Alongside seismic news this week that Mall West End could be scrapped soon for a large node of mixed-use investment that includes more than 1,000 residential units, city officials have set target dates for two other affordable housing initiatives in key places.  

Collectively the two developments will see 257 new apartments created in English Avenue and the historic heart of downtown, with 77 of them capped at rental rates deemed affordable, according to city officials. Some apartments are scheduled to come online by next spring.

Each of the city initiatives is being put together through Atlanta Urban Development, a nonprofit entity that aims to develop underused public land into mixed-income housing. Mayor Andre Dickens called the projects—alongside plans in West End—“transformational investments” in an announcement.

ENGLISH AVENUE

The larger project, English Avenue’s The Proctor, is on pace to begin construction in the first quarter of 2025, according to the city.

The joint venture with Atlanta-based Windsor Stevens Holdings is slated to rise on vacant land at 698 Oliver St., roughly a block south of the Westside BeltLine Connector greenway trail.

According to city officials, The Proctor’s plans now call for 137 units total, with 41 of them reserved as affordable housing for residents earning at most 50 percent of the area median income.

Proposed lighting scheme at The Proctor. Windsor Stevens Holdings; designs, Niles Bolton Associates architects

The 698 Oliver St. site in question, just north of DLH Parkway and a few blocks from Westside Motor Lounge. Google Maps

Beyond the apartments—which would average 813 square feet—the eight-story building will also include 10,000 square feet of retail space at ground level and a three-level parking deck. Amenities in the works include a pool deck, fitness and yoga room, dog spa, and a “chill room” equipped with a full kitchen, according to permitting paperwork filed with the city’s Office of Buildings in May

Windsor Stevens was founded by Atlanta developer Rod Mullice, whose portfolio includes transit-focused projects such as The Pad on Harvard in College Park and forthcoming The Frazier at Old Towne Gordon in Chamblee. 

The English Avenue site in question is tucked off Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway, immediately west of Brock Built Homes’ 30-unit Oliver Street Townhomes. Other landmarks in the area include The Salvation Army Bellwood Boys and Girls Club (about two block east) and the Echo Street West project (also two blocks east).

A mural perspective on the backside of the proposed building. Windsor Stevens Holdings; designs, Niles Bolton Associates architects

The vacant site in question, at left, as seen in early 2023 with Brock Built Homes’ Oliver Street Townhomes next door. Google Maps

Property records indicate an LLC called WS Proctor Co. purchased the assemblage of properties for $3.75 million in March 2022. [CORRECTION: 1:18 p.m. July 31: This article has been updated to reflect the project's proximity to Echo Street West and the land purchase price.] 

DOWNTOWN

The other project trumpeted by city officials this week was reportedly teetering on the brink of foreclosure as recently as April but appears to be back on track.

41 Marietta, a Fairlie-Poplar district building that’s been undergoing adaptive-reuse development as apartments, is now expected to begin leasing efforts in the second quarter of next year, per city officials.

AUD is partnering with Texas developers Blue Lofts to convert the 13-story structure built in the 1970s. It stands at the corner of Marietta and Forsyth streets, about four blocks south of Centennial Olympic Park.

The 41 Marietta St. building in question, as seen along Marietta Street. Google Maps

The mixed-income venture will see 120 apartments created from former offices—36 of them reserved for households earning 80 percent AMI or less.  

Other aspects of the project are reportedly set to include retail spaces, lounges, and a post office on the ground floor.

The same Texas developers are behind the residential conversion of the Grant Building, an 1898 landmark located on another side of the downtown block, facing Broad Street. That project kicked off in summer 2023, and its financing isn’t tied to the Marietta Street project.  

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