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Crane Watch: Midtown high-rise now stands among Atlanta's tallest Josh Green Mon, 08/04/2025 - 16:52

As we’ve recently seen from points across town, Rockefeller Group’s 1072 West Peachtree project is making more of a mark on Atlanta’s skyline by the week. But as the high-rise approaches 50 stories tall, it’s starting to forge a visual impact on par with the city’s most iconic and tallest skyscrapers. 

According to our borderline obsessive tower tracking, the 60-story mixed-use venture has climbed roughly eight stories since mid-June. 

As August begins, crews are working on the 46th and 47th floors, by our count. That means the project still has more than a dozen stories to climb before adding the glassy winged flourishes depicted in renderings at top. 

Rockefeller reps have declined to provide construction updates this summer, other than to say 1072 West Peachtree is on pace to top out in the fourth quarter of this year—and to start delivering before Atlanta’s 2026 FIFA World Cup matches kick off in June. 

As seen from the north, the Rockefeller project in the context of two of Atlanta's top-three tallest buildings, One Atlantic Center (left) and Bank of America Plaza. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta

Vertical construction progress on the 60-story building has reached these levels today, according to our unofficial comparison of site photos and available renderings.Courtesy of Rockefeller Group

Rockefeller officials relayed in April that 1072 West Peachtree had finished its office and retail floors, en route to becoming both the tallest residential and mixed-use building in Atlanta, and the fifth tallest in the city overall. No taller skyrise has been built in the city since 1992. 

Since this past spring, the tower’s height has clearly surpassed the nearby “Google building,” the tallest, 31-story office component of Selig Development’s three-tower 1105 West Peachtree project. And it’s starting to rival the stratospheric heights of One Atlantic Center, Midtown’s tallest building at 820 feet (50 stories). 

As designed by Atlanta-based architecture firm TVS, in collaboration with Brock Hudgins Architects, the Rockefeller tower will count more than 350 upscale apartments total. Some will have the highest residential views in Atlanta to date. 

Below that, 224,000 square feet of Class A office space will occupy floors 11 to 18. Spanning a full acre, the tower’s 10th-floor amenity deck will include collaborative and lounge seating areas and a lawn for games, events, and other gatherings. 

Looking south at 1072 West Peachtree along Spring Street as the project nears 50 stories today. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta

West Peachtree Street view of Rockefeller Group’s planned 60-story Midtown project.Rockefeller Group; Brock Hudgins Architects; TVS

Rockefeller’s plans for the street-level retail component include multiple options for dining throughout the day. Those spaces will see coffee, casual grab-and-go, and sit-down restaurant additions to the block, per developers. 

According to Rockefeller reps, 1072 West Peachtree will ultimately stand 749 feet, making it Atlanta’s fifth tallest high-rise and supplanting Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotel for the No. 5 spot. 

In the gallery above, find a closer look at where this rising new Midtown landmark stands today. 

Reflection of One Atlantic Center in 1072 West Peachtree's glassy northern face today. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta

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Construction progress today on the 1072 West Peachtree building, as seen from the north on Peachtree Road in Buckhead. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta

Looking south at 1072 West Peachtree along Spring Street as the project nears 50 stories today. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta

Vertical construction progress on the 60-story building has reached these levels today, according to our unofficial comparison of site photos and available renderings.Courtesy of Rockefeller Group

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As seen from the north, the Rockefeller project in the context of two of Atlanta's top-three tallest buildings, One Atlantic Center (left) and Bank of America Plaza. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta

Reflection of One Atlantic Center in 1072 West Peachtree's glassy northern face today. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta

The tower's stance from the intersection of Spring and 14th streets today. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta

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GDOT wants your 2 cents about potential Atlanta-to-Savannah train Josh Green Mon, 08/04/2025 - 15:10

There’s another positive sign afoot that Georgia’s transportation authority is taking potential intercity rail transit between Atlanta and Savannah—and possibly other cities—seriously.

Back in March, the Georgia Department of Transportation conducted a public survey to gauge Georgians’ interest in a potential ATL-to-Savannah rail line. Another quick survey with a different slate of questions opened today. 

The latest questionnaire seeks information on Atlantans’ travel patterns to other parts of Georgia. Beyond Savannah, the survey asks how often, and for what purpose, ATLiens visit Athens, Macon, and Augusta, among other questions.  

According to GDOT’s Atlanta to Savannah Project Team, the survey takes on average five to 10 minutes. (Our test-run clocked in at less than four minutes.) The project website now also includes a recording of GDOT’s second stakeholder meeting. 

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GDOT entered the public engagement phase early this year of what’s called the Atlanta-Savannah Intercity Passenger Rail Project.

Of course, significant hurdles and question marks stand between here and actual passenger rail service from Georgia’s capital to Savannah. But the fact that GDOT—a roads-first agency if there ever was one—is seriously studying the potential of rail has lent hope to alternate transportation enthusiasts.  

The $10 million study is funded with $8 million from the Federal Rail Administration awarded in 2023, plus a $2 million match from GDOT. 

It aims to produce what’s called a Service Development Plan for passenger rail between Georgia’s growing population centers and increasing demand for travel between them. The broader goal is to develop a program that helps guide the creation of an intercity rail network around the country, starting with rail projects deemed ready for implementation. 

The project study area in question covers a wide swath of Georgia. Georgia Department of Transportation

Amtrak is among the “successful private operators” that will be vetted for cost and feasibility for operating the rail line in Georgia, GDOT officials said earlier this year. (Amtrak has praised intown Atlanta as a strategic intercity rail hub location and last year requested nearly $30 million in federal funding to secure a development site at an undisclosed location here.)

