Did you know that this building before you once hummed with the creation of telephones? Welcome to the Telephone Factory Lofts. It stands as a testament to Atlanta’s industrial past.
Originally built in 1938, this was the Western Electric Company Building. The Telephone Factory Lofts manufactured and repaired phones. These phones and switchboard systems were rented to Bell System customers.
Notice the Art Deco tower marking the main entrance. It rises 75 feet high. The architect was Walter R. Kattelle.
The Western Electric Building is an excellent example of twentieth-century industrial architecture. The facade emphasizes vertical lines. The design incorporates rectilinear patterns.
Take a look at the four-story main building. It formerly housed the factory floor. It also held offices and a cafeteria. The single-story building was once a warehouse. It served as the shipping and receiving area.
The Telephone Factory Lofts’ transformation is quite remarkable. In 1995, developers saw its potential. Rhodes and David Perdue decided to convert the building into lofts.
The Atlanta Development Authority played a role. They provided bond financing for the project. A condition was set. One-fifth of the units had to be affordable. These units were for people earning 50% of the area median income or less. That was $25,000 per year at the time.
The Telephone Factory Lofts opened as residential spaces in 1996. For fifteen years, the lofts were offered at inexpensive prices. Artists, writers, and designers found a home here.
However, things changed in 2011. The affordable housing program ended. Units transitioned to market rates. Occupants had to sign new contracts at much higher prices if they wished to stay.
Today, the Telephone Factory Lofts houses 66 loft units. These range from 750 to 10,000 square feet. The Telephone Factory Lofts is now a mixed-use building along the BeltLine trail.
The Telephone Factory Lofts is more than just apartments. It represents Atlanta’s history. It is a reminder of the city’s industrial roots. It is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.