ATLANTA, Ga. — A massive hole opened up on Peachtree Street on Monday afternoon, swallowing the sidewalk and a portion of the patio area of Sufi’s restaurant at 1814 Peachtree Street NE. The hole also swallowed up the restaurant’s sign.

The hole appears to be at least 15 feet deep. Water could be seen gushing from a broken pipe inside the hole.

It’s unclear what caused the hole to open up or how long it might take crews to fix it.

“It goes all the way to the patio there. The big hole is just like a cave,” said John Bo with R. Thomas Deluxe Grill.

Bo said several restaurants have previously complained about the hole. They claim the issue is causing low water pressure inside their restaurants. “The pressure just for the bathroom could not flush at all. So, we were only able to use one bathroom.”

Bo said the hole is getting bigger.

“I am really concerned about it. I am worried about it. That is why I am trying to get people out here and get it done. But every time we call the city, it takes forever.

The previous day, neighbor Katrice Hatten described what was a much smaller hole down the street from her home and right outside the R. Thomas Deluxe Grill on Peachtree in Buckhead.

“I am out here with my dog and my kid, and I am constantly having to make her aware of what is around us. So that could have been catastrophic,” she said.

On February 24, tape and cones blocked off the area. Some of the ground under the restaurant is gone.

A spokesperson with the Department of Watershed Management released this statement:

“The crews from the Department of Watershed Management are currently investigating a potential water main issue near 1814 Peachtree Street NE. This incident could possibly cause water disruption for both residents and businesses in the vicinity…If there is any chance of road erosion, we will address that as well.”

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