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Sizable mixed-use community breaks ground off Interstate 75 Josh Green Tue, 01/02/2024 - 11:10 Developers behind a sizable mixed-use community that’s now officially underway south of Atlanta have likened Henry County’s current “spectacular growth” to what occurred in Gwinnett County throughout the 1980s and ’90s.

The project, Oak Grove Vista, is aiming to capitalize on that jobs and population influx by remaking one of the largest undeveloped, contiguous tracts of land left in Henry County, where multifamily development has not kept pace with demand, per the development team.

As Multifamily Biz relays, national development firm Vista Residential Partners has broken ground on the first phase of Oak Grove Vista at a site just east of Interstate 75, roughly 27 miles south of downtown Atlanta.

The 33 acres are located along Jonesboro Road, between Foster Drive and Mt. Carmel Road, near McDonough’s downtown area.

Vista Residential Partners; designs, Niles Bolton Associates

Oak Grove Vista's location just east of Interstate 75, near McDonough's historic downtown. Google Maps

The two-phase mixed-use project will eventually see 348 multifamily units and 40,000 square feet of retail and restaurant development along Jonesboro Road, all meant to meet “pent-up residential demand” in McDonough and complement commercial space nearby, according to project officials.

Phase one will see the bulk of the garden-style residential component—302 units—delivered with what’s described as “a low-density residential community feel” that includes a centralized amenity area with a pool, club room, and gym.

Expect a mix of one to three-bedroom options (averaging 1,000 square feet) alongside eight carriage homes that have direct-access garages, as designed by Atlanta-based architecture firm Niles Bolton Associates. Other amenities are set to include a large pet park and coworking spaces.

The project is a joint venture between Vista, Atlantic American Partners, and Township Capital, with financing provided by Trustmark Bank and First National Bank.

According to project leaders, the location will afford quick access to more than 75,000 jobs in logistics and e-commerce around McDonough, which has emerged as a hub for that industry. Access to Atlanta’s airport is also cited as a perk.

The project's location in relation to downtown Atlanta and other south metro landmarks. Google Maps

Chase Beasley, Vista’s managing director, said Oak Grove Vista marks the company’s second project in “this burgeoning pocket of Henry County,” where “we have strategically aligned our homes and amenities to provide a superior living experience in a location providing all of life's comforts within close proximity to downtown Atlanta,” according to a prepared statement.

An unrelated Jonesboro Road retail development next door is expected to include a national coffee concept and restaurants, in addition to a RaceTrac gas station.

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Foster Drive at Jonesboro Road McDonough Oak Grove Vista Vista Residential Partners Niles Bolton Associates BCDC Atlanta Development Atlanta Construction Henry County Atlantic American Partners Township Capital South OTP Atlanta Suburbs Suburban Development

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The project's location in relation to downtown Atlanta and other south metro landmarks. Google Maps

Vista Residential Partners; designs, Niles Bolton Associates

Oak Grove Vista's location just east of Interstate 75, near McDonough's historic downtown. Google Maps

Subtitle Developers aim to capitalize on “spectacular growth” around McDonough

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Luxury project overlooking Piedmont Park aims to finally wrap Josh Green Tue, 01/02/2024 - 10:08 The new year has brought new pricing and fresh expectations for a prime-time property across the street from Piedmont Park that’s seen a decade-long saga of setbacks and headaches.

Following a snow-induced structural collapse and other unforeseen obstacles in Ansley Park, three-unit townhome project 1204 on the Park has long finished exterior construction and now hopes to offload its final unsold home.

Lot 2, as it’s called, was listed Monday for $1.5 million—as finished to the sheetrock only.

“The buyer then pulls in a designer and provides us with all of their design choices, and then we deliver the completed home,” Allen Snow, the Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby's International Realty listing agent, tells Urbanize Atlanta.

A corner unit sold for $2.1 million last year, and the other is expected to close this quarter for the same price, according to Snow.

The project's 1204 Piedmont Avenue location in Ansley Park, just west of Atlanta's marquee greenspace. Google Maps

One aspect of Piedmont Avenue frontage at 1204 on the Park. Courtesy of Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby's International Realty; designs, TaC Studios

It’s been a long road for 1204 on the Park to reach the closings stage.

Quick history: The site at 1204 Piedmont Avenue was previously home to the historic Craigie House—also known as the Daughters of the American Revolution House—that had stood for a century behind stately Corinthian columns, across the street from Piedmont Driving Club. It had been built in 1911 by DAR, which still exists as a volunteer organization with membership restricted to those who can prove lineage to Revolutionary War patriots.

By 2012, however, the Craigie House was in beyond-ratty shape when it came to market at the fire-sale price of $399,900, making it one of intown Atlanta’s most unique listings of the time.

The home eventually landed private buyers—a husband-wife team who paid $350,000.

