Midtown West Rising in Industrial Northwest

ATLANTA-A largely industrial area of northwest Atlanta is being transformed into a fashioned residential neighborhood with the arrival of Winter Cos.' $49-million MWest mixed-use project at Marietta Boulevard and Elaine Avenue.

The 24-acre development site, a former lumber yard, is just across the Downtown Connector from trendy Midtown. The developer also plans 10,380 sf of retail facing Marietta Boulevard. Construction is expected to be completed in November. Demolition began in December 2003; vertical construction began in August 2004.

Winter Co. development director Bill Marsh tells GlobeSt.com the 163 homes sold to date are in a price range from $229,000 to $399,000. The townhomes contain a total 359,436 gross sf and 288,732 sf of heated space.

Brokers familiar with the project tell GlobeSt.com developers are gravitating to the northwest sector because few developable tracts remain on the Midtown side of the Interstate. "One thing we liked about this site when we bought it was the views," Marsh tells GlobeSt.com. "Our premium units at the top of the hill have rooftop decks with great views all the way from Downtown to the Galleria."

Marsh says Winter Co. has only recently begun marketing retail space which is available for sale or for lease. "This will be a great spot for another hip west side restaurant and neighborhood retail shops to service the rapidly growing residential base in the area," the Winter Co. executive tells GlobeSt.com.

He says the company's tag line for MWest is 'Different by Design.' "Our goal was to create a unique, contemporary, urban townhome product to appeal to young professionals who want to be near the intown scene for work or social reasons," Marsh adds. "The commute is great to Midtown or Downtown. The industrial surroundings have not been a negative at all and actually help to give MWest some of its edgy character."