Early 1900s church near Krog Street Market seeks new lease on lifeJosh GreenMon, 12/15/2025 - 17:23A recognizable, century-old structure in Old Fourth Ward once slated to become modernized offices is seeking another path toward resurrection. Marketed as a “true fixer-upper with enormous potential,” the wedge-shaped 597 Auburn Ave. former church dates to 1900 at one of Old Fourth Ward’s more architecturally eclectic intersections. As of early 2023, construction appeared imminent to convert the 2,700-square-foot building into offices and programming space for Remerge, a community nonprofit that serves Sweet Auburn, but those plans didn’t come to fruition. (Remerge operates both its community building and institute and studio in Sweet Auburn today.) Instead, the .083-acre property and its former sanctuary are now asking $700,000, as listed last week with Rachael Smith of Bolst Real Estate Atlanta.
The building’s recognizably wedged facade where Auburn Avenue meets Old Wheat Street. Invest Atlanta
Extent of the 3,615-square-foot property in question. Invest AtlantaThe building, located where Auburn Avenue meets Old Wheat Street, was previously rezoned to allow for commercial uses. LottaFrutta market’s colorful, original location is located across the street to the west. On another corner is the neighborhood’s iconic, Miami-inspired Wigwam condo complex, an Art Deco landmark.According to listings, the 597 Auburn Ave. building’s next chapter could entail “a creative redevelopment, a unique residential conversion, or [a project to restore] its historic charm.” Overall, it’s marketed as “a rare opportunity to shape a landmark property in one of Atlanta’s most sought-after neighborhoods.”All environmental and foundation remediation work has been completed, and architectural plans would be included in the sale, according to Bolst. Per plans that emerged in early 2023, Remerge had intended to use the building to expand its current operations and staff at 340 Auburn Ave.—its home base since 2018—where the agency has assisted thousands of families and businesses. The Syntony-designed renovation project was expected to cost $1.44 million overall. Invest Atlanta’s board approved $489,000 from the Eastside Tax Allocation District’s Community Empower Fund to assist, alongside $390,000 in philanthropic donations, among other funding, officials said at the time. 
Former plans for redevelopment that emerged in 2023 but didn’t materialize. Remerge, via Invest Atlanta; designs, Syntony Design
Conditions of the former sanctuary at 597 Auburn Ave. today. Bolst/GAMLSAccording to MARTA’s plans, the Atlanta Streetcar’s five-stop extension to the Beltline and Ponce City Market would pass directly in front of the Auburn Avenue building. City officials haven’t ruled out the streetcar line could one day travel that route, though plans for extending service into the Beltline corridor were canceled early this year. In the gallery above, find more context and a look back at previous plans for the Old Fourth Ward property. A full slate of interior photos is over here.**…**Follow us on social media:Twitter / Facebook/and now: Instagram • Old Fourth Ward news, discussion (Urbanize Atlanta)Tags597 Auburn Avenue NERemergeOffice SpaceSyntony DesignAdaptive-ReuseInvest AtlantaSweet AuburnEastside TAD GrantEastside TrailLottaFruttaCommunity Building StudioWomen’s Microentrepreneur Coaching ProgramAdaptive-Reuse DevelopmentBolstBolst BrokerageAtlanta ChurchesAdaptive-Reuse ProjectImages
The 597 Auburn Ave. building’s location, between the Connector and Eastside Trail. Google MapsExtent of the 3,615-square-foot property in question. Invest AtlantaThe building’s recognizably wedged facade where Auburn Avenue meets Old Wheat Street. Invest Atlanta
Remerge received a $50,000 Brownfields Grant from Invest Atlanta in 2022 to help with soil remediation for barium and lead contamination, officials previously said. Invest AtlantaConditions of the former sanctuary at 597 Auburn Ave. today. Bolst/GAMLS
Interior conditions at the former church as of 2023. Invest AtlantaFormer plans for redevelopment that emerged in 2023 but didn’t materialize. Remerge, via Invest Atlanta; designs, Syntony Design
Planned layout of the revised Auburn Avenue property, as of 2023. Remerge, via Invest Atlanta; designs, Syntony Design
Interior office layout once planned for Remerge. Remerge, via Invest Atlanta; designs, Syntony Design
Remerge’s designs for a patio space. Remerge, via Invest Atlanta; designs, Syntony Design
How a new mezzanine level would have functioned, per Remerge’s designs. Remerge, via Invest Atlanta; designs, Syntony DesignSubtitleFormer ministry is “rare opportunity” to reshape “landmark property in one of Atlanta’s most sought-after neighborhoods,” per sellersNeighborhoodOld Fourth WardBackground ImageImage
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