The Atlanta-Savannah Intercity Passenger Rail Project—expected to span several years—will evaluate benefits and costs of the passenger rail line, weigh financial feasibility, and whittle down the range of service alternatives. 

Nothing resembling a construction timeline has been compiled, as no funding for final design and building the rail line has been identified. However, GDOT has said a cost-benefit analysis and the hunt for potential funding sources will come next year. 

GDOT’s goal is to complete the corridor’s Service Development Plan and then finish an Environmental Impact Statement by early 2028. 

Who’s ready to roll? 

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Overhaul of Little Five Points gathering space officially kicks off Josh Green Mon, 08/04/2025 - 13:42

The beating heart of funky Little Five Points is set for an overhaul.  

After a decade of fundraising and planning, the Little 5 Points Improvement District last week broke ground on a renovation of Findley Plaza, a communal gathering hub bordering the intersection of the district’s many streets. 

According to the Little 5 Points Alliance, the most significant change at Findley Plaza will be a wide-open centralized space designed to host events and other activities, dotted with new benches and bike racks (yes, please). The plaza will also have access to electricity for programming. 

Behind construction fencing, crews have removed old trees that were struggling; plans call for replacing them with new Nuttall Oak trees, situated between the plaza and Moreland and Euclid avenues to provide a buffer and needed shade, according to the alliance. 

A L5P sculpture by Atlanta artist R.Land—known for his “Pray for ATL” hands and colorful, zany murals—will also be included, per a 2021 project recap. 

“The goal of the newly redesigned Findley Plaza is to create a flexible, community driven space that is welcoming to all,” the alliance wrote in 2021. 

Overview of Findley Plaza plans at the corner of Moreland and Euclid avenues. Little 5 Points Alliance/Little 5 Points Improvement District/Russell Landscape

Construction fencing erected around Findley Plaza—and swiftly tagged—last week. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta

The remade plaza calls for more than 13,000 square feet of new impervious surfaces, per designs approved by the City of Atlanta and Urban Design Commission more than six years ago. Russell Landscape, Lichty Commercial Construction, and the city’s Department of Transportation are named as partners in the project. 

In addition to private donors and businesses, Park Pride, the Renew Atlanta bond program, and city council are credited as funding sources. Plans call for installing donor bricks in the plaza to acknowledge contributors. 

Opened-up plaza space and planned placement of new bike racks along Euclid Avenue. Little 5 Points Alliance/Little 5 Points Improvement District/Russell Landscape

Beginnings of plaza construction along Euclid Avenue today. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta

We’ve asked alliance officials for a construction timeline but hadn’t heard back as of press time. A project summary in 2021 said construction should take between six and nine months. 

All Little Five Points businesses will be open during the plaza renovation. 

Head up to the gallery for more Findley Plaza images and context. 

Plaza plans approved in 2019 by the city and its Urban Design Commission.Pond; via Little 5 Points Alliance

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Construction fencing erected around Findley Plaza—and swiftly tagged—last week. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta

Overview of Findley Plaza plans at the corner of Moreland and Euclid avenues. Little 5 Points Alliance/Little 5 Points Improvement District/Russell Landscape

Opened-up plaza space and planned placement of new bike racks along Euclid Avenue. Little 5 Points Alliance/Little 5 Points Improvement District/Russell Landscape

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Beginnings of plaza construction along Euclid Avenue today. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta

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Plaza plans approved in 2019 by the city and its Urban Design Commission.Pond; via Little 5 Points Alliance

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Images: People-friendly extension of Midtown street plows ahead Josh Green Mon, 08/04/2025 - 08:12

Slowly but surely, two formerly empty lots in Midtown are becoming a connective new street with space for more than cars. 

Sidewalk pouring, utility relocation, granite curb installation, and other work continues for the 15th Street extension that’s taking shape around two busy north-south traffic corridors, with hopes of opening soon. 

The 15th Street extension will create a multimodal, people-friendly, two-block link from the Arts Center MARTA station to Williams Street, near the downtown Connector. After breaking ground early last year, work on site has included rock blasting and removal.   

Previously, 15th Street dead-ended at West Peachtree Street, next to the AMLI Arts Center and Hanover Midtown apartment towers. 

Recent sidewalk installation between Spring and Williams streets, looking west toward Atlantic Station. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta

Courtesy of Midtown Alliance

That walled off access to the transit hub for sections of Spring Street, where hundreds of new residences have recently taken shape in buildings such as Mira at Midtown Union.

Atlanta Department of Transportation and Midtown Alliance project pages indicate the 15th Street extension is on pace to be mostly finished in September. (We’ve asked officials today if that timeline is still accurate and will update this story if not.) 

The extended street will slip between the apartment high-rises, the building that houses Whole World Improv Theatre, and Spectrum on Spring apartments, consuming what most recently functioned as a gravel parking lot and construction staging zone.  

In the works are three new lanes of public roadway between West Peachtree and Spring streets, including two left-turn lanes at both of those one-way streets. West of that, expect a single through-lane in each direction, connecting to Williams Street.  

Other features will include five-foot-wide bicycle lanes at sidewalk level in each direction, another five-foot zone dedicated to trees and street furniture, and 10-foot sidewalks on both sides of the street.

The bike lanes are designed to directly connect with the Arts Center MARTA station, recent residential and hotel developments, and other bike routes in the district, per Midtown Alliance. No bike lanes on Spring or West Peachtree streets currently exist near 15th Street, though. 

