A multi-property renovation is officially underway that aims to breathe new life into a section of Virginia-Highland’s historic retail row that’s seen more vibrant days.
Officials with Atlanta-based real estate company Third & Urban tell Urbanize that revitalization work began this month in the Atkins Park Restaurant and Bar block of the eastside commercial district. The developer has dubbed the 61,120-square-foot section of the retail district in question—all situated along North Highland Avenue—the “Atkins Park Collection.”
Third & Urban is investing more than $3 million in building and streetscape upgrades to multiple properties spread across three blocks along one of Va-Hi’s primary shopping and dining corridors, with a goal of attracting more daytime traffic and boosting existing businesses. The Atlanta City Council last year approved a resolution that makes all street parking in the immediate area free.
Despite its historic charms and enticing demographics for developers, the retail strip has been pockmarked with vacancies for years.
The most significant changes, as illustrated in renderings, could come at the largely vacant 780 North Highland Ave. section, where renovation plans call for an indoor-outdoor courtyard enlivened with a variety of new retail.
Storefronts in the 780 North Highland component of the Atkins Park Collection, shown prior to construction. Courtesy of Third & Urban
Updated facades in the works for the 780 North Highland section. Courtesy of Third & Urban
Third & Urban’s leasing partners Bridger Properties plan to target “community-focused food and beverage tenants that enhance the neighborhood” for that component, per an announcement in March.
The development team tells Urbanize Atlanta this week it has no new tenants to announce, but that renovations are now expected to finish by spring 2027.
The Virginia Highland District, a nonprofit that’s working with the developer on retail and safety enhancements, notes this week that all businesses on the block will remain open as construction with scaffolding and parking alterations gets underway.
A block to the north, Third & Urban has finished upgrades at the standalone 842 North Highland building. Those include new signage, railings, upgraded light fixtures, and a new mural by local artist Janice Rago on the Intown Ace Hardware side of the building.
Plans for an indoor-outdoor courtyard dotted with retail off North Highland Avenue. Courtesy of Third & Urban
Overview of properties included in the Atkins Park Collection. Courtesy of Third & Urban
Third & Urban purchased the first phase of the Atkins Park Collection (35,370 square feet retail along North Highland Avenue and St. Charles Avenue) in 2024. The firm scooped up the second phase (including Neighbors bar, City Church, and other infill storefronts on the block between Greenwood and St. Charles avenues) in September 2025.
Elsewhere in metro Atlanta, Third & Urban was behind adaptive-reuse projects Westside Paper and Common Ground along the Beltline and the planned $600-million makeover of Corporate Square in Brookhaven, among other projects.
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SANDY SPRINGS—In other Third & Urban news this week, the company announced the first two retail tenants for Hillcrest, its mixed-use, 8.1-acre collaboration with High Street Residential in Sandy Springs.
The Hillcrest project is on pace to deliver next summer with 19,000 square feet of retail, 362 apartments, and 30 rental townhomes built around a centralized plaza and park. The retail additions are described by developers as:
“Salted Melon, a Charlotte-based 'everyday gourmet' concept, will open its second Atlanta-area location at Hillcrest, following its debut in Buckhead in February. Salted Melon serves healthy but craveable items for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and is known for its salads, bowls, sandwiches, smoothies, pastries, and specialty coffee and tea. The Hillcrest location will be Salted Melon’s sixth, following another opening in Mount Pleasant, S.C., in spring 2027.”
“Chastain Creamery, the Buckhead favorite known for its more than 50 handcrafted ice cream flavors and custom creations, will open its second Atlanta-area location at Hillcrest. The modern ice cream parlor also offers a variety of allergy-friendly options, including items that are free of gluten, dairy, nuts, or added sugar.”
Planned Hillcrest frontage and a green plaza along Sandy Springs Circle. Courtesy of High Street Residential; designs, Cooper Carry
Hillcrest is under construction next to the $230-million City Springs district, with plans to rise between three and five stories with a parking garage that keeps 100 parking spaces set aside for retail and Sandy Springs events. Perks will include a rooftop pool and clubroom with views of Sandy Springs and Buckhead, a WFH space inspired by cafes, a dog park, private movie screening room, sauna, golf simulator lounge, and a Pilates studio in the gym.
Developers say the market-rate rentals will “set a new standard for Class-A living with high-end finishes and amenities” in Sandy Springs. It officially broke ground last fall.
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