First, you’ll have to check out this link:
http://www.acwortholdmill.com/january.htm
These are my business partners (I’m their finance guy on their other projects, they’re building this one out of their pockets), who are turning an old mill in a rapidly changing, historic Atlanta suburb into a restaurant. As you can see from the movie, they dug it out, poured new footings inside the 150-year-old building, and hung steel. The roof trusses topped out last Friday, but the photos aren’t up yet. The old brick facade will, of course, be tied back to the steel.
The area (as in, within 2 blocks) already boasts 3 “50 best of Atlanta” restaurants (a French, a Cajun and an Italian place) as well as a couple of good sandwich shops. The old mill restaurant promises to be something interesting, since the 3-story interior will be so high and open.
So what do you builders think?
Jay
Replies
I like it. I'm sure it would have been cheaper to build new, but wouldn't have the look.
You're fortunate to be in an area that can support spending those $$ on such a project.
Scott
Re: cheaper to tear down. On that, you're exactly right. But the developer, Tommy - who is also my neighbor, friend, business partner in some matters, ersatz uncle to my daughter, etc. - owns a 112 year old home (my home is 115 and was built by the brother of the guy who built Tommy's). He's big on practical preservation and a bunch of folks have been working on plans to save the old mill for a decade. Tommy and Chris (developer and builder, respectively) found a way.
As for the piers, yep they're under that huge pour. Off the top of my head, I don't remember how deep Chris said they were, but it was d-e-e-p. The terrifying moments were when the crane was taking those steel uprights over the wall. You know, one little bump with those beams as they went over the wall and the guys would have one huge pile of rubble.
Out of their minds? Yeah, probably so. But d@mn if it isn't going to be something to see when its done. FYI, on the south side of the building - where the chimney is and will remain - they're rebuilding the old structure there. You can see where it once attached in some of the photos. They've found a close-as-you-can-get match for the brick. There will also be patio seating on the opposite side - you can kind of see the architects rendition in one of the photos that shows the "coming soon" sign.
And, since we're on the subject, because the owners are builders, they have hired professionals to develop the menu and run the restaurant.
The web site should be updated soon with photos from the topping out last week.
Jay
I noticed the big cement pour they did , its tough doing a cement pour with one sided walls i know they had their work cut out for them. I saw a machine working inside the building prior to the pour but you did`nt show any pictures of the concrete pier that would need to be below those huge steel columns..... i did see some bolts coming out of the new cement floor for the steel columns so i`m assuming thats all taken care of.
You're out of your mind. I love it!! I just bid on a field stone mill building that I'm gonna rehab into a retail below/apts above. Not sure if I'll be ok if I'm high bidder; but the journey will be fun.
What neighborhood is it in? I want to look for it next time I'm in Atlanta.
Its in old town Acworth in the NW 'burbs. Straight up I-75. Avoid the "new" Acworth out on Hway 41 with more big boxes than you'd care to imagine. Come intown, see the historic homes, buildings, restaurants and lake.
Jay
Thanks! Not sure exactly when we will be there again, but I'll make sure to check it out. Downtown, where our conferences always are, is dead after 5:00.