ATLANTA — The City of Atlanta and Atlanta Urban Development (AUD) announced three new affordable housing projects, including redeveloping the West End, on Monday.
According to the city, the projects combined will add nearly 350 affordable housing for Atlanta residents who are earning up to 80% of Area Median Income (AMI) in Atlanta. Each project will offer at least 20% of units affordable for those making 50% AMI and an additional 10% for people earning up to 80% AMI.
The three projects are:
- The Mall West End redevelopment
- 41 Marietta
- The Proctor
The Mall West End Redevelopment
The Mall West End will be the largest of the redevelopments, the city said. It will transform the 12-acre iconic Atlanta landmark into a 1.7 million-square-foot mixed-use site with thriving retail, residential and community destinations in partnership with developer BRP companies, a release said.
This comes after plans to redevelop the area were put on pause for the third time in late 2023.
In general, the project site is steps away from four Historically Black Colleges and Universities that make up the Atlanta University Center: Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, Morehouse School of Medicine and Spelman College.
There will be approximately 120,000 square feet of retail, which will include a grocery store, fitness center, food and beverage and local boutiques, the city said. There will then be 893 mixed-income rental units -- with 70% workforce housing, 20% affordable at 50% AMI and 10% at 80% AMI for a total of 271 affordable housing units. There will also be 152 beds of student-targeted housing, a 150-key hotel, 12,000 square feet of medical office space and community amenities like a public green space, pool resident lounge and bike parking.
This project is currently in its early stages as people work to lay the groundwork and conduct initial assessments. The project team is actively working to gather data, conduct feasibility studies and explore various design concepts to revitalize the mall.
However, throughout the redevelopment, AUD and developer BRP will engage residents, legacy business owners and other stakeholders through various methods, from town hall meetings to surveys. The city said this will help foster an inclusive, collaborative approach to the project so that it reflects the community's aspirations.
CEO of the Atlanta Urban Development Corporation, John Majors, said they are proud to be collaborating with BRP Companies on the project with the support of Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens.
"With affordable housing at the forefront, the West End development represents a unique opportunity to revitalize and reinvest in the West End community, creating a more vibrant, connected and equitable neighborhood," Majors stated.
Construction is expected to begin in 2025, officials said.
41 Marietta
Officials said this mixed-income project in downtown Atlanta will convert an office building to residential. There will be 120 units in total, including 36 affordable for households earning at or below 80% AMI. 41 Marietta is in partnership with Blue Lofts.
The project is expected to begin leasing by the second quarter of 2025, according to a release.
The Proctor
Officials said that the Proctor is in partnership with Windsor Stevens in English Avenue. This is a mixed-income residential project with 137 total units. Out of these units, 41 will be affordable for households earning at or below 50% AMI.
This project is expected to begin construction in the first quarter of 2025, according to a release.
Overall, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said that the projects -- particularly The Mall West End -- represent transformative investments in the city. He also said that while the project will take time, it is an important milestone.
"With more to come, I am encouraged that they will bring much-needed affordable and workforce housing, as well as new and legacy retail, community spaces and economic opportunity to Atlanta's culturally rich, historic neighborhood," Dickens stated.
