terra alma, a boutique real estate advisory firm, has been engaged by TileTech Renewal Co. to oversee leasing at the redevelopment of the largest tract in historic downtown Norcross, according to a press release this week. Located at 127 S. Peachtree Street, the property is more than an acre and contains several buildings.
Called the South End, the development will incorporate new construction with the preservation and adaptive re-use of existing buildings. One of the remaining buildings was the first gas station in downtown Norcross and is almost 100 years old, the release notes. The two other buildings have been onsite for more than 70 years and were used for manufacturing and warehousing.
“TileTech Renewal Co. and terra alma are focused on preserving, enhancing and activating the South End to create a unique destination,” according to the release. “To do so, they have overcome numerous environmental, legal, design and structural challenges.” The owners purchased the property during COVID-19 pandemic and are now actively under construction at South End Norcross.
“Our goal is to gather the right mix of local and regional tenants to create a very special place where people want to linger, slow down and make real life connections with neighbors in their community,” Edie Weintraub, Founder and Chief Community Builder, terra alma, said in the release “We are working with several restaurants, retailers, breweries and distillers and expect to make additional announcements soon.”
Several locally owned businesses already call South End Norcross home. The former Gas Station is now home to Rose & Hemp, a CBD store. Butter & Cream ice cream, based in Decatur, will open its third location at South End in September 2022. Refuge Coffee Co. is putting final touches on its space and will open its fourth metro Atlanta location in September 2022.
A portion of the former tile shop was removed to extend Skin Alley through South End Norcross providing more walkability and connectivity to downtown Norcross. Weintraub says, “Look for the tile shop to become a restaurant or a wine bar. The Mayor, Craig Newton and City Council recently amended its zoning ordinance to accommodate the use.”
A food hall could soon be housed in the old engine building. “We also have 4,500 square feet of new construction that is perfect for brewery or a distillery with high ceilings,” Weintraub said. “A microbrewery or distillery will have enough space to have some of its production on site.” The split-level building will also feature a speakeasy in the basement space.
The main feature of the South End is The Yard, a central gathering space around which all the buildings are organized. A water tower, like the one that used to rise above downtown Norcross, will soon be installed and it and a stage will serve as focal points of The Yard. “Families and friend can gather, relax, play, celebrate and enjoy comedy, movies, story time and live music on the stage starting in Fall 2023,” according to the release. Also, onsite today is a 1971 Airstream trailer which serves as an office. Soon it, and a 1962 Shasta trailer, will be converted to bars which will be located in a venue in the Yard.
“It has taken a long time to get to the starting line, but we are underway and excited about developing South End Norcross,” Mason Zimmerman, a Principal of TileTech Renewal Co., said. “We own and develop properties in small towns across the Metro Atlanta area but this one is particularly significant. It’s rare to have the opportunity to complete a block in a historic area and to create a destination within an existing destination. We are excited about the South End Norcross and grateful for the opportunity.”
