Third & Urban Announces Plans for the Atkins Park Collection in Virginia Highland
Tuesday, March 17th, 2026
Local real estate company Third & Urban has announced plans for its 61,120-square-foot retail portfolio in Virginia Highland, named the Atkins Park Collection. The firm will focus on beautification efforts, enhanced safety, a better pedestrian experience and new retail tenants that will bring more daytime traffic to the area and complement the existing businesses.
“This portfolio is important to us because we live in and frequent the area,” said Hank Farmer, co-founder of Third & Urban. “Many of these businesses are homegrown with roots planted deep in the community, and we want to see them continue to thrive. By refreshing the streetscape and buildings and filling the vacant space with new life, our goal is to provide lasting value to our neighbors and visitors who care as much about the area as we do.”
Third & Urban purchased the first phase of the Atkins Park Collection, a 35,370-square-foot retail collection along North Highland Avenue and St. Charles Avenue, in December 2024. The firm acquired the second phase, which includes Neighbors, City Church and infill pieces of the block between Greenwood and St. Charles, in September 2025. The firm has planned more than $3 million in building and streetscape improvements to the retail collection. Additionally, Third & Urban is working with Virginia Highland District, a nonprofit that acts as a business association supporting local small businesses, safety and beautification initiatives.
Third & Urban recently completed improvements to the 842 North Highland building, which includes new signage, railings, upgraded light fixtures, a new front stair entry and a new mural by local artist Janice Rago on the Intown Hardware side of the building. As seen in new renderings, building upgrades for 780 North Highland will include updated facades and an indoor-outdoor courtyard surrounded by retail suites ranging in size. The firm plans to attract community-focused food and beverage tenants that enhance the neighborhood. Construction will begin in late spring.
Known for its work on creative real estate projects, such as Common Ground with New Realm Brewing, Westside Paper, Armour Yards and the forthcoming Northbend mixed-use community in Brookhaven, Third & Urban will apply best practices in design and placemaking to enhance the retail experience for the neighborhood.
Shelbi Bodner and Lexi Ritter with Bridger Properties handle retail leasing. A map outlining the Atkins Park Collection is available HERE. To learn more about Third & Urban, visit www.thirdandurban.com.