They couple began embarking on their dream of renovating it into a grandiose single-family home—until the freak, infamous midday snowstorm of 2014 swept through. Under the weight of so much accumulated precipitation, the Craigie House collapsed overnight, leaving little standing beyond the columns and front porch.

In 2016, new owners PacificPoint Realty demolished what was left of the historic home, as was required by city code enforcement at the time for safety reasons. Karim Shariff, head of the development company, publicly lamented the loss of the structure and vowed to incorporate some of it into a new project on site.   

Two years later, those plans were revealed in the form of luxury modern townhomes designed by Atlanta-based TaC Studios.

Sample photo of Midtown views from the project's top floors. Courtesy of Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby's International Realty

Courtesy of Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby's International Realty; designs, TaC Studios

Designs called for preserved bricks and marble from the DAR house to be incorporated into the townhomes, in the form of patios and landscape elements.

But according to Snow, the city required “enormous” infrastructure work near Piedmont Avenue that was so expensive it rendered the project unviable, based on what the townhomes would have sold for in 2018. Developers decided to pull back, hold the property, and wait for the market to rise to accommodate the prices they desired.

By the summer of 2022, the trio of townhomes had topped out, with the unit in the middle listed for what was the least amount at the time: $1.4 million.

Snow said in 2022 buildouts for buyers could cost anywhere between $200,000 to $600,000, in addition to the price of the townhomes.

The four-story units range between roughly 2,750 and 2,900 heated square feet, each with three bedrooms and four—yes, four—car garages, to help compensate for a lack of guest parking in the area. The back half of the garages can also be converted to personal media rooms or gyms by owners, per the sellers. 

The rooftops—half outside, half enclosed with flex spaces—include Midtown views and an over-designed truss system engineered to allow for hot tubs.

Head to the gallery above for a closer look.

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1204 Piedmont Avenue NE 1204 on the Park Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby's International Realty Allen Snow TaC Studios Atlanta Townhomes Atlanta Architecture Atlanta Construction Atlanta Development Piedmont Park Homes For sale Piedmont Avenue Interior Design Pacificpoint Realty C3 Companies

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The project's 1204 Piedmont Avenue location in Ansley Park, just west of Atlanta's marquee greenspace. Google Maps

Sample photo of Midtown views from the project's top floors. Courtesy of Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby's International Realty

One aspect of Piedmont Avenue frontage at 1204 on the Park. Courtesy of Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby's International Realty; designs, TaC Studios

Courtesy of Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby's International Realty; designs, TaC Studios

Courtesy of Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby's International Realty; designs, TaC Studios

Courtesy of Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby's International Realty; designs, TaC Studios

Subtitle Site for townhome venture 1204 on the Park has seen a decade of setbacks

Neighborhood Ansley Park

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Here now, our top 10 most popular stories of 2023 Josh Green Thu, 12/28/2023 - 15:22 In a city and metro built on growth, there's nary a dull year. And 2023 was certainly eventful in all sorts of wonderful, challenging, disappointing, and hilarious ways.

Closing out our third year of coverage, it's time to reflect on what Urbanize Atlanta readers found most interesting across the year that was. The tabulated results could hardly be more random, with topics including high school design, massive highways, woodland trails, Chick-fil-A, and—of course—skyscrapers all making the most-popular cut.   

Without further ado, presented below are our most popular stories of 2023, based on overall number of reads:

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No. 10

Heads up, Atlanta: Controversial Chick-fil-A opens this week

When the prospects of a traffic apocalypse on Boulevard caused Atlantans to freak the cluck out.

Rendering of what's considered the O4W Chick-fil-A's "main entrance." Designs by Chick-fil-A, via Midtown Neighbors Association

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No. 9

Striking visuals released for towers over Atlanta transit station

Oh, what could have been …

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No. 8

Images: Cumming pretty much nailed its new city center

Because walkable, made-from-scratch town centers—when done right—can truly excite.

VantagePoint 3D; Vimeo

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No. 7

Photos: South of Atlanta, new high school is architectural marvel

A photo-heavy spotlight of what could be metro Atlanta’s most striking high school building.

More common spaces were implemented into building designs following feedback from students. Photos by John Stinson; courtesy of Perkins & Will

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No. 6

Coming to Atlanta's largest greenspace: world-class mountain bike park

Because… yes, please.

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No. 5

Permit approved, website launched for Atlanta's tallest new building

When ATL’s biggest skyscraper since Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik started getting real.

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No. 4

Best OTP Downtown 2023, Championship: Alpharetta vs. Duluth

What a fun, eventful tourney that was: Suburban Smackdown, in honor of March Madness.  

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No. 3

Apartment, townhome project with rents from $800s has arrived

Droves of Atlantans are interested in affordable housing—always. Hopefully the city and development chiefs take note.

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No. 2

Rapper T.I.'s affordable housing project has officially arrived

Homegrown entertainer + making good on promises + attainable living options = a positive story indeed.

