After sitting vacant for five decades, Atlanta’s historic Constitution building is finally getting a new purpose. Developer Gorman and Company has announced plans to turn the South Downtown structure into Folio House, a mixed-income housing project with dozens of affordable apartments. Construction begins Monday with hopes of completing the first phase before next summer’s FIFA World Cup.

Landmark Gets New Life

A neglected South Downtown building, once home to the Atlanta Constitution newspaper, is set for transformation. Developer Gorman and Company will convert the 1947 structure into Folio House, a new affordable housing community aimed at service workers and local residents.

Affordable Housing Plan

The project’s first phase involves converting the upper floors into 50 residential units. Out of those, 46 will be reserved for lower-income households, announced Joel Reed, Gorman’s southeast market president, during Thursday’s groundbreaking event.

Exterior and Ground Floor Revamp

Alongside the apartment conversions, the company will restore the historic façade and clean up the ground floor space. Construction officially kicks off Monday, with the team targeting completion before the FIFA World Cup arrives in Atlanta next summer.

History of the Building

Built in 1947, the five-story Art Moderne building was home to the Atlanta Constitution, which later merged to form the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Georgia Power briefly occupied the site before it was abandoned in the early 1970s and left empty for decades.

Challenges in Restoration

Remediation and abatement are the first priorities. “There’s a swimming pool in the basement,” joked Joel Reed. “It wasn’t meant to be a swimming pool, but there is a swimming pool in the basement.” He also noted the “green roof” with trees growing out of it will be removed.

City Leaders Back Project

Mayor Andre Dickens praised the project as a model for public-private partnerships. “These partnerships allow us to turn vacant and underutilized buildings into thriving community-serving spaces,” he said. “We are turning public assets into engines for equity and economic mobility.”

Bigger Plans for Downtown

The city plans to redevelop other nearby properties, including the 2 Peachtree skyscraper and land near City Hall, into affordable housing. South Downtown is also on track for billions in development and is expected to serve as a hub for World Cup festivities.