Midtown — empty lots, disconnected streets round-up

[bryantm3]

When they published the article for the Cheetah redevelopment, they hailed it as "one of the last" remaining lots in Midtown.

It got me to thinking, what all is left? I wanted to ask the forum. What streets are still disconnected, what lots are empty, and which other ones are underutilized? Has the DRC produced a map that rounds it all up— or should we make one?

Also, what in your opinion is sacrosant, and should remain at all costs?

[Julien]

That statement couldn’t be farther from the truth. While midtown development has been enormous, there is still plenty of potential lots to develop. Since I’m so familiar, I’ll do them all if you like. But just as a start, here is how much there is in just the tiny section from I-85 (north midtown) to 17th Street. If you would like, I will work my way south a few blocks at a time each day. I can also provide my own (on the street) picture of any of the lots for more detail.

Pictures from Apple Maps

This could be sold and the Hotel 6 razed with a development while keeping The Peach.


While this parking lot is owned by the church they could sell the air rights to it. Maybe to SCAD.


While this does contain a couple of museums it could have potential.


This contains a historical apt complex but there were plans to develop around it and restore it.


Awful parking deck that could hold a mid or high rise. Site does have a lot of rock.


This corner is ripe for a high rise.


Dingleberry so could be a 1000 year project. Holding out for a 50 story plus building.

[bryantm3]

Originally Posted by Julien

That statement couldn’t be farther from the truth. While midtown development has been enormous, there is still plenty of potential lots to develop. Since I’m so familiar, I’ll do them all if you like. But just as a start, here is how much there is in just the tiny section from I-85 (north midtown) to 17th Street. If you would like, I will work my way south a few blocks at a time each day. I can also provide my own (on the street) picture of any of the lots for more detail.

Pictures from Apple Maps

This could be sold and the Hotel 6 razed with a development while keeping The Peach.

I could definitely see that. I hadn't even considered that lot.

While this does contain a couple of museums it could have potential.

It would be neat to see some plans incorporating the museums into the base of something new. Only thing worth saving there is the historical building they use for the center for puppetry arts— why they decided to hide it from street view, I'll never understand.

This contains a historical apt complex but there were plans to develop around it and restore it.

I really liked that idea. The implementation could use a little work, but the idea itself was good. Is that project dead?

The thing that most bothers me is the interstate on-ramp coming off of West Peachtree Street. It has always seemed like an extreme solution to have a freeway ramp come that far into the neighborhood. Whoever came up with that idea was a psycho.

They could have, for much less cost and far less of a footprint, began the on-ramp at-grade with Spring Street, and made Rhodes Center go one-way in the opposite direction.

Awful parking deck that could hold a mid or high rise. Site does have a lot of rock.

I love the rock outcropping, and I hope it stays. But I agree with you about the deck.

This corner is ripe for a high rise.

Oh my.... no. The western part of the lot sure. But the Center Stage and the historic housing block next door?
This is what I meant by "sacrosant".

Dingleberry so could be a 1000 year project. Holding out for a 50 story plus building.

Silly me, thinking that was a park. I guess the fence around it should have been a clue. I could easily see something going there... but also like the idea of a more fleshed-out park there. I'm torn.

By all means continue. Some of these missed my radar.

[Julien]

A little quickie at lunch. 17th to 12th

Midtown Union Phase II (dead???) or smoothing else.


Art’s Center air rights (hopeful but probably aspirational for now).


Lots of lots and several potential sites with added 15th St. extension.


Opus Place, very ambivalent on this becoming a pocket park. Still think a skyscraper was a better option, but looks like that ship has sailed.


Phase II (dead???) of the 1105 West Peachtree Devlopment.


O’my God Dingleberry (north of 13th) and a juicy lot south.


Not sure what happened to this interesting proposal but a sweet spot on Peachtree.


A started (at least put up some silt fence) but dead end project overlooking Pediment Park.

[ArchKid]

What Midtown needs are more distinguished new buildings, not the kind of clumsy, uninspired trash that has been foisted upon it in recent years. If the plan is to keep desecrating Midtown’s land with such mediocrity, it would be far better to leave those empty lots untouched.

[bryantm3]

Originally Posted by ArchKid

What Midtown needs are more distinguished new buildings, not the kind of clumsy, uninspired trash that has been foisted upon it in recent years. If the plan is to keep desecrating Midtown’s land with such mediocrity, it would be far better to leave those empty lots untouched.

Good point... maybe after the recession/depression/end of America (or whatever it is that seems to be bubbling up) we'll see a revival of good architecture that never seemed to materialize in this value-engineered cycle. Trying to hold onto some hope here!

[bryantm3]

Originally Posted by Julien

Not sure what happened to this interesting proposal but a sweet spot on Peachtree.

This is the lot that disconnects the two halves of 13th street.

