Midtown Union Signs Lease with Wabi Sabi
Friday, November 13th, 2026
MetLife Investment Management (MIM), the institutional asset management business of MetLife, Inc. (NYSE: MET), and Granite Properties, a commercial real estate investment, development, and management company, announced today that Wabi Sabi by Kitchen Master has signed an 8,815-square-foot lease at Midtown Union. This brings the Midtown Atlanta office tower’s 18,902-square-foot retail space to 100 percent leased. Wabi Sabi will offer an elevated, chef-driven take on modern East Asian cuisine rooted in Taiwanese and Japanese influences. The restaurant is scheduled to open in Summer 2027.
“I’m excited to bring a new concept, Wabi Sabi, to Midtown Union in Midtown Atlanta,” said Ian Peng, owner of Wabi Sabi. “Wabi Sabi is an upscale evolution of Kitchen Master, built on the same dedication to craftsmanship, creativity, and exciting flavors. Its vision is inspired by the Japanese philosophy, wabi-sabi, which honors simplicity, nature, and beautiful imperfections. This approach is reflected in our handmade dishes, which are prepared with the finest natural ingredients,” he added.
Designed by Georgia-based Y Studio, the interior harmonizes classic style and modern luxury using rich bronze, copper, dark marble, and cognac leather. The space features floor-to-ceiling windows, a main dining room, a lounge, and a dramatic statement bar. A speakeasy with stairs leading to a mezzanine offers a second bar, private dining, and a lounge. Restrained indoor greenery, including a 20-foot tree, softens the bronze and copper elements and connects the space to the outdoor patio facing 17th Street.
Wabi Sabi’s menu highlights signature handmade soup dumplings and bao alongside refined small plates, robatayaki, noodles, contemporary dishes, and signature cocktails. Dishes are made with the finest ingredients, such as Berkshire pork, Japanese A5 Wagyu, Australian MS9 Wagyu, truffles, and hand-crafted sauces.
The restaurant’s lunch menu offers a variety of seasonal fusion Teishoku served with rice, soup, and an entree including Chef’s Choice Sashimi and Nigiri.
Wabi Sabi was founded by Ian Peng, who was born in Taiwan, where his family ran a small food stall. He moved to Suwanee, Georgia, at age nine. As a teenager he was inspired by his family’s culinary history and worked his way up from dishwasher to sushi chef before graduating high school. Over the years he expanded his craft into ramen, handmade soup dumplings and Chinese wok cooking. Ian is a graduate of the Art Institute of Atlanta’s culinary program and launched his first Asian fusion restaurant, Kitchen Master, in Frisco, Texas, in 2020. Soon after, he opened additional locations in Suwanee, Georgia, Southlake, Texas, and Tamsui, Taiwan.
Wabi Sabi is located at 1331 Spring Street, NW in Midtown Union, a large, mixed-use development featuring a Class AA office tower developed by Granite Properties and MIM, the Mira residential tower and The Kimpton Shane Hotel. The office tower’s other two retail spaces are leased to White Windmill Bakery and Café, which opened in February 2026, and Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, which opened in October 2026. Additional restaurants at Midtown Union include Hartley Kitchen and Cocktails, and Aveline Bar, which are both located in The Kimpton Shane Hotel. Visitors can access self-parking in The North Deck Parking Garage or use the on-site valet service.
“We’re excited to reach full retail occupancy at Midtown Union’s office tower. This milestone enhances the office experience with upscale and casual dining while increasing the vibrancy and walkability of Midtown,” said John Robbins, Senior Managing Director, Granite Properties. “The strong retail leasing activity underscores the robust consumer demand for high-quality restaurants in Midtown Atlanta, which drives foot traffic and economic growth,” he added.
Midtown Union is in the heart of Midtown Atlanta’s Arts District. It has “first-on/first-off” access to the I-75/85 Connector and is a 2-minute walk from the Arts Center MARTA Station.
Wabi Sabi was represented by Mylinh Cao of SRS Real Estate Partners. Granite and MIM were represented by Amy Fingerhut of CBRE.
