like a painting of President John F. Kennedy, will go into storage and put right back after the renovations are done in about four months.
Maloof told Choi even the tables, and the urn carrying his famous father's ashes, will be back.
So the politicians, educators, neighbors and sports fans who rub elbows there won't notice a thing.
"My hope is that after the restoration process takes place, when people come in, they're going to go, 'What did you do?' And 'Why'd you shut down?'" Maloof said.
What will change is this area known as the North Avenue Room up to the railings on the second level will be used as retail space, but Manuel's will add other customer space that's now being used for storage.
That retail space is just part of the construction happening around Manuel's Tavern.
Maloof kept the tavern, but sold the land to Green Street Properties, which plans to build 21,000-square-feet of retail and commercial space, along with a 95,000-square-foot multifamily building nearby.
That work won't be done until the fourth quarter of 2017.
"The new building is planned to be about a two to three story structure," said Katherine Kelley, president of Green Street Properties.
All the new construction will mean taking away about 25 parking spots. But Maloof said what remains will still be free for customers who call Manuel's their favorite watering hole.
WSBTV
