First look: ‘The Works’ planned for 80 acres on Atlanta’s Upper Westside

by Josh Green for www.curbed.com

A heavyweight Atlanta developer has major plans for 40 old structures on the city’s burgeoning Upper Westside, where a “thriving new community” is predicted to materialize in the shadow of TopGolf Midtown’s towering nets.

Selig Development unveiled plans today for “The Works,” a full 80 acres of adaptive-reuse potential along Chattahoochee Avenue, south of Buckhead and due west of Midtown.

The site consists of more than 40 buildings with “great bones and character,” many with historic value, said Steve Baile, Chief Development Officer, in a release. Selig has been assembling the contiguous acreage for half a century, and they hope the longterm redo will become “a true anchor” for the area.

The Works will deliver in phases, with completion expected in five to 10 years. But initial pieces should open next year, officials said.

“[It’s] one of the largest and most significant redevelopments underway in Atlanta,” said Selig Development’s president, Scott Selig. “It’s unlike anything in Atlanta in terms of scale and vision.”

Phase 1 will consist of four “blocks.” Expect a blend of basically all the hallmarks of mixed-use, including greenspace and “entertainment” components. The breakdown is as follows:

With 200,000 square feet, Blocks 1 and 3 will see the adaptive-reuse treatment applied to three brick warehouses, including prominent 1235 Chattahoochee Ave. and adjacent buildings.

Block 2 (130,000 square feet) will offer new-construction, creative office space and existing space suited for retail.

Block 4 is all about newly built residences.

Here’s the official promo graph:

Inspired by a rich history of local creative makers, skilled artisans, and forward-thinking entrepreneurs, The Works has been envisioned to create an interconnected environment that brings together creative work spaces, distinctive retail and restaurants, residences, boutique hotels, entertainment, and welcoming gathering areas all within an experiential setting. The Works will become one of the top destinations in Atlanta.

Grand plans call for a whopping 1.5 million square feet of transformed space.

If all pans out, that would include 500 residences, a 200-key boutique hotel, 13 acres of greenspace, and about 100,000 more square feet of retail than Atlanta’s Ikea.

Below are some glimpses of the property as it stands now: