Two-story Grant Park loft in historic building oozes soul for $450K

With its long, inglorious history of bulldozer cowboys, Atlanta isn’t exactly overwhelmed with authentic loft residences, but this two-story offering at the historic Crown Candy building certainly qualifies.

Built in the early 1900s, the unsung Grant Park landmark—a block north of present-day Memorial Drive, just west of Oakland Cemetery—was used by the Crown Candy Corporation to whip up fudge and peanut bars from 1936 until the company left in 1971.

Twenty-one lofts were built within Crown Candy’s old walls in 1999, around the time the massive Fulton Bag and Cotton Mill was being transformed into condos on the opposite side of the cemetery.

It’s not every day these lofts become available.

Described as “a beautiful blend of modern chic and urban,” this stylishly appointed, 1,808-square-foot unit presents the rare case where exposed ductwork looks natural, not forced. (The same might not be said for intentionally mismatched barstools).

The basics: two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and access to one (communal?) rooftop deck. The price: $450,000.

Perks include the exceptionally large main living area, which connects via the kitchen to an exceptionally large (8 by 10 feet) pantry with custom shelving. Meanwhile, the versatile downstairs barn door can double as an art gallery wall. Upstairs, the inimitable beamed ceilings and original industrial windows of the loft level are aesthetically wonderful.

The property counts easy walkability to King Memorial MARTA Station and a 69 WalkScore that’ll probably strengthen as Memorial Drive’s resurrection unveils one new attraction after the next.

• 320 Martin Luther King Jr Drive Unit 2 [Keller Williams Atlanta Midtown]