On June 18th, Glenwood Parkwill celebrate a grand opening party. The new mixed-used community, located just south of I-20 in East Atlanta, was designed by Tunnell-Spangler-Walsh and Associates and was developed by Green Street Properties.

New style of urban living
Project boasts different mixed-use approach
H.M. Cauley
For the Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Thursday, May 19, 2005

By this time next month, residents of the planned community off Glenwood Avenue may well find themselves the center of attention. The long-awaited mixed-use complex of single-family houses, condominiums, townhouses, shops and restaurants is gearing up for a June 18 party to show off its urban style.

The project, the brainchild of former Mindspring guru Charles Brewer, recently signed its first food operations: Perk, a coffeehouse, and Babalu, a Cuban eatery with a Spanish-style tapas bar.

And it was also selected as the home of one of three Southern Living Idea Houses that feature state-of-the-art environmental design and construction. Tours of the house, expected to attract more than 30,000 visitors, also begin June 18 and run through Oct. 2.

“They were looking for something a bit edgier than their typical suburban projects,” said Walter Brown, vice president of Glenwood Park’s developer, Green Street Properties. “This is really the first city-type project they’ve done, but they had read about our project and liked the whole package. They also recognize that intown Atlanta is happening.”

When completed, Glenwood Park will spread about 350 residences, 20,000 square feet of office condos, 50,000 square feet of retail and several green spaces across more than 25 acres.

Already, more than 20 single-family homes and townhouses have been sold and about 80 percent of the condominiums are spoken for. Prices start in the $400,000s for the single-family homes, in the $170,000s for the condos and in the high $200,000s for the townhouses.

All homes meet the energy-efficiency and conservation guidelines of the Earthcraft building program.

The community’s mix of residential and commercial spaces appealed to restaurateur Hilton Joseph, who plans to open Babalu next month. The 103-seat space will have a full bar, sidewalk dining and a seafood-heavy menu.

“It’s probably the most beautiful urban design in Atlanta of late,” said Joseph, who lives in the Emory area. “There’s actually a neighborhood there to support the businesses. I’ve never seen anyone develop anything so thoughtfully.”

Dawn Porras and her husband, Al, plan to debut their second coffeehouse off the green at Glenwood Park. Perk will be the sister operation to Joe’s in East Atlanta and will specialize in ice cream, panini and coffee. “We’ve lived in this area for almost nine years, and we liked what they’re doing here,” Dawn Porras said. “They’re really trying to build a community without chains and big-box development.”

The shopping and dining options in Glenwood Park will also serve the broader community, which has been looking for more places to spend money closer to home.

“There are neighborhoods all around us that have been evolving for 10 years,” Brown said. “People in Ormewood Park, Grant Park and East Atlanta are hungry for more. And Glenwood Park is going to give them more options.”