ATLANTA — The City of Atlanta, through Atlanta Urban Development (AUD), has unveiled plans for three new affordable housing projects, including the redevelopment of the Mall West End. Together, the projects will add nearly 350 affordable housing units for residents earning up to 80 percent of the area median income (AMI). At least one community is scheduled to begin lease-up by the second quarter of 2025, with the others beginning construction this fall and summer 2025.
The Mall West End would be the largest of the redevelopments, transforming the 12-acre mall into a 1.7 million-square-foot mixed-use development. BRP Cos. is the developer.
Key elements of the Mall West End redevelopment plan include: approximately 120,000 square feet of retail space, including a grocery store, fitness center, food and beverage, and local boutiques; 893 mixed-income rental units; 152 beds of student housing; a 150-key hotel; 12,000 square feet of medical office space; and community amenities.
The project site is located steps from four Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) that make up the Atlanta University Center — Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, Morehouse School of Medicine and Spelman College.
According to a news release from the city, the Mall West End redevelopment is currently in the early planning stages. The project team is gathering data, conducting feasibility studies and exploring various design concepts to revitalize the mall. Throughout the redevelopment process, AUD and BRP will engage residents, legacy business owners and other stakeholders through various channels such as town hall meetings, surveys and public forums. Construction on the Mall West End redevelopment is expected to begin in 2025.
A previous $400 million redevelopment plan for Mall West End, announced in January 2020 and spearheaded by Atlanta BeltLine originator Ryan Gravel, fell through over the past few years.
The other two projects moving forward include 41 Marietta and The Proctor. In partnership with Blue Lofts, 41 Marietta will convert a downtown office building into residential space with 120 units, 36 of which will be designated for households earning up to 80 percent AMI. Leasing is expected to begin by the second quarter of 2025.
The Proctor, to be built in partnership with Windsor Stevens, will create 137 units, 41 of which will be designated for those earning up to 50 percent AMI. The project is expected to begin construction in the first quarter of 2025.
AUD is a nonprofit entity that specializes in the redevelopment of public land into mixed-income housing.
New York City-based BRP maintains a portfolio of more than 4.4 million square feet and over $6.3 billion in completed and current transactions.
— Kristin Harlow