A home-away-from-home renovation

Linda Morris, president and CEO of Atlanta Ronald McDonald House Charities, was ready to remodel her townhome, but she didn’t want to stay there during the renovation process.

“I’ve lived in this neighborhood for 30 years,” she said, “and drive down Northside Parkway every day. I had seen the Rocca being built, and dashed in one day when I started thinking about the remodeling project. It looked like a great place to stay, so I waited several months until they had a vacancy, then moved in and started the construction on my home.”

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Photos by Christopher Oquendo / Special

Linda Morris, shown in the lobby of the Rocca, chose the apartment community for a temporary stay while having her home renovated.

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Christopher Oquendo/Special

The Rocca features a pool as one of its many amenities.

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Christopher Oquendo/Special

Linda Morris is so impressed with the Rocca that she says, ‘I find I can consider this as a permanent situation for me down the road.’

Getting there

Take I-75 north to Exit 255 (West Paces Ferry Road). Turn right onto Northside Parkway. After about 1 mile, the Rocca will be on the right next to the Borghese.

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Townhome was built to his taste 

Feels like a home: Morris said that details such as the plantation blinds and nice carpeting keep the community from feeling like temporary quarters. She can open the doors on her Juliet balcony and enjoy the quiet and the view. Since her townhome is just a few miles away, the Rocca is in a perfect location, just up the street from the stores and services she uses every day.

The amenities: Multilevel parking that opens up onto each floor, as well as the smaller size of the community, helps Morris feel comfortable and secure there. She enjoys the fitness center and loves being able to walk to the shopping and restaurants in the neighborhood. The neighbors are friendly, but there’s also plenty of privacy.

Being in a multifamily community: “I hadn’t lived in an apartment since 1975, so I wondered how I would enjoy living here,” Morris said. “I wondered, ‘Can I move back to this?’ And it turns out, I like it. It’s nice having somebody do everything for you. I find I can consider this as a permanent situation for me down the road.” In fact, Morris likes it so much that she persuaded her best friends of over 25 years to join her at the Rocca when they sold their home in Brookhaven.

At a glance

Linda Morris selected a one-bedroom, one-bath apartment as her temporary home. Details such as the crown molding and high-end kitchen with its cherry cabinets and stainless steel appliances make it a pleasant place to stay for the eight months it will take to complete her home renovation.

The Rocca Piazza at Paces

Address: 3280 Northside Parkway, Atlanta

County: Fulton

Information: 404-262-0510; The Rocca

Year built: 2001

Rent (subject to change): one-bedroom (882-1,125 square feet) $1,210-$1,460; two-bedroom (1,299-1,768 square feet) $1,710-$2,215; three-bedroom (1,964-2,406 square feet) $2,410-$3,035; penthouses (1,930-3,976 square feet) $2,650–$5,125

Fees: Application $80; security $150 (refundable); pet $500 (non-refundable); administration fee $350

Pet restrictions: no aggressive breeds

Managed by: The Worthing Cos.

Number of units: 80

Amenities, unit features and services: Courtyard pool, fitness center, conference room, deck parking and private access gates; mahogany solid-core front doors, custom crown and base moldings, upgraded carpet and lighting, 9- to 12-foot ceilings; baths have separate enclosed showers, spacious garden tubs, ceramic tile flooring, double vanities and custom moldings; kitchens have custom cabinets with tile backsplashes, separate cooktop and built-in convection oven, Corian countertops, stainless steel appliances.

Units for disabled: Yes

Public transit: MARTA on Northside Parkway

Public schools: Morris Brandon, Sutton Middle, North Atlanta High

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