Construction Begins on Second Phase of Lofts at Mercer Landing

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MACON – Construction is underway on the second phase of the Lofts at Mercer Landing, which will add 306 beds of housing and another 316-car parking deck for Mercer University students. The $25 million project, expected to be completed in August 2019, addresses the University’s continued enrollment growth in Macon.

The new units are being developed by Sierra Development and SPP Commercial Group on Mercer University Drive, across from Five Star Stadium. Sierra has served as Mercer’s partner on three other loft developments over the last seven years, including two phases of the Lofts at Mercer Village and the Lofts at Tattnall Square Park. Sierra also developed the Lofts at College Hill, a transformational mixed-use project located behind the College Street post office that was a major component of the College Hill Corridor Master Plan.

From 2011 to 2017, Mercer’s undergraduate enrollment on the Macon campus has increased 41 percent, from 2,306 to 3,253. The University anticipates undergraduate enrollment growing to 3,750 over the next few years. Mercer cannot currently accommodate all of the undergraduates who want to live on campus.

“Sierra Development and our development partner SPP Commercial Group are very excited to once again have the opportunity to contribute to Mercer University’s extraordinary growth and to continue to enhance the new gateway to downtown Macon,” said Sierra Development President Jim Daws.

When completed, the total investment in Mercer Landing, which in addition to the loft apartments includes the TownePlace Suites by Marriott, University offices and several restaurants, will be more than $75 million. Mercer, Sierra Development and Macon-Bibb County partnered on the construction of a signature pedestrian bridge over Mercer University Drive, which opened in 2016, to connect the development to the campus. Macon-Bibb County is currently underway with its Second Street Corridor revitalization project, which is creating a new gateway to Downtown from I-75 along Mercer University Drive/Little Richard Penniman Boulevard.

“The revitalization of Macon-Bibb continues right along with the growth of Mercer University, and I couldn’t be more delighted with the progress being made because we are all willing to work together,” said Macon-Bibb County Mayor Robert Reichert. “If we are going to grow as a community, we must invest our time, resources and effort into supporting education and finding opportunities for students after they graduate.”

“The University is pleased to once again partner with Sierra Development and SPP Commercial Group to construct additional student housing to accommodate Mercer’s increased enrollment,” said Mercer President William D. Underwood. “The amenities, quality, pricing and proximity of these loft units have made them very popular with our upper-level students. The partnership has also allowed the University to preserve capital to build major new academic facilities such as the recently completed, $44 million Spearman C. Godsey Science Center.”