The impact of Atlanta Medical Center’s closure three years ago is being felt by more than neighbors who depended on hospital care at the longstanding Old Fourth Ward facility.
Developers behind a block-sized, mixed-use project that recently broke ground nearby say the hospital’s abrupt shutdown in November 2022—and a subsequent redevelopment moratorium enacted by the city that spanned two years—cost them a chance at landing the large-scale grocery option that many residents in the area need and want.
As of 2023, that grocer was reportedly going to be another intown Publix.
Wellstar’s shuttering of the hospital over financial concerns, and the city’s clampdown on property rezoning, “essentially scared away our grocer contacts,” Ben Yorker, Northwood Ravin development partner, tells Urbanize Atlanta. “The grocers felt that, with the closure, we had lost a major chunk of jobs and daytime population. And then questions lingered for some time as to what, exactly, would be replacing that use.
“After trying to wait things out, we ultimately had to move forward without a grocer,” Yorker continued. “It’s been a disappointment for us.”
Northwood Ravin, headquartered in Charlotte, is barreling ahead with the project’s demolition work in partnership with Atlanta-based Fuqua Development on underused land at a high-profile eastside intersection. The development team today shared the project’s first finalized rendering and more details—including the official name, “The Bowery at Old Fourth Ward”—that lend a clearer picture of what’s to come.
The Bowery at Old Fourth Ward's first new rendering showing finalized plans for townhomes (left), retail, and apartments along Highland Avenue. Courtesy of Northwood Ravin/Fuqua Development
Plans have been percolating since 2022 on the vacant Old Fourth Ward block in question, situated along Boulevard between Highland Avenue and John Lewis Freedom Parkway. Demo work has taken down a shuttered house and the former Desperate Housewares Atlanta furniture store on site.
According to Yorker, the development will see three buildings total—two of them blocks of townhomes. Expect 273 apartments and 12 townhouse units overall.
Plans also call for roughly 10,000 square feet of retail (hardly enough for a standard Publix now) at street level, with patio spaces.
Another 2,000 square feet of retail or incubator space will be placed so that it faces a popular dog park next door, Freedom Barkway. The project’s 400-space parking deck will include 17 spaces reserved for dog park patrons, per Yorker.
Rough boundaries of the Old Fourth Ward property in question, where Highland Avenue meets Boulevard, just north of the neighborhood dog park. Google Maps
Prior to demolition work this month, the idle 3-acre site and shuttered Desperate Housewares Atlanta furniture store, seen here in 2024. Google Maps
Once demolition and other pre-development work finishes, Yorker said construction should be ready to start in late fall this year. The developers estimate construction will wrap in early or mid-2028.
On a positive note, Yorker pointed to recent, large-scale demolition work at the former Atlanta Medical Center as a good sign for the neighborhood.
“It looks like a mixed-redevelopment project is finally in the works for the Wellstar property,” he said. “I understand that the grocery users are now back and anxious to be a part of that project.”
Looking southwest, initial images of Fuqua Development's proposal distributed three years ago are shown next to John Lewis Freedom Parkway. Plans have been refined since. Submitted
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