There is a 12.5 acre lot on the corner of Northside Dr. and 17th St. next to the giant IKEA store that has sat empty for years. That will no longer be the case soon enough. Fuqua Development has bought the property and has announced plans for a moat of surface parking, dotted with a Kroger, Chipotle, other retail, and a five-story storage facility. The neighborhood is decidedly split on the announcement as the plans for it and especially the storage facility will wipe out one of the best views of the downtown skyline from existence. Construction has already begun and the clock is ticking.

The far side of the Fuqua property along Northside Dr. looking back towards the intersection with 17th St.

Clouds obscure the city’s skyline but you can definitely get a feel of the view as construction continues at the Fuqua property at 17th and Northside.

The Atlanta Water Works buildings can be seen across Northside Dr. from the new Fuqua project at the corner of 17th St.