A unique mishmash of historic preservation and new residential construction is barreling ahead on Kirkwood’s western flank. 

Recently founded Atlanta developer Under New Management—the firm behind a village-style project in Chosewood Park off the Beltline and other proposals—has begun site work on a Kirkwood corner across the street from Pullman Yards.  

The scope calls for building townhomes and other units while preserving a 1947 warehouse complex between 178 and 216 Rogers St., according to Saba Loghman, Under New Management’s founder and partner, formerly a longtime executive with Empire Communities. (Earlier proposals from other bidders and prospective buyers had called for razing the one and two-story warehouse buildings for apartment and office development on a larger scale across the roughly 3-acre site.) 

The building on site today, The Warehouse Lofts, has been home to residential units, furniture makers, artisans, a commercial photography studio, and other uses over the years. According to Atlanta Loft Source, the building was converted from industrial uses to lofts in 1986, marking one of the first conversions of its kind in the city. 

But the 60,000-square-foot complex hasn’t been renovated since then, according to Loghman. 

Approximate scope of the 1940s warehouses and former parking lots and empty land in question, along Rogers Street. Courtesy of Under New Management LLC

Looking east, where the Rogers Street construction activity and former warehouse spaces set for adaptive-reuse (right, foreground) are in relation to Pullman Yards. Courtesy of Under New Management LLC

The warehouse building’s “longtime local ownership sold the property to a local developer and builder committed to preserving the historic warehouse and building a walkable neighborhood project,” Loghman wrote to Urbanize Atlanta via email. 

“Rather than maximizing density,” he continued, “the team chose to preserve the existing structure and introduce housing that better interacts with the neighborhood.”

The properties are situated just south of DeKalb Avenue, near Kirkwood’s border with Edgewood. 

Under New Management’s plans call for 86 total residences. That will include 43 lofts and another 43 townhouses and live-work buildings standing either two or three stories. 

All units will be for sale, as opposed to rentals, and will offer one to four bedrooms, per Loghman. Plans also call for roughly 130 parking spaces on site. [CLARIFICATION: 5:15 p.m., March 25: We're told the 43 loft units will be for rent.] 

Parking and northern exteriors of The Warehouse Lofts, as shown prior to construction. Atlanta Loft Source

Current state of the downtown and Midtown Atlanta skylines from over the Kirkwood site. Courtesy of Under New Management LLC

One goal with the project will be to create storefront gallery spaces and open art studios that better engage the neighborhood, adding street life beyond what Pullman Yards events and restaurants offer across the street, according to Loghman. 

“The team intentionally pursued a more restrained, neighborhood-focused site plan and approach rather than pursuing maximum density,” he noted. 

All of the following remains to be finalized and/or announced: The project’s name, its ballpark ETA, square footages for forthcoming homes, and price ranges for any of the dwellings involved. 

No renderings or other visuals for the Rogers Street venture are currently available either, per Loghman. 

Head up to the gallery for more context and an overview of the site, as seen Tuesday. 

...

Follow us on social media: 

Twitter / Facebook/and now: Instagram  

• Kirkwood news, discussion (Urbanize Atlanta)