2M-SF City Hall East Building Could Be Headed For Market

ATLANTA-It could become the metro area’s largest office deal in history–the sale of the two million-sf City Hall East building on Ponce de Leon Avenue now housing various city department offices.

Downtown area office brokers and representatives in Mayor Shirley Franklin’s office confirm to GlobeSt.com the mayor is listening to various proposals by developers for the redevelopment of the three-wing former Sears & Roebuck warehouse-distribution center and the subsequent relocation of city offices from that structure to a more central location.

Area brokers tell GlobeSt.com the city has set no time frame for selling the property.

The city has owned the 77-year-old building since 1991. The Atlanta Urban Design Commission confirms the structure was originally built along Ponce de Leon Avenue in 1926; increased in size in 1929; and added new sections in 1946 and 1971.

Brokers and landscape professionals tell GlobeSt.com the redevelopment of the City Hall East property could spur a redesign of Ponce de Leon and North Avenues to make them more attractive commercial and residential corridors.

The city has been discussing the return of street cars to Peachtree Street and possibly Ponce de Leon, an amenity that would transform the Ponce district, along with bicycle paths, parks and lakes. City Hall East also sits along the Decatur Belt Line, the former service railroad owned by Norfolk Southern.

Brokers say another previously discussed amenity proposed by the city council is an intown transit line that would use railroad right-of-way land around the central city, which would instantly boost the value of the redeveloped property for new businesses and residents.