An adaptive reuse project in Atlanta turned an obsolete Coca-Cola packaging warehouse into a vibrant mixed-use retail/restaurant/office complex. The 250,000-sf structure is located along a now defunct railroad line that forms the footprint for the city’s multi-phase Beltline pedestrian/bike path that will eventually loop around the city.
“With the Beltline Spur Trail planned for the abandoned railroad and other neighborhood transitions, the design goal became how to modernize the existing building while preserving its industrial history,” says Victoria Walsh, AIA, LEED AP, Architect, Perkins&Will. “Our big move was cutting up the warehouse into three separate parts. New promenades through the building allowed natural light, ventilation, and direct entry to the office and retail spaces.”
Westside Paper Mixed-Use Redevelopment
Contemporary elements were incorporated into the design to harmonize with the emerging Westside aesthetic. Echelon Masonry's Mondrian Stone provided a sleek, modern canvas for the darker steel elements and weathered brick walls.
The design preserved the steel armature framework overhead. Steel and glass clerestory windows were preserved and painted a dark bronze color that created a backdrop for the original masonry walls. “The light/dark contrast between the Mondrian Stone and painted bronze steel allowed for that clear delineation between old and new,” Walsh says.
The 15-acre location has already been leased by multiple vendors, with only a few spaces remaining.
“The neighborhood has rapidly changed with so much residential development moving in,” Walsh says. “Another adaptive reuse project King Plow—a former plow factory converted into a popular arts center, is just across the street.”
On the Building Team:
Owner and/or developer: FCP (Federal Capital Partners)
Design architect: Perkins&Will
Architect of record: Perkins&Will
MEP engineer: Barrett Woodyard
Structural engineer: Shear Structural
General contractor/construction manager: Gay Construction
Related Stories
Office Buildings | Oct 16, 2023
The impact of office-to-residential conversion on downtown areas
Gensler's Duanne Render looks at the incentives that could bring more office-to-residential conversions to life.
Mixed-Use | Oct 9, 2023
A coastal California city reawakens its downtown
The Prado West mixed-use redevelopment gives Dana Point a new look.
Mixed-Use | Oct 5, 2023
Mixed-use pieces supporting a master plan in North Carolina fall into place
Near Chatham Park, a new multifamily housing community follows the opening of a shopping center.
Contractors | Sep 25, 2023
Balfour Beatty expands its operations in Tampa Bay, Fla.
Balfour Beatty is expanding its leading construction operations into the Tampa Bay area offering specialized and expert services to deliver premier projects along Florida’s Gulf Coast.
Mixed-Use | Sep 20, 2023
Tampa Bay Rays, Hines finalize deal for a stadium-anchored multiuse district in St. Petersburg, Fla.
The Tampa Bay Rays Major League Baseball team announced that it has reached an agreement with St. Petersburg and Pinellas County on a $6.5 billion, 86-acre mixed-use development that will include a new 30,000-seat ballpark and an array of office, housing, hotel, retail, and restaurant space totaling 8 million sf.
Adaptive Reuse | Sep 19, 2023
Transforming shopping malls into 21st century neighborhoods
As we reimagine the antiquated shopping mall, Marc Asnis, AICP, Associate, Perkins&Will, details four first steps to consider.
Resort Design | Sep 18, 2023
Luxury resort provides new housing community for its employees
The Wisteria community will feature a slew of exclusive amenities, including a market, pub, and fitness center, in addition to 33 new patio homes.
Adaptive Reuse | Aug 31, 2023
Small town takes over big box
GBBN associate Claire Shafer, AIA, breaks down the firm's recreational adaptive reuse project for a small Indiana town.
Giants 400 | Aug 22, 2023
Top 115 Architecture Engineering Firms for 2023
Stantec, HDR, Page, HOK, and Arcadis North America top the rankings of the nation's largest architecture engineering (AE) firms for nonresidential building and multifamily housing work, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2023 Giants 400 Report.
Giants 400 | Aug 22, 2023
2023 Giants 400 Report: Ranking the nation's largest architecture, engineering, and construction firms
A record 552 AEC firms submitted data for BD+C's 2023 Giants 400 Report. The final report includes 137 rankings across 25 building sectors and specialty categories.
