More Mixed- Use Mega- Developments Move into Dunwoody

With Dunwoody’s proximity to I-285, GA 400, and Marta rail it’s no big surprise the area is the next in the Mixed-Use development phenomenon that is spreading through Atlanta. The "Central Perimeter" market is the largest submarket in Atlanta metropolitan area with over 35,000,000 square feet.   The central location allows companies to recruit easier from the whole metro area as it sits in the middle of the Northern suburbs.  With “ease of access” as the theme, these Transit Oriented Developments (TOD’s) projects will truly transform the landscape of the area.  These TOD'S sites are the first developers choose to leverage retail exposure and ridership with our MARTA system.

Three impressive developments are in process or plan to break ground this year.

Park Center, located at the intersection of Hammond Dr. and Perimeter Center Pkwy. Park Center is working on phase II as phase I was completed the end of 2016. Phase II will be a larger project, which will include two office towers, a pedestrian bridge that connects to Phase I, and a Dunwoody Marta Station. It will also have all of the mixed-use amenities which include restaurants, retail, and residential housing. The two office towers have a complete date of January 2020 for the first, and January 2021 for the second. An appealing aspect of the plan includes a multi-use trail and public space to surrounding parks.

Twelve24, located at 1224 Hammond Dr. in Dunwoody, broke ground in July 2018.  With completion ending some time in February 2020 this project will add 334,000 SF of Class A office space and 11,000 SF of restaurant and retail space. Insight Global is already confirmed to occupy about 50% of the building space.  Developers boast a large open floor plan with floor-to-ceiling glass, extensive outdoor terraces and “best-in-class” amenities.

High Street, will be located at Perimeter Center Park and Hammond Drive near the Dunwoody Marta Station. Though plans for this development started over 10 years, they reemerged in 2015-with realization now just around the corner. Ground-breaking is expecting towards the end of 2019, and this 40-acre plan looks to be one of the largest projects in the area. The first phase includes four 8-story apartment buildings, a row of townhomes, and a 16-story apartment building, 12-story office tower and a 7-story parking deck. While not confirmed, ground floor restaurants and retail have been mentioned.

A.I. In Your Business

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is used in several platforms, over a broad spectrum of different businesses. We know AI is useful and can benefit your business. So, how can it be used to GROW your business?

 On April 30th Wildomar Advisors hosted an event entitled “Harnessing AI to Grow your Business”, along with Tracy and Michael Levine of Advantage Talent, Inc. Several Executives in the area were invited to join to create hear Tracy and Mike’s knowledge on the topic of AI and utilizing it to grow your company.

 The following highlights some of the take-aways from the presentation:

 DISC. It is no longer who you know, but who you are. Through the DISC system, Tracy and Mike create what they call your “Living Logo”. DISC is a powerful tool to understanding people. It is a method of identifying predictable actions and personality traits within human behavior.   Using the DISC system, more companies are finding you, before you find them. It has been established that finding the person that fits your company best- versus what person you may like the most, is what moves a company forward. And most attendees to our event agreed! The most beneficial aspect of the information was how it related to not only retaining the right employees, but attracting the right employees.

GPE2, stands for Growth, Profit, Efficiency, and Engagement. This is the magic combination for success. AI helps increase Profit, make hiring more efficient. Using AI to helps choose the proper employees to nurture an engaging work culture.

Soft Skills. Soft Skills have become more in-demand in the workplace. Businesses have noticed that creativity, adaptability, time management and collaborative skills enhance the company forward motion. These skills advance enough more efficiently than hard skills have in the past.

Netflix. Yes, Netflix. They are just one of the many innovative companies that have been using AI on you, and you may not have noticed. Amazon streaming, Online retailers, and Social Media platforms, all use AI algorithms to make sure you have the best experience when using their services. Knowing they have succeeded with AI, why not try AI too.

Implementing AI in your business can assist in keeping your company relevant, innovative, and engaged with customers and employees. Customers and employees are what drives a business to fail, or to succeed. Using AI to analysis how you build your company is the first step in harnessing AI to grow your business.

Here at Wildmor our Executives have been working with Advantage Talent, Inc to discover their “Living Logo” to utilize their brand optimization. Or in other words, detecting their true strengths to better the business.

285 @ 400 Project Update

The 285 @ 400 Project  was designed to help reduce traffic congestion and enhance safety in the area near the I-285/SR 400 interchange in metro Atlanta. This priority project adds new flyover ramps, new collector-distributor lanes and other facilities to aid east-west travel along I-285 and north-south travel along SR 400. The project will improve 4.3 miles of I-285 from west of Roswell Road to east of Ashford Dunwoody Road and 6.2 miles along SR 400 from the Glenridge Connector to Spalding Drive.

It was announced in April that the project would be delayed an additional six months due to added projects. Originally, the project included only replacing two bridge decks. But GDOT decided to replace the entire bridge structures while the area was already under construction. GDOT has added two new I-285 bridges to the project and will widen both roads underneath the interstate. Although this has added additional time, they noted that that it will not add any additional cost. This extra work will also allow the district and GDOT to build a connection to Path 400 under I-285 at Peachtree-Dunwoody.

We reached out to Perimeter Connects (perimterconnect.com) who provided the following insights:

Current major modifications to traffic are in three places:

• Peachtree Dunwoody Rd – Northbound under 285 is one lane, instead of two. This will continue until the end of the project (Q4 2020)

• Glenridge Dr – Southbound under 285 is one lane, instead of two. This will also stay in this format until Q4 2020.

• Abernathy Rd – Westbound left turn onto 400 will be one lane instead of two, beginning May 31st. Will stay this way until the shift to the Diverging Diamond design, sometime in 2020.

