In January 2019, What Now Atlanta broke news of a two-story restaurant and bar opening in the Atlanta University Center (AUC) Neighborhood. Charles S. Hill Jr., a Morehouse College alumnus, along with his father Dr. Charles S. Hill Sr., owner of Decatur’s Hill’s Eye Clinic, were in the early permitting stages for their project, The Hill Social. We’re truly excited to report that after three years and some small setbacks, the restaurant and bar should open by the end of this month.
Hill Jr, who is the Managing Partner on the project, told What Now Atlanta over a phone interview on Thursday that the building at 140 James P. Brawley Drive SW, which was built in 1900, had to be completely gutted and renovated.
“We had a lot of start-stops with the project, some issues relative to permitting, and then, as you can imagine, COVID hit…that significantly slowed down the pace of the redevelopment,” Hill Jr. shared. Now, he’s thrilled to be putting the finishing touches on the building.
Hill Jr., who holds Masters from Harvard and Yale, has worked hard towards winning over public support for the project by hosting events in the last couple of months, and he wants the restaurant to be very community-oriented. “It will feel upscale,” he added, and he’s made a point of incorporating design elements and artwork that will promote a comfortable, elevated atmosphere.
Renovations over the last three years include building-out a kitchen and bringing much of the space up to code. Two bathrooms have been added to each level as well.
“On the lower level, we are installing unique pieces of art that pay homage to the American Civil Rights Movement of the 1960’s, modern Voting-Rights activism, and Icons of Old Atlanta,” he said. A large picture of Congressman John Lewis hangs downstairs, where the kitchen and dining space are. On the upper level, which will house the bar and more seating, Hill Jr. is incorporating images of popular musical artists. He’s also installed a high-end sound system in the building.
With the help of Victoria Lemos from Archive Atlanta, Hill Jr. discovered the building has housed a fair amount of businesses in its day, including M & M Restaurant, a “college rendezvous.” in the mid-1930s.
“The impetus for this project came from two of my undergraduate professors, Dr Abraham Davis, a 1961 Morehouse College graduate and Dr. Christopher K. Bass, a 1992 Clark Atlanta University graduate. To this day, they are still two of my closest mentors, providing valuable feedback, and the intergenerational comradery found within the AUC community,” says Hill Jr.
“It is my hope that our project will spur additional economic development in the AUC Neighborhood and inspire other AUC Alumni to envision the many value-add opportunities of investing resources, to revitalize one of Atlanta’s most Historic & Celebrated African-American Neighborhood’s,” he said.
Right now, Hill Jr. plans for the formal opening of The Hill Social to coincide with the return of students to campus for the 2022 Spring Semester. While he hasn’t set an official date yet, you should look for the restaurant and bar to open its doors by the end of January.