Construction progress between Spring and West Peachtree streets, next to the AMLI Arts Center tower (left). Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta

The proposed look of two new blocks of 15th Street, looking west toward Atlantic Station from West Peachtree Street. Courtesy of Midtown Alliance

The full two-block extension has consumed Georgia Department of Transportation right-of-way. That eliminated the costs of acquiring real estate, project officials have said. 

After receiving a grant from the Atlanta Regional Commission, city and GDOT officials began work to design the 15th Street project back in summer 2017. 

In addition to fundraising, engineering, traffic, and environmental studies took place over the next few years. A hiccup involving the bidding process knocked the construction timeline back in fall 2022.

According to Midtown Alliance, the project was awarded to low bidder Reeves Young in December 2023, and construction began in earnest about three months later. 

More than $6 million was secured to build the project, with about half of that coming from GDOT and federal coffers. Midtown Improvement District funds and City of Atlanta impact fees have covered the bulk of remaining costs.

Find more project context and construction photos in the gallery above. 

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Recent sidewalk installation between Spring and Williams streets, looking west toward Atlantic Station. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta

Looking north up Spring Street, toward 16th Street. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta

Construction progress between Spring and West Peachtree streets, next to the AMLI Arts Center tower (left). Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta

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The proposed look of two new blocks of 15th Street, looking west toward Atlantic Station from West Peachtree Street. Courtesy of Midtown Alliance

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Images: Office-replacing Satellite Commons project to debut next month Josh Green Fri, 08/01/2025 - 13:02

Northeast of Atlanta, a multifaceted infill project is finishing construction that designers call a refreshingly walkable alternative to typical suburban development.

Satellite Commons, named for its location along Satellite Boulevard, is claiming a 40-acre former office site and parking lots across two phases in Duluth’s Sugarloaf area. It’s just north of the Interstate 85 junction with Ga. Highway 316, across the street from Mercedes-Benz of Atlanta Northeast, a large dealership. 

The site is the former headquarters of Fortune 500 company NCR, a financial telecommunications firm that made waves by uprooting from Gwinnett to a glassy high-rise complex in Midtown seven years ago. 

Officials with Nelson Worldwide, Satellite Commons’ architect of record, tell Urbanize Atlanta the project’s initial phase is finishing construction and scheduled to be completed in September.

Courtesy of Nelson

The vacant former NCR headquarters, prior to demolition in 2021. Google Maps

Phase one includes 350 apartments, 64 rental cottages, and 25,000 square feet of walkable retail and restaurant space. Another 350 multifamily units are in the pipeline for phase two.

Onsite perks include saltwater pools described as “resort-style,” fitness centers, clubhouses with coworking, pocket parks, business centers, conference rooms, and multi-use trails that link the community to the Gwinnett County Trail Network. Overall, the goal was to create a “seamless blend of modern living, retail convenience, and accessible recreation,” per an architectural overview.

On the retail front, the project is partially leased, and tenants have begun moving in. We’ve asked for a list of signed tenants and will update this story should that come.

Scope of the 40-acre site, in relation to I-85 and Ga. Highway 316 in Duluth. Google Maps

Rendering of the project's multifamily component. Courtesy of Nelson

John Lewis, a Nelson principal and multifamily national practice leader, says the project’s planning lends functionality, aesthetic cohesiveness, and a modern feel—for “not just another suburban center,” in other words.

“Unlike other nearby small to medium-sized suburban developments, which tend to be standalone retail or office… or residential apartments, Satellite Commons blends both residential and commercial within one pedestrian-friendly complex,” Lewis wrote in an email.

“It's a full experience,” he continued, “[with] daily necessities, amenities, recreation, and social spaces, all walkable and programmed. That is rare in the broader Satellite Boulevard area, where commercial corridors dominate.”

In the gallery above, find more context and all available imagery.

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The vacant former NCR headquarters, prior to demolition in 2021. Google Maps

Scope of the 40-acre site, in relation to I-85 and Ga. Highway 316 in Duluth. Google Maps

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Developer behind NHL push, billion-dollar project talks timelines, more Josh Green Fri, 08/01/2025 - 08:16

Back in June, hundreds of readers on these pages responded to a poll asking them to rate their confidence a National Hockey League team will return to metro Atlanta soon. The most popular response by an overwhelming margin (43 percent) was this: “Yes, it’s happening. Third time’s a charm.”

Clearly, Vernon Krause—the car dealership entrepreneur, aspiring megaproject developer, and driving force behind plans to lasso another NHL franchise for the metro—concurs. 

Since uncloaking plans for the $3-billion The Gathering at South Forsyth two years ago, Krause has assembled a powerful team, detailed the redevelopment vision for 100 acres he owns, and scored the Forsyth County Commission’s official blessing to move forward with a mixed-use project to rival The Battery Atlanta. But all of it—including $350 million in county tax incentives—hinges on the NHL deciding to award metro Atlanta its third pro hockey franchise. Krause said in June his team “is more energized than ever” as it prepares to meet with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman to discuss possible league expansion.

NHL brass have given no indication when they’ll decide on expansion, but Bettman has said Atlanta’s past two failures to keep NHL franchises here (the Flames and Thrashers) won’t count against the region. He acknowledged the league has talked to “a couple of groups” striving to bring the NHL back to the metro, noting that Atlanta is a different market than when both previous teams fled north, in 1980 and 2011, respectively. Last month, the NHL and NHL Players’ Association locked in a new collective bargaining agreement, which was seen as necessary before expansion could be considered. 

