An infill development that project leaders are calling a first-of-its-kind for a historic Westside neighborhood is almost ready for its closeup. 

Following two years of construction, an official ribbon-cutting for what’s officially been coined “880 North” is set for June 25. 

The building is notable in that it’s one of the first developments to bring new-construction, walkable restaurant space to the interior of English Avenue, marking what project leaders called “a unique milestone for the area” in an email to Urbanize Atlanta this week. 

The three-story 557 Lindsay St. project by OaksATL Community Development took shape on a relatively small corner site—just .13 acres—where Lindsay Street meets North Avenue. 

Situated about five blocks east of the Beltline’s Westside Trail, the parcel had been used as a pocket greenspace since a dilapidated home was demolished there several years ago.  

Alongside below-market commercial space, the $3-million project includes six apartments reserved as affordable housing and community amenities, per developers. 

How facades have shaped up at the 557 Lindsay St. NW project. Courtesy of OaksATL Community Development

Breakdown of ground-floor spaces at 880 North. Courtesy of OaksATL Community Development

Scheduled to attend the June 25 ribbon-cutting this month are Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, Invest Atlanta president and CEO Dr. Eloisa Klementich, and other dignitaries. A communal block party will follow from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. 

The project’s broader goal is to fight displacement and create economic opportunities on the city’s Westside. According to Invest Atlanta, apartment rents are expected to start around $1,140 monthly for two-bedroom units with between 791 and 866 square feet. 

The two commercial spaces—both in the ballpark of 800 square feet—are zoned for restaurant and mercantile use. 

“The goal here is to create accessible, affordable retail to support small and minority-owned businesses on the Westside,” a project rep wrote to Urbanize Atlanta via email. 

The latest rendering showing planned, finished facades at the 880 North project in English Avenue. Courtesy of OaksATL Community Development

Location of the English Avenue corner site in relation to the Westside Trail corridor, Midtown, and Shirley C. Franklin Park. Google Maps

Officials also provided the below bullet points for why 880 North marks a strong value proposition for the market, per their estimations. (Edited for clarity and length). 

  • “Base rent starts at $29.29/square foot—significantly below the $35–$55/square foot seen for new construction in West Midtown.
  • Annual increases are capped at 2 percent, offering tenants much more stability than the 3–4 percent escalations typically found in nearby submarkets.
  • Spaces are fully permitted for restaurant or mercantile use, with flexible shell layouts ideal for a café, bakery, or boutique eatery.
  • OaksATL operates with a straightforward NNN lease structure (estimated at $9.83/square foot for the first year) to make long-term costs easier for small business owners to manage.”

Westside Tax Allocation District grants, City of Atlanta Home Program funding, and philanthropic donations were used to cover more than $1.2 million of the cost, project leaders have said. 

Below is a breakdown of what each space in the building is scheduled to rent for, as outlined by Invest Atlanta when 880 North broke ground. Head up to the gallery for more context and images.

Planned breakdown for 557 Lindsay St. unit rents, both residential and commercial. Invest Atlanta

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