Another Old Fourth Ward development begins vertical climb Josh Green Tue, 05/28/2024 - 12:00 Boulevard’s transformation into a canyon of mid-rise residential development continues.
Just north of the new luxury complex 555 Boulevard, where studio rents start at $1,430 monthly, vertical construction has recently begun on a project spanning nearly a full block of street frontage in Old Fourth Ward that’s designed to boost affordability.
Wingate Multifamily—an affiliate of Massachusetts-based Wingate Companies, a longtime major property owner on Boulevard—has completed demolition of older buildings and started work on a project called Boulevard North, spanning from 579 Boulevard to 495 Boulevard Place.
The site is located roughly two blocks from Ponce City Market, immediately south of an Amoco gas station at the southeast corner of Boulevard and North Avenue. It was previously occupied by four apartment buildings, each standing two stories.
Beginning of Wingate Multifamily's vertical construction this month at the corner of Boulevard and Boulevard Place. The new 555 Boulevard luxury rental complex is immediately south of this site. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta
The 88-unit proposal's Boulevard frontage, just south of North Avenue. Courtesy of Invest Atlanta; designs, GLA
Wingate closed on the properties in question and declared construction underway earlier this year, with a broader goal of continuing the long process of rebuilding Boulevard’s reputation as a corridor saddled with dilapidated public housing and vacant lots into a more vibrant, but still accessible, intown community.
Plans call for a five-story building with 88 new units that Wingate officials have described as “secure and well-appointed” for families previously residing in Bedford Pines, or what’s considered the Southeast’s largest Section 8 housing project.
The new apartments will all be rented at rates attainable for households earning 60 percent of the area median income or less, according to Invest Atlanta, which approved a $40-million lease purchase bond for Boulevard North in 2022.
That translates to the smallest studio units (549 square feet) going for $1,275 monthly and the largest three-bedroom options (1,143 square feet) for $1,900, according to Invest Atlanta’s tabulations in 2022.
However, the development will be supported by HUD housing assistance, meaning residents won’t pay more than 30 percent of their income in rent.
Where Boulevard's latest City Lights project is replacing four apartment buildings. Courtesy of Invest Atlanta
The project's nearly block-long frontage along Boulevard. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta
Boulevard North amenities will include a central laundry facility on each floor, a fitness center, private courtyard, after-school programs, and a business center with computer stations. The location is also convenient to bus transportation, officials have noted.
For Wingate, Boulevard North marks the fourth phase of its redevelopment efforts along Boulevard. It’s part of the company’s broader “City Lights” masterplan for the neighborhood.
Wingate forecasts construction on Boulevard North will be finished in July 2025. When that happens, 387 of the total 733 units that comprise Bedford Pines will have undergone redevelopment, according to the company.
Courtesy of Invest Atlanta; designs, GLA
All told, roughly 700 more units of affordable and market-rate housing are in the City Lights pipeline along the Boulevard corridor across two more phases in development or planning stages now, according to Wingate.
Find a closer look at the Boulevard North component in the gallery above.
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Beginning of Wingate Multifamily's vertical construction this month at the corner of Boulevard and Boulevard Place. The new 555 Boulevard luxury rental complex is immediately south of this site. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta
The project's nearly block-long frontage along Boulevard. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta
The 88-unit proposal's Boulevard frontage, just south of North Avenue. Courtesy of Invest Atlanta; designs, GLA
Where Boulevard's latest City Lights project is replacing four apartment buildings. Courtesy of Invest Atlanta
The four buildings Boulevard North is replacing. Courtesy of Invest Atlanta
The City Lights Boulevard North site plan. Courtesy of Invest Atlanta
Construction progress facing Boulevard Place this month. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta
Courtesy of Invest Atlanta; designs, GLA
Subtitle Wingate's Boulevard North project is reshaping majority of block
Neighborhood Old Fourth Ward
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