Developers Gene Kansas | Commercial Real Estate (GK|CRE) and the Atlanta Preservation Center are wrapping up a historic preservation project of the “VA-HI Building” in Virginia-Highland, a company spokesperson told What Now Atlanta this week. The building, originally constructed in 1925, will continue to be home to longstanding Paolo’s Gelato (which was listed for sale last year), with new concepts Kinship Butchery and Pizza By The Slice opening soon, they said.
“Our historic preservation of the VA-HI Building is contributing to the preservation of Virginia-Highland, and we’re proud to play a part in supporting the rich and continued history of this beloved Atlanta neighborhood,” Ted Bradford of GK|CRE, said in the release. “Its larger importance is in how it serves the community and how it did serve the community over the past century. By preserving its role and function within the neighborhood as a central meeting place — where people can visit for a slice of pizza together, a morning coffee, a first date for gelato — that’s what makes a difference, that’s what gives meaning to people’s lives, and that’s what is translated upon the physical structure.”
In redeveloping the building, GK|CRE preserved the building’s original materials and recreated the classic configuration of its suites, revitalizing details such as the historic transom windows in the building’s rear and preserving and polishing the original terrazzo floors. Restorative details were added as well, including a newly repainted façade, improved outdoor lighting, hardwood doors, and the VA-HI mural project on the building’s exterior, which was completed in spring 2019.
2 Responses
Looking forward to the coffee shop component and the pizza place!
Sounds like a good lineup for the neighborhood!
That mural is quite pretty– sure beats the ugly one that started going up in Inman Park this week.