A New Neighborhood for Atlanta: Star Metals Residences Usher in Millennial Influx
Oppenheim Architecture Launches a Fresh Way of Living with a Hint of History
Connecting the past with the present, the newly opened Star Metals Residences in Atlanta, Georgia applies award-winning firm Oppenheim Architecture’s signature “spirit of place” philosophy to the evolving urban environment. The Oppenheim team’s thoughtful approach to this development blends residences, community spaces, and retail to inject new energy into traditional multifamily living, with an additional office complex joining the development shortly. Through architectural innovation and a clarity of vision, Oppenheim Architecture has unlocked the potential of the Star Metals site, capturing the neighborhood’s distinct identity, honoring its history, and creating a comprehensive development to benefit occupants and the surrounding community alike.
“Star Metals Residences lay the foundation for a district that is shifting from industrial to residential at the heart of Atlanta,” explains Oppenheim Architecture Founder and Principal, Chad Oppenheim, FAIA. “In conjunction with the soon-to-launch Star Metals Offices, we view the project as an ecosystem of modern living unto itself. We were thrilled to honor its history and propel it into a new generation of success.”
The concept for Star Metals Residences is grounded in its neighborhood of West Midtown, Atlanta, a former industrial hub and current burgeoning mixed-use neighborhood. The area originally housed a rail yard and warehouses. With the help of Atlanta-native and Oppenheim Architecture Studio Leader Kevin Heidorn, the team immersed themselves in the site’s history to craft a plan for its adaptive reuse. The resulting Star Metals Residences establishes a powerful new identity with nods to its past. Industrial materials and techniques like a corrugated metal panel facade ignite striking new architectural forms, and textural details honor the materials and structures from which West Midtown sprung.
The team approached Star Metals Residences through the eyes of a hospitality project, working outside the typical framework of multi-family building and devising solutions appealing to the region’s young and creative audience. The final outcome proves that the strong sense of place established by the Oppenheim team’s design has both commercial and cultural advantages. The 9-story building, with 409 multi-family rental apartments, capitalizes on the neighborhood's influx of youthful energy through a series of socially targeted amenities including a rooftop pool and terrace, clubroom, lounge, bar, resident library, theater, bocce court, game room, fitness center, yoga studio, and community garden with greenhouse.
Ground floor retail provides residents access to additional future amenities and creates a walkable, community-oriented neighborhood. A central parking garage includes electric-car charging stations, bike storage, and resident storage units. The apartment units feature modern appliances, private balconies, and large windows.
Star Metals is Oppenheim Architecture’s first project with respected developer The Allen Morris Company, with additional collaborations already in the works. It is also the first Atlanta-based project for both teams.
Team:
Oppenheim Architecture, Design Architect: Chad Oppenheim, FAIA, Kevin Heidorn, Alex Lozano, Liduam Pong
Architect of Record & Interior Design: Dwell Design Studio
Interior Design: Square Feet Studio
Retail Lease Administration: Jones Lang LaSalle
