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The ATL ADU Blog shares insights on Accessory Dwelling Units in Atlanta, including cost, zoning, design, permitting, and real project case studies.
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Q&A with Custom Clients Mary Anne & Jimmy
Real estate agents turn to other agents to see who they recommend for a particular project. When I asked, the name ATL ADU just kept coming up again and again.
David Melton
4 min read


Three Questions to Vet Your ADU Builder
The single most important thing you can do when vetting a builder is talk to their past clients. Ask what the process was like. Go see their ADU in person if possible.
David Melton
3 min read


Q&A with Will Johnston, Executive Director of MicroLife Institute
MicroLife's mission is housing diversity. Their work is about expanding typologies and making sure local codes allow housing that reflects real household needs.
David Melton
4 min read


New Investor ADU in Ormewood! Q&A
The primary and ADU function like a detached duplex. Now I have two rental units a block from the Beltline, but only paid for one lot.
David Melton
4 min read


Q&A with Nick Mulkey and Vanessa Ibarra with CNU Atlanta
New Urbanism is this idea that cities can and should be built for people. They should be walkable, livable, and full of vibrant public spaces.
David Melton
6 min read


The Midterm Rental Playbook: Why ADUs Are Perfect for 1–6 Month Stays
When most people think about renting out an ADU, the options usually seem pretty binary: either go all in on a short-term rental (STR)...
David Melton
4 min read


Q&A with Rebecca Serna, Executive Director of Propel ATL
So many issues come up when you talk about mobility and affordable transportation in Atlanta and we are trying to address more of those problems.
David Melton
6 min read


Q&A with ATL ADU Clients Breanne & Johnny
Originally, we thought about adding a pool house. But we realized: what if it could also be a guest space, or something for aging parents, or an Airbnb.
David Melton
4 min read


Q&A with ATL ADU Clients Mary Ellen & Will
For a long time we thought an ADU wasn’t possible. Not only was it possible, we fit the one-bedroom model in our tiny backyard.
David Melton
5 min read


Q&A with Multigenerational Clients Denise & Michael
Living in the backyard is actually much easier than living a mile away. We wanted to downsize, and this house was designed for us.
David Melton
4 min read


Let’s Fix Atlanta’s ADU Setback Rule—It’s Time
If the City of Atlanta is serious about increasing affordable and diverse housing options, there's one simple zoning change that could...
David Melton
3 min read


Why I Ride MARTA
I’m not the most obvious advocate for MARTA ridership. I grew up in a small town in northwest Georgia, I’ve never traveled abroad to experience world-class transit, and I have four kids and a minivan
David Melton
3 min read


Introducing The Ormewood: A New ADU Design for Urban Living in Atlanta
The Ormewood is a two-story, two-bedroom, two-bathroom Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) named after the charming Ormewood Park neighborhood.
David Melton
3 min read


Q&A with ATL ADU Client Susan Wells Parham
I wanted more space to foster community while also preserving the natural environment so an ADU made a lot of sense to me.
David Melton
3 min read


How To Finance An ADU
Whether you’re looking to build a guest house, add a rental unit, or create a space for family members, financing an Accessory Dwelling...
David Melton
5 min read


Why You Should Build an ADU for the World Cup
Touted as the largest World Cup ever, the 39-day tournament will bring millions of people to Atlanta, and unprecedented rental demand.
David Melton
2 min read


Q&A with ATL ADU Client Kathy Reynolds
I think ADUs are going to become more and more popular so I have zero regrets, I just wish I had done it sooner!
David Melton
5 min read


Q&A with ATL ADU Clients Angela & Johnny
Family was the main reason we built the ADU and it has become a part of our retirement plan. It checks so many boxes.
David Melton
5 min read


Q&A with ATL ADU Clients Carol & Dean
I think there is no downside to building an ADU. We love this neighborhood and it’s given us the extra space we need without having to move
David Melton
3 min read


Aging in Place with ADUs
One of the most common uses for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) is ‘‘aging in place'’, which led to their cultural names ‘granny flat’...
David Melton
3 min read
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