Wingate Companies/Vecino Group

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No. 1

Letter to Editor: Why Atlanta should pull for Interstate 14 to be built

Because nothing gets Atlantans revved up like talk of more and more lanes.

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Best of Atlanta 2023 Cumming Alpharetta Duluth 1072 West Peachtree T.I. Atlanta Rappers Affordable Housing Interstate 14 Chick-fil-A Boulevard MARTA Morrow Atlanta Architecture Architecture Suburban Downtowns Atlanta Suburbs

Subtitle What an incredibly random list

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Crane watch: Dual Midtown towers climb near Piedmont Park Josh Green Thu, 12/28/2023 - 13:39 This month marks a year since one of 2023’s most compelling high-rise projects to go vertical was declared officially underway, and the two-tower development is beginning to make its mark amid Midtown’s changing skyline.

The 1081 Juniper Street project—led by Charleston-based developer Middle Street Partners, alongside joint venture partner AECOM-Canyon Partners—has begun vertical construction over its sizable podium just west of Piedmont Park.

Upon a site visit for photos a week before Christmas, the shorter of the two buildings actually stood taller for the moment, having reached approximately 14 stories with about 20 left to go. 

Plans call for a total of 487 apartments across both buildings, a North and South tower. Ground-floor retail space will span Juniper Street for a block, according to the development team.

Construction progress over the project's podium this month at the northeast corner of Juniper and 11th streets in Midtown, about two blocks west of Piedmont Park. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta

The larger North tower will climb to 400 feet, offering 320 units across 36 stories; the South tower will top out at 380 feet, with 33 stories, larger floorplans, and what’s designed to feel like a more boutique offering of only 167 units, per developers.  

According to Midtown Alliance, the 1081 Juniper project will also include 690 parking spaces, with delivery tentatively scheduled for fall 2024. 

Last year, the buildings that housed two Midtown drinking and dining staples—Einstein’s and Joe’s on Juniper—were razed at the site, along with neighboring bungalows reshaped as businesses. The Metrotainment Cafes concepts, both hubs for Atlanta’s LGBTQ community, had operated on the block since the 1990s.

That demolition and infrastructure work at the Juniper Street site between 11th and 12th streets started in mid-2022, but developers didn’t declare the project officially underway until they’d secured $245 million in construction financing in December last year.

At that time, Middle Street Partners leadership said the project will help reshape the northeast portion of Midtown’s skyline, at a location they described as “the preeminent residential address in all of Atlanta—and by extension one of the best in the Southeast.”

Vertical construction over parking levels at the corner of Juniper and 12th streets, where Einstein's long operated. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta

Middle Street Partners; designs, Brock Hudgins Architects

The development team also includes construction lenders Bank OZK and Related Fund Management, general contractor Brasfield & Gorrie, interior designer CID Design Group, and Brock Hudgins Architects. Middle Street Partners, which has offices in Atlanta, is also finishing construction of a 323-unit apartment project on the BeltLine’s Southside Trail in Grant Park, marking the firm’s debut in the city.

Find recent construction photos and the latest renderings for 1081 Juniper in the gallery above.

The larger tower, in the foreground, and the project's stance over Juniper Street. Middle Street Partners; designs, Brock Hudgins Architects

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1081 Juniper Street NE 1081 Juniper Two-Tower Midtown Project Middle Street Partners Metrotainment Cafes Brock Hudgins Architects Morris Manning & Manning Einstein's Midtown Construction Joe's On Juniper Atlanta Architecture Atlanta Development Atlanta Construction Atlanta Demolition AECOM-Canyon Partners Atlanta Skyline Bank OZK Related Fund Management Brasfield & Gorrie CID Design Group Best of Atlanta 2023

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Construction progress over the project's podium this month at the northeast corner of Juniper and 11th streets in Midtown, about two blocks west of Piedmont Park. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta

Where future retail is planned to meet Juniper Street. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta

Vertical construction over parking levels at the corner of Juniper and 12th streets, where Einstein's long operated. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta

Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta

The block of Juniper Street in question in December 2018. Google Maps

How the two-tower project would look from Piedmont Park.Middle Street Partners; designs, Brock Hudgins Architects

Middle Street Partners; designs, Brock Hudgins Architects

From above Juniper Street, looking north. Middle Street Partners; designs, Brock Hudgins Architects

Planned Juniper Street frontage, looking north toward Buckhead. Middle Street Partners; designs, Brock Hudgins Architects

View from the north along Juniper Street. Middle Street Partners; designs, Brock Hudgins Architects

Retail slots planned for the buildings' bases along Juniper Street, looking south toward downtown. Middle Street Partners; designs, Brock Hudgins Architects

Middle Street Partners; designs, Brock Hudgins Architects

The larger tower, in the foreground, and the project's stance over Juniper Street. Middle Street Partners; designs, Brock Hudgins Architects

Subtitle A year after construction declared underway, Juniper Street project is stacking over parking levels

Neighborhood Midtown

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Best Atlanta Neighborhood 2023, FINAL FOUR: Summerhill vs. Reynoldstown Josh Green Wed, 12/27/2023 - 16:11 As part of ongoing Best of Atlanta 2023 coverage, Urbanize’s Best Atlanta Neighborhood tournament kicked off two weeks ago with 16 places vying for the prestige of being called the city’s greatest.

