Atlanta has a reputation for being a “tear-down city,” which often draws criticism from history buffs and preservationist crowds around town.
It even motivated the Atlanta Preservation Center to release an annual list of the city's "most endangered historic sites." In recent years, that list has included places like the Georgia Archives Build, Paschal's Restaurant and John Wesley Dobbs House.
However, there are a number of former industrial buildings in Atlanta — along with churches and schools — that have been refashioned into living spaces.
Many of them are concentrated in the neighborhoods surrounding the Eastside Beltline Trail, a section of the city that was once home to a large number of factories.
Credit: HANDOUT
Credit: HANDOUT
Monthly rent: Starting at $1,585
Address: 650 North Avenue NE, Atlanta, GA 30308
Perhaps the city's most notable re-development project, it's common knowledge that the massive Old Fourth Ward building was once the regional headquarters for for Sears, Roebuck and Company. Now, in addition to the food hall and shopping, it is home to loft apartments.
Credit: Dwight Ross Jr.
Credit: Dwight Ross Jr.
Monthly rent: $1149-$1800
Address: 699 Ponce de Leon Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30308
The former Ford Motor Company Plant was built at 699 Ponce de Leon Avenue in 1914. From 1915-1942, it served as the company's Southeastern headquarters. The lofts in the building are currently in the process of being renovated, along with 34,500 square feet of retail space.
Monthly rent: $1295-$1495
Address: 764-768 Marietta St NW, Atlanta, GA 30318
Built in 1921, this space once housed a grocer and furniture store. Apartments have exposed brick and pipe work.
Credit: HANDOUT
Credit: HANDOUT
Monthly rent: $1,245 - $2,600
Address: 300 Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. SE, Atlanta, GA 30312
Formerly the home of the Southern Spring Bedding Company, these apartments feature Italian marble bathrooms, high ceilings and sealed cement floors.
Monthly rent: $1,200-$1,775
Address: 50 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, GA 30303
Part of a city block revitalization project, these apartments feature hardwood floors, high ceilings and a roof-top deck.
Credit: Hyosub Shin
Credit: Hyosub Shin
Monthly rent: $975-$1,600
Address: 170 Boulevard SE, Atlanta, GA 30312
Apartments in this former Cabbagetown cotton mill have 18-20 foot ceilings and exposed brick interiors.
Monthly rent: #1,457-$3,135
Address: 250 Piedmont Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30308
This apartment complex used to be a SunTrust bank control center. Built in 1976, it's an urbanite's paradise with a direct connection to Atlanta's Skywalk downtown.
Monthly rent: $2,000-$2,650
Address: 828 Ralph McGill Blvd NE, Atlanta, GA 30306
This complex occupies the space that once housed the Western Electric Telephone Company. The apartments have exposed brick interiors with 14 to 25-foot ceilings and quartz counters in most kitchens.
Bonus:
If you're in the market to buy — and drop a pretty penny — the former American Laundry Building in Castleberry Hill is on the market for $4.5 million. Noteably, it's the building where legendary hometown hip-hop duo, OutKast, shot parts of the music video for "So Fresh, So Clean."
This piece was based on former reporting done for the AJC, which can be found here.
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