On Atlanta’s Westside, steel and framing are climbing out of the ground at The Hamilton, a new affordable housing community replacing the long-deteriorated Seven Courts apartments at 2800 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive SW. Developers say the project will bring nearly 200 income-restricted rental homes within walking distance of MARTA’s Hamilton E. Holmes station.
Project at a Glance
Plans call for The Hamilton to span about 228,690 square feet with 192 apartments spread across seven new buildings, plus a clubhouse, playground, covered pavilion, computer center and resident gym. The mix will range from one- to four-bedroom rentals, which developers note is a relative rarity in recent new construction. All homes are slated to be reserved for households earning between 30 and 80 percent of the area median income. Specific rents have not been released yet, and construction is expected to wrap in September 2027, as reported by Urbanize Atlanta.
What It Replaces
The Hamilton is rising on the footprint of Seven Courts, a 1960s garden-style complex that contained roughly 171 units and that developers have described as unrecoverable after years of decline. Public property records for 2800 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive SW list the previous community as a mid-1960s build with 171 units, per LoopNet. Demolition of the old buildings began in mid-2025, when the property was being marketed under the working name "Auburn Square," according to a developer announcement reported by Metro Atlanta CEO.
Who Is Building It
J.M. Wilkerson Construction is serving as general contractor, bringing a long track record of multi-family and renovation projects across Atlanta to the table. That experience suggests familiarity with the regulations and delivery challenges tied to tax-credit and Georgia Department of Community Affairs-style affordable housing work. Examples of comparable projects are highlighted in J.M. Wilkerson Construction’s portfolio, according to J.M. Wilkerson Construction.
Why It Matters
Developers say the Paces Preservation Partners effort, a collaboration between The Paces Foundation and Soho Housing Partners, is intended to both replace substandard housing and modestly increase the number of affordable homes on the site. The development team has cited support from the Georgia Department of Community Affairs and Invest Atlanta and estimates that the new construction will raise the parcel’s affordable unit count by roughly 12 percent, as outlined in a developer release via EIN Presswire.
Timeline and What Comes Next
Work is underway and the contractor has construction completion targeted for September 2027, with leasing information expected to roll out as individual buildings are finished. So far, developers and city agencies have not published a detailed rent schedule or public information on any relocation assistance for former residents. Neighbors and housing advocates are expected to track permits and lease announcements as the project moves forward, as reported by Urbanize Atlanta.
