The elements of nature flow through every corner of Sozou, a new dining concept from renowned Chef Fuyuhiko Ito that pushes the boundaries of contemporary Japanese cuisine. Opening at Spring Quarter, Portman’s premier mixed-use development transforming an entire city block in Midtown Atlanta, the restaurant's innovative design blends natural elements with modern elegance. The team has engaged Lazzoni Furniture Atlanta and international design firm PMTA Studio to design, build and furnish Sozou, which opens in Spring 2025.

Coming to life on the ground floor of 1020 Spring, Spring Quarter’s Class-A office tower, never-before-seen renderings (linked here) of Sozou showcase a rich palette of earthy materials, including porcelain, ceramic, stone, marble and wood, to create an environment that reflects a deep connection to nature. The immersive setting begins with Sozou’s open-air arrival experience that offers guests a seamless transition between the mixed-use campus and the new restaurant. Additionally, a bar welcomes guests upon arrival, blurring the lines between indoor and outdoor.

Inside, Sozou features 22-foot high ceilings to provide an airy and spacious ambiance. A dedicated sushi counter allows guests to witness the artistry of Sozou’s sushi chefs up close, while an indoor-only bar provides a chic and comfortable resting place for socialization. Two exquisite private dining rooms, Sakura and Hana, sit on the mezzanine level and are thoughtfully designed to host a variety of events for special occasions.

“From the moment you step inside Sozou, you are embarking on a sensory adventure, with flavors that tantalize the taste buds and surroundings that delight the sights,” said Chef Ito. “Dining at Sozou means leaving the ordinary behind and becoming part of a culinary journey that transports you to an oasis of tranquility and sophistication. This will be an entirely new dining experience for Atlanta.”

In addition to the main dining space, the team will debut Omakase at ISHIN by Ito on the 8th-floor rooftop of 1020 Spring. Offering an intimate omakase dining experience at a 14-seat counter, private guests can enjoy Chef Ito’s masterful creations that celebrate the artistry of Japanese cuisine while taking in views of the Midtown skyline.

“Bringing Chef Ito back to Atlanta is a significant gain for the city's culinary scene, and Spring Quarter is the place where his vision for Sozou can be realized,” said Dotan Zuckerman, Head of Retail Development for Portman. “The culmination of Chef Ito’s life’s work and culinary mastery, Sozou is an important catalyst for creating a new, chef-driven dining district in Midtown at Spring Quarter.”

At the heart of Spring Quarter is the historic H.M. Patterson Home and Gardens. Portman has tapped Steve Palmer, the founder and visionary of The Indigo Road Hospitality Group, to create an alluring day-to-night dining experience in all 25,700 square feet of the reimagined building. Portman has thoughtfully added paseos and patios throughout Spring Quarter to connect the modern skyscrapers to The Patterson’s blooming gardens and street-level retail.

The mixed-use community also includes Sora, the 370-unit luxury residential tower that opened last year. Sora features nearly 13,000 square feet of ground-floor retail, including Pepper Boxing, an Atlanta-based cardio boxing class that is now open, and Habaneros, a recently announced urban Mexican concept based in Louisiana. Sora and 1020 Spring will rise against the backdrop of The Patterson's rich history and timeless architecture. 

Portman will complete the key components of Spring Quarter in Q3 2024. Also in Atlanta, Portman recently delivered Junction Krog District, a 135,000-square-foot, Class-A office building with ground-floor retail fronting the Atlanta BeltLine. Portman has announced Yuji, a new Japanese concept by Kinjo Enterprise, YEPPA&co, and Brash Coffee for the project. 

To learn more about Portman, visit portmanholdings.com.