The Gathering at South Forsyth; designs, SCI Architects

Back in Forsyth, Krause (owner of 29 car dealerships across the Carolinas, Florida, and Georgia) envisions The Gathering sprouting to life with 2,400 residential units and 1.6 million square feet of retail and office space, among other facets, in coming years. About $1 billion of the estimated $3 billion price tag would go toward the cornerstone 18,000-seat arena, which would also stage concerts and events.  

What follows are excerpts from a recent Krause interview with Alpharetta.com, republished here with permission, in which he outlines his ambitions for the prosperous north metro region. Q&A responses have been edited for length.

Krause on the initial impetus for trying to pull off a development of such scale:

“My passion for creating The Gathering at South Forsyth really came from something deeper—a passion to bring hockey back to Georgia, to the community where I spent 35 years raising my family and building my business. I looked around Forsyth County, one of the fastest-growing counties in the nation, and saw a need for a destination that could bring people together. A place where families could spend the day, where businesses could thrive, where our youth could be inspired by sports, music, and innovation.

“I knew that if we didn’t create that kind of visionary space now, we’d miss a rare opportunity to help shape the future of this area in a meaningful, lasting way. So, The Gathering was born out of a sense of responsibility. I wanted to create a destination that reflects the energy and potential of this community, something we could all be proud of for generations to come.”

On how The Gathering would stand out as a suburban destination:

“We’re not just building an arena for a potential NHL team, [the project] is designed to be the entertainment hub for North Georgia—and the heartbeat of the Forsyth community. The Gathering will be a place where people can connect, celebrate and thrive. Whether it’s families enjoying the outdoor spaces, kids seeing a world-class sporting event for the first time, neighbors meeting at local restaurants, or entrepreneurs collaborating in innovative workspaces, The Gathering at South Forsyth will be the heart and soul of the community and truly a place where people can gather—right in their backyard without the hassle of traveling to downtown Atlanta.”

Results of an in-house poll in June. Urbanize Atlanta

How Forsyth’s bid for the NHL’s return stands out from others:

“[The Gathering] is a vision for the future of professional sports in the Southeast. What makes this development truly compelling is that it will be built from the ground up with the NHL in mind. We own the land. We have the support of the local government and the community. We’re designing a purpose-built, state-of-the-art arena in a thriving, high-growth corridor that already supports youth and adult hockey at a high level—and [we’re] not retrofitting a pre-existing space to fit a team.

Forsyth County is not only one the fastest-growing counties in Georgia and among the top in the nation, but also one of the healthiest and wealthiest counties. The community wants a destination they can visit, and [the project] will be that year-round destination. It’s an ecosystem of entertainment, retail, residential, and office space, all anchored by a team that fans can support and grow with. This isn’t a revival of past efforts. It’s a completely new playbook. And I believe it’s the one that finally gets it right for Georgia, for the NHL, and for generations of fans to come.”

On the vision for retail and new housing:

“One of the most exciting aspects of The Gathering is how it blends lifestyle and community. On the residential side, we’re planning a mix of living options from single-family homes to luxury apartments, all designed to offer walkability, convenience, and access to amenities right outside your door. Whether you’re a young professional, a growing family, or empty-nesters looking to downsize without sacrificing quality, there will be a place for you… Our retail offerings will provide a dynamic mix of local boutiques, national brands, and chef-driven restaurants. The vibrant environment will serve those who live, work, and visit from across the region and nation.”

The Gathering at South Forsyth; designs, Nelson

On next steps toward bringing it all to fruition:

“With the Forsyth County commissioners’ approval in hand, our team is moving into the next phase. We have assembled our package to present to NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, which includes our vision of bringing an NHL expansion team to Georgia. We believe this project, with its built-in infrastructure, entertainment district, strong community, and passionate fan base, is the ideal location to grow the league in the Southeast. The ultimate decision rests with the NHL.”

The outlook on timelines:

“We anticipate The Gathering at South Forsyth to open in phases, with the first major phase projected for completion in 2028, depending on permitting and construction timelines. To the community of Forsyth County: thank you. Your support, engagement, and vision have helped shape [the project] into a destination that will not only bring entertainment and economic growth, but also a sense of pride and place for everyone who lives, works, and visits here. We’re excited about what’s ahead and can’t wait to welcome you when the doors open.”

A main street and retail corridor in the multi-billion-dollar proposal. The Gathering at South Forsyth; designs, Nelson

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Exclusive: Old Fourth Ward project 'The Bowery' won't include grocery Josh Green Thu, 07/31/2025 - 13:54

The impact of Atlanta Medical Center’s closure three years ago is being felt by more than neighbors who depended on hospital care at the longstanding Old Fourth Ward facility. 

Developers behind a block-sized, mixed-use project that recently broke ground nearby say the hospital’s abrupt shutdown in November 2022—and a subsequent redevelopment moratorium enacted by the city that spanned two years—cost them a chance at landing the large-scale grocery option that many residents in the area need and want. 

As of 2023, that grocer was reportedly going to be another intown Publix. 

Wellstar’s shuttering of the hospital over financial concerns, and the city’s clampdown on property rezoning, “essentially scared away our grocer contacts,” Ben Yorker, Northwood Ravin development partner, tells Urbanize Atlanta. “The grocers felt that, with the closure, we had lost a major chunk of jobs and daytime population. And then questions lingered for some time as to what, exactly, would be replacing that use. 

“After trying to wait things out, we ultimately had to move forward without a grocer,” York continued. “It’s been a disappointment for us.”

Northwood Ravin, headquartered in Charlotte, is barreling ahead with the project’s demolition work in partnership with Atlanta-based Fuqua Development on underused land at a high-profile eastside intersection. The development team today shared the project’s first finalized rendering and more details—including the official name, “The Bowery at Old Fourth Ward”—that lend a clearer picture of what’s to come. 

