Atlanta churches are entering the real estate and development game more and more these days.
As developers crave intown parcels, an array of ideally located religious institutions have sold land (with their cathedrals sometimes included), or contemplated doing so, cashing in on prime real estate.
The latest church considering a sale is the historic Rock Spring Presbyterian Church, a prominent and beautiful building just off Piedmont Avenue in Morningside. Land across the street was recently developed into Modera Morningside, with more units coming.
Spurred by the building boom in the neighborhood, the church is exploring the possibility of selling a portion of its five-acre site to Hedgewood Properties, according to the Atlanta Business Chronicle.
As the proposal stands, the project could bring 22 homes to the church property, with access via a shared driveway on Piedmont Avenue and a new driveway along Allen Road. The congregation is scheduled to mull its options in a little over a week.
If the sale goes through, it would mirror the recent decision by Druid Hills United Methodist Church to sell off land for private residential development. If it doesn’t, it would echo the recent decision of Wieuca Road Baptist Church to keep its holdings in Buckhead.
Either way, it doesn’t look as though there’s any chance the sanctuary — built in 1923 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places — is in danger.
At least three churches have fallen, or are slated to be lost, to development including Friendship Baptist Church and Mount Vernon Baptist Church, which were demolished for the construction of Mercedes-Benz Stadium. And on the north side, Christian Church of Buckhead is planned to be replaced by high-rise residential.
Hail to the almighty dollar!
- Historic Atlanta church looking at selling property [Atlanta Business Chronicle]
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