Between a controversial Chick-fil-A proposal and the recently reactivated Waldo’s mixed-use project, Old Fourth Ward’s Boulevard has seen enough spurts of investment over the past few years to suggest the corridor could one day shed its rough-and-tumble reputation.

A new 123-unit apartment complex with 100-percent affordable housing aims to join that mix this year.

City Lights 2A is the third phase of Wingate Companies’ plan to revitalize its holdings in Old Fourth Ward, which include nearly 750 housing units.

Wingate, a Massachusetts-based developer with regional offices in Atlanta, broke ground on the latest, $38-million CityLights facet in the fall of 2020.

According to Essayon Progress Management, a Marietta-based construction management company, the 117,000-square-foot project is topped out between Boulevard and Parkway Drive and almost finished.

The northeastward view to Ponce City Market. Essayon Progress Management

The full community will qualify as affordable housing, per Wingate, by way of Low-Income Housing Tax Credits and Section 8 rental assistance. 

The broader project is a response to rapid gentrification in BeltLine-connected Old Fourth Ward, which has lost “a significant portion of its naturally occurring affordable housing stock,” according to Wingate. In addition to new construction, the company plans to renovate some existing buildings in the area.

CityLights 2A is joining the adjacent Station 464 development that Wingate completed two years ago.

The planned look of the 123-unit complex. Wingate Companies

The two buildings will share a leasing office and some amenities, including a resident activity room, a youth resource and enrichment center, and a fitness center. The newer project will also have a computer lab, covered picnic area, and playground.  

Wingate says "high-quality affordable housing" such as CityLights is made possible by a private-public partnership model, with support from Invest Atlanta, the HUD Atlanta Regional Office, and Georgia Department of Community Affairs, among other agencies.

• Recent Old Fourth Ward news, discussion (Urbanize Atlanta)