In an area of town developers are calling "Midtown South," ground has been broken on Seventh, the city's first condo project launched in several years, Atlanta INtown reports. The nine-story building at Peachtree and 7th streets was previously announced as apartments but later switched to for-sale units (averaging a sizable 2,000 square feet) to meet demand. Don't expect one bedrooms or studios at Seventh; developers Robin Loudermilk and Dwight Bell have said all units, including two penthouses, will have at least two bedrooms, with prices starting in the mid-$600,000s. Added perk: 4,700 square feet of retail on the ground floor, including the ever-busy Starbucks, which will be temporarily displaced. On the project's website, developers tease it like this: "Now, only a select few will own Midtown. We are pleased to announce 23 spectacular luxury residences and penthouses being offered in the epicenter of Midtown South."

In a move that hopefully sets a precedent, the Seventh project won't include a new surface parking lot for Midtown — or any new parking at all. Last month, a company spokesman told Creative Loafing a bridge at Seventh will connect it to the adjacent Viewpoint's parking deck, which Loudermilk also owns.

The site was formerly home to the century-old J.A. McCord Apartments, an ornate residential building designed by famed Atlanta architect Neel Reid. In a 2006 press release announcing ViewPoint, the 36-story tower next door, developer Novare seemed to recognize the significance of the Reid building, alleging the structure would be "preserved, converted into luxury residences and incorporated into the new development."

Those plans reportedly had to change. Loudermilk told CL last month the company tried to incorporate the Reid building into the design of Seventh, but no dice. "Unfortunately, the building's age and state of disrepair made that impossible," a Loudermilk spokesman said. "The building had become a fire and life safety hazard."

[Image courtesy of Lord Aeck Sargent Architecture]

· New condo building coming to Midtown [Atlanta INtown Paper]

· Midtown condos to rise on former site of charming 1920s apartment building [Creative Loafing]