A mixed-use project in Bankhead has reached its maximum height just ten months after breaking ground.
The City of Refuge Transformation Center—a multifunctional housing and support facility—hosted a ceremonial topping-out ceremony this week to mark this significant construction milestone.
This project features a unique architectural design characterized by archways, curving walls, and an abundance of windows.
Developed by nonprofit organization City of Refuge, the facility aims to provide a wide range of services—including affordable housing—within its three-story, 37,000-square-foot structure.
The goal of this initiative is to address gaps in wellness, economic, and health services in Bankhead and the surrounding neighborhoods.
The construction of the $15.2-million project began in July at 1343 Joseph E. Boone Boulevard, on a former American Legion lot.
Plans for the Development include 25 units of affordable housing designed for legacy residents.
Out of these, 13 units will be reserved for renters earning 30 percent of the area median income or below.
The mixed-income housing plan includes a variety of configurations, with a mix of two and three-bedroom apartments and one four-bedroom unit.
Rent for the 13 units designated for individuals at 30 percent AMI will range between $689 for a two-bedroom option (826 square feet) and $796 for three-bedroom apartments (up to 1,343 square feet), as outlined by Invest Atlanta.
Beyond the residential component, the building’s ground level will include 7,640 square feet of commercial and amenity space.
It is expected to feature a market or grocery store, a social club, a medical and mental health clinic, and a credit union.
Another vital part of the project is the Entrepreneurship Hub, which will offer classrooms, offices, and a lab intended to train 100 emerging entrepreneurs annually as a means of stimulating economic growth on the Westside.
The building will also provide various amenities including a community room, washer and dryer connections, and outdoor seating spaces.
Situated just two minutes from City of Refuge’s Westside campus, which serves as the organization’s headquarters, the Transformation Center is directly south of Westside Park.
It is also adjacent to The 345 project, which is a renovation of the abandoned, 1950s Danzig Hotel.
City of Refuge opened The 345 project in 2023, providing 31 units of supportive housing for men.
Currently, project officials indicate that the Transformation Center is on track for completion and is slated to open this fall.
This facility represents a crucial focus of City of Refuge’s “Breaking Barriers. Building Momentum.” capital campaign, which successfully surpassed its initial goal of $25 million, raising a total of $33 million over three years.
City of Refuge had previously completed a rental community in Atlanta called The 1300 in the summer of 2020.
Alongside GROWTH Homes, the agency has also recently constructed five new standalone houses for families close to its Joseph E. Boone Boulevard campus, with prices starting at $279,000.
A significant portion of funding for the Transformation Center came from donations, including $3 million from the Chick-fil-A Foundation and $2 million from the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta and TogetherATL to support affordable housing initiatives.
Additionally, the project secured a $3 million federal New Market Tax Credit through Atlanta Emerging Markets and Capital One, and Invest Atlanta also approved $2 million in funding via a Beltline TAD Increment Improvement Grant.
For further details and the latest renderings, readers can check the gallery available on the project’s website.
image source from：https://atlanta.urbanize.city/post/bankhead-mixed-use-city-refuge-transformation-center-tops-out
