[UPDATE] Developers Break Ground on New Mixed Use Development Near Sagamore Hills

Those traveling the busy intersection of Briarcliff and Clairmont Roads in recent days were greeted with a vastly different landscape.  Following the dismantling and removal of a landmark billboard at the corner weeks ago, a series of largely abandoned structures were in recent days demolished to make way for a new mixed-use development.  "Lumen Briarcliff" will rise on the roughly 3.85 acre site (3070 Briarcliff Road) and will bring with it hundreds of "luxury" apartments as well as new retail space. 

ToNeTo Atlanta readers will recall that there was an earlier attempt by Atlanta developer Jay Gipson of The Gipson Company to turn the properties into a RaceTrac, Wendy's and Express Oil Change & Tune-Up Clinic and to have the properties annexed into the City of Brookhaven.  Those plans were abandoned in 2018 after which Atlanta-based Stein Investment Group (SIG) acquired the assemblage in 2020.  (SIG reportedly has no plans to seek City of Brookhaven annexation.) 

Known primarily for their development - and later disposition - of dozens of self storage facilities under "The Space Shop" banner, SIG has in recent years also been an active player in other commercial developments.     

In 2018, SIG became a development partner in Westside Village in Atlanta's burgeoning Upper Westside. The project, located along Marietta Boulevard, saw the relocation of Ted's Montana Grill from Peachtree Street, the introduction of The Woodall, an upscale concept from the owners of Marlow's Tavern, and Juniper Cafe, a new restaurant from the team behind Lazy Betty.  The project also includes a Chase Bank, Dunkin' and Clean Juice, among other tenants.  

At Clairmont & Briarcliff, SIG partnered with Atlantic Residential for the multifamily component of the project.  "Lumen Briarcliff," the name of the planned multifamily community, will feature 264 "luxury" apartments along with about 4,000 square feet of ground floor small shop space that could include one fast casual restaurant.  The hard corner of Briarcliff and Clairmont will feature one freestanding restaurant that will span 4,000 square feet and include a rooftop patio.  Sources close to SIG indicate that the firm is seeing robust interest in the standalone restaurant space and intends to be highly selective in choosing the concept that best suits the neighborhood.  

Speaking of the neighborhood, SIG was reportedly incredibly interested in engaging with the residents of Riviera Terrace, a condo complex adjacent to the new project.  As part of the development, access to the existing complex will be improved and ten foot sidewalks will be installed along Clairmont Road, as well as other streetscape enhancements.  

In addition to the Lumen Briarcliff project, SIG and Atlantic Residential are also partnering on Lumen Chamblee near Southbound restaurant in Chamblee.  Located at 2175 American Industrial Way,  Lumen Chamblee recently broke ground and will deliver 318 apartments, 4,700 square feet of retail space, and a 500-space parking deck.  

Atlantic has several other projects in development around metro Atlanta, perhaps none as highly anticipated as the redevelopment of the "blighted" East Cobb shopping center Sprayberry Crossing.  Here, without SIG's involvement, Atlantic plans to deliver 132 flats for active adults (55+), 102 for-sale townhomes and 30,000 square feet of commercial space.  

Plans call for Lumen Briarcliff to be completed in late 2023 and for redevelopment of Williamsburg Village (across the street), which SIG acquired in 2018 and where the firm plans to add residential, to start at around the same time.  

Are you excited for the upcoming debut of Lumen Briarcliff? What type of restaurant would you most like to see open at Lumen Briarcliff?  What kinds of tenants would you like to see open in Williamsburg Village?

Please share your thoughts below.