Heavy equipment is rolling into Atlanta’s West End as work begins on a $147 million student housing complex that aims to deliver nearly 800 beds for Morehouse and Spelman students. The 305-unit project at 850 West End Ave SW is being developed by Radnor Property Group in partnership with Madrone Community Development Foundation, with developers expecting to open the building for students in fall 2028 following a July 2026 ground start.
How the Deal Got Greenlit
In January the Development Authority of Fulton County signed off on a not-to-exceed $144.46 million inducement to back a roughly 450,000-square-foot plan at 850 West End Ave SW, then described as about 290 units and 800 beds, according to Develop Fulton. Local coverage linked the vote to fast-rising enrollment at the HBCUs and the schools’ decision to lean on a public-private partnership to expand near-campus housing options, with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reporting on the board meeting.
Financing Closed and the Build Team
Radnor Property Group said in a press release that financing closed July 1 after the sale of roughly $146.8 million in tax-exempt and taxable bonds issued by the Development Authority of Fulton County, and that construction commenced in July 2026. Industry coverage identifies Raymond James and Loop Capital Markets as underwriters and names a Clark Construction/CD Moody joint venture as construction manager with Moody Nolan as architect, as detailed by Multi-Housing News.
What Students Will Find Inside
Plans call for a mix of studio, one-, two- and four-bedroom apartment-style units, plus floor lounges, study spaces, fitness facilities, a rooftop terrace and a central green. Morehouse College and other filings say the project is expected to generate roughly 350 construction jobs and 14 permanent positions. Local reporting adds that the development team is targeting rents near $1,200 per bed, slightly below nearby off-campus options, according to the AJC.
A First-of-Its-Kind Partnership
Radnor has described the complex as a first-of-its-kind shared residential community for Morehouse and Spelman, intended to expand near-campus, relatively affordable housing choices while keeping core campus housing priorities in place, according to Radnor Property Group. College leaders have emphasized the project’s role in supporting student success as enrollment has climbed in recent years.
Timeline and What to Watch
Developers say the community is planned to be ready for students by fall 2028, with leasing and occupancy details expected as site work and permitting move forward. Local and trade outlets have tracked the financing close and early construction activity, including the Atlanta Business Chronicle.
For West End neighbors, the project promises construction jobs and a fresh residential presence along a corridor long tied to Atlanta’s HBCU campus life. Officials and developers say they want the building to mesh with the surrounding neighborhood rather than function as an isolated complex, although specific community benefits and leasing rules are expected to come into sharper focus as construction progresses.
