Work is resuming to modernize a prominent building that dates to the 1950s in Inman Park’s commercial core, according to project leaders.  

The 309 N. Highland Ave. property, a former auto garage located on the easternmost corner of Elizabeth Street’s intersection with North Highland Avenue, is home to office spaces and Italian restaurant Fritti.

According to building owner and intown broker Dana Armour, the project has been held up by delays involving approvals for design revisions for a portion of the mezzanine level on the Elizabeth Street frontage side.

Those tweaks were approved late last week, and work will resume on that side of the project immediately, said Armour.

The building's partially demolished facade this month as seen along Elizabeth Street, opposite the Inman Quarter mixed-use complex. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta

The side of the former auto garage facing Beetlecat restaurant, as proposed in the latest available renderings. Courtesy of Dana Armour/Jones Pierce

Beyond façade updates, plans at Fritti call for expanded patio seating and added exterior entrances, per 2021 plans filed with the city.

In a past life, the circa-1950 building functioned as an automotive supply shop before it was vacated and became an overgrown eyesore in Inman Park. Jones Pierce Studios designed an adaptive-reuse transformation that created the restaurant space and office suites, totaling about 10,000 square feet, when the area was still dotted with vacant lots.

The building faces the original Savi Provisions market location and the Inman Quarter development’s Beetlecat restaurant, which functioned as a small surface parking lot until 2014.

According to Armour, the 309 N. Highland Ave. property is fully leased today.

Proximity of ongoing work to the patio of Fritti restaurant next door. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta

Changes proposed with Elizabeth Avenue frontage. Courtesy of Dana Armour/Jones Pierce

We’ve left follow-up messages with Armour to learn who those tenants are, and when the renovation might be finished. We’ll update this story with any additional information that comes.

Have a look at the latest renderings provided by Armour in 2021—and the property’s previous condition, going way back—in the gallery above. 

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