Near one of Atlanta’s most storied golf courses, an infill development of considerable scale is entering the homestretch of construction as summer approaches.
Atlanta developer Perennial Properties is remaking what had long been a large grassy field into hundreds of residences, a retail-dotted greenspace, and other uses, all situated about two blocks south of East Lake Golf Club’s Hole 13.
According to new marketing materials, the project has been christened "Vela Park." (Footage on the promotional website, it must be said, has never made shopping at Publix look trendier.)
Situated along 2nd and Alexander avenues, across the street from Donald Trimble Mortuary, the parcels in question were collectively known as the Bag Factory Site prior to development. The land in unincorporated DeKalb County, spanning about 11.7 acres, had been empty for decades, according to developers.
Overview of the Vela Park district, spanning nearly 12 acres just south of East Lake. Perennial Properties/Dynamik Design; via Velaparkatl.com
How the central green and retail component is expected to be slotted between residential buildings. Perennial Properties/Dynamik Design; via Velaparkatl.com
Vela Park broke ground in early 2024, and according to the project’s website, the first round of rentals is now available to book. Those range from studios (starting at $1,493 monthly for 522 square feet) to three-bedroom, three-and-½ bathroom townhomes (1,879 square feet for $3,791 monthly and up). Two-bedroom options start at $2,110 monthly.
Plans at the 1845 2nd Ave. site call for 328 units total—with 43 of those being rental townhouses.
According to site plans submitted in 2022, a public-accessible village green with a central pavilion would act as the heart of the community, spanning about 32,000 square feet; other facets would include roughly 5,000 square feet of retail space.
Projected look of a Vela Park multifamily component. Perennial Properties/Dynamik Design; via Velaparkatl.com
The 12-acre site in question in relation to East Lake Golf Club, Publix, and other area landmarks. Google Maps
As part of the development, Perennial is constructing an eight-foot-wide walking path on the north side of their property to link 2nd Avenue with Fayetteville Road and the Publix Super Market at East Lake, as project officials told Urbanize Atlanta last year.
We’ve requested more info on Vela Park’s full delivery and retail and will update this story should that come. Jay McGinnity, Perennial’s vice president, said last year the full project was on pace to open in late 2025 or early 2026.
Around the corner on Glenwood Avenue, next to the Publix entrance, Perennial also developed a four-building, mixed-use project called Ella. That venture, also designed by the Dynamik Design firm, includes 230 apartments and 10,000 square feet of retail, including Philly G cheesesteaks, in addition to office space.
Find more imagery and context for Vela Park in the gallery above.
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