Home & Real Estate Rent City

Apartments providing more amenities to match higher rent prices

By Kathy Dean and Collin Kelley

Renting an apartment in Atlanta isn’t cheap, although compared with cities like New York and San Francisco, many consider rents here a bargain.

A new report from ApartmentList.com indicates that the median rent for a two bedroom in Atlanta is $1,680, while a one bedroom goes for $1,370. Midtown remains the most expensive neighborhood, with a two bedroom renting for $2,410 and a one bedroom for $1,540.

Rents are also up in Inman Park and Candler Park with two bedrooms costing $2,140. Rent prices are up 17 percent over the past year, the most year-over-year growth of any Atlanta neighborhood, according to ApartmentList.

In another hot Intown neighborhood, Old Fourth Ward, rents are running $1,930 for two bedrooms and $1,480 for one bedroom.

A hot job market, educational opportunities and Atlanta’s growing reputation as an “international city” are creating a demand for more apartments, but there is concern that too many “luxury” units are pushing those with lower incomes outside the city.

The Atlanta BeltLine, which has seen an amazing boom of new apartments along its Eastside Trail, said it would spend $11 million for affordable housing over the next three years.

In the meantime, apartments in sought after locations continue to sprout and command high-dollar rents. Of course, those who can afford to rent in the city are also looking for value-for-money. Location, amenities and modern appeal are all high on renters’ wish list.

All across the county, there is a strong trend toward urban living and all it has to offer, according to Jim Spahn of Daniel Corporation, the developer behind Sixty 11th building in Midtown.

“The first is the desire to experience urban living and the conveniences it offers. Sixty 11th offers that live-work-play environment that is so desirable today,” Spahn said. “Another is the employment growth in the area. About 60 percent of our residents come from outside the area and are relocating to metro Atlanta because of their jobs.”

Each apartment home at Sixty 11th includes a list of luxury features, such as panoramic views, nine-foot high ceilings and designer style fixtures, along with quartz countertops in the kitchens and baths, Energy Star stainless-steel appliances and USB charging outlets.

Amenities are plentiful, too, with a clubroom, game room and fitness center. There’s also a deck with a saltwater pool with tanning ledges, a waterfall, lush landscaping, outdoor fireplaces, multiple grilling stations and outdoor dining areas.

“The renters that we see are looking for an amenity-rich living environment, and they want a sense of community,” Spahn reported. “We have all that plus walkability. Sixty 11th is in the middle of absolutely everything. Museums, great eats and culture.”

Located near Peachtree Street in Midtown, Sixty 11th offers access to culture, food and retail. The Woodruff Arts Center, High Museum and Piedmont Park are all a short walk away.

Another hot new property is 675 N. Highland in the heart of Ponce-Highland, which touts its condo-stylings. “The concept of condo living with the flexibility of a lease term is highly appealing to renters today, especially in the Atlanta market,” explained Joe Laster, Owner of Abraham Properties, which developed 675 N. Highland.

He noted that the apartment community offers great walkability to the Atlanta BeltLine, local markets, public green space, chef-driven restaurants and more. VirginiaHighland, Old Fourth Ward, Inman Park and Ponce City Market are all nearby, only adding to the benefits of living in one of Atlanta’s more exclusive and eclectic neighborhoods.

The location is a major factor drawing renters from all walks of life, Laster said. “Our current resident profile is not exclusive to a particular age group or marital status, as a number of varying generations are becoming more and more attracted to urban apartment living.”

675 N. Highland has impressive views of the city from many of its homes, the building is pet-friendly and there reserveable electrical-vehicle charging stations available inside the gated garage. 675 N. Highland apartments feature wide-plank flooring, 10-foot plus ceiling heights, enhanced sound mitigation between the homes and Gigabit high-speed fiber service direct to each apartment. Kitchens are complete with quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances, gas ranges and islands.

The homes at 841 Memorial, located on Memorial Drive in Reynoldstown next door to the mixed-used Atlanta Dairies project, offer spacious units with floor-to-ceiling windows and sleek, modern finishes, like stainless steel appliances, granite countertops and dark hardwood style flooring. Amenities include a rooftop patio, vegetable and herb garden, state-ofthe-art fitness center and clubhouse with shuffleboard.

