Historic Transformation: Green Roof Enhances Atlanta’s Ponce City Market
Key Insights:
Quick Facts
- Name: Ponce City Market
- Location: Atlanta, GA
- Customer: Erthfood
- Client: Jamestown Properties
Challenge: Revitalize a historic building with a green roof that provides a community space, addresses structural load concerns, and withstands the local climate.
How Arcosa Helped
- Our Solution: Supplied expanded shale and clay lightweight aggregate, integrated with a custom soil mix of sand and organic compost for weight reduction and moisture retention.
- Why Lightweight Works: The aggregate reduces structural load and maintains high absorption to support plant health in Georgia’s hot, dry summers.
Final Results
- The green roof successfully offers a sustainable, accessible outdoor space that adds natural beauty and enhances building longevity.
Key Quote
“Expanded shale and clay is the lightest material of its kind, which helps reduce the load on the roof structure.” – Scott King, ERTH Products
Context:
- Considerations: The project required a balanced mix of materials to ensure structural integrity, water retention, and plant health.
- Lesson to Learn: Custom soil mixes with lightweight aggregates can transform urban rooftops into viable green spaces, even on historic structures.
Explore Further
For more on sustainable green roof solutions, visit Arcosa Green Roof Solutions.
Historic Transformation: Green Roof Enhances Atlanta’s Ponce City Market
One of the central features of a revitalized Atlanta landmark is the building’s green roof, which serves as a gathering spot and recreational area for tenants and visitors. The renovated historic property, known as Ponce City Market, boasts a beautiful natural space atop its downtown rooftop made possible by expanded shale and clay from Arcosa Lightweight.
To ensure lasting greenery and support plant health, the green roof utilizes a specially designed soil mixture incorporating Arcosa lightweight aggregate, sand, and organic compost. The unique blend is engineered for both sustainability and durability, enabling the rooftop garden to thrive throughout Georgia’s seasonal temperature shifts.
The Arcosa lightweight aggregate, blended with ERTH Food® soil amendment compost, creates an ideal growing medium by supplying plants with necessary water and nutrients. “The absorbed moisture and nutrients are available for roots when needed most, and yet the lightweight aggregate remains structurally stable through repeated cycles of wetting and drying,” adds King.
New Life for a Classic Structure
Ponce City Market, originally the Sears, Roebuck & Co. building (1926-1987), has long been a focal point in Atlanta. Positioned on a full city block, the building initially served as a retail store, warehouse, and regional office for Sears. After its sale to the city in 1990 for use as City Hall East, the property saw fewer visitors, and by its 2010 closure, it had lost much of its former prominence.
In 2011, the Atlanta-based real estate investment firm Jamestown acquired the property, beginning one of the city’s most impressive renovation projects. With input from local residents, Jamestown transformed the historic structure into a mixed-use complex featuring retail spaces, restaurants, residences, offices, and the green roof that unites it with Atlanta’s modern sustainability goals.
A Landmark’s New Chapter
From its position in Atlanta’s Old Fourth Ward, Ponce City Market now serves as a vibrant connection point for surrounding neighborhoods and the greater city area. This green roof project is a prime example of how lightweight aggregates and sustainable practices can help reinvigorate classic architecture for future generations.
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