Now, for each Final Fourcontest, voting will be open for just 24 hours. Please, let’s keep the tourney fun and positive, as one neighborhood rises above the rest in very public fashion. The quest to crown a champion resumes now!

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(1) Summerhill

Being the No. 1 seed in 2023—as determined by pre-tourney nominations—Summerhill made quick work of Virginia-Highland in the first round and then squeaked by Cabbagetown in the Elite Eight with 52 percent of votes.

Example of planned functionality at a MARTA Rapid Summerhill bus shelter.MARTA

This year, Summerhill has hardly been idle, with construction on Atlanta’s first bus-rapid transit line finally ramping up and a fresh beer garden to brag about. The neighborhood’s long-awaited Publix debuted this past summer (before a temporary closure for a parking deck collapse) while another controversial parking deck took shape a few blocks away. Elsewhere, the maturation of adaptive-reuse favorite Georgia Avenue continued in 2023, with stylish townhomes claiming an empty corner, while—for better or worse—top-end housing prices crept ever closer to the $1-million mark. Back in 2021, lest we forget, Summerhill came this close to Best Atlanta Neighborhood immortality by reaching the Finals, but ultimately falling to out-of-left-field powerhouse Mozley Park.

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(13) Reynoldstown

Small-but-mighty Reynoldstown (No. 13) dispatched Decatur in the tourney’s first contest this year, then won by a nose against Grant Park in an Elite Eight contest that saw a whopping 2,232 votes come in over the long holiday weekend.

A new row of townhomes fronting an extension of Reynoldstown's Lang-Carson Park.

Across the busy year that 2023 has been, R-town’s most buzz-worthy addition had to be Breaker Breaker, the easy-breezy BeltLine pitstop that’s part of growing Empire Stein Steel. Also along the BeltLine (surprise!) an all-affordable stack of rent-capped homes has recently topped out, while a truly unique motel conversion gets underway for Atlantans who need a boost most. Elsewhere, that penchant for flashy duplexes in Reynoldstown shows few signs of slowing. Longtime followers of this criteria-free contest may recall that R-town valiantly claimed the crown in 2014, as BeltLine hoopla heated up. Could it become just the second neighborhood in history to repeat in 2023? We’ll see. 

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Best of Atlanta 2023 Best Atlanta Neighborhoods Best Atlanta Neighborhood Where to Live Atlanta Atlanta Neighborhoods Urbanize Tournament Polls Urbanize Polls Summerhill Reynoldstown

Subtitle Who should advance to the Championship? Cast your vote now!

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Best Atlanta Neighborhood 2023, FINAL FOUR: East Atlanta vs. Hapeville Josh Green Wed, 12/27/2023 - 15:11 As part of ongoing Best of Atlanta 2023 coverage, Urbanize’s Best Atlanta Neighborhood tournament kicked off two weeks ago with 16 places vying for the prestige of being called the city’s greatest.

Now, for each Final Fourcontest, voting will be open for just 24 hours. Please, let’s keep the tourney fun and positive, as one neighborhood rises above the rest in very public fashion. The quest to crown a champion resumes now!

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(10) East Atlanta

In round one action, No. 10 seed East Atlanta pulled a minor upset by booting Chamblee (No. 7) from contention. A much more impressive feat came during the Elite Eight, when East Atlanta-nah-nah-nah ousted tourney titan Old Fourth Ward, edging by with 53 percent of votes.

Courtesy of Adams Commercial Real Estate

Unlike several voted-appointed competitors in ’23, East Atlanta is a bona fide ATL neighborhood, with a famed village at its core where change is persistent, but gloss never outweighs funk. This year saw a unique Starbucks concept bow out in EAV, which some might consider worthy of bonus votes. But elsewhere, artist Greg Mike’s church makeover is very much moving forward, like a nearby infill project on Flat Shoals Avenue with relatively attainable housing in its mix. On the bougier side of things, East Atlanta wasn’t lacking in new options this year, either. As the tourney’s 2016 champion, East Atlanta clawed to the Elite Eight last year but was ousted by current trophy-holder Avondale Estates. Could that keep lighting a fire under this perennially hip eastside district? We shall see.

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(14) Hapeville

Tournament newbie Hapeville is off to a banging start after trouncing “West Midtown” in the first round—and then snagging 71 percent of more than 1,400 votes against Edgewood over the holiday weekend. Not too shabby.

