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Photos: Touring Spoke, MARTA’s first foray into transit-connected development

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In MARTA’s quest to erase half-empty parking lots, apartment move-ins have begun

A photo of a two-bedroom model at MARTA’s new Spoke in Edgewood.
A two-bedroom model at MARTA’s new Spoke in Edgewood.
Photos: Jonathan Phillips, Curbed Atlanta

MARTA’s quest to swap ghost-town parking lots with mixed-use hives is roaring ahead, and the first example of such transit-oriented development to break ground is now welcoming residents.

Positioned next to MARTA’s Blue and Green Lines, at the doorstep of the Edgewood-Candler Park station, the 200 apartments at phase-one Spoke represent a partnership with Invest Atlanta and Columbia Ventures.

From the facade to the rooftop living wall, the project isn’t exactly cookie-cutter

MARTA’s Lindbergh Station, next to the agency’s headquarters, is another example of mixed-use melding with Atlanta transit from an earlier era.

But Spoke marks MARTA’s first TOD with a stated mission of erasing underutilized parking while providing needed housing. Of 25,000 parking spaces at all MARTA stations, less than half are actually used, officials have said.

The current project will feature 10 percent affordable housing, while the next phase will reserve 20 percent, per MARTA.

Otherwise, 488-square-foot studios begin at $1,185 per month. Larger two-bedrooms can be had for $1,800 monthly. Current offers include a month’s free rent.

Following the apartments, phase one plans call for a neighborhood park, local restaurant, and a Perkins + Will-designed headquarters and performing arts center for a local youth development organization. Future phases next door could include additional housing and commercial uses.

Have a look at what’s taken the place of a prominent but usually empty parking lot:

Finishing touches are being applied to phase one of Spoke, MARTA’s new TOD project, on La France Street in Edgewood. The entrance to the five-story, contemporary-style apartment building stands next door to the Edgewood-Candler Park MARTA Station.
Photos: Jonathan Phillips, Curbed Atlanta
After entering Spoke, residents are greeted with artwork and a shipping container bar area. As of a couple of weeks ago, some common areas were still works in progress.
The future fitness center at Spoke.
The courtyard at Spoke, where construction is continuing on the pool and outdoor patio areas.
The fifth-floor Sky Bar community area includes indoor and outdoor entertaining space.
The outdoor Sky Deck complete with room to lounge and living wall.
The view from the Sky Deck overlooking Whitefoord Avenue, DeKalb Avenue, and the MARTA tracks. Downtown, Midtown, and even Buckhead jut up in the distance. Obviously, it doesn’t get much more transit-connected than this. At left is a new townhome community called The Whitefoord.
Lastly, have a look around Spoke’s one and two-bedroom model units.
How phase one meets La France Street.
Columbia Ventures