The Bowery at Old Fourth Ward's first new rendering showing finalized plans for townhomes (left), retail, and apartments along Highland Avenue. Courtesy of Northwood Ravin/Fuqua Development

Plans have been percolating since 2022 on the vacant Old Fourth Ward block in question, situated along Boulevard between Highland Avenue and John Lewis Freedom Parkway. Demo work has taken down a shuttered house and the former Desperate Housewares Atlanta furniture store on site. 

According to York, the development will see three buildings total—two of them blocks of townhomes. Expect 273 apartments and 12 townhouse units overall. 

Plans also call for roughly 10,000 square feet of retail (hardly enough for a standard Publix now) at street level, with patio spaces. 

Another 2,000 square feet of retail or incubator space will be placed so that it faces a popular dog park next door, Freedom Barkway. The project’s 400-space parking deck will include 17 spaces reserved for dog park patrons, per York.  

Rough boundaries of the Old Fourth Ward property in question, where Highland Avenue meets Boulevard, just north of the neighborhood dog park. Google Maps

Prior to demolition work this month, the idle 3-acre site and shuttered Desperate Housewares Atlanta furniture store, seen here in 2024. Google Maps

Once demolition and other pre-development work finishes, York said construction should be ready to start in late fall this year. The developers estimate construction will wrap in early or mid-2028.  

On a positive note, York pointed to recent, large-scale demolition work at the former Atlanta Medical Center as a good sign for the neighborhood.

“It looks like a mixed-redevelopment project is finally in the works for the Wellstar property,” he said. “I understand that the grocery users are now back and anxious to be a part of that project.”  

Looking southwest, initial images of Fuqua Development's proposal distributed three years ago are shown next to John Lewis Freedom Parkway. Plans have been refined since. Submitted

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The Bowery at Old Fourth Ward's first new rendering showing finalized plans for townhomes (left), retail, and apartments along Highland Avenue. Courtesy of Northwood Ravin/Fuqua Development

Prior to demolition work this month, the idle 3-acre site and shuttered Desperate Housewares Atlanta furniture store, seen here in 2024. Google Maps

Rough boundaries of the Old Fourth Ward property in question, where Highland Avenue meets Boulevard, just north of the neighborhood dog park. Google Maps

An earlier rendering illustrating how the project will transform one corner of the Highland Avenue-Boulevard intersection. (Highland Avenue frontage is at left.) Northwood Ravin/Fuqua Development; 2023

An early look at the proposal's scope as it relates to Tribute Lofts, pictured at right. Submitted

Tentative breakdown of the Fuqua proposal as submitted to the city in 2022. Fuqua Development/Office of Zoning and Development

Looking southwest, initial images of Fuqua Development's proposal distributed three years ago are shown next to John Lewis Freedom Parkway. Plans have been refined since. Submitted

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Three-building Fuqua, Northwood Ravin development now underway on full Boulevard block

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Roswell's cure for downtown parking woes set to move forward Josh Green Wed, 07/30/2025 - 16:44

The aspirin for downtown Roswell’s parking headaches is about to start getting real, according to city officials. 

The north Fulton County city has scheduled a groundbreaking ceremony Aug. 7 for a tax-funded parking deck that officials view as an investment toward strategic long-term planning and growth, support for local businesses, and as ironic as it may sound, enhanced downtown walkability.  

The deck will rise on a corner where Green Street meets Ga. Highway 9 (Alpharetta Street), about a block east of Canton Street, a regional dining and shopping destination where finding parking can be tough. The site is also just south of the multi-building Southern Post development that replaced a dated shopping center, opening last year. 

“This parking deck is more than infrastructure—it’s a strategic investment in the future of our downtown,” said Mayor Kurt Wilson in a groundbreaking announcement today. 

Finalized plans for the downtown parking garage near a Green Street entry. Courtesy of City of Roswell

Rough approximation of where the nearly 400-space deck will rise, in relation to Canton Street (left) and other downtown landmarks. Google Maps

Plans call for the brick-clad, 395-space structure to echo the historic district aesthetically. Touches will include large windows for airflow and light, plus “architectural parapets and metalwork, tower-like corner stairwells, and variation in the depth of the exterior walls to add dimension and interest to the structure,” according to a project description. 

Roswell voters in 2022 approved nearly $180 million in bond funds that included $20 million for a new deck to help alleviate parking frustrations near Canton Street. Roswell leaders picked the site in question last year after evaluating eight potential locations. 

Back in March, Roswell’s mayor and city council unanimously approved a design-build contract with Winter Construction for the $14.5 million new parking deck, noting that it will rise within a few minutes’ walk of most downtown attractions. 

The construction schedule calls for opening the deck next summer. 

Winter Construction/City of Roswell

Winter Construction, via City of Roswell

The parking structure isn’t the only significant change planned for the immediate area. 

The Green Street Activation Plan, a tactic to increase safety and connectivity, will convert that street to a one-way, southbound road, with facets that include a new brick-paved, multi-use trail and improved lighting. 

The plan also calls for converting nearby Plum Street—a one-way thoroughfare located between Green and Canton streets—into a brick-paved, pedestrians-only, multi-use trail for direct access to downtown’s shopping and restaurant strip.

