THE NEXT BIG THING

Ponce City Market is transforming the O4W

By Collin Kelley INtown Editor

“Amazing” was the word I could not stop uttering when I was given a tour of Ponce City Market back in September 2012. Construction was just getting under way to transform the former Sears, Roebuck & Co. catalog distribution center and, later, City Hill East, into a giant, mixed-use development in the Old Fourth Ward.

City leaders have heralded the transformation of the building as another big leap forward in Atlanta’s draw as a tourist destination, and the potential for similar historic properties like Underground Atlanta. PCM has also spurred more residential in its shadow, including apartments and condos that want to be near the action.

It’s more than two years later, and the first clutch of retailers and businesses have opened their doors, while residents are also moving into The Flats, the 259 loft-style apartments now available for lease.

Dancing Goats Coffee, Binders Art Supply and Frames, General Assembly, The Suzuki School and athenahealth are up and running in the 2 million square feet of space and its 16-acre campus between Ponce de Leon and North Avenues. More tenants are expected to be announced this month.

Since my first tour, the soaring ceiling held up by massive mushroomcapped columns has been transformed into the Market Hall, which will be like Manhattan’s Chelsea Market, Pike Place Market in Seattle or Pier 39 in San Francisco. Chai Pani, Simply Seoul Kitchen, H&F Burger and Honeysuckle Gelato are on the way.

The 4.5 acres of open rooftop with commanding views of Downtown, Midtown and Buckhead will pay tribute to the PCM site, which before Sears was once the Ponce de Leon Amusement Park. This will be the “fun level” with a putt-putt golf course, carnival games and a bar and restaurant for residents of The Flats and visitors. www.shared-vision.net

The old railroad trestle that used to bring boxcars into the building for easy loading when it was Sears’ regional catalog warehouse is being transformed into a mezzanine, which will feature a food and drinks This level will also offer direct bike and walking access from the Atlanta BeltLine, which runs directly along the east side of PCM.

For a building that is 86 years old (with additions built in the ‘40s and ‘60s), developer Jamestown said the entire structure was built like a tank and in remarkably good condition.

As work on the building continues into the new year, artifacts from the early 20th century have been found and preserved for future use to keep the building’s character or as sculptural pieces. There are light fixtures, scales, wooden file cabinets, clocks and a massive mail-sorting machine from Sears.

With Atlanta’s long history of tearing down its historic buildings, the fact that PCM is still standing is a miracle in itself.