Among the charming and historic downtown districts of North Georgia, Rome could be called underrated, as least when it comes to the radars of metro Atlantans. But the Floyd County city is putting plans in motion to help change that.

As part of a years-long push to activate a large, underused section of downtown along the Oostanaula River, CRE IMPACT River Arts District LLC, an affiliate of Atlanta-based CCI Real Estate, has begun vertical construction on a mixed-use venture called Nova River District.

The project is rising next to a new hotel, the Courtyard by Marriott Rome Riverwalk, that’s considered the first phase of an assemblage of properties for development the city’s been putting together for years, in hopes of better activating the riverfront. Its official groundbreaking was held Thursday.

Sited on 6.4 acres between the hotel and Fifth Avenue, the Nova River District will see 250 new multifamily residences and roughly 14,000 square feet of retail at its base.

Two original buildings on the property are also being remade into 4,000 square feet of adaptive-reuse space, all near a public pedestrian bridge that spans the river as part of the Heritage Trail System.

Another Nova River District facet calls for 1 acre of public greenspace.

Approximation of the Nova River District site, shown before the hotel was constructed next door. Google Maps

The lone available rendering for Nova River District to date, per project reps. Courtesy of CRE IMPACT River Arts District

The broader goal is to add to the vibrancy of Rome’s Historic Broad Street on the other side of the river. The district’s first phase is scheduled to open in fall 2025.

“By engaging local business owners, connecting to existing greenways, delivering much-needed residences, and infusing the project with wellness-focused amenities, we hope Nova will draw people to the River District and become part of the fabric of downtown Rome,” Jeff Warwick, founder and CEO of CCI, said in a project announcement.

The district project's location in river-rich Rome. Google Maps

Pinnacle Financial Partners and Commerce One Bank closed a $37 million construction loan to build Nova River District last month.

The development team also includes Poole and Poole Architecture, True North Companies (general contractor), Focus Design Interiors, Davis and Church (structural engineer), Phillips Gradick Engineering, and Dovetail Civil Design. Gallery residential is on board to handle property management once the district opens.

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