Evidence continues to mount that Atlanta’s tallest new building since the 1990s could start to move forward soon.

An affiliate of New York-based developer Rockefeller Group filed paperwork on Monday to begin foundation work on a 61-story, mixed-use tower at the southwest corner of West Peachtree and 12th streets, according to City of Atlanta Office of Buildings records.

Specifically, the permit would cover aspects of the tower such as underground plumbing and electrical systems, piers, slabs, and concrete columns, per the filing.

Rockefeller reps haven’t responded to an inquiry regarding the project’s status.

Amy Ankeles, Rockefeller’s vice president of marketing, told Urbanize Atlanta in July the Manhattan firm was continuing to advance plans for the 1072 W. Peachtree Street sky-rise and expected to release more details in a matter of weeks.  

Northwest view toward Atlantic Station, eclipsing the SkyHouse Midtown apartments to the north, according to 2021 renderings. Rockefeller Group; Brock Hudgins Architects; TVS

At that time, sources indicated Rockefeller was in the process of enlisting contractors to build the 61-story project—a height that would reshape Midtown’s skyline, especially when viewed from the west.

The proposal also made news in February when the longtime tenant of its 1.14-acre site, a U.S. Postal Service center, closed and moved its operations to Selig’s 1065 Peachtree Street building, setting the stage for demolition and redevelopment. (Rockefeller partnered with Selig on the 40 West 12th condos, which opened last year a block from the former post office). 

Rockefeller bought the USPS site for $25 million in 2020. The company’s plans to erect Atlanta’s first true skyscraper in years came to light in November 2021, when the project was vetted and later green-lighted by the Midtown Development Review Committee.  

As designed by architecture firms TVS Design and Brock Hudgins, the 1072 West Peachtree building would include 350 market-rate apartments and 212,000 square feet of offices, according to project filings. 

Scope of the 1072 West Peachtree Street site, formerly occupied by the U.S. Postal Service. Rockefeller Group; Brock Hudgins Architects; TVS

View looking east from around 14th Street. Rockefeller Group; Brock Hudgins Architects; TVS

At the base, roughly 6,600 square feet of retail is planned along West Peachtree Street. An eight-story parking deck with some 850 spaces would be fully screened with translucent glass, project leaders have said.

Early indications were that Rockefeller’s tower would climb more than 730 feet, making it Atlanta’s fifth tallest high-rise.

In terms of sheer stories, the building as proposed would tally the second-most in Atlanta, bested only by Westin Peachtree Plaza’s 73 stories. Atlanta’s second tallest building, SunTrust/Truist Plaza, stands 60 stories.

This story will be updated with any additional information that comes.

Midtown news, discussion (Urbanize Atlanta)