How the seven-building Signal project relates to Porsche's expanded North American headquarters, at right, with the airport situated beyond that. Courtesy of South City Partners

No wonder. In recent years, historic and artsy Hapeville has emerged as the darling of south ITP growth, owing in no small part to its next-door proximity to the world’s busiest airport and Porsche’s North American Headquarters, among other factors. And for a city of less than 7,000 people, it’s also a fiercely proud, neighborly place. This year saw Hapeville add a nifty public greenspace and splash pad fed by natural springs. Just a few blocks from the city’s charming downtown, Porsche’s second phase debuted in 2023 with a new 1.3-mile handling circuit that’s nothing short of exhilarating. Elsewhere, the thoughtful remake of a 1950s gas station came alive, while Hapeville’s residential explosion continued with projects such as Signal and Serenity. (And yes, FYI, all ITP cities are allowed in the tournament, as always.)  

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Best of Atlanta 2023 Best Atlanta Neighborhoods Best Atlanta Neighborhood Where to Live Atlanta Atlanta Neighborhoods Urbanize Tournament Polls Urbanize Polls East Atlanta Hapeville

Subtitle Who should advance to the Championship? Cast your vote now!

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Images: New Douglasville Town Green, concert venue aim to impress Josh Green Wed, 12/27/2023 - 11:55 As with Cumming, Alpharetta, Roswell, and other cities across north OTP Atlanta, Douglasville has recently lifted the veil on a community-focused downtown project that aims to boost its cachet in the western suburbs.  

Situated down the street from the bulk of Douglasville’s historic downtown, the Douglasville Town Green and its main attraction, the GreyStone Amphitheater, replaced a vacant lot and the former county jail at 6801 Church St.

According to Atlanta-based design firm TSW, the 2-acre project already serves as a regional draw and a “model of sustainability,” with more development planned across adjoining acreage. It officially debuted in September with a sold-out concert by multi-Grammy Award winning recording artist Gladys Knight.

A drone photo of the Town Green and its centerpiece amphitheater today. Courtesy of the City of Douglasville

The Town Green's 6801 Church St. location (in red) in relation to other downtown Douglasville attractions. Google Maps

The open-air concert venue and park space, located about 24 miles west of downtown Atlanta, were more than six years in the making, as initially proposed in the TSW’s Douglasville Downtown Master Plan + 10-Year Strategic Plan.

Today, components include the 3,700-person amphitheater and stage building, event space, restrooms, a concessions building, a splash pad, a boulder climbing area, and “playable art” for what’s considered the civic, cultural, and entertainment center of Douglas County. The city counts an estimated population of 38,000, according to the U.S. Census.

As for sustainability, an existing pedestrian bridge and part of a jail building were re-purposed, which TSW officials say reduced the amount of new materials needed and conserved energy. Reclaimed materials from the site include boulders uncovered during grading (now integrated into site walls) and blasted rocks used for fill material.

Elsewhere, a 3,750-gallon above-ground cistern collects roof runoff, while a 12,000-gallon underground cistern collects used splash pad water and stormwater runoff, all meant to boost water conservation and management. Other eco-focused facets include FSC-certified site furnishings that support responsible forest management, native plantings, and full-cutoff light fixtures for dark skies, according to TSW.

“It’s more than just a pretty [communal gathering] space,” Adam Williamson, TSW principal, said in a recent announcement. “It provides a sustainable model for park development for the region and supports economic development and downtown revitalization goals. When the space isn’t being used for city events, the park is open seven days a week for community leisure and recreation.”

Photo of the Town Green food and beverage component today. Courtesy of the City of Douglasville

A TSW rendering illustrating how mixed-use development could ring the new Town Green and amphitheater.TSW

Douglasville city officials stress the remaining 8 acres of the 10-acre site remain a blank palette where they’re trying to attract residents young and old who prefer walkable downtowns and mixed-use environments. 

The city has issued two requests for proposals near the Town Green to include a hotel project on an adjacent block, and another development with a broader mix of uses that would bring residential, commercial, parking, and local art uses to that same block.

In the gallery above, find more Town Green context today—and glimpses at how this side of downtown could evolve in years to come.

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Downtown Douglasville's location about 24 miles due west of downtown Atlanta. Google Maps

The Town Green's 6801 Church St. location (in red) in relation to other downtown Douglasville attractions. Google Maps

How communal spaces of today appeared in renderings. TSW

The property and former jail in question, at left, as seen in 2018. Google Maps

A drone photo of the Town Green and its centerpiece amphitheater today. Courtesy of the City of Douglasville

Photo of the Town Green food and beverage component today. Courtesy of the City of Douglasville

A TSW rendering illustrating how mixed-use development could ring the new Town Green and amphitheater.TSW

The communal project in rendering form, with additional future buildings shown around it. TSW

Closer view of the Town Green stage, in rendering form. TSW

TSW

TSW

Broader context around downtown Douglasville. Google Maps

Subtitle Communal space called “model of sustainability” is highlighted—so far—by 3,700-person amphitheater

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Presenting Urbanize Atlanta's least-read stories of 2023! Josh Green Wed, 12/27/2023 - 10:22 If years of online publishing have taught us anything, it’s that there’s no sure bets in terms of reader interest—unless the story contains “traffic mess” and/or “gentrification” in the headline.

