How many apartments were added in downtown Augusta?

About 500 new market-rate units were completed in the past year according to the Downtown Development Authority's executive director (July 2026), with about 1,000 more in planning.

Downtown Augusta Added 500 Apartments,Here's Who Should Consider Living There

Q: How much does a new downtown Augusta apartment cost?

Recent listings show one-bedrooms from roughly $1,500-$1,600 and two-bedrooms from roughly $1,900-$2,800, depending on the community, size, and fees.

Q: Who should live in downtown Augusta?

Cyber, military and medical professionals, young professionals, empty nesters, and entrepreneurs who want walkability and shorter commutes, and who can handle ongoing construction and limited grocery options.

by Tammy Theis

Downtown Augusta Guide · 2026

Downtown Augusta Added 500 Apartments,Here's Who Should Consider Living There

Downtown Augusta's housing boom is real, and so are the trade-offs. Here's a research-based look at the new buildings, what they rent for, and which kinds of renters and buyers are the best fit right now.

~500

New Units, Past Year

$154M

Private Investment

95%

Occupancy in 10 Months

1,000+

Units in Planning

⚡ The Quick Answer

Who Should Live in Downtown Augusta?

Short answer: downtown Augusta suits cyber, military, and medical professionals, young professionals, empty nesters, and entrepreneurs who want walkability and a short commute, and who can tolerate construction through early 2027 and a limited grocery scene. It is a weaker fit for buyers who need a yard, a large budget stretch, or a full-service grocery store within walking distance.

According to Margaret Woodard, executive director of the Downtown Development Authority, about 500 new market-rate housing units were completed downtown in the past year, representing roughly $154 million in private investment. She also says about 1,000 more units are in the planning stages (Georgia Trend, July 2026).

The demand looks genuine. The roughly 400 units delivered around the end of 2024 reached about 95% occupancy within ten months, per the same interview. This is part of a longer run: the DDA reported about 1,200 apartments added since 2021 as of early 2024, and its stated goal is 8,000 housing units downtown by the mid-2030s.

A note on the "500." That figure is the DDA's own count and the agency hasn't published a building-by-building list. The communities below are real, current examples of downtown-area rentals, not an audited breakdown of the 500.

🏢 Where the Apartments Are

Four Downtown Housing Stories

Downtown housing is a mix of new mid-rise buildings, converted mills and warehouses, and restored historic storefronts. Pricing below is from the communities' own listings in fall 2026 and changes daily.

Downtown-Area Communities to Know

🏭

The Lofts at King Mill · West End

245 units

Canal-side mill conversion. Listings show 1-beds from about $1,516 and 2-beds roughly $1,900–$2,700 including required fees. Pool, gym, and dog park; pet rent is about $40.

🏙️

The Augustan · 1150 Greene St

Modern mid-rise

Studios about $1,403–$1,885, 1-beds from $1,606, and 2-beds about $2,107–$2,792 on its floor plan page.

🧱

Union Lofts · James Brown Blvd

22 historic units

Three 1890s buildings, vacant for nearly 50 years, were saved from demolition and restored as unique market-rate apartments.

🏗️

Broad Street Pipeline

Lamar & 600 block

The historic Lamar Building was slated for 78 units, and 2025 reports described about 40 lofts planned in the 600 block of Broad. Confirm status before you count on them.

💡 Officials have also discussed about 60 units of workforce housing aimed at teachers, nurses, and police officers, and some downtown-area communities list income-restricted units. Ask about both if budget is tight.

💵 The Price of Convenience

What New Downtown Rents Look Like

Newer downtown apartments carry a clear premium over the citywide average, which Rentometer put at about $1,096 for a one-bedroom in late August 2026. Here are starting one-bedroom prices, including required monthly fees where listed:

Citywide average

~$1,096

King Mill (from)

~$1,516

The Augustan (from)

$1,606

Comparison is illustrative: the citywide figure covers all property types, while the other two are starting prices for specific new communities. Always check current pricing, fees, and concessions.

🎯 The Right Fit

Six Types of Residents Who Should Consider Downtown

1 Cyber and Military Professionals

Fort Gordon is the Army's cyber hub, home to Army Cyber Command and the Cyber Center of Excellence, and supports about 32,000 military and civilian jobs. The Georgia Cyber Innovation and Training Center sits on Augusta University's campus, and Woodard says downtown is attracting cyber professionals. Test your drive to your gate at rush hour before signing.

2 Medical Professionals and Students

The Medical College of Georgia and the medical district anchor the local economy, and the DDA's footprint runs from Olde Town to the medical district. Residents, nurses, and long-hour clinicians gain the most from a short commute and walkable errands.

3 Young Professionals and Remote Workers

If you want restaurants, bars, live music, and events outside your door, downtown delivers more of that than most of the CSRA. Roughly 45–55 new businesses have opened on the Broad Street corridor since the pandemic, including 18 so far in 2026, and loft-style floor plans suit work-from-home setups.

4 Empty Nesters and Downsizers

Woodard has pointed out that empty nesters are returning to the urban core, not just young renters. Trading a yard and a big house for lock-and-leave living near the Imperial Theatre, the riverfront, and downtown dining is a common motivation.

5 Entrepreneurs and Small-Business Owners

Accelerate Augusta, the DDA and Augusta Technical College incubator, has served nearly 500 people since 2025, including about 300 entrepreneurs. Living near a startup ecosystem and walkable storefronts can cut both commute and overhead.

