Atlanta Approved Historic School Redevelopment

The city has finalized a deal to transform a 1932 school building into a mixed-use site.

Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Commercial

Screen-print poster illustration of a historic red-brick school building facade, emphasizing traditional architectural details and warm earthy tones. — Atlanta officials finalized a joint agreement to repurpose the historic 1932 Lakewood Heights Elementary school into a mixed-use residential and commercial property. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Atlanta Public Schools and Atlanta Urban Development have approved a redevelopment agreement for the Lakewood Heights Elementary School property. This project marks the first joint development agreement between the two entities.

Why it matters

The initiative aims to repurpose underused public property while maintaining long-term public ownership of the land. It focuses on adaptive reuse for a historic building within the Lakewood Heights Historic District.

The redevelopment encompasses 54,721 square feet of total space, split into 42,721 square feet of residential area and 12,000 square feet for commercial use. The project occupies a 2.15-acre site anchored by a school building originally constructed in 1932.

The players

Atlanta Public Schools

This is the primary public school district responsible for overseeing the educational facilities within the city of Atlanta.

Atlanta Urban Development

This organization manages municipal real estate initiatives and aims to redevelop underused public land for community benefit.

The details

The project will preserve the historic 1932 school building through adaptive reuse, converting the structure for modern residential and commercial functions. This collaboration represents the first formal joint development agreement between the school board and the urban development agency.

The school building was originally constructed in 1932.
The Atlanta Board of Education approved the ground lease on September 1, 2026.
The Atlanta Urban Development board approved the measure on September 24, 2026.
Construction is expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2027.

Roadmap

This project reflects a broader trend of repurposing aging institutional infrastructure into vibrant, mixed-use community hubs. By integrating residential and commercial spaces, the city is prioritizing density and historic preservation over the disposal of surplus public assets.

Residents of Lakewood Heights can expect the historic 1932 school site to evolve from an underused facility into an active residential and commercial space. This development will likely alter the local neighborhood landscape by introducing new housing and retail options to the historic district.

The takeaway

This project serves as a model for how cities can leverage underutilized assets to address housing and commercial needs. Residents interested in neighborhood development should monitor the project schedule as construction nears in late 2027.