Portman Holdings, the global real estate firm headed by Atlanta architect John Portman, has their eyes set on a prominent location on Atlanta's Eastside Beltline. They currently have a purchase contract for the block between Irwin, McGruder and Sampson streets from Morrison Properties. The site is occupied by a plethora of businesses like ATL favorite Atlanta Bicycle Barn. With this acquisition, businesses by Krog Street have quite the dilemma on their hands.
Portman is still considering what would be possible for the block. It could take upwards of a year and a half for the firm to start redevelopment, a process that could add new offices, apartments, hotel rooms or other uses to the Eastside Trail. Portman Holdings has purchased or acquired sites for more than $1 billion in development in metro Atlanta over the past two years, including downtown Atlanta’s Peachtree Center and Colony Square in Midtown.
As out city continues to grow & evolve, it is concerning to see how these developments can uproot local businesses that we've grown to love over the years.