While it’s not quite like the little house of famous holdout Edith Macefield in Seattle, the wee commercial property at 332 Piedmont Avenue NE has stood its ground for more than seven decades as downtown Atlanta has towered around it.

Now it’s up for grabs—for a not-insignificant price of $2.5 million—offering attributes that sellers say can’t be replicated.

Built in 1948 with a little Art Deco Moderne flair, the 3,690-square-foot building stands less than a block from the dormant Atlanta Civic Center complex. It’s technically just south of Midtown, in the subdistrict of downtown referred to as SoNo—or “South of North Avenue,” not to be confused with SoDoSoPa.

“This property gives any entrepreneur the best of downtown Atlanta without the traffic congestion,” reads the listing. “It’s especially ideal for an eatery since there is no restaurant or other eating place in the vicinity.”

How the 332 Piedmont Avenue NE property appeared in 2012: shuttered but with less decrepitude. Google Maps

Adding to the .38-acre property’s cachet as a potential restaurant, per the sellers, is a pandemic-friendly greenspace just to the south that would make for “a superb outside eating area for a restaurant or relaxing area for employees.”

The good news? That grassy area is owned by the Georgia Department of Transportation and can’t be developed, per the listing.

The bad? GDOT would surely have to give its blessing before diners could overtake the space and clink glasses of merlot—and the agency isn’t exactly famous for its willingness to share, or to bend on ideas that would enliven the city.  

The GDOT-controlled side yard abutting the property's south side. Global Realty & Associates

According to property records (and stickers on the windows), the building last functioned as a trophy, engraving, and custom T-shirt business, but that’s been years and years ago. It carries a top-shelf WalkScore (83) and Transit Score (75, or “excellent”).

“This property is located on high-traffic Piedmont Avenue,” notes the broker, “in the heart of new high-rise residential condos.”

The greenspace in relation to downtown's business district. Global Realty & Associates

The immediate area has seen no shortage of big ideas and real investment lately. The Connector-capping “Stitch” park concept would be built just to the south, if realized. And next door on Piedmont Avenue, Braden Fellman Group bought the former United Methodist Church’s chapel and six-story office building last year with plans for turning it into modestly sized apartments soon.

We’ve reached out to the Global Realty & Associates listing agent for more history, or to see if the building’s protected in any way, but have yet to hear back.

Records indicate the property hasn’t been sold or offered for sale in years. The commercial C-5 zoning falls under the classification of “central business district support,” and of course the offering stands “as-is.”  

• Downtown news (Urbanize Atlanta) 

• 332 Piedmont Avenue NE (Global Realty & Associates)