Part of Ponce de Leon Avenue in Virginia-Highland is about to get a major makeover now that Selig Enterprises’ proposed development is making its way through the City of Atlanta’s approval process.
Selig announced in February its plan to redevelop 1.75 acres directly across from Hotel Clermont. The block sits between Bonaventure Avenue and Ponce de Leon, most of which has been owned by the commercial real estate giant for 60 years.
The block was home to food-and-beverage businesses including China Dragon, Gusto!, the original Honey Bubble Tea, and iconic breakfast spot Java Jive, which closed after more than 30 years in 2024.
Currently zoned for commercial land use, Selig’s attorney Jessica Hill appeared before the Zoning Review Board on Aug, 6 asking for a zoning change from C-1 (Commercial) to MRC-3 (Mixed Residential Commercial). ZRB approved the change with conditions, the same as NPU-F and city staff.
Hill said in working with Virginia-Highland neighbors, the concerns were “predominantly around traffic.” Hill said a traffic study was completed at the request of the Virginia Highland planning committee.
Selig is planning to build 375 multifamily rental units and 10,000 square feet of sidewalk-level commercial space. The 13-story building would step down to nine stories and feature a greenspace buffer where it backs up to single-family homes on Maiden Lane.