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Finalized plans for the downtown parking garage near a Green Street entry. Courtesy of City of Roswell

Rough approximation of where the nearly 400-space deck will rise, in relation to Canton Street (left) and other downtown landmarks. Google Maps

Winter Construction, via City of Roswell

Winter Construction/City of Roswell

The planned 395-space parking structure's location, in relation to Canton Street and other downtown attractions. Google Maps

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Groundbreaking scheduled for nearly 400-space deck a stone's throw from food, retail hotspot Canton Street

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Neighbors hope petition, campaign will squash townhome proposal Josh Green Wed, 07/30/2025 - 13:31

Northwest of Midtown, an infill townhome proposal has rankled some Bolton neighbors who fear it will destroy nature and viable homes, raise taxes, dilute neighborhood charm, and clog streets with vehicles. They’ve recently started an online petition and yard-sign campaign to drive home concerns. 

Developers pitching the Bolton townhomes, meanwhile, contend the project will inject a growing and increasingly walkable part of Atlanta with relatively attainable housing the market needs. Despite two recent rejections from neighborhood boards, they’re working with the city and other agencies to move revised plans forward, undeterred.

Is it a case of NIMBYism run amok, or reasonable neighborly concerns in a swiftly changing area? Or something in between? 

The concept by Middle Housing Company—an Atlanta-based developer founded in 2020 that’s behind new duplexes in Howell Station, a 10-unit townhome project along Metropolitan Parkway, and cottages elsewhere in Bolton, among other projects—was first hatched in March. 

Initially, it called for 39 townhomes to replace two single-family houses at 1905 and 1911 La Dawn Lane; when combined with smaller adjacent, vacant parcels, the site would total about 2.6 acres. The properties in question are tucked just west of Marietta Boulevard, near the original Scofflaw Brewing Co. location, situated next to large single-family homes and the Clayburne Place condo complex. 

The site isn’t without unique perks. 

Imagery circulated as part of the campaign to stop townhome development in Bolton. Courtesy of Paul Swicord

Location of the four parcels totaling about 2.6 acres today. Courtesy of Middle Housing Company

The entire western border is the Whetstone Creek Trail, a leafy, two-mile PATH Foundation rails-to-trails project that will become part of the Centennial Olympic Park to Silver Comet Trail connection in coming years. The site is also about two blocks from Westside Village, a mixed-use project opened five years ago that counts a Publix, Spiller Park Coffee, and a number of other eateries and retailers. The latter is meant to serve as a commercial lynchpin for the so-called Upper Westside district.  

Derek Turner, Middle Housing Company’s founder and president, says his team met with neighbors and conducted surveys with 100 respondents earlier this year, before drawing up townhome plans and seeking rezoning that would allow for medium-density development. 

Pushback against those plans started before a Bolton Neighborhood committee meeting in June, during which a majority of participants voted against the townhomes. Ditto for an Neighborhood Planning Unit-D meeting that month; Turner estimates the vote was 60 percent against his project there. An online “Stop Rezoning” petition fighting the townhomes had collected 173 signatures, as of this writing. 

A recent yard-sign campaign urged neighbors to join the pushback against townhomes. Courtesy of Paul Swicord

The two La Dawn Lane single-family homes in question, at left, as seen in January. Google Maps

Bolton resident Paul Swicord, who lives directly across the street from the properties in question, says the current houses are in fine condition and reflect low-density charms that make the residential enclave unique. A website naysayers established states neighbors are “outraged” by the proposal, pointing to fears the new buildings and paved lots would trigger stormwater problems with nearby wetlands, among other issues.  

“I would go from looking at nature to two years of construction, before having a three-story wall to stare at,” Swicord said via email this week. Prior to future hearings on the matter, “we will make another big push for more signatures,” he said. 

According to Swicord, the neighborhood has been supportive of high-density development in the past, including the BRYKS Upper Westside project with its nearly 600 apartments. The difference, he says, is that those dense nodes have better access to main thoroughfares. 

“This will add 100 cars onto our limited-capacity neighborhood street” where afterschool and rush-hour traffic commonly back up now, said Swicord. “This [also] has the potential of escalating our home values and increasing taxes. We have elderly and fixed-income neighbors that may be forced to leave what was to be their forever home.”  

The Bolton townhome project was scheduled to come before Atlanta’s Zoning Review Board in early August, but Turner’s team has hit pause and headed back to the drawing board, to an extent. Middle Housing Company has yet to close on the La Dawn Drive properties, pending the outcome of the rezoning push. 

Revised site plan for the 38-home La Dawn Lane site. Courtesy of Middle Housing Company; B+C Studio

A rendering showing revised plans for an entrance to the planned Bolton community. Courtesy of Middle Housing Company

Within the next week, Turner plans to submit a revised site plan to the Office of Zoning. Officials there requested he resubmit the project for a classification called Planned Development—Housing, or PD-H, that sets different standards, limits the amount of buildable square footage, and helps ensure developers stick to promised plans, said Turner.   

In response to earlier community feedback, and following meetings with PATH Foundation and Department of Watershed Management officials, Turner said the original site plan has been revised to include “key improvements” without losing “attainable” housing. (Tentative plans call for the townhomes to start at roughly 1,800 square feet, with prices from the high $500,000s, per Turner.) 

Changes include the addition of a small public park, a PATH spur-trail connection through the site to Westside Village, stormwater fixes, and enhancements along the existing trail, both aesthetic and for pedestrian safety. Turner plans to take the revised, 38-home plans back to both the neighborhood association and NPU soon, though developers are only required to revisit the NPU, he said. 

“We’re doing it in good faith,” said Turner, “and I think it’s the right thing to do.”

Turner said his company’s goal, should all go well with zoning, would be to break ground on the 38-home project in the second quarter of 2026. For the time being, he’s actually renting and living in one of the La Dawn Drive homes in question, hoping to ride out the storm. 

