Atlantic Station (Atlanta, Macon, Doraville: 2013, apartments, lofts)
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My opinion: It's certainly better than what was there (and old factory/mill area), but personally I don't go there often and don't have much of a reason to.
It's very generic. The architecture isn't varied enough to catch my interest visually, and many of the shops there are pretty much what you could find in any suburban mall in the metro area. The condos and townhomes are somewhat overpriced for what you get (I've been in a couple - the quality of construction is "ok" at best in some). There are a couple of decent restaurants there, and IKEA is a neat place to take tourists that are visiting. There is a free shuttle that takes you to the Arts Center MARTA station, but it's not easily walkable directly from MARTA rail for most.
So the verdict (for me): Again, better than what was there for sure. Surprised they pulled it off, actually. But after a couple of visits or so it draws more of a yawn than anything.
What to watch for: In Doraville the old Ford Plant is closing and developers from around the world are trying to get that property, which is larger than the Atlantic Station property as well. The claim is that many have watched what has worked, and what has NOT, in Atlantic Station, and that they are going to build a similar but larger and improved version of it in Doraville on that property. The advantage supposedly being that they will "fix" the flaws they see in Atlantic Station in their designs, and, that it's right next to the Doraville MARTA station so will be easier for folks to access.
My opinion: It's certainly better than what was there (and old factory/mill area), but personally I don't go there often and don't have much of a reason to.
It's very generic. The architecture isn't varied enough to catch my interest visually, and many of the shops there are pretty much what you could find in any suburban mall in the metro area. The condos and townhomes are somewhat overpriced for what you get (I've been in a couple - the quality of construction is "ok" at best in some). There are a couple of decent restaurants there, and IKEA is a neat place to take tourists that are visiting. There is a free shuttle that takes you to the Arts Center MARTA station, but it's not easily walkable directly from MARTA rail for most.
So the verdict (for me): Again, better than what was there for sure. Surprised they pulled it off, actually. But after a couple of visits or so it draws more of a yawn than anything.
What to watch for: In Doraville the old Ford Plant is closing and developers from around the world are trying to get that property, which is larger than the Atlantic Station property as well. The claim is that many have watched what has worked, and what has NOT, in Atlantic Station, and that they are going to build a similar but larger and improved version of it in Doraville on that property. The advantage supposedly being that they will "fix" the flaws they see in Atlantic Station in their designs, and, that it's right next to the Doraville MARTA station so will be easier for folks to access.
I would be living there... I like the look of the lofts... and having so many shops, restaurants and bars
...and the fact it's close to the interstate since I would have to travel to Augusta and Macon...
My sister has a floral shop there - Atlantic Station is trying to court more "mom and pop" shops there rather than all the big named stores. There is a plethora of shops and restaurants. Here is a link to the businesses: Atlantic Station® - Life Happens here.
What I like best about Atlantic Station is the Atlantic Station Shuttle. It is free and can zip residents and guests around the development and to the Arts Center MARTA Station free of cost. ASAP-Plus + - TRANSIT (http://www.asap-plus.com/getting-around/transit/ - broken link)
Just know that if you chose the high rise at Twelve - that they are building a sister building named The Atlantic Across the street and some views will be blocked because of the new building.
When Cirque du Soleil pitched their tent there for performances a couple years back - it was perfect. I could attend the show and the dine out and not have to drive to another destination for dinner.
Thanks George... I am still evaluating if Atlanta is for me... if I get the job it would be in the middle of my territory so as far as that is concerned it would be perfect.
Cali to Georgia... not sure if I can make that transition
I may have missed a post elsewhere on transit options for Atlantic Station that confirms this but I am under the impression that there is an already built Beltline station sitting on the north edge of the complex just waiting for a connection to the rest of the future line.
I may have missed a post elsewhere on transit options for Atlantic Station that confirms this but I am under the impression that there is an already built Beltline station sitting on the north edge of the complex just waiting for a connection to the rest of the future line.
That's odd. The Beltline doesn't even run adjacent to Atlantic Station.
I DO know that they built 17th Street wide enough for light rail/streetcar to run down it. Probably in the "Bus only" lanes...
I wish they would go ahead and fill in those last holes with buildings...and start on some transit for 17th Street.
I cannot comprehend why people keep saying this. Not only is it within reasonable walking distance of Arts Center Station (which is essentially a regional hub), but there are free shuttles which run regularly (a Web site shows their position in real time), and a MARTA bus as well, both of which run in dedicated lanes. If you want to avoid public transit, there are bike lanes, Zipcars, and a charging station for electric vehicles. Short of building the place directly on a Red/Gold line station, they could not have possibly made it easier to get to.
The holes definitely need addressing, though. I suspect that will start happening in the near future. A couple of vacant lots to the west are already being filled in, one with apartments and another with a Buddhist center.
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