• Most construction activity is along 400 and 285, but there should be no impacts to traffic outside of nights and weekends (other lane closures and notable changes are only implemented during nights and weekends).

• The GA400 Express Lanes project will begin construction sometime in 2021, after the 285 @ 400 Project  is completed. This project will extend north from North Springs station, and impacts on the immediate area should be modest.

With construction as part of the daily commute for a least another year (or two) it is a good idea to stay up to date on the area. I know we will be keeping our eyes on it.

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Midtown ATL Booms: West Midtown is as Hot as it gets

Three major projects are underway in West Midtown district that will transform the Midtown experience.  There are five other reciprocal developments that are also in progress. Most of these developments are a “stone’s throw” away from each other, which should provide a synergistic atmosphere in the area.

The Works 1235 Chattahoochee Ave. NW Atlanta, GA 30318: Atlanta developer Selig has committed to a long-term plan for this 80-acre project, which will transform 40 historical structures to retail, residential and “creative office space”.

Star Metals 1050 Howell Mill Atlanta, GA 30318: “Iconic Architecture” and 185,000 SF of class A office space is being promoted by the developer. This project promises to take live, work, play to a higher level with unparalleled amenities offered to residential, retail, and office tenants.

The Interlock Corner of Howell Mill Rd. & 14 St. NW, Atlanta, GA 30318: This mixed-use development is to include hotel and single-family homes. Notably, this venture is set to include a Georgia Tech program that will control 25% of the office space for use to promote and grow tech start-ups in the southeast.

Phases for these projects are scheduled to begin in 2020, with overall completion expected in 5-10 years.

 The four of the five other developments, Osprey, and 8 West, 788 West Midtown, and Inland Tract all have similar timelines. While comparable to The Works, Star Metals and The Interlock will not be as substantial in size.

Another project which has not yet broken ground, is a massive mixed-use development, Quarry Yards. This venture should get underway sometime in the second quarter of 2019.

We think this is certain to keep the area growing for the next several years. With the only concerns being the impeding traffic, and no direct access to the east west corridor. As expected, this expansion of West Midtown will appeal to the pioneer companies who seeking to attract young tech workers that prefer in-town living. This young talent pool is already nearby at Georgia Tech, Georgia State, Morehouse, Spellman, Emory, and University of Georgia, graduating just over 60,000 students per year.

Additional Project Highlights:

The Works at Chattahoochee

• 80 acres mixed use

• Will be  adapting 40 existing structures

• Completion/delivery in phases

• Full completion in 5-10 years

• 500 residences, 200 room hotel, 13 acres of greenspace

Star Metals

• Office, Residential, hotel, retail

• Dual Buildings

• Unique Architecture

• 185,000 SF of contiguous space

• Exclusive Marta Shuttle

• Close to Arts Center Station Rail

The Interlock

• Office, Retail, apartments, hotel

• 70 Single Family Homes

• GA Tech venture will control 25% of the office space

• 125 room hotel

• Southwest corner of Howell Mill Rd. and 14th Street

5 other large projects in the area

 Osprey

• Howell Mill and 10th

• Luxury rentals

• 13,000 SF restaurant/retail

• Will link together White Provision District and Marietta Street Artery

• Residential rental amenities noted at “the usual”- Resort style pool, fitness center, juice bar, pet spa, etc.

8 West

• Office, retail, and apartments

• Will incorporate Hathaway Gallery

• Ride share drop offs

• 175,000 square feet of office space across nine floors

• 10,000 square feet of ground-level restaurant and retail

• 264 apartments

 788 West Midtown

• Glassy residential only high-rise

• Expected to be 20 stories high

• To include 2 bedroom/2 baths (1,129 SF)

 Inland Tract

• Will offer “creative” office space

• 2 Mid-century warehouse to be turned into 80, 000 SF of offices

• Office will offer large windows and skylights

• Courtyard will provide casual meeting spaces

• Scheduled to open Fall 2019

 Quarry Yards

• Adjacent to Bankhead Marta station

• 70 acres mixed-use

• Office, retail and restaurant on 650,000 SF of space

• 850 Residential units

• 300 Room Hotel

• Backed by former Braves Player, Mark Teixeira

Will Brookhaven be the Next Mixed-Use Boom?

Welcome to the gem of the metro Atlanta area, Brookhaven. Located in western Dekalb County just past thriving Buckhead. With only a 20- minute drive from Atlanta, this community has much to offer.  Rated as one of the best places to live in Atlanta, Brookhaven is known for its affordability and strong school system.

Why Brookhaven?

Affordable Mobility. Lime is a company that places rentable bikes and electric scooters for a fee. City officials recently approved Lime’s permit application to install scooter systems throughout Brookhaven.

Major employers. AT&T Mobility, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, and Emory Orthopedics, are just some of the major brands that call Brookhaven home. The Weather Company, owners of the Weather Channel, announce they are in need of more space.

More MARTA. “Arterial Rapid Transit” systems are planned for the area. Arterial Rapid Transit means a bus that runs especially frequently and with priority at signals and in lines. The “Peachtree route” would run through Buckhead between Five Points station in Downtown to the Brookhaven/Oglethorpe Gold/Red Line station in Brookhaven.

(‘More MARTA transit in Buckhead with take more money’ https://www.reporternewspapers.net/2018/10/13/more-marta-transit-in-buckhead-will-take-more-money/)

Education. Oglethorpe University is located in Brookhaven. While easily not the largest university in the state, it is a beneficial component to the area. Articles suggest that, depending on your industry, locating your business near a University has many collaborative incentives.

Peachtree Creek Greenway. This multi-use trail that is currently under construction along Peachtree Creek. Once complete it promises to connect Atlanta, Brookhaven, Chamblee and Doraville. This surely will be an amenity that coincides with mixed use development lifestyle.