Construction is now underway on Oakland Exchange, a mixed-use project in Southwest Atlanta that will preserve historic Cut Rate Box Co. warehouses while adding affordable housing and commercial space. The Atlanta Beltline and Atlanta-based infill developer Urban Realty Partners closed a public-private deal to bring the project to life.

The development is located at 1088 and 1100 Murphy Ave. SW, directly across Sylvan Road from Murphy Crossing, the Beltline’s 20-acre planned development in the Oakland City neighborhood. The 6-acre site features two early 1900s brick warehouses, known for their painted signs reading “Cut Rate Box Co.” and “Welcome to Atlanta,” highly visible from MARTA trains traveling between downtown Atlanta and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

Phase I will convert the warehouses into 126 loft apartments and 16,000 square feet of commercial space geared toward local small businesses. It will also include 3,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space fronting the Oakland + Murphy Connector Trail, a 1.31-mile trail in design that will connect the Southwest Trail at Allene Avenue SW to the MARTA Oakland City station.

Sixty percent of the homes will be affordable to residents at 80 percent of Area Median Income (AMI), including 30 percent permanently affordable units, 5 percent at 60 percent of AMI and 25 percent at 80 percent of AMI. An additional 35 percent will remain at 80 percent of AMI for 20 years. A portion of the commercial spaces will also be offered at a 20 percent discount on market rents.

“As we continue making progress toward our affordable housing goal, already reaching 79 percent of that goal, projects like Oakland Exchange help preserve historic buildings while expanding affordability in neighborhoods adjacent to the Beltline,” said Clyde Higgs, president and CEO of Atlanta Beltline, Inc. “Urban Realty’s vision for the Cut Rate Box warehouses aligns with our long-term strategy to deliver affordable housing and commercial space and ensures as the 22-mile loop nears completion, residents and businesses continue to have access to affordability and opportunity along the Beltline.”

An artist rending of the Oakland Exchange (photo provided by Urban Realty Partners) 

The Beltline acquired the warehouses under the public-private agreement. Urban Realty Partners will complete development through a long-term ground lease using a mix of public and private financing, including a construction loan from Ameris Bank, state and federal historic tax credits from Enhanced Capital, the City of Atlanta’s GoATL fund, and a mezzanine loan from the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta. Additional support comes through the Beltline Tax Allocation District Increment Fund, made possible by Fulton County, Atlanta Public Schools, and the City of Atlanta.

“Urban Realty has been an active intown developer for years, and these historic warehouses are in an area that is seeing a wave of reinvestment after years of disinvestment,and keeping people in the community with affordable retail and housing is one of our biggest priorities,” said Mark Riley, managing partner of Urban Realty. “With the Beltline trail connecting more than 45 neighborhoods and master planning nearby Murphy Crossing, Oakland Exchange will contribute to the ongoing energy we’re seeing intown.”

Sean Donahue, development partner of Urban Realty, added, “These are some of the coolest buildings yet to be revitalized in the City of Atlanta. The oversized warehouse windows and heavy timber construction will truly differentiate the homes and commercial spaces from anything else in the market. Our future residents can also look forward to a unique indoor/outdoor rooftop amenity space with unobstructed views of Downtown. With immediate access to the Beltline and proximity to MARTA, the residents at Oakland Exchange will be just a few minutes walk or ride from jobs, groceries, schools, food and art along the Beltline.”

Kronberg Urbanists + Architects designed the project, Choate Construction Company is the general contractor, and LDG Consulting is construction manager. Packard Capital served as the land lender for Urban Realty’s assemblage.

Future phases are planned at 1066 Murphy Ave and 1135 Sylvan Road. The Beltline has acquired more than 80 acres of land along the trail in recent years to expand housing and commercial affordability, creating longer-term and deeper affordability for both residents and businesses.

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