

[Renderings courtesy the Atlanta Braves.]

Come 2017, a trip to the Atlanta Braves ballpark might include … kayaking? Swimming? Waterside reflections on 1990s championships that never were? Well, maybe. New renderings for the Cobb County sports mega-complex throw an interesting spitball against the wall: What if the stadium had a huge water feature beyond the outfield stands, like a smaller, manmade version of the harbor outside San Francisco's AT&T Park? These images by master planner The Jerde Partnership are basically placeholders to give state officials an idea of the project's scale — both the stadium and adjoining $400 million mixed-use accoutrement. While the renderings are still very much conceptual, they hint at an aesthetic that's less Atlantic Station and more High Museum, with a dash of Roman Coliseum.

This week, the Braves named their development team, which includes Fuqua Development LLC. In an interview with the Atlanta Business Chronicle, company founder Jeff Fuqua calls the mixed-use portion "the project of the decade," noting that it's already drawing interest from several "large scale" restaurants. Officials say construction on the entertainment complex will begin up to a year after the stadium, but they're adamant the whole shebang will debut in time for the 2017 season's first pitch.

Architectural drawings that will show the complex's actual look will be released later, but these teasers suggest a cleaner, more contemporary style (see the horizontal wood elements?) than earlier watercolor renderings. Here's hoping they include a few reclaimed barn doors and Mason jar lights for authentic Atlanta flair.

· Braves Wowza: New renderings of ballpark, mixed-use project [ABC]

· The Braves released new stadium renderings, none of which are official [Atlanta magazine]