The Midtown Mobile Movement hosted a tour of the new Old Shell Lofts at 1706 Old Shell Road on Dec. 8, 2016. The former Old Shell Road School was originally built in 1915. When the project is complete, lofts ranging from 600-square-feet, one bedroom, one bathroom to 1,365 square-feet, two bedroom, two bath will be available, with rents ranging from $825-$1,500, according to its website.

The first phase includes 23 units that will be move-in ready the first week of January. According to Property Manager Reagan Hatheway, six units have been pre-leased.

The $3 million project took advantage of Alabama’s Historic Tax Credit program. Developer Taylor Atchison said without it, “this is an empty building.”

“Until the tax credit is reinstated [by the Legislature] we hope in session this spring, there will be no other investment,” Atchison said. “These old buildings just don’t work. Without the tax credit this group will not be investing any more in Mobile until [the credits] are back.”

The same developers are planning a similar project at the former Russell School on Broad Street, and completed the Marine Street Lofts last year.

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