Atlanta developer files Chapter 11 for several companies

Several companies controlled by developer George Rohrig have filed for bankruptcy protection, according to court records.

The land owner and restaurateur helped turn the area near Peachtree and Roswell roads into a thriving entertainment hub in the 1970s. He branched out to develop in other intown neighborhoods in later decades.

At least six Rohrig-related companies are seeking Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, which allows a company time to temporarily hold off creditors and reorganize affairs while still operating.

The companies that filed Tuesday in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Atlanta are: Rohrig Investments LP, Rohrig Pollack LLC, 431 W. Ponce De Leon LLC, Cartel Properties Spalding Woods LLC, 525 Moreland Avenue LLC and Cartel Properties II LLC.

Rohrig Investments LP, the largest of the six, reported in the range of $10 million to $50 million in both assets and liabilities.

Rohrig’s main business — Cartel Properties — is not involved in the filings. A representative at the company declined to comment and said Rohrig was out of town. Rohrig’s Macon-based attorney did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment.

Rohrig also is known for his Azio restaurant in downtown Atlanta, the Little Azio restaurant chain, and the former sushi joint Nickiemotos, which closed its famous Midtown location a few years ago.

Several years ago Rohrig sold properties in the raucous Buckhead Village district to developer Ben Carter. Those parcels became part of the luxurious Streets of Buckhead project, which stalled in the recession and has been reborn as Buckhead Atlanta under a new developer.