Susana Barnwell, Property Manager at 841 Memorial, said that renters enjoy the central location and walkability. “The close proximity of the BeltLine and the walkable neighborhood, as well as the wide variety of amazing restaurants and bars in the area, draw many potential renters to us,” she added. “Residents love that they can bike everywhere and that we’re close to historical sites, such as Oakland Cemetery. We also offer an incredible view of the Atlanta skyline from our rooftop patio.”

The property, composed of 80 units, is a smaller community and has a real sense of family, according to Barnwell. Like many of the area businesses and restaurants, 841 Memorial is locally owned and managed.

“Our renters mirror the community of Reynoldstown,” she said. “They’re pioneers – lively, cutting edge, energetic people. I live in the area and I’m excited to see Reynoldstown grow and be a part of this project.”

The Kroger supermarket at 725 Ponce de Leon Ave. — known as Murder Kroger for its unfortunate crime connections or its attempted re-brand as BeltLine Kroger — has closed its doors. The store will soon be demolished to make way for the 725 Ponce development, a 12-story office building, which will feature a new 60,000-square-foot Kroger on the ground floor. The new Kroger is expected to open in early 2019, according to a report from Atlanta Curbed.

Wieuca Road Baptist Church is considering sale and redevelopment of the site it has occupied for 60 years at Wieuca and Peachtree roads. Word of the potential sale of the 3626 Peachtree Road church was discussed by Buckhead Community Improvement District officials at the October board meeting.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held Oct. 18 to official begin renovation of the historic Clermont Hotel on Ponce de Leon Avenue in Midtown. After several years of delay, including replacing a 100-year-old sewer line and figuring out how to keep the iconic Clermont Lounge in the basement intact, the circa-1924 building will become a boutique hotel and restaurant.

Westplan Investors plans to develop nearly five acres of land on Cheshire Bridge Road into two new apartment complexes. According to a report from Tomorrow’s News Today, the firm will build Accent 2050 with 198 units and Accent Morningside with 239 units. Accent 2050 will be built in place of The Doll House, a strip club that recently relocated to Sandy Springs, while Accent Morningside will be built across the street from Accent 2050, replacing the beloved Alfredo’s Italian restaurants which closed earlier this year.

The Atlanta City Council voted to adopt the Turner Field Stadium Neighborhoods Livable Centers Initiative Plan and incorporate it into the city’s Comprehensive Development Plan. A consultant team led by the Department of Planning and Community Development and Perkins+Will worked with residents, business owners, and a number of public and private groups to create a vision for the future development, transportation, and land use functions of the area. The Ted property has been sold to Georgia State University and its development partners to extend the campus (including repurposing the stadium for the college’s football team) and a mixed-used community of homes, retail, restaurants and office space.

The Council for Quality Growth honored Realtor, philanthropist, and author Jenny Pruitt at the 27th annual Four Pillar Tribute award ceremony in October at the Georgia World Congress Center. This year’s theme “Leading with a Servant’s Heart,” correlated to Pruitt’s inspirational leadership style reflected in her 2015 memoir, Beneath His Wings. “Jenny is the epitome of Georgia’s ‘Can Do’ spirit,” said Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed. Allison Dukes, Chairman, President and CEO, Atlanta Division, SunTrust Bank, added “Jenny has founded Atlanta Fine Homes with her faith as a bedrock.”

RE/MAX Metro Atlanta has opened a second office in the Oak Grove community at 2749 LaVista Road. Oak Grove generally encompasses the neighborhoods east of I-85 and north of North Druid Hills Road, and includes sought-after neighborhoods like Sagamore Hills, Leafmore Hills, Creek Park Hills and, of course, Oak Grove. Much of the area takes a Decatur mailing address and zip code, though it is not in the City of Decatur.

Meet Christie Kinsaul, who moved to Canterbury Court to downsize and simplify her life. Little did she know how much she would love her new lifestyle.

“Maintaining a two-story townhouse and everything in it was taking considerable time and effort. I was ready for some changes, and I wanted to make the move on my own terms.”

Christie didn’t expect to find such luxurious living in a one-bedroom apartment, which she says “is plenty big” and comes with full services and amenities. She was also delighted to discover an abundance of activities designed for resident interests, including outings to local events. As a retired music teacher, she’s especially fond of going to the Atlanta Symphony and the opera.

Along with more flexibility to spend her time as she chooses, Christie’s move to Canterbury Court has given her peace of mind knowing that on-site health services are available, should she ever need them.