Small Midtown Conversions Buck Big Building Trend

While it seems a new high-rise tower is announced in Midtown every week — including a proposal for the city’s second-tallest tower — there is another, smaller development movement afoot.

Atlanta-based Payscape is planning to move into a 40,000-square-foot office building on West Peachtree Street near its northern terminus with Peachtree Street. But rather than a new building or sleek high-rise, plans call for them to take over what is currently a drab midcentury office, designed to look like a classical home from the front.

But before that happens, as the Atlanta Business Chronicle notes, the building is slated for a major overhaul.

Google Maps

And it’s not the only small office building in Midtown where that’s happening. Parkside Partners, the developer behind the Payscape building, has no less than five similar small repurposing projects in and around Atlanta.

Just down the street, plans call for the firm to transform a dated three-story office building across from Arts Center Station into "16th Station" — sleek and sexy loft offices.

Parkside Partners

Between the two projects, however, buildings of the same vintage are falling for more density. It'll be interesting to see if these office conversions are placeholders for something bigger in the long run — or the final, best use of these small Midtown lots.

• How old buildings are attracting young talent [ABC]
• 1438 West Peachtree [Parkside Partners]
• Midtown Development Map: Summer 2016 Edition [Curbed]
• First Look: Boutique Offices Planned for Midtown Corner [Curbed]