Typical of many urban landscapes, Atlanta’s core of commercial institutions serving the city had been choked into decline by the intensity of outlying metropolitan development. The adaptive reuse of such areas was not easy. Financing in any form for purchase and rehabilitation of these structures was not available for those interested in such development. Adaptive rehabilitation of the Watkins Street Lofts was a pioneering project.
Renovations in several phases have created 14 mixed use, live/work lofts from an abandoned 24,000 sf former appliance factory. The entire building was stripped to the shell and build-out was achieved for less than $15 per square foot through diligent use of salvaged and recycled materials. Two future phases are planned to complete the renovation.
© 2008-10 Robert M. Cain