Story by: Olivia Williams
Tishman Speyer, the same development firm that built the Rockefeller Center in NYC, will soon become the majority owner of the West End Mall, according to the AJC.
The 8-figure deal is expected to close by the end of the year. Tishman plans on demolishing the current mall, and developing new shopping outlets, office spaces, and up to 1,000 new apartments and condos. If the deal checks out, demolition and construction would begin in 2022.
Ryan Gravel, the original creator of the Atlanta Beltline, announced last year that his firm would be leading the redevelopment of the West End Mall, but apparently their sale agreement fell through in the final hours.
However, Ryan is reportedly still a part of the purchasing group, and is said to be co-developing the new West End Mall alongside Tishman Speyer.
Last year, Ryan promised that his plans for the West End Mall would NOT include displacing longtime West End residents.
"[Our team] has a special interest in and connection to the proud history, culture, and community of West End," Ryan said in a statement last year. "We want to make sure the community’s history, culture, people and businesses are represented in every aspect of the project.”
With Ryan no longer leading this project, many community members are concerned that Tishman Speyer will destroy any hope of a redeveloped West End Mall that doesn't price out low-income Black residents. However, some remain hopeful that Ryan at least still being involved, means that affordable housing will be included in the redevelopment plans.
We'll have to wait and see.
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