Cafe and Event Space Darling Josephine to Open in Historic School Building

The Academy Lofts Adair Park — an adaptive reuse project in the former home of George W. Adair School, which closed in 1973 — began renting out its 300 square-foot residences (otherwise known as micro-units) and office spaces earlier this year, and announced plans for an onsite coffee shop and event space.

That coffee shop is Darling Josephine, the brainchild of Krystle Rodriguez, who owns East Atlanta-based Hodgepodge Coffee House. Rodriguez has officially filed for permits to build out the space, which will include a coffee shop and restaurant, an event space — to be called The Hall at Darling Josephine — and a courtyard.

The Hall will occupy the 5000-square-foot space that was once the school’s auditorium, and directly below that, Darling Josephine’s restaurant concept will offer banquet, bar, and table seating in an intimate, Art Deco-inspired environment. Outside, the glass-encased courtyard will offer additional seating and chic greenhouse vibes, complete with lots of bushes and topiaries.

While the building’s residents may be adjusting to living in tight spaces, Darling Josephine is going big. From the looks of it, the $200,000 renovation is already underway, though Rodriguez was not immediately available for comment and no opening date has been announced. But we’ve heard through the grapevine ( AKA Urbanize Atlanta) that Rodriguez hopes to be open by Fall 2021.