Renovation icon, master carpenter and television personality Ty Pennington is making his mark on Atlanta in the form of a new building in the historic Castleberry Hill neighborhood. Along with his brother, Wynn Pennington, Ty has concepted The Otis Building, a mixed-use property that will include eight condominium units and two retail spaces. The team expects to break ground in January 2019, and the property is slated for completion in August of the same year.
The Pennington family has significant roots and history in Atlanta, but developing a project in the burgeoning downtown area adds another level of homecoming for the brothers. Wynn bought a building in Castleberry Hill in the 1980s and renovated additional properties in the neighborhood during its renaissance in the 1990s.
“The challenge was always preserving the history while making them cool and livable, which is the fun part,” says Ty. “The more you dig into the history of that area, it’s like an excavation. You find more and more that amazes you.”
Unlike the Penningtons’ previous work in the neighborhood, The Otis is new construction. While it offers modern, updated living, the large-scale building maintains the rustic feel of a warehouse loft in keeping with the recognizable Castleberry Hill aesthetic.
“There are a lot of rules and zoning ordinances on what kind of structures can be built in the area,” explains Ty. “This helps guide you to what’s appropriate for the neighborhood and fits the community’s needs.”
Located on Walker Street just steps from the district’s shops, restaurants and acclaimed art galleries, The Otis Building will include loft-style one- and two-bedroom residences with oversized windows and roof access providing a 360-degree view of the Atlanta skyline. On the lower level, a secured parking garage fills an important modern need, and retail spaces will benefit from the building’s curb appeal.
It was Lucas Carter, Ty’s real estate advisor and a sales associate realtor at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Buckhead, who had his eye out for suitable properties. The Otis Building took shape thanks to Trey Edwards of GP3 Construction Management and Brian Dillman, AIA, of Dillman Studio, with Lucas serving as the exclusive listing agent.
“I’m excited to be working with Lucas,” says Ty. “He’s been a long-time resident and believer in the unique diversity of the area. He’s aware of the market and understands the impact all the developmental projects in downtown are going to have.”
An urban community with an industrial history dating back to the 19th century, Castleberry Hill was once the purview of artists and innovators who converted empty warehouses and factories to lofts. With redevelopment initiated by the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, the area morphed quickly into a thriving arts district known for its gallery strolls, annual loft tour, year-round dining options and active neighborhood association. Throughout more than two decades of revitalization, Castleberry Hill has preserved its historic, industrial appearance. The new-construction Otis Building upholds this tradition.
“The building is designed to look just like one of the old warehouses that you would have seen in 1900 with modern luxury condos built inside it and two commercial storefronts,” says Lucas. The design will blend seamlessly with the existing structures.
Even while The Otis gets underway, developer Ty’s schedule includes coast-to-coast travel – he’s filming two television shows and writing a new book – making Lucas’s local support critical.
“It’s great working with an incredible team that have proven they respect and protect what is so historic about Atlanta communities and what is important about preserving those elements,” says Ty.
Stay up to date on The Otis Building’s progress at TheOtisBuilding.com.