[bryantm3]

Originally Posted by Julien

Opus Place, very ambivalent on this becoming a pocket park. Still think a skyscraper was a better option, but looks like that ship has sailed.

With the new park, wish they'd axe the deck on the upper left, and put a proper street through on the left side of the site.

[bryantm3]

Originally Posted by Julien

Art’s Center air rights (hopeful but probably aspirational for now).

This is the lot that disconnects the two halves of 16th street.

[Julien]

12th to 10th


Did Portman buy this for Phase II?


Cover the back (east) of 1072


Cover the side (south) of 1072


Maybe not the apartments or the Steamhouse Lounge.


Air rights to parking deck and 12St frontage.


Lots of golden asphalt here. Not sure about all of Peachtree. Is the pocket park city/public?


Air rights


Next to 1081 Juniper


Nice corner


While too new now just think what this special land could be worth in 50 years.

[GeorgiaPeanuts]

No portman only bought the building directly adjacent the empty area with the blacktop driveway. The two preschools did not get bought buy them.

And the 12th street frontage and deck air rights is not available, those trees are a private dog park area for residents of Peachtree Walk.

The 10th street pocket park is not owned by the city, it is a $1 lease from Dewberry.

[Julien]

Originally Posted by GeorgiaPeanuts

......And the 12th street frontage and deck air rights is not available, those trees are a private dog park area for residents of Peachtree Walk......

Funny thing is I remembered the dog park on my way to work. It looks so open and visible from the street. Not sure why it didn't ring a bell when I was looking on Apple Maps.

[bryantm3]

Originally Posted by Julien

12th to 10th


Did Portman buy this for Phase II?

Don't think so— but the left side of the lot is the old TBS studio. Probably would want to keep that for historical reasons. I can't really see the pre-schools being on the ground level of a new development— kids need an outdoor playground with trees. So, unless they're willing to move, it's more than likely that this block will stay the way it is.

Maybe not the apartments or the Steamhouse Lounge.

Likely the same story with this block. The Steamhouse Lounge is pretty unique and I would hate to see it go.

There are also two stands of very very old trees on this lot— one next to the aforementioned lounge, and one on the northwest corner of the block. Losing those would be horrible for the neighborhood. The northeast corner of the block also has a vent for a MARTA tunnel.

If you could save the trees, the lounge, and the apartments, you might could squeeze in something where that building on West Peachtree is (marked "The Children's Campus on that map), and it's possible someone could build a very narrow retail strip directly fronting 12th, if they can find a way to wrap the MARTA tunnel vent without impeding access.

[bryantm3]

Originally Posted by Julien

Cover the side (south) of 1072

This is where an 11th street extension would go through to Spring. There is plenty of space to build something on both sides, though— just have to avoid the radio/TV/cell (whatever it is) tower on the SW side of that lot (which is marked "Momentum Midtown" on that map for some reason?)

[bryantm3]

Originally Posted by Julien

Lots of golden asphalt here. Not sure about all of Peachtree. Is the pocket park city/public?

Now we're talking. That is probably the #1 undeveloped lot in the city. I remember a huuuge proposal for that lot Dewberry put out at one point. Could be the site of something the size of the BoA tower. Or half a dozen smaller towers.

[bryantm3]

Originally Posted by Julien

Air rights

Somebody beat you to it.
One of my favorite proposals at the moment.

https://atlanta.urbanize.city/post/midtown-fire-station-tower-improvements-images

Wish they'd make this modification, though
(not with blank wall— extending the tower façade downwards)

[bryantm3]

Originally Posted by Julien

Next to 1081 Juniper

I know they'll probably target this next, but really wish they wouldn't. 1081 Juniper shouldn't have been allowed. We really screwed up on that corner.

Originally Posted by Julien

Nice corner

[Julien]

10th to North

Possible and nice corner.


Another small, nice corner lot possibility.


A blight and NEEDS some love, PLUS ONLY 1 block from the Cheetah and proves their statement wrong.


This is kind of an oddity and always looks out of place to me.


GA Tech but could use something AND there is no section of sidewalk here.


Good location for a strip club.


Could put a high-rise here and raze the Fox to make a parking lot.


Hoping.


What a corner with potential.


Give me some air.

[Julien]

On 11th St extension to William's. That won't work unless they raze the Turner building and add some curvature. Seems just extending to Spring doesn't add much use.

[bryantm3]

Originally Posted by Julien

On 11th St extension to William's. That won't work unless they raze the Turner building and add some curvature. Seems just extending to Spring doesn't add much use

Don't think they should try to extend it to Williams. A single block to Spring could do a lot— give the new Portman development a street vista, divert traffic off of Tenth, and give us six street level active use frontages, rather than two.

If I had the money or clout of a guy like Dewberry, I'd develop it myself. I've got a vision for that little zone. Involves a lot of brick, adaptive reuse of the entranceways of the building on site, some balconies, and string lights.