JTEC Energy Inc. (JTEC), a producer of renewable energy, will expand its headquarters at Lee + White in Atlanta’s West End, adding 9,800 square feet to its existing 18,775 square feet of space in Building 1050. The expansion adds much needed lab space and allows on-site assembly, significantly increasing progress toward commercialization of the revolutionary JTEC cleantech energy device. 

Cushman & Wakefield’s Porter Henritze and Melanie Garlock completed the lease expansion for JTEC on behalf of owners Ackerman & Co. and MDH Partners. Cori Nuttall and Willie Candler of Lee & Associates represented JTEC.

“Over the past year we have seen the Lee + White complex flourish with new restaurants, businesses and entertainment. We are excited to be growing along with the community. As we had hoped, this location is a great tool in helping us attract the best and brightest talent to come work with us at JTEC Energy,” said Mike McQuary, CEO of JTEC.

JTEC, launched in 2020 by founder Lonnie Johnson, is a green renewable energy company that creates energy by transforming heat directly into electricity. The start-up moved its headquarters to Lee + White in mid-2023. Fueled by industry excitement around its technology, the sustainable energy firm is expanding its operations only a year later.

“Lee + White serves as an incubator for entrepreneurs to grow in a creative and highly engaging mixed-use environment,” said Jeff Small, CEO of MDH Partners. “Sustainability and innovation are at the heart of what we do at MDH, and we’re proud to see JTEC, and the many other businesses at Lee + White, thrive.”

Added Evan Ziegler, President of Investments for Ackerman & Co.: “It’s great to be able to accommodate the growth of this innovative company by providing additional space that will be customized for their unique production and business operations. The combination of high-quality space options and Lee + White’s mix of amenities, including our food hall, are increasingly attractive to high-tech and other creative businesses.”

Lee + White is a hub for technology and innovation, also being home to nanotechnology company Carbice; Triumph Motorcycles, a U.K.-based motorcycle manufacturer; a neighborhood health center for Grady Health System; and KIPP Metro Atlanta Schools, a non-profit network of free, public charter schools. A wide variety of breweries, restaurants and retailers also call Lee + White home. 

“We are thrilled about JTEC's expansion at Lee + White. MDH and Ackerman & Co. have put considerable effort into ensuring that the redevelopment seamlessly integrates with the existing community and extends a welcoming atmosphere to newcomers,” said Porter Henritze, Senior Director at Cushman & Wakefield. 

Acquired by MDH Partners and Ackerman & Co. in September 2019, the 442,562-square-foot adaptive reuse Lee + White development, a transformation of the West End’s Warehouse Row, is a popular destination for breweries, restaurants and retailers. In the current phase of the redevelopment, the investment partners have added a 19-vendor food hall, more than 200,000 square feet of creative offices, new retail and the “Great Lawn” central gathering and event space.

Providing BeltLine access via four direct entrances, Lee + White is located just 0.4 miles from the West End MARTA station and is convenient to all of metro Atlanta’s major interstates, I-20, I-75, I-85 and I-285.  A planned MARTA station at Murphy Crossing, recently announced by the City of Atlanta, will be a short walk from Lee + White via the Atlanta Westside BeltLine.