A rendering of the planned Ashton Woods mixed-use development along Abernathy Road in Sandy Springs. The project will rise next to the new U.S. headquarters of Mercedes-Benz. Rendering courtesy of CBRE.
Mercedes-Benz and a development team have closed on separate land deals for a site for the German automaker’s U.S. headquarters and an adjacent mixed-use community in Sandy Springs.
Real estate services firm CBRE said Friday CBRE said Mercedes acquired 12 acres while developers Ashton Atlanta Residential and Westdale Properties will retain the remainder of a nearly 29 acre parcel.
Mercedes announced plans earlier this year to build its $93 million permanent U.S. division home at a site along Abernathy Road at Barfield Road. Ashton Atlanta’s parent Ashton Woods was working at the time on a project covering most of the 76-acre Glenn tract that would have involved 281 attached and detached townhomes, 378 flats, 399 apartments and more than 36,000 square feet of commercial space.
The adjoining mixed-use development has caused some heartburn among residents who had objections to the blend of shops and residences.
On Friday, CBRE said Ashton Atlanta Residential and Westdale Properties now plan a mix of 355 luxury residential units and 36,000 square feet of retail. Additional land will be set aside as green space, the release said.
Mercedes-Benz USA CEO Stephen Cannon gives remarks during the press conference announcing a deal for the naming rights for the New Falcons Stadium, Monday, August 24, 2015. KENT D. JOHNSON /KDJOHNSON@AJC.COM
The property is where the historic Glenridge Hall mansion once stood. Crews demolished the Tudor revival mansion last spring.
It was previously owned by the Mayson family and dated to the 1920s and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The home was built by Atlanta banker and philanthropist Thomas Glenn.
It’s also been used for film and TV production, including scenes from “Driving Miss Daisy.”
Mercedes officials have said the company will eventually employ 800 to 1,000 workers on site.
So far, about 450 workers are stationed in its temporary home in Dunwoody, with nearly 300 having been hired locally in recent months, Mercedes officials said in October.
Mercedes US CEO Steve Cannon told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution last month he expects construction of the permanent headquarters complex to start early next year, and a second wave of workers will move when the new headquarters opens in late 2017 or early 2018.
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