The city of Marietta has released renderings of a proposed 338,000-square-foot Ikea slated to open on Franklin Gateway.
The Swedish company is under contract to purchase 28 acres from the city for $9.25 million, and an adjacent six acres to build its second metro Atlanta location.
Marietta Mayor Steve Tumlin unveiled the deal at a city hall celebration Wednesday, characterizing it as a transformative economic development project. A city spokesperson said Ikea received no tax breaks or abatements.
The store is expected to hire between 250 and 300 full-time workers, in addition to creating hundreds of construction jobs. A timeline has not been set for construction and grand opening.
The plot of land is the former site of Marquis Place apartments, which the city bought and razed using $17 million in funds from a redevelopment bond issue approved in 2013.
Ikea's announcement follows the opening of an Atlanta United soccer training complex on Franklin Gateway, a neighborhood that has been the target of aggressive redevelopment efforts by the city.
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