With that in mind, we flip the script today to shed light on the stories people in Atlanta had very little interest or time to read throughout the compelling year of 2023 that was. As always, the results are a bit befuddling.

Below is a mix of intown and suburban news, from the southside to Decatur to Cumming to Stone Mountain and beyond. Topics deal with everything from tech innovations and discounted townhomes to protected ITP trees. (If it’s any consolation, each story garnered well over 1,000 reads—so it wasn't totally crickets out there.)

Our only criteria was that each story had been posted for at least a month, allowing for an equal playing field of time for readers to not care.

Here are our least-read stories of 2023, presented in no particular order:

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June:

Developer: Despite appearances, Vine City project isn't D.O.A.

Note to self: weedy construction sites = snoozefest.

The cleared Vine City block, as seen last September. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta

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October:

City unveils totally handy app to find bike parking (or lack thereof)

ATL bicyclists: a bunch of know-it-alls?

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March:

Fresh visuals, price chops spotted at NW Atlanta duplex project

When pointing out discounted homebuying options backfires.

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June:

Unique College Park concept aims to meld offices with basketball

An airball, for some reason.

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May:

First look: 'Greenest film, TV studio on Earth™' ready for its closeup

An indication ATLiens are a little bit over studio news?

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June:

Halcyon's hotel component has officially arrived

Halcyon updates are usually of high interest. Maybe it’s the hotel’s exceedingly long name?

Courtesy of RocaPoint Partners/Embassy Suites

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October:

Prose-branded project to continue Gainesville development surge

We’ll let this no-holds-barred reader comment do the talking: “I’d rather live in a shipping container on Forsyth Street in South Downtown than in Hall County.”

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January:

Luxury upgrade bound for Decatur apartment community

Oh, what, because active-adult communities are boring?

Apartments.com

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January:

Conservationists: 2022 was banner year for ATL greenspace protection

This recap of new parkland was published very early in 2023. Maybe Atlanta was still hungover? 

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Subtitle Hey, we can't all be winners

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Meet the Best Atlanta Neighborhood 2023 tourney Final Four! Josh Green Tue, 12/26/2023 - 12:14 After more than 13,000 votes, several dramatic matches, and one blowout, the Elite Eight in Urbanize’s third-annual Best Atlanta Neighborhood tourney is officially in the books.

Which means it’s time, Atlanta, to meet your 2023 Final Four!

These four contestants are still alive in the quest to claim everlasting Best Neighborhood glory (for at least a year) as determined by the voting public—in very public fashion. The only criteria is that you vote for the place you feel is doing it right, right now.

Reader nominations determined the field of 16 contestants earlier this month. (Note: Cities close to the ITP core of Atlanta, such as Hapeville, are also permitted to enter, so long as enough people nominate them.)

The four left standing include typically strong contenders (East Atlanta, Reynoldstown), the 2021 runner-up (Summerhill), and an extremely motivated tourney newbie (Hapeville). But who will fully prevail this year, rising up to claim the crown?

The Final Four contests will be held Wednesday.

Those will be followed by the Best Atlanta Neighborhood 2023 Championship later this week.

Thanks again to all who’ve participated (13,032 votes and counting). Now, onward!

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The hallowed pantheon of Best Atlanta Neighborhood tournament winners:

***2011:***Inman Park

***2012:***Old Fourth Ward

***2013:***Kirkwood

***2014:***Reynoldstown

***2015:***West End

***2016:***East Atlanta

***2017:***West End (again)

2018-2020:(forced hiatus)

2021:Mozley Park

2022:Avondale Estates

2023: TBD

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• Best of Atlanta 2023 coverage (Urbanize Atlanta) 

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Subtitle 13,000 votes later, these four places are still vying for glory

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Best Atlanta Neighborhood 2023, Elite Eight: Summerhill vs. Cabbagetown Josh Green Fri, 12/22/2023 - 15:33 As part of ongoing Best of Atlanta 2023 coverage, Urbanize’s third-annual Best Atlanta Neighborhood tournament kicked off last week with 16 places vying for the prestige of being called the city’s greatest.

Now, for each Elite Eight contest, voting will be open until noon on Tuesday, allowing anyone time to chime in who’s currently traveling or enduring their family. Please, let’s keep the tourney fun and positive, as one neighborhood rises above the rest in very public fashion. The quest to crown a champion resumes now!