6 Renters Planning Their First Home Purchase

Renting downtown for a year or two can be a smart bridge while you save, build credit, and learn which neighborhoods fit your life. When you're ready, compare your all-in rent with a mortgage, taxes, and insurance on a home elsewhere in Augusta, Evans, Martinez, or Grovetown.

🧭 The Playbook

Great Fit vs. Think Twice

Great Fit

Downtown Might Be For You If…

You work in cyber, healthcare, or downtown offices

You want to walk to dining, music, and events

You prefer no yard work and lock-and-leave living

You can handle short-term construction for long-term upside

Think Twice

Consider Other Areas If…

You need a yard, a garage, or lots of space

You rely on a full grocery store within walking distance

You're stretching to afford new-construction rents

You're school-zone driven (compare Columbia County)

🚀 What's Next

The Momentum Behind the Move-Ins

Broad Street makeover. A $42 million streetscape project from 15th to 5th streets adds sidewalks, bike lanes, trees, and more outdoor-dining space. The city says the main corridor through 5th Street should clear by year-end, with the final section running into early 2027.

The Conroy. The former Ramada Plaza is becoming a $50 million Marriott boutique hotel, due before the 2027 Masters. A Residence Inn is planned at 13th and Walker.

Augusta Arena. The 10,500-seat arena is on track for the 2027–28 hockey season as home to the Augusta Lynx, a new minor-league team.

Riverwalk upgrades. Voter-approved SPLOST funding includes about $12 million for the Riverwalk, with work expected to begin this fall per the mayor.

A 10-year plan. The Augusta Tomorrow plan targets 8,000 new downtown residents by 2035 and at least one new grocery store, plus a parking management plan and public-space projects like Jones Alley.

⚠️ Honest Trade-Offs

What to Weigh Before You Sign a Lease

1 Construction Is Still Ongoing

The city pushed several Broad Street segments later in its September schedule update. Downtown businesses have reported fewer customers and lost parking during the work, so expect detours and noise for months.

2 Groceries Are Still Limited

A small Downtown Corner Store opened in 2025 to serve residents who don't drive, but a full-size grocery is still a stated goal, not a reality. Most residents will drive or order for a big shop.

3 New Means Premium Pricing

Local reporting has noted these are market-rate rents, well above the citywide average. Check fees (pet, parking, internet, pest control) and ask about move-in specials.

4 Events Change the Rhythm

Festivals, ballgames, and Masters week bring crowds and traffic. That's a plus if you love the energy, and a minus if you want quiet.

💡 Tour at night and on a weekend. Ask about soundproofing, assigned parking, and the construction schedule for your block.

❓ Quick Answers

Downtown Augusta Apartments: FAQs

How many apartments were added downtown? About 500 new market-rate units were completed in the past year, according to the DDA's executive director in July 2026, with about 1,000 more in planning.

How much does a new downtown apartment cost? Recent listings at King Mill and The Augustan show one-bedrooms from roughly $1,500–$1,600 and two-bedrooms from roughly $1,900–$2,800, depending on size and fees.

Is downtown Augusta walkable? Increasingly, yes, for dining, entertainment, and the riverfront. Daily errands like groceries still often require a car, and the Broad Street rebuild is meant to improve walkability once finished.

Is downtown good for Fort Gordon personnel? It can be, especially for cyber and medical professionals who also work near downtown. Test your actual commute at your usual hours first.

Is it better to rent downtown or buy elsewhere? It depends on your timeline, savings, and lifestyle. Compare total monthly costs for both, then decide.

When will Broad Street construction end? The city's September 2026 update says the main corridor through 5th Street should clear by year-end, with the final section extending into early 2027.

Downtown Augusta is shifting from a place people visit to a place people live. With about 500 new units in a year, strong early occupancy, and major public investment underway, it's a compelling choice for professionals, downsizers, and entrepreneurs who value walkability and short commutes. Just go in clear-eyed about construction, groceries, and premium rents.

Wondering if Downtown Augusta Fits Your Life?

Whether you're renting now or planning to buy in Augusta, Evans, Martinez, Grovetown, or across the river, let's compare real costs and find the neighborhood that matches your priorities.

Talk to Tammy Theis

No obligation · Local CSRA expertise

Sources & Notes

Georgia Trend, "Augusta: Richmond County | Flourishing Region," July 31, 2026 (500 units, $154M, occupancy, 1,000 planned, Broad Street, The Conroy, Arena, Riverwalk, Fort Gordon, Accelerate Augusta)
WRDW/WAGT, Feb. 2024, Feb. 2025, and July 2025 (DDA unit counts, 8,000-unit goal, workforce housing, 600 block of Broad)
The Augusta Press, Feb. 2026, Augusta Tomorrow 10-year plan (8,000 residents by 2035, grocery goal)
WRDW (Sept. 2, 2026) and Hot Augusta (Sept. 24, 2026) on the Broad Street construction schedule; WJBF (June 2026) on business impact
Community listings: The Lofts at King Mill (Apartments.com, Trulia) and The Augustan floor plans, fall 2026; Rentometer citywide rents, Aug. 23, 2026
Augusta Downtown Development Authority (Union Lofts). Prices, availability, and project timelines change; verify directly before making decisions.

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