Wellstar Health System announced Thursday morning that it is partnering with the Integral Group to redevelop the former hospital site on Boulevard in the spirit of implementing the land-use plan approved last month by the Atlanta City Council.
The conceptual plan, which includes housing, retail, greenspace with a health and wellness component, has also received support from Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens and various community groups.
“We will work closely with the City to build on its revitalization plan and bring to life our shared vision of a thriving, healthy addition to the Old Fourth Ward,” said Candice Saunders, president and CEO of Wellstar Health System.
The Integral Group, a national developer based in Atlanta and founded by Egbert Perry, got its start when it redeveloped Techwood Homes into Centennial Place, a mixed-income and mixed-use community. The company has been involved in community redevelopment projects throughout the country.
Atlanta Medical Center, which used to be a Trauma-one level hospital, was closed rather suddenly by Wellstar on Oct. 31, 2022. The City of Atlanta placed a zoning moratorium, which was renewed three times, on the property shortly thereafter. The last moratorium expired on Oct. 15.
“For nearly two years, our administration has worked with purpose and intent on a thoughtful plan for the next chapter for this property,” Dickens said in a statement. “Through direct engagement with the Old Fourth Ward and surrounding stakeholders, we now have an opportunity to create an inclusive, forward-looking and thriving new development that meets the community’s needs for affordable housing, green space and safe streets — while maintaining some medical use and retaining the neighborhood’s unique character.
“I appreciate Wellstar moving forward with this community-driven project while our Administration continues to explore options to meet the healthcare needs of residents on the Southside,” the mayor continued.
The vision for the 22-acre campus includes a vibrant, diverse mixed-use neighborhood with affordable housing, residential properties, community and public green space, neighborhood-level retail, new street access, commercial uses and health and well-being resources.
“At Integral, we believe that transforming a community requires more than just development — it requires a commitment to understanding and addressing the core needs of the people who live there,” said Perry, chairman of the Integral Group. “This project is a tremendous opportunity to create a lasting impact. It will honor the history of the area while shaping a vibrant, sustainable future.”
The nature of the health and well-being component will be determined in collaboration with community stakeholders as part of Integral’s comprehensive planning process and will include an in-depth analysis of the area’s healthcare needs.
Over the next few weeks, Integral will develop an implementation plan and engage with neighbors and community stakeholders to gather further feedback. The revitalization effort will take place in phases over several years, with community input at every stage. In response to the neighborhood’s desire to see progress quickly, Integral expects to apply for permits soon with the goal of beginning the demolition of certain aging structures in the first quarter of 2025.
“This is a long-awaited new beginning for the Old Fourth Ward community,” said Atlanta City Councilor Amir Farokhi. “These properties have enormous potential to meet our city’s and the neighborhood’s need for more dense, mixed-use development, including, hopefully, new housing.”
“The Old Fourth Ward sits at a crossroads of our city. This is a vital investment in the growth and advancement of this historic neighborhood for the betterment of all who live here,” said Tom Boyle, president of Old Fourth Ward Neighborhood Association. “We are ready to move ahead quickly with the next steps for this site and we are eager to work together throughout all phases of this project.”
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