Home & Real Estate Micro-units proposed for two Midtown residential projects

By INtown Staff

Two new residential projects that include micro-units were presented to the Midtown Development Review Committee at its March 10 meeting.

First on the agenda was a new parking structure proposed by the development team at Tenth Street Ventures near the NW corner of 13th Street and Crescent Avenue. What sets the project apart are 40 residential/hotel units made from shipping containers distributed in a colorful grid across the front of the 13th Street façade. The units are only 160 square feet each and intended to provide a unique option in the short-term rental market. The six-story parking structure provides spaces for 111 cars and includes a street level lobby/office space and a rooftop amenity deck that could be leased for events. Vehicular access to the garage is provided on 13th Street, along with pedestrian access to the street level lobby.

Overall the DRC was supportive of this novel concept, which would provide much needed public parking in an area of the district known for restaurants and nightlife. The committee’s questions and feedback focused on site design and operational issues related to service and accessibility. Additional information was requested about the screening of the trash compactor, which will serve the new parking structure and microunits as well as all three existing buildings on the 0.68 acre site. The buildings facing Crescent Avenue, including Veranda, South City Kitchen and the 14 apartment units above it, are not part of the SAP application.

The second project was a new 34-story residential tower located at 1382 Peachtree Street. Formerly the site of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta, the site is only 0.62 acres on the southwest corner of Peachtree and 17th Streets. The program includes 284 multifamily units (up to 50 of which would be micro units of approximately 410 square feet each), just over 6,000 square feet of sidewalk level commercial space fronting on Peachtree Street, and 319 parking spaces. The residential lobby entrance is located on 17th Street along with all vehicular access and loading.

The property includes a driveway/alley at the rear of the site, which also provides vehicular access to the property to the south (Midtown Plaza). The proposed vehicular access for the new tower will expand and utilize the existing alley. The façade of the tower is distinctive in its use of a metal panel system that incorporates a green finish and a screening system for the podium parking deck that introduces a copper tone into the material palette. The parking podium is eight levels, with a solid masonry wall on the south façade of the building and a screened elevation on the north façade of the building.

Early concepts show a mural treatment on the south façade and the committee asked for additional information on how that mass could be further articulated to reduce its scale relative to the tower. The committee also suggested that the vertical elements of the tower could be extended through the parking deck screening to carry that expression all the way to the base of the building on the north façade. Additional feedback focused on access and storage of bikes as well as access and short-term parking for rideshare services and deliveries.

Sales begin for high-profile 550 North Highland townhomes

One of Intown’s most-watched projects is nearing completion: the 550 North Highland townhomes next door to Manuel’s Tavern in Poncey-Highland.

Engel & Völkers Atlanta is marketing the townhomes developed by Selig Homes located on the former main parking lot of Manuel’s. The homes, which will be available for move-in starting this summer, will be priced from the high $700s to the mid $800s

With construction led by Monte Hewett Homes, the townhomes at 550 North Highland will feature three and four bedroom plans averaging around 2,400 square feet. Rising three-stories high, the homes will each be fronted by their own private courtyard and will feature indoor/ outdoor rooftop terraces that offer places to entertain with built-in wet bars, views of neighborhood landmarks, and the city’s tree canopy.

For more information on Engel & Völkers Atlanta, visit evatlanta.com.

Collin Kelley