How 725 Ponce is bringing high-rise development to the Atlanta Beltline

Across the Beltline from Ponce City Market, the rising 725 Ponce project is quickly changing the character of the Eastside Trail, and it’ll likely be a harbinger of other large-scale things to come.

Where there was once a one-story Kroger, six floors of concrete structure stand so far, creating a more urban feel along the trail. It’s easy to envision a day, not too far in the future, when the Beltline between Ralph McGill Boulevard and Ponce de Leon Avenue will be a canyon of eclectic architecture and vibrancy.

When complete, the 725 Ponce office tower project is slated to stand 12 stories—far taller than any other building immediately on the Beltline. At nearly $200 million, it marks the trail’s largest ground-up investment to date.

Construction on the tower launched at the end of 2016, with the demolition of Murder Kroger, which had stood on the site for decades. Work has come a long way since May, when the site was little more than a hole in the ground.

Michael Kahn, Curbed Atlanta

When complete early next year, the building will bring 360,000 square feet of loft office space, complete with an eighth floor terrace for workers. At the base, a new Kroger will face toward Ponce de Leon Avenue and the Beltline, while a large plaza and elevated gathering area—with a restaurant attached—will feed directly off the trail.

Designed by S9 Architecture, the building will feature large electronic blinds, which can be closed to make a sort of multi-story white screen; a projector below will show movies on this south-facing screen, visible to all Beltline patrons.

Speaking of, a short new section of the Eastside Trail will traverse North Avenue via a rehabbed bridge and run under a corner of the building before rejoining the existing path. (See image below for visual).

With development of North & Line, and ambitious plans unveiled for another New City project at the old Georgia Power marshaling yards, the Beltline’s most popular segment is really starting to fill out.

725 Ponce

• Photo update: Masquerade, Murder Kroger sites see construction progress [Curbed Atlanta]
• New renderings, video highlight Beltline connectivity at 725 Ponce [Curbed Atlanta]