50 Story Office Tower Proposed for Sandy Springs (Atlanta, Dunwoody: real estate, 2014)

[jsvh]

Developer proposing 50-story office tower, 500 apartments in Sandy Springs - Reporter Newspapers

A Texas-based real estate developer seeks zoning that would allow it to build 500 new apartment units in Sandy Springs and a 50-story office building critics say would become the tallest building outside Atlanta’s Perimeter highway.

John Heagy, senior managing director of Hines, the development company, says “the fact is, this is not just one building. It’s a village of buildings that we’re seeking final approval on.”

Hines goes before Sandy Springs City Council on July 15 for a zoning change for its Northpark 100 development. The company wants to rezone the area at Peachtree Dunwoody and Abernathy roads from office to mixed use. That action would clear the way to add apartments to a development with an office tower and hotel and retail space.

While city staff has given its blessing for the project with some conditions, some neighbors worry the project will bring too much density and generate too many car trips in the area.

“This exception to traditional zoning would be 16 stories taller than the King and Queen buildings, and would become the tallest suburban skyscraper in America at an intersection that already struggles mightily with traffic,” resident Brian Eufinger said in a letter to the Reporter Newspapers editor.

“If approved, these buildings would bring 15,000 more cars down Mount Vernon, Peachtree Dunwoody, Barfield and other roads every day. Plus, the addition of 500 more apartments could severely impact local school capacity.”

The zoning would also establish a precedent for taller buildings at a time when other properties in the Perimeter area also may seek rezoning, he said.

But Heagy says residents shouldn’t focus only on traffic, and that the site will eventually become a major hub for the area. “Don’t just focus on traffic counts,” Heagy said. “Think how it will be used five years from now, 10 years from now, 20 years from now.”

Heagy said while no major tenants have been nailed down, he’s optimistic. “I do think as the market continues to tighten up, alternatives for bigger companies become fewer and fewer and fewer,” he said.
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[arjay57]

The folks in Sandy Springs are going to get hammered with traffic.

[jsvh]

It would be the largest suburban tower if built. But I will be interested to see how it all works out given that office construction has been slow to return and they have signed no major tenants yet.

[DawgPark]

Originally Posted by arjay57

The folks in Sandy Springs are going to get hammered with traffic.

Or a new rail line from Medical Center across 285 into Sandy Springs. B2R would know the logistics and possibilities on that better than me, but if you start seeing 50-story towers, that type of density could surely support rail.

[erick295]

Originally Posted by DawgPark

Or a new rail line from Medical Center across 285 into Sandy Springs. B2R would know the logistics and possibilities on that better than me, but if you start seeing 50-story towers, that type of density could surely support rail.

That site is literally on top of the Sandy Springs MARTA station.

[AtlantaComment]

yeah really couldnt be any closer to MARTA.

[Newsboy]

A 50-story speculative office tower? Yeah right ... In your dreams, Bud.

[arjay57]

I predict they will be all right. You get a bunch of old boys from Texas and the Perimeter together and they will flat take care of business.

[erick295]

Originally Posted by Newsboy

A 50-story speculative office tower? Yeah right ... In your dreams, Bud.

It's not as crazy as it sounds. Cox is finishing up a rather large tower right now, and State Farm has just started on a new one. Granted, those are being built by the companies that will occupy them, but there's a clear demand for office space in that area right now (particularly the transit-oriented type). I believe the vacancy rates around there are some of the lowest in the metro.

It's speculative for sure, but I can see it happening.

[magnetar]

For all those who still believe MARTA equals crime, here's your evidence that MARTA equals development. There's a reason you're seeing skyscrapers proposed for Sandy Springs and Dunwoody and not Cumberland.