Local developer Braden Fellman is set to open the doors of Revival Lofts, a residential project, at 159 Ralph McGill Boulevard, that is the conversion of the long-vacant former United Methodist Center into 51 apartments. At the heart of the former six-story office building is the former chapel which serves as the community’s amenity space.
The studio and one-bedroom apartments, which average 500 square feet, will be available beginning January 1, 2022 for move-in, Branden Fellman this week announced. As a historic tax credit project, the building will maintain architectural details of its 1964 origin, and the new community’s decor and style will play into the 60s aesthetic.
“At 57 years old, this building has just crossed the threshold for historic status, meaning there are very few historic rehabilitation adaptations from this era,” Andrew Braden, Principal, Braden Fellman Group, said in a press release. “This provided an especially unique set of challenges, but we couldn’t be more excited about the result – all thanks to our development partners, architects Choate + Hertlein and Beacon Construction.”
Braden Fellman has partnered with Beacon Construction as a general contractor for the Revival Lofts project. Beacon is a new firm founded by a team experienced in and focused on diverse market sectors, including adaptive reuse, multifamily, and healthcare construction. Their executives bring to the table a combined 45 years of experience and over $800M in completed work. This resume has landed them two other historic projects: Braden Fellman’s Abrams Fixtures in Adair Park and Urban Landings’ Winnwood Apartments in Midtown.
“Our goal is to build meaningful projects in a collaborative way and this project embodies that goal,” Andy Brown, Partner, Beacon Construction, said. “Historic tax credit projects are challenging, but it’s highly rewarding to see unique historic features get new life. Beacon Construction and our subcontractor partners are proud to be a part of this awesome project and team which has had such a unified vision from the start.”
The renovation comes in the midst of a renaissance of Atlanta’s Downtown district. Multiple projects have been proposed for a so-called Stitch greenspace that would top the interstate segmenting this neighborhood, increasing walkability, transit, and beautification. On the corner opposite Revival Lofts, the Civic Center was just slated for redevelopment as the Atlanta Housing Authority announced a request for proposal by developers.
Less than a mile west, the Medical Arts building at 384 Peachtree and the First United Methodist Church at 360 Peachtree are undergoing similar conversions. The project is lauded by local conservationists.
“In 1964 the North Georgia Methodist Conference made their headquarters in Downtown Atlanta, a new addition to the landscape by renowned architecture firm FABRAP,” David Mitchell, Director, Atlanta Preservation Center, said. “Decades later the preservation of this space continues its purpose to provide sanctuary thanks to the stewardship of Braden Fellman Group. With their thoughtful inclusion of the space’s legacy a part of our city shines on, and the Atlanta Preservation Center is very grateful for this achievement.”
