Project Spotlight: Loria Ansley

Along Peachtree Street, where the vibrant pulse of Midtown Atlanta meets the leafy calm of Ansley Park, Loria Ansley brings together culture, nature, and community in a vertical living experience designed to connect. On a 1.74-acre site, this 28-story high-rise includes 350 apartment units, space for a future restaurant, and an integrated coffee shop that opens directly onto a public-facing plaza. With walkable access to the Arts Center MARTA Station and close proximity to Atlanta’s cultural institutions, the location supports a lifestyle ideal for everyone from young professionals to empty nesters. Designed by Niles Bolton Associates (NBA), with development led by Capital City Real Estate, Atlantic Residential, Fides Development, and capital partner Mitsui Fudosan America, the building offers a thoughtfully integrated mix of public and private spaces at the intersection of two distinct neighborhoods.

“The client’s goal was always to create an elevated experience,” says Andres Rubio, AIA, Principal at NBA. “They wanted something that physically and culturally connected the Atlanta Arts District with historic Ansley Park.” From the beginning, the project was conceived as more than a place to live—it was meant to foster connectivity through thoughtful design, community access, and a layered architectural response to its surroundings.

*All photos by Garey Gomez unless otherwise noted.*

The building’s form reflects its place within the arts corridor. Just to the south is the High Museum of Art, known for its refined geometry; to the north, SCAD Atlanta’s expressive “Forty” campus. These influences come together on Loria Ansley’s Peachtree-facing façade, where a bold, dark base of gray metal panels and glass is overlaid with a striking white checkerboard grid of metal cladding. The pattern hangs like a curtain across the structure, creating contrast and visual depth. Alternating sunrooms and balconies give the grid texture and rhythm, while changing materials—metal, glass, and EIFS—add layers of light and shadow.

Exterior lighting, designed by Morgan Gabler, elevates the checkerboard effect after dark, highlighting key architectural moments and amplifying the building’s nighttime presence along Peachtree.

“We saw this project as a conversation in architecture. The checkerboard grid was our way of weaving together art, structure, and community.”

— Daniel Schlossberg, AIA

On the ground floor, zoning required a 50-foot setback from Peachtree Street. Instead of defaulting to an oversized sidewalk, the team created a 40-foot public plaza—a generous forecourt that invites the public into the restaurant, coffee shop, and building lobby. “The building isn’t meant to be insular,” says Rubio. “It’s a front porch for the neighborhood.”

That sense of openness was supported by the site’s natural topography, which allowed the design team to hide parking below grade. Unlike many towers where parking dominates the base, Loria Ansley’s ground level is active and pedestrian-friendly, strengthening its connection to the city. A rideshare pick-up and delivery drop-off area was cleverly tucked out of view beneath the building, maintaining a clean streetscape while supporting modern urban living.

At the rear of the building, the design responds to a very different kind of constraint. A transitional height plane—mandated to protect views and daylight for neighboring Ansley Park—required the building to step down in tiers. Instead of resisting it, the team embraced the stair-stepped form, transforming what could have been a zoning challenge into a defining architectural move.

"The terraces created by the stair-steps were initially a response to zoning," says Schlossberg, "but they became a real opportunity to offer something special. Eight oversized terraces afford breathtaking views and outdoor spaces unmatched in the Midtown market."

Technically, the stepped design brought significant complexity. Every third unit stack rotates 90 degrees to maximize each individual unit’s view, creating mechanical and structural challenges, particularly around plumbing and HVAC. Weekly coordination meetings with engineers, contractors, and consultants were key to managing these intricacies. “This is where collaboration made the difference,” Schlossberg adds. “We coordinated closely with engineers and contractors through weekly meetings to get it right."

The rear elevation features a muted color palette that harmonizes with the adjacent tree canopy, reinforcing the project’s connection to nature. From this perspective, residents enjoy a sixth-level amenity deck that feels like an urban oasis. Features include a resort-style pool, pickleball court (yes, there’s a resident league!), firepits, grilling stations, and lounge cabanas—all perched above the city with panoramic views of Ansley Park.

The visual language from the exterior continues indoors, where the design balances the energy of urban life with Atlanta’s identity as a “city in a forest.” Warm wood portals echo the geometry of the facade, guiding residents through interior spaces and framing key views. An organic palette shifts from darker, grounded tones at the base to lighter, airier colors at the top. Velvet, leather, and natural woods are balanced by clean lines and linear lighting to maintain a sophisticated, modern atmosphere.

Director of Interior Design, Melissa Borrmann, NCIDQ, describes how the team “wanted the colors to mirror the progression from ground to sky. It’s subtle but reinforces the building’s connection to its setting.”

A sculptural light fixture acts as the focal point in the multi-level lobby. Visible from outside, the piece connects the building vertically and serves as a visual anchor. Amenities are organized in layers to support movement and interaction: the leasing offices, coffee shop, wine bar, fitness center, coworking areas, lounges, private offices, and a grab-and-go market are all connected by a series of stairs and a skybridge. Moving up the building, amenities on the 28th floor allow the best views to be enjoyed by all residents. "The skylounge with indoor/outdoor lounge seating, gaming, and private dining is one of my favorite spaces," says Borrmann. "With panoramic views from Buckhead to Midtown, it’s social, flexible, and frames the city in a really special way.”

Inside the units, two distinct finish packages appeal to a broad audience—one bold and masculine, the other light and airy—while maintaining high-end, minimalistic interiors. Clean lines, upgraded lighting, and quality materials ensure the focus remains on maximizing functionality of the space and capitalizing on views.

One of the most innovative features that has been wildly successful is the integration of sunrooms in select units. Inspired by traditional Atlanta homes with deep lawns, these spaces were introduced in the design process during the COVID-19 pandemic to offer flexible, multifunctional rooms. Positioned on the Peachtree-facing facade, they enhance the checkerboard grid while offering functional options for remote work, play, or relaxation. "Residents have turned these spaces into nurseries, gaming rooms, home offices, even pet lounges," says Schlossberg. "It’s about livability and adaptability."

Throughout the project, the concept of “portals” unifies architecture and interiors, reinforcing the grid and creating seamless visual connections. The curated art program—developed in partnership with Amy Parry—features custom pieces from local artists, including a mural by Christina Kwan, further grounding the building in its cultural context.

“This project was all about duality, urban and natural, bold and welcoming, artistic and functional. We worked hard to strike that balance, and the result is something truly special for the city.”

— Andres Rubio-Pera, AIA, LEED AP

From its checkerboard grid inspired by Atlanta’s cultural landmarks to its stair-stepped terraces overlooking the tree canopy of Ansley Park, Loria Ansley is a masterclass in balancing art, architecture, and livability. Every detail—from the sculptural light fixture in the lobby to the layered amenity experience and adaptable sunrooms—was designed to support a modern, connected lifestyle. The project’s success is rooted in thoughtful planning, interdisciplinary collaboration, and a commitment to creating spaces that are as welcoming as they are well-crafted. With its pedestrian-friendly plaza, skyline views, and design that bridges two of Atlanta’s most distinctive neighborhoods, Loria Ansley redefines what it means to live well in the city—and stands as a symbol of where Atlanta is headed: upward, outward, and artfully forward.