Landmark City Hall East in Atlanta to get mixed-use makeover

City Hall East, an Atlanta landmark and the largest brick building in the Southeast, will be transformed into an upscale mixed-use facility. The facility, now called Ponce City Market, will get a $180 million rehab to create 1 million sf of retail, office, and residential components, plus parking and green spaces. It has been called the most comprehensive adaptive reuse project in Atlanta’s history.
July 27, 2011

City Hall East, an Atlanta landmark and the largest brick building in the Southeast, will be transformed into an upscale mixed-use facility. The facility, now called Ponce City Market, will get a $180 million rehab to create 1 million sf of retail, office, and residential components, plus parking and green spaces. It has been called the most comprehensive adaptive reuse project in Atlanta’s history.

(http://patch.com/georgia/eastatlanta/old-fourth-wards-city-hall-east-slated-for-180-million-facelift)

Constructed in 1926 as a Sears Roebuck & Co. store and distribution center for the entire Southeast, it was bought by the city in 1991. Only a small percentage of the space was utilized for city offices.

Planners say Ponce City Market will be modeled on Pike Place Market in Seattle, Chelsea Market in New York, and Warehouse Row in Chattanooga.

About the Author

Drew Ballensky

Drew Ballensky is general manager of Duro-Last Roofing, Inc.’s central U.S. facility in Iowa and company spokesman for Duro-Last’s cool roofing, sustainability and architectural education programs. He is past-president of the Chemical Fabrics and Film Association and chairman of CFFA’s Vinyl Roofing Division. Drew earned his bachelor’s degree in industrial technology from the University of Northern Iowa and master’s degree in business administration from Florida State University. Drew has over 29 years experience in business and industry in various engineering and managerial capacities. He has worked in the U.S. and Canadian operations for a major international manufacturer of pre-engineered steel buildings, was a financial analyst with a major athletic apparel manufacturer and was an owner of a general contracting company.
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