National Church Residences to Renovate 661 Senior Affordable Housing Apartments in Metro Atlanta

National Church Residences is planning to renovate and preserve six affordable senior housing communities totaling 661 units in metro Atlanta in 2021. The communities which will undergo renovations are Big Bethel Village and Lakewood Christian Manor. In addition, National Church Residences is finalizing the purchase of four affordable housing communities located on the campus of Christian City in Union City, Georgia, which include: John Sparks Manor, Gene Miller Manor, Larry Moore Manor and Garden Terrace. 

These community renovations will put the focus on senior residents and their quality of life. National Church Residences selected Choate Construction to serve as the General Contractor. This trusted partner completed recent Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards improvements at Lakewood Christian Manor. Historic renovations at both Sister’s Court and Telfair Arms in Savannah, Georgia were also completed by the firm.

From interior design and color scheme to floor plan and building materials, the Foley Design team will serve as the architect on the projects. Foley Design is a longtime partner with National Church Residences. Bill Foley, President, has served on the National Church Residences’ Southeast Advisory Board as an advisor to the Georgia Department of Community Affairs.

National Church Residences understands how disruptive renovations can be, but the organization is committed to minimizing the inconvenience of renovations for residents during the process. Residents will have the option to stay in a vacant unit on-site while their apartment is being renovated or off-site with family or a hotel. A local certified relocation specialist will assist senior residents with their particular needs and requests.

“Our residents are our top priority. We have allotted funds to cover all relocation expenses and we want to ensure that the relocation process for them is as seamless as possible,” said Kristen Knight, HCCP, Relocation Project Leader at National Church Residences. Listening sessions at all communities ahead of renovations have been positive. Residents are excited about the upcoming relocation and the renovation process.

Upgrades to major building infrastructure will include roofs, building enclosures and mechanical systems. Other much-needed enhancements will include lobby renovations, offices, and upgraded business centers. Among the apartment renovations will be new kitchen appliances, light fixtures, sinks, cabinets and countertops, as well as new bathroom vanities, shower bodies, lavatories and tiling. Decorative lighting and furniture will be replaced to evoke a mood of elegance with the goal to amplify and improve the functionality of all spaces. 

“I’ve lived at Lakewood Christian Manor since 2012,” said Lillie Doe, age 69. Doe moved to Atlanta from Augusta to be closer to her sons. “I look forward to walking out of my apartment (before renovation) and coming back in (after renovation) to see a new kitchen and bathroom. I’m looking forward to it. I’m calm and waiting on the return.”