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Location of the four parcels totaling about 2.6 acres today. Courtesy of Middle Housing Company

The two La Dawn Lane single-family homes in question, at left, as seen in January. Google Maps

A recent yard-sign campaign urged neighbors to join the pushback against townhomes. Courtesy of Paul Swicord

Imagery circulated as part of the campaign to stop townhome development in Bolton. Courtesy of Paul Swicord

A rendering showing revised plans for an entrance to the planned Bolton community. Courtesy of Middle Housing Company

Revised site plan for the 38-home La Dawn Lane site. Courtesy of Middle Housing Company; B+C Studio

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Developers contend tweaked, trailside Bolton concept will benefit area, add needed housing

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MARTA: Long pause for Atlanta Streetcar on horizon Josh Green Wed, 07/30/2025 - 08:14

Frequent streetcar riders and forthcoming Atlanta visitors should take note: The downtown trolley is going off the grid for a while. 

For the second time in two years, the Atlanta Streetcar will be pulled from service for several months, beginning Sept. 8, MARTA officials announced this week. Shuttle van service will be offered along the streetcar’s 2.7-mile loop around downtown and Sweet Auburn while the trolleys are offline. 

MARTA plans to suspend streetcar operations to allow Georgia Power to perform underground electrical line repairs considered urgent, and to complete scheduled infrastructure upgrades along the streetcar loop. 

According to MARTA, the streetcar shutdown will last roughly three to four months, but a MARTA shuttle wrapped to appear similar to streetcars will carry passengers along the route in the meantime. 

Streetcar fares are $1 per one-way trip, or $3 for a day pass. 

The Atlanta Streetcar (right) and its equally purplish-blue shuttle counterpart. Courtesy of MARTA

Georgia Power’s excavation work will require one lane closure between Courtland Street and Peachtree Center Avenue. Safety protocol forbids streetcars from operating along open construction areas, according to MARTA. 

MARTA plans to use the downtime to perform a deep cleaning along the streetcar route, update vehicles and signage, inspect and repair catenaries, trim trees, and refurbish stations, per the agency. 

Streetcar fans may recall all four of the transit vehicles were pulled from service and replaced with shuttles for more than three months in 2023. That pause came after engineers spotted wheel degradation issues on the streetcars that could have posed risks. 

Atlanta’s streetcar system opened a decade ago—behind schedule and substantially overbudget—with a 12-stop route of new tracks. It’s taken lumps for being stuck in traffic, shut down for some major events, and for pulling in dismally low ridership numbers, but it remains a valuable service for transit riders and downtown guests. 

Controversial, $230-million plans to expand the streetcar system to Ponce City Market via the Beltline were squashed by Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens’ administration earlier this year. The city’s focus is now to implement streetcar service to the Old Fourth Ward near Krog Street Market, and along the Beltline’s Southside Trail, in conjunction with MARTA, though no timelines have been specified. 

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The Atlanta Streetcar (right) and its equally purplish-blue shuttle counterpart. Courtesy of MARTA

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Months-long shutdown will address utilities, infrastructure upgrades; shuttle to be offered

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Former CNN Center revival vows to open before Atlanta’s World Cup Josh Green Tue, 07/29/2025 - 15:33

A timeline and specific plans for the rebirth of downtown’s former CNN Center are coming into sharper focus, and as with investments from historic Broad Street to the Beltline’s southern reaches, a certain global soccer tournament is top of mind. 

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup less than a year away, commercial real estate developer CP Group this week spotlighted what it calls major construction progress at The Center, its remake of a 1.2-million-square-foot downtown landmark that housed CNN’s global headquarters for decades. 

According to CP Group officials, a renovation of The Center’s soaring, ground-level atrium is scheduled to finished construction and open in early 2026. Exactly when wasn’t specified, but project leaders say the space will be ready for global visitors when World Cup matches kick off in Atlanta in mid-June. 

A new rendering provided to Urbanize Atlanta depicts what’s now described as a food hall component, a wood-clad corridor linking the atrium to the street.  

Fresh rendering showing the expected look of The Center's food hall component. Courtesy of CP Group

Other upgrades are expected to finish sooner, by the end of 2025. Those include a new exterior “arrival experience” around the building, large-scale permanent art installations in collaboration with SCAD and others, and entryways turned into hubs of activity, per CP Group.  

Elsewhere, the first of three 12-story digital signs on the building has been installed. 

CP Group last month also launched a program called CTR Culture, in partnership with local arts and culture consultants ASHA Advisory, to help provide exposure for Atlanta arts, culture, and creative community storytelling. Grant applications for free ads on The Center’s towering billboards are due Aug. 31. 

CP Group, the city’s largest private owner of commercial office space, unveiled the general CNN Center redevelopment plans and rebrand in April last year. No specific tenants have been announced to date, but project heads in March did hint that “a confidential high-end restaurant tenant” had agreed to lease 10,000 square feet. 

The building’s multifaceted next iteration will encompass “global entertainment, best-in-class retail, and elevated dining options” alongside an “experiential hub of cultural and community-centered activity,” said Chris Eachus, a CP Group founding partner, in an announcement.  

“Hosting Club World Cup watch parties,” Eachus continued, “providing a platform for local artists, and supporting brand activation and film production opportunities are all ways we hope to engage Atlanta residents and catalyze the downtown experience.”

How The Center's revised atrium is expected to look and function in early 2026. Courtesy of CP Group; designs, TVS; ASD/SKY

A planned facet of The Center's atrium at CNN Center's former food court. Courtesy of CP Group; designs, TVS; ASD/SKY

Overall, CP Group’s renovations call for 130,000 square feet of retail space, alongside 920,000 square feet of creative office and media production spaces, officials have said. That will be part of a massive portfolio the Boca Raton, Fla.-based company has amassed in Atlanta in recent years that now includes Buckhead’s 14-building Piedmont Center, where significant upgrades are planned.

