Community Celebrates Beam Signing Ceremony for Neel’s Lofts in Downtown Macon
MACON, Ga. - Piedmont Construction Group (PCG), alongside local leaders, project partners, and community members, gathered to celebrate a significant construction milestone for Neel’s Lofts with a ceremonial beam signing, marking continued progress on one of downtown Macon’s most significant urban renewal developments.
Neel’s Lofts is a new $25 million mixed-use development rising at the corner of Cherry and Third Streets, transforming the former home of Joseph N. Neel’s Department Store and Blair’s Furniture into a four-story, 107,000+ square foot landmark that will deliver 95 luxury loft apartments, retail storefronts, coworking space, and a restaurant, helping meet growing demand for upscale urban living and business space in Middle Georgia.
Developed by Robbo Hatcher of H2 Capital, constructed by Piedmont Construction Group, and designed by Dunwody/Beeland Architects of Macon, the project blends modern design with the spirit of a site that has anchored downtown Macon for more than a century.
“This is more than just a construction milestone—it’s a vision taking shape,” said Robbo Hatcher, Developer, H2 Capital. “Downtown Macon is vibrant and growing, and Neel’s Lofts will provide a high-end residential and commercial experience that brings more people into the district to live, work, and enjoy everything our community has to offer.”
James Fritze, President and CEO of NewTown Macon, emphasized the project’s economic impact. “We have a goal of adding 350 new loft units to our Central Business District by 2027, and Neel’s Lofts delivers 95 of those. This project alone plays a major role in reaching that target. For every 15 new loft units, enough downtown income is generated to support a new storefront—making housing a powerful engine for local economic growth.”
Neel’s Lofts also marks a rare moment in downtown development. “It’s the first time a brand-new building has been introduced in the middle of Macon’s historic district,” said Fritze. “While preservation is always our first goal, this development allows us to deliver modern, high-quality housing that will serve our growing population for decades to come.”
PCG Vice President of Operations Adam Berkstresser highlighted the complexity of the build. “Pulling from one building to the next, making sure everything fit within the historic context, and navigating post-COVID market conditions made this a challenging project to launch—but our team has done a really great job keeping this important development moving forward.”
Once home to Joseph N. Neel’s Department Store, this block has been a cornerstone of downtown Macon’s story for more than a century. Neel’s Lofts brings new life to this historic location—blending modern loft living with the spirit of a beloved landmark, connecting Macon’s past with a vibrant future.
At the conclusion of the event, attendees were invited to sign the final structural steel beam that will soon be installed on the building to leave their mark on a project that will help shape downtown Macon’s skyline and future for generations.
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Piedmont Construction Group provides personnel for immediate job site supervision, preconstruction support, project management, accounting, and risk management services to support our reputable construction management, design/build, general contracting, task order, and feasibility services for educational, governmental, commercial, and healthcare institutions throughout the southeast. Piedmont Construction Group is headquartered in Macon, Georgia.