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(1) Summerhill

Recent aerial of Summerhill's residential buildout south of Georgia Avenue. Carter

Being the No. 1 seed in 2023—as determined by pre-tourney nominations—swingin’ Summerhill made quick work of Virginia-Highland in the first round, snagging more than 60 percent of 1,031 votes. The neighborhood’s track record suggests more good tidings could be in store, too.

Back in 2021, Summerhill came this close to Best Atlanta Neighborhood immortality by reaching the Finals, but ultimately falling to out-of-left-field powerhouse Mozley Park. This year, Summerhill has hardly been idle, with construction on Atlanta’s first bus-rapid transit line finally ramping up and a fresh beer garden to brag about. The neighborhood’s long-awaited Publix debuted this past summer (before a temporary closure for a parking deck collapse) while another controversial parking deck took shape a few blocks away. Elsewhere, the maturation of adaptive-reuse favorite Georgia Avenue continued in 2023, with stylish townhomes claiming an empty corner, while—for better or worse—top-end housing prices crept ever closer to the $1-million mark.

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(9) Cabbagetown

After beginning construction in late 2018, the 764 Memorial project replaced a weedy lot and abandoned, Recession-era foundations with 24 condos and five townhouses. Photography by Cyndi Benson/InFocus Virtual Tours; courtesy of PalmerHouse Properties

As the 2023 contest’s potential Mighty Mouse, Cabbagetown came out swinging in first-round action, clobbering tourney virgin Cascade Heights with 68 percent of votes. 

Cabbagetown might be Atlanta’s undisputed per-capita PBR consumption champion, but unit now, it’s never managed to collect enough nominations to actually make the Best Atlanta Neighborhood showdown. (Are those two facts related? Probably.) That’s all changed in 2023, with C-town sliding into a comfy No. 9 seed after another year of… well, generally being awesome. For starters, 2023 saw Krog Street Tunnel’s chronic flooding (and left-turn) headaches finally be addressed, while a celebrity real estate flipper swooped into the neighborhood and finally landed a buyer for an eye-popping Cabbagetown condo renovation. The Chomp & Stomp festival, meanwhile, continued its post-COVID run of excellence in November. Cabbagetown is known for having a big heart, but could its small stature hold it back, now that it’s facing a Goliath like Summerhill? Only time (and votes) will tell.  

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Best of Atlanta 2023 Best Atlanta Neighborhoods Best Atlanta Neighborhood Where to Live Atlanta Atlanta Neighborhoods Urbanize Tournament Polls Urbanize Polls Summerhill Cabbagetown

Subtitle Who should advance to the Final Four? Cast your vote now!

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Best Atlanta Neighborhood 2023, Elite Eight: Edgewood vs. Hapeville Josh Green Fri, 12/22/2023 - 14:33 As part of ongoing Best of Atlanta 2023 coverage, Urbanize’s third-annual Best Atlanta Neighborhood tournament kicked off last week with 16 places vying for the prestige of being called the city’s greatest.

Now, for each Elite Eight contest, voting will be open until noon on Tuesday, allowing anyone time to chime in who’s currently traveling or enduring their family. Please, let’s keep the tourney fun and positive, as one neighborhood rises above the rest in very public fashion. The quest to crown a champion resumes now!

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(6) Edgewood

Plans for La France Street retail at the corner of Hanover Edgewood nearest the MARTA station. Hanover Company

In its first tourney appearance since an early exit in 2021, Edgewood bumped Adair Park out of contention in first round action this week.

Edgewood’s comfortable No. 6 seed is fitting for a neighborhood that counts a comforting, constantly evolving food destination like El Tesoro—and, as of February this year, sandwich emporium and cocktail bar Bona Fide Deluxe, the latter born from underused MARTA parking lots. Other significant changes in 2023 saw a nearly 700-home project gain its footing along Edgewood’s northern rim, replacing a pie factory, while PATH Foundation’s full Eastside Trolley Trail came to be, at last. Not all was rosy in ’23, however, as a patch of pricey duplexes came to market where missing-middle housing advocates had hoped to see nearly 50 relatively cheap residences sprout. On a brighter note for urbanists, a creative residential project called Finley Street Cottages showed what’s possible when underused land, home renovations, and ADUs meet.

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(14) Hapeville

Courtesy of City of Hapeville

Tournament newbie Hapeville is off to a roaring start after trouncing “West Midtown” in the first round, capturing 66 percent of more than 1,200 votes. (Yes, ITP cities are allowed in the tournament, as always.)  

No wonder. In recent years, historic and artsy Hapeville has emerged as the darling of south ITP growth, owing in no small part to its next-door proximity to the world’s busiest airport and Porsche’s North American Headquarters, among other factors. And for a city of less than 7,000 people, it’s also a fiercely proud, neighborly place. This year saw Hapeville add a nifty public greenspace and splash pad fed by natural springs. Just a few blocks from the city’s charming downtown, Porsche’s second phase debuted in 2023 with a new 1.3-mile handling circuit that’s nothing short of exhilarating. Elsewhere, the thoughtful remake of a 1950s gas station came alive, while Hapeville’s residential explosion continued with projects such as Signal and Serenity.