CNN departed the downtown property last year and stripped off its branding as its offices were moved to Midtown’s Techwood. That ended a four-decade era of the media company being headquartered downtown.  

Have a closer look at the landmark property's planned revival in the gallery above. 

Courtesy of CP Group; designs, TVS; ASD/SKY

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Fresh rendering showing the expected look of The Center's food hall component. Courtesy of CP Group

How The Center's revised atrium is expected to look and function in early 2026. Courtesy of CP Group; designs, TVS; ASD/SKY

A planned facet of The Center's atrium at CNN Center's former food court. Courtesy of CP Group; designs, TVS; ASD/SKY

Plans for The Center's revised Marietta Street facade.Courtesy of CP Group

Courtesy of CP Group; designs, TVS; ASD/SKY

New LED signage installed on the downtown building's exterior. Courtesy of CP Group

CP Group; Healey Weatherholtz Properties; designs, TVS; ASD/SKY

CP Group; Healey Weatherholtz Properties; designs, TVS; ASD/SKY

Courtesy of CP Group; via Vimeo

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Overhauled atrium, exterior upgrades, massive art installations on tap at The Center, per CP Group

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For ‘The Frazier’ project, revised look and potential start date emerge Josh Green Tue, 07/29/2025 - 08:44

More than five years in the making, a mixed-use infill project in Chamblee’s burgeoning downtown has a targeted start date and revised designs, according to developers. 

Atlanta-based Windsor Stevens Holdings this week unveiled plans for The Frazier, which began life as a smaller condo concept under a different name but is now moving forward as a “transformative” mix of apartments and retail, per project officials. 

One tweak of note: The building is now expected to stand an additional story for a total of eight floors, making it the tallest in the city and “signaling a new era of thoughtful urban growth,” per Windsor Stevens.  

Revised designs for the 315-unit The Frazier building released this week. Cooper Carry; courtesy of Windsor Stevens

Plans call for the Class A development at 3553 Chamblee Dunwoody Road to include 315 apartments and cost roughly $115 million, replacing a vacant former auto facility. (Windsor Stevens also purchased the .4-acre property next door in 2023 that included a 1980s auto repair building to increase The Frazier’s size.) 

Beyond the rentals, The Frazier calls for about 10,000 square feet of retail at street level, along with a three-story parking deck with 338 spaces. 

The commercial component will see 6,000 square feet of “culturally rich restaurant space, offering an immersive taste of the city’s global flavor,” in hopes of creating a landmark destination, per a Monday announcement. 

Plans call for The Frazier to be a certified EarthCraft project with an emphasis on green infrastructure, plus elements such as EV charging stations and bike parking. Some units will be specifically marketed toward teachers and first-responders, per developers. 

As seen in early 2023, the 3535 Chamblee Dunwoody Road auto property added to The Frazier's scope. Google Maps

Developer Rod Mullice of Windsor Stevens tells Urbanize Atlanta the project’s architects plan to start the permitting process in September, with a goal of breaking ground in the first quarter of 2026. The team includes Cooper Carry architects, Eberly & Associates landscape architects, and CBG Building Company. 

Windsor Stevens has been working with Chamblee officials behind the scenes to ensure the project aligns with the city’s vision for livability in coming decades, according to the developer. 

“By transforming parcels that currently yield limited value into a thriving, walkable community hub, we’re creating a project that will have generational impact,” said Mullice in a statement. 

Renderings released in 2024 showing The Frazier at Olde Towne Gordon project as previously designed with 144 units. Windsor Stevens Holdings; designs, Niles Bolton & Associates

Initial plans called for The Frazier (formerly “The Gordon”) to be for-sale condos, with construction scheduled to start in March 2020, just before COVID-19 clamped down society. According to a sales push early that year, the initial phase of 24 homes was going to be priced from the $200,000s, with condos ranging from 501 to 1,098 square feet.  

The Frazier would join a sizable, recent injection of multifamily options around Chamblee’s historic downtown. Last year, the Lumen Chamblee project debuted across the street, and another nearby multifamily development, City Heights, later followed suit. Collectively those developments have brought more than 560 apartments to the district.

Find more context and imagery for The Frazier’s plans today in the gallery above. Windsor Stevens officials say more visuals and construction updates will be released in coming weeks. 

In other recent Chamblee news, the city hopes to start constructing a new stormwater-capturing greenspace for downtown called Fish Bolt Park by the end of 2025. That 1900 Chamblee Tucker Road property is a former MARTA stormwater detention pond acquired by the city as part of its 2016 trails and parks expansion program. The two-mile Chamblee Rail Trail, a multi-use pathway, abuts the southern border of the future park today. 

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The Frazier project's combined 3535/3553 Chamblee Dunwoody Road location in relation to the rest of downtown and Chamblee's MARTA hub. Google Maps

As seen in early 2023, the 3535 Chamblee Dunwoody Road auto property added to The Frazier's scope. Google Maps

Earlier project designs. Windsor Stevens Holdings; designs, Niles Bolton & Associates

Renderings released in 2024 showing The Frazier at Olde Towne Gordon project as previously designed with 144 units. Windsor Stevens Holdings; designs, Niles Bolton & Associates

Revised designs for the 315-unit The Frazier building released this week. Cooper Carry; courtesy of Windsor Stevens

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Developer: Redesigned, “transformative” mixed-use venture to be tallest building in Chamblee

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