Written for 11 Alive.
This redevelopment is set to open in June 2027.
ATHENS, Ga. — 290 Lumpkin will now serve as the new home for Baptist College Ministries, bringing more than 240 apartments to Downtown Athens.
CCI Real Estate announced Thursday that it has closed a $67 million construction loan to begin the redevelopment of Baptist Collegiate Ministries (BCM) at the University of Georgia. The project, called 290 Lumpkin and in partnership with the Georgia Baptists Mission Board (GBMB) will deliver multifamily, retail and gathering spaces on UGA’s campus.
When completed, the eight-story building will offer 243 one- and two-bedroom apartments, a 356-space parking deck, rooftop amenities, a student lounge, offices, and a new ministry that can accommodate up to 500 people. At street level, there will be a coffeehouse, fitness center, and additional retail.
“This marks a significant milestone in CCI’s vision to breathe new life into BCM’s presence at UGA, with a purpose-driven destination in the heart of Athens,” said Jeff Warwick, CEO at CCI, in the news release. “Beyond apartments and retail space, this development aims to support students holistically by providing both housing and a place for building community, with faith-based connection at the forefront of planning. We are thankful to Affinius and GBMB for furthering progress on this project, and we are eager to share more details on this development in the near future.”
CCI chose Affinius Capital to provide construction financing for the project and New South Construction as the general contractor.“
This development aligns with our strategy of financing high-quality student housing with top-tier sponsorship at leading universities,” said Tyler Figley, senior vice president at Affinius. “The project’s location in the heart of campus makes this an attractive opportunity to deliver purpose-built student housing and will be well-positioned to capitalize on the continued growth of the University of Georgia. We are thrilled to be partnering with CCI on this transaction.”
Originally located at 450 S Lumpkin St, BCM has been part of the UGA campus since 1961. The student-led ministry will relocate to its new location once construction is complete in June 2027.
“New South is excited to partner with CCI to bring more student housing to the vibrant Athens community we know and love,” said Jon Harris, executive vice president at New South Construction, “Supporting BCM’s mission by constructing spaces that connect students to their church and community is a meaningful opportunity that we’re honored to be part of.”
Alongside this redevelopment, CCI is also working on other BCMs at the Georgia Institute of Technology and Georgia Southern University.