City Heights Development Tops Out in Chamblee’s Pointed Lot in Atlanta
The ever-evolving landscape of the city of Chamblee is currently enjoying a notable addition. A key mixed-use project, named City Heights, has started topping out, straddling the historic commercial district and Peachtree Boulevard. The site, located at 2124 American Way, was previously home to an auto repair business and vast parking lots and is now transforming into a five-story structure boasting residential and retail spaces.
City Heights: A Cornerstone of Chamblee Town Center Vision
City Heights is a strategic component of the wider mission of Chamblee’s Town Center, an ambitious plan executed in collaboration with several development companies. The goal is to build a denser, more consolidated community for housing and commerce, within walkable blocks.
The 243 apartment project, combined with approximately 13,000 square feet set aside for shops and restaurants, has taken over a pointed lot on the imminent Town Center’s western edge, a block away from Peachtree Boulevard. This project is expected to make a significant imprint on the area and its future as a bustling centre of business and residential activity.
Chamblee’s Downtown Development Authority Role
The Downtown Development Authority of Chamblee played an instrumental role in this development. The authority had purchased five properties within the boundary of the Town Center project. Once under the authority’s control, they strategically sold off these properties to three distinct development partners, all of whom detailed visions that aligned with those of the city.
One primary selling point was the geographical advantage of the location – close to Chamblee’s MARTA rail station, city-based businesses, and a burgeoning multi-use trail, it provided a promising setting for potential development partners.
Construction in Progress Despite Delays
Although the ground-up projects were anticipated to begin construction during the early part of 2022, some have moved ahead faster than others. The promotional site for City Heights originally estimated it would be operational this spring, but this timeline appears to have been extended. The exact timeline, however, is still uncertain.
Style and Design: Integrating Architecture into the Community’s Fabric
From the designs and blueprints, it’s clear the City Heights venture aims to seamlessly integrate into the city’s existing fabric. Featuring roadside patios, street-side apartments which interact with pedestrian spaces, and planned retail outlets and plazas, the project seems to prioritize a balanced, community-centric lifestyle. In essence, this development is expected to transfigure an erstwhile auto-collision business and surface parking lots into a harmonious blend of residential and commercial use, fitting convincingly into the city’s broader vision of a walkable, neighborhood-oriented development.
