Our latest installment of “Where Else Should This Happen?” takes us to a quiet corner of East Atlanta Village.
Back in 2022, a commercial property in an interesting corner location at 1280 Portland Ave./562 Gresham Ave. came to market, asking $395,000, and readers opined (and joked) about what it might become.
Three and ½ years later, we have the answer.
The 1950s building—the former longtime home of Nabores Cleaners, vacant for several years—has recently opened as the expanded new location of East Atlanta Copy Center, a staple village business for more than 25 years.
The EAV corner in question in 2018, prior to development of Toll Brothers' Portland Row townhomes next door. Google Maps
The same corner at Gresham and Portland avenues today. Catalyst Studioz also operates in the expanded building. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta
The base of the former dry cleaners was kept in place, and the expansion more than doubled square footage to 2,521, according to Atlanta Department of City Planning building permits.
Another handy addition in such a walkable location is a wide new sidewalk along Portland Avenue.
The adaptive-reuse project is sandwiched between So Ba Vietnamese Restaurant and Portland Row, a 29-unit townhome community built by Toll Brothers several years ago.
It includes expanded workspace and rooms for planned classes and events, along with regular copy and print services, according to East Atlanta Copy Center.
How the base of the former 1950s cleaners building was adaptively reused for a larger structure. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta
Atlanta Copy Center/FB
The 1/10th-acre property ended up selling in 2023 for the asking price, records indicate.
There’s only one EAV in ATL, but the city has no shortage of empty smaller buildings. Where else might this M.O. work?
The EAV property in 2022. Widespread Commercial Group
Overview of the 1280 Portland Ave. site, prior to building redevelopment, in the context of East Atlanta Village. Google Maps
Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta
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