Northlake adaptive reuse gets green light from Tucker Planning Commission
2245 and 2247 Northlake Parkway in Tucker are set to be converted to townhomes and apartments respectively. Photo courtesy of SDM Partners.
Tucker, GA — A plan to convert a former AT&T building on Northlake Parkway to residential units is headed to Tucker City Council after Tucker Planning Commission recommended approval on May 19.
The office buildings at 2245 and 2247 Northlake Parkway are owned by SDM Partners. A plan to build 80 rental townhomes at 2245 Northlake Parkway was approved by City Council in 2021. Construction is due to begin soon on the townhomes.
Since then, the commercial office market has shifted, says SDM.
Jeff Taylor, executive vice president at commercial real estate firm JLL, said there is very little interest in leasing office space in Northlake.
“What we’re seeing from a macro level across Atlanta is a flight to quality,” said Taylor, “buildings that have been built in 2015 or newer. Or they’re going into very highly amenitized mixed use projects such as the Battery and Avalon.”
The plan for 2247 Northlake Parkway is now an adaptive reuse project to retrofit the 9-story building into 216 multi-family residential units. Amenities on the property include a coworking style lounge, fitness center, dog spa and outdoor pool.
Due to an increase in density to 34 units per acre, the applicant is asking for a Special Land Use Permit (SLUP).
Hank Farmer, managing partner of Third and Urban Farmer, has been involved with award-winning projects like Ponce City Market and White Provision. SDM brought on Third and Urban to develop the project.
“We see this as a pretty unique housing opportunity and potential to kind of be creative and set a great precedent,” said Hank Farmer, cofounder of Third and Urban. “It’s a great opportunity to increase the health of the office market by taking some supply offline.”
City staff recommended the application with conditions.
“Similar to the AHS approval just went through where they did leave some office and that existing office building, staff felt that the density would be more appropriate at 30 units per acre. It would also allow for additional coworking space,” said Courtney Smith, Tucker Planning and Zoning director.
The application will go to City Council for a first read on June 13.
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