Four new semi-detached homes in the tony eastside neighborhood of Lake Claire are illustrating what can become of underused land and dilapidated properties in the city—and how difficult the process of capitalizing on that can be.

The two lots in question, 293 and 297 Gordon St., are situated off DeKalb Avenue, about four blocks east of MARTA’s East Lake station. Beyond the neighborhood’s cachet and top schools, perks of the location include walkability to parks, Candler Park Market, Pullman Yards, and restaurants from Sun in My Belly to Fellini’s, among others.

Listing agent Shannon Turner, a Realtor with eXp Realty who previously lived in the area, recognized the potential and purchased the properties at the beginning of 2020, just before the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to Turner, one lot had been empty since a home burned down in the 1940s. The other included an older bungalow that had fallen into disrepair and was condemned.

“We actually looked into renovating the old home but the foundation was too far gone,” said Turner. “We tried to donate [it] to charity, but they couldn't find a way to move it on the roads surrounding the neighborhood, due to low bridges and narrow roads.”

Condition of the two lots in question (including yellow bungalow, at left) prior to construction. Google Maps

The duplexes' 293 Gordon Ave. location in Lake Claire. Google Maps

Plan B, according to Turner, called for bringing in Atlanta-based builders M2REST to help draw up a plan for luxury homes.

With pandemic-related challenges, it took a full two years to get the duplexes through City of Atlanta and DeKalb County zoning and permitting processes before site-planning and foundation work could begin, said Turner.  

The four sizable, “impeccably designed” units—collectively called The Square on Gordon—finished construction this spring with floorplans described by Turner as "amazing."

“These homes are far from builder-grade and have so many high-end upgrades throughout,” said Turner, pointing to aspects such as hand-painted feature walls, white oak ceiling beams, wet bars, wide-plank oak floors, quartz countertops, and EV chargers in two-car garages.

Each unit has five bedrooms and three and ½ bathrooms, with between 3,288 and 3,344 square feet.

How The Square on Gordon appears today, with a large drive between four homes, fenced yards in front, and raised decks off the back of units in rear. Photography by Jeff Davis; courtesy, eXp Realty

Photography by Jeff Davis; courtesy, eXp Realty

But offloading the properties hasn’t been a walk in the park.

Unit B (initially listed at $1.29 million in April) has come back to market this week at $1.19 million; meanwhile, Unit A (original price in April: $1.27 million) now seeks $1.17 million.

A third unsold unit isn’t listed but is available, according to Turner.

Swing up to the gallery for more context and a quick peek inside The Square on Gordon. 

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• How Lake Claire project came to be on 'unusable' intown land (Urbanize Atlanta)