Due west of Atlantic Station, plans are percolating that would continue two widespread, enduring Atlanta trends over the past decade: conversion of older warehouse spaces and construction of hundreds of apartments within a stone’s throw of Beltline trails. 

Developers shared plans this week with Urbanize Atlanta that call for remaking the Lumberyard Office Lofts district in Blandtown—the longtime home of Bone Garden Cantina, a popular Mexican restaurant, among other businesses—into a denser, mixed-use community. 

The Lumberyards property, located at 1425 Ellsworth Industrial Boulevard, is just north of the Beltline’s Northwest Trail segment opened last fall. It’s also across the street from the Woodall Rail Trail, which opened last year as a direct connection to The Works district—and soon, to Cobb County as part of the Silver Comet Connector trail network.  

Other attractions across the street include renowned restaurant Bacchanalia and Topgolf Atlanta. 

The Lumberyards expansion project is being put together by developers Robles Partners and Crescent Communities. The latter is a Charlotte-based, active intown developer with two other fresh projects in the neighborhood: Novel Blandtown and Novel West Midtown. 

Robles Partners/Mimms Enterprises

Lumberyards Office Lofts' frontage (and recognizable Bone Garden skeleton mascot) along Ellsworth Industrial Boulevard. Google Maps

Rough scope of the planned Lumberyards expansion, in proximity to a new Beltline trail, Topgolf Atlanta, Bacchanalia, and other landmarks. Google Maps/UA

The development partners filed plans April 17 for review by a Department of City Planning committee that call for new buildings surrounding modified warehouse spaces at Lumberyards. 

According to Eric Liebendorfer, Crescent’s multifamily managing director in Atlanta, the overall goal at Lumberyards is to create an amenitized destination for Beltline patrons. 

“This location has the opportunity to become the heart of the Westside Beltline,” Liebendorfer wrote via email. “We will be pursuing a direct connection to the Beltline into the development.” (That connection would be placed south of current warehouses, according to site plans.)   

The scope calls for building roughly 290 apartments in a mid-rise structure that wraps and conceals a new parking deck. 

According to Liebendorfer, 10 percent of those units would be reserved for affordable housing at 60 percent Area Median Income levels. For new residential developments, inclusion of affordable housing is mandated by Beltline zoning rules near trails.  

Elsewhere, plans call for shortening some existing buildings but keeping them in place. The Lumberyards tenant lineup “will be repositioned to be more Beltline friendly, with the inclusion of [food-and-beverage options] and potential entertainment offerings,” per Liebendorfer. 

Other additions call for a “robust” outdoor zone that complements new retail, featuring al fresca dining, lawn games, possibly food trucks, and more, per the developer. 

Current scope of Lumberyard Office Lofts, with Ellsworth Industrial Boulevard at left and the Northwest Trail offscreen at bottom. Kimley-Horn, via Atlanta Department of City Planning

Tentative plans for additions around existing Lumberyard buildings. Retail and a possible Beltline connection area are shown at bottom; the multifamily structure is at right. Kimley-Horn, via Atlanta Department of City Planning

Liebendorfer said the development team will be pursuing site rezoning in coming months, with a targeted construction start date in the second quarter of 2027. Renderings and other visuals are still being put together and aren’t ready for release.

Ben Hautt, a managing partner with Robles Partners, said redevelopment plans will not impact the portion of the property where Bone Garden Cantina operates. 

"We would love for them to stay," noted Hautt. 

Robles Partners/Mimms Enterprises

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Bankhead shelter deal paused 

In other Beltline-adjacent warehouse news, City of Atlanta officials are working to pause the potential sale of a Bankhead industrial property to homeless advocates Atlanta Mission, effectively tapping the brakes on a $200-million mixed-use venture that would include acres of supportive residential and shelter space.

Neighbors have written and spoken out against the plans, arguing the site would be better suited for more traditional and affordable housing, plus retail that boosts surrounding neighborhoods, as owners Allen Morris Company had originally planned. 

Tiered seating along the Beltline's Westside Trail—Segment 4, per early redevelopment plans. Royal Byckovas; courtesy of The Allen Morris Company

Atlanta City Council member Byron Amos, who represents the area where the vacant, 15.5-acre Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway site meets the Westside Trail, is spearheading the planned 90-day pause on the sale, as Atlanta News First reports. It passed a council committee this week and will now head to the full city council for a vote. 

Pushing back the sale will allow more time for discussions and studies regarding public safety and traffic, according to Amos. 

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