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Best of Atlanta 2023 Best Atlanta Neighborhoods Best Atlanta Neighborhood Where to Live Atlanta Atlanta Neighborhoods Urbanize Tournament Polls Urbanize Polls Edgewood Hapeville

Subtitle Who should advance to the Final Four? Cast your vote now!

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Massive Fort McPherson development aims to break ground soon Josh Green Fri, 12/22/2023 - 12:02 Plans for the sweeping redevelopment of a section of a former U.S. Army base in Southwest Atlanta have taken a key step forward, with project officials eyeing a groundbreaking early in the new year.

The Fort Mac Local Redevelopment Authority on Tuesday unanimously approved the lease of the final 94 acres of developable land at Fort McPherson to a firm led by Bishop T.D. Jakes, founder and pastor of The Potter’s House Church in Dallas who also produces movies, according to the AJC.

T.D. Jakes Real Estate Ventures’ plans call for a variety of new and repurposed buildings near the northeast corner of the old Army base, located off Lee Street about five miles south of downtown, according to plans filed with the City of Atlanta Office of Zoning and Development earlier this year. The Army post closed back in 2011.

The acreage in question will be leased to The Fort Mac Village, a subset of Jakes’ real estate firm. LRA officials are calling the project the second largest in Southwest Atlanta—behind the airport’s expansion—and the lease approval paves the way for construction to begin. Fort Mac LRA board chairman Cassius Butts told the AJC a ribbon-cutting and groundbreaking ceremony are expected to take place at the site within the next two months, as Jakes’ team gets to work renovating a historic former Army building in the meantime.  

The section of Fort McPherson targeted for redevelopment. The former Army base spans nearly 500 acres overall, with Tyler Perry Studios situated to the south. Google Maps

Overview of the 96-acre masterplan at 1601 Lee Street. T.D. Jakes Real Estate Ventures; designs, Perkins Eastman

Jakes has been involved with Fort Mac’s redevelopment since 2021. He’s previously said workforce and affordable housing—designed to meet a nation need—will be a primary focus on land not controlled by Tyler Perry’s massive movie studio complex.

More details pertaining to Jakes’ plans are expected to be released early next year.

Paperwork filed by Jakes’ firm with the city in March indicates the project’s scope could rival almost any mixed-use proposal in metro Atlanta. On the residential side, site plans call for more than 900 multifamily dwellings, 200 townhomes, 181 standalone houses, a senior living facility, and a 207-room hotel with rental units.

Elsewhere, 105,000 square feet of commercial and retail space, a charter school, 84,000 square feet of offices, and 36,000 square feet of restaurant and food-service space is in the mix, according to earlier filings.

Renderings by New York-based architecture firm Perkins Eastman indicate larger new buildings at Fort McPherson would lean into a modern esthetic, while single-family houses would be more traditional. One standalone retail building specifies that it could be a grocery store.  

Examples of facades planned around the new district. T.D. Jakes Real Estate Ventures; designs, Perkins Eastman

Where a crescent of new mixed-use construction would border historic buildings at Fort McPherson. Lee Street is depicted at bottom. T.D. Jakes Real Estate Ventures; designs, Perkins Eastman

The entire former Army post spans nearly 500 acres, and Perry controls more than 350 acres of it, having built a sprawling 40-plus-building complex considered one of the country’s largest TV and film production facilities. Sets range from a classic diner, farmhouse, and county jail to a realistic White House replica.

Find a more detailed preview of Jakes' Fort Mac redevelopment plans, according to city filings, in the gallery above. 

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• Sylvan Hills news, discussion (Urbanize Atlanta)

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The section of Fort McPherson targeted for redevelopment. The former Army base spans nearly 500 acres overall, with Tyler Perry Studios situated to the south. Google Maps

Where a crescent of new mixed-use construction would border historic buildings at Fort McPherson. Lee Street is depicted at bottom. T.D. Jakes Real Estate Ventures; designs, Perkins Eastman

Overview of the 96-acre masterplan at 1601 Lee Street. T.D. Jakes Real Estate Ventures; designs, Perkins Eastman

Example of a residential section. T.D. Jakes Real Estate Ventures; designs, Perkins Eastman

The residential left flank of the masterplan. T.D. Jakes Real Estate Ventures; designs, Perkins Eastman

Examples of facades planned around the new district. T.D. Jakes Real Estate Ventures; designs, Perkins Eastman

T.D. Jakes Real Estate Ventures; designs, Perkins Eastman

T.D. Jakes Real Estate Ventures; designs, Perkins Eastman

T.D. Jakes Real Estate Ventures; designs, Perkins Eastman

Subtitle Mixed-use village project led by Bishop T.D. Jakes approved by Fort Mac redevelopment board

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