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A Westside Landmark Reborn: Heritage Village @ West Lake Celebrates Its Grand Opening
Columbia Residential, Quest Community Development Corporation, and partners celebrate the preservation and rebirth of the former Waluhaje Hotel, bringing 102 affordable homes to Atlanta’s Westside
On the evening of Thursday, October 29, partners, neighbors, and community leaders gathered at 239 West Lake Avenue NW in Atlanta to celebrate the grand opening of Heritage Village @ West Lake. Hosted by Quest Community Development Corporation (QuestCDC), the ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the preservation and rebirth of the former Waluhaje Hotel as a 102-unit affordable housing community in the city’s historic West Lake neighborhood.
“Columbia Residential is proud to have partnered with QuestCDC on Heritage Village @ West Lake to acquire and preserve this historic building and develop it into this beautiful new community,” said Jim Grauley, CEO of Columbia Residential. “Heritage Village @ West Lake demonstrates what’s possible when redevelopment is guided by a vision for housing, wellness, and economic opportunity. This site has a vital history in Atlanta’s West Lake neighborhood, including the prior Waluhaje Hotel and home of the Job Corps, so working with Quest to see the property serve the community in this new way aligns directly with our mission.”
A Building With a Story
Few buildings on Atlanta’s Westside carry the history of the Waluhaje. Developed in 1951 by Black developer Walter H. “Chief” Aiken, the hotel and apartments served Black residents and guests during the segregation era, and its ballroom became a celebrated stop for jazz greats of the day, including Duke Ellington, Dizzy Gillespie, and Ray Charles.
Rather than letting that legacy fade, the project team set out to preserve the building and give it a new purpose. Today, Heritage Village @ West Lake offers quality, affordable homes for individuals and small households, just steps from the West Lake MARTA Station and Westside Park.
More Than Housing
Heritage Village @ West Lake was designed to support residents well beyond move-in day. Through partnerships with the Urban League of Greater Atlanta and Mercy Care, residents will be connected to wellness resources and opportunities for economic growth.
“This project represents more than new housing — it represents renewed opportunity for our Westside community,” said Leonard L. Adams Jr., Founder and CEO of QuestCDC. “As we mark 25 years of impact, Heritage Village @ West Lake is a powerful example of what’s possible when partners come together around a shared vision for equitable growth.”
An Evening of Celebration
The program opened with welcome remarks from QuestCDC Board Chair Marcus Billie and a project overview from Mr. Adams. Elected officials and their representatives followed, including Sebastian Barron on behalf of Governor Brian Kemp’s office, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, and Atlanta City Councilman Byron Amos of District 3.
A community segment, “Impact Invest with Quest,” hosted by Adriana Lawton of Truist Bank, brought together voices from across Atlanta’s housing and investment community, including John Ahmann of Westside Future Fund, Maya Hodari of Atlanta Housing Authority, Dr. Eloisa Klementich of Invest Atlanta, and Partners for HOME.
After the official ribbon cutting, guests toured the property before moving into the ballroom for a partner recognition program hosted by Tommy Lester. Jim Grauley, CEO of Columbia Residential, was among the honorees, alongside Kathryn Lawler of Mercy Care, Nancy Flake Johnson of the Urban League of Greater Atlanta, and special guest Mrs. Janice Milner.
25 Years Strong
The celebration also coincided with a milestone for our partner: QuestCDC is marking 25 years of community development work across Atlanta. Since its founding, QuestCDC has worked to expand access to affordable housing, strengthen neighborhoods, and create lasting opportunity, and Heritage Village @ West Lake stands as a fitting testament to that mission.
We congratulate QuestCDC on this milestone and thank every partner who helped bring the Waluhaje back to life, ensuring that longtime residents and new neighbors alike can thrive in a community rich with history and promise.