Atlanta Ronald McDonald House Charities Broke Ground on New Facility

By Balazs Szekely, Associate Editor

Rendering of the new Atlanta Ronald McDonald House

Atlanta Ronald McDonald House Charities started expanding in late October by breaking ground on a new facility and launching a public fundraising campaign for the construction of the Ronald McDonald House that replaces the current one on Peachtree Dunwoody Road near Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite.

ARMHC is a non-profit organization dedicated to serving the needs of children, by providing temporary housing and support services to families of ill and injured children being treated at local hospitals. The organization also supports local area high school seniors with college scholarships. They currently operate in two locations, the aforementioned Peachtree Dunwoody House and the LEED certified Gatewood House near Egleston Hospital. According to the organization, these two houses have provided home to more than 44,000 families since 1979.

Opened 20 years ago, the current 11-bedroom Peachtree Dunwoody House averages over 95 percent occupancy. Pressed for space, it has turned away over 650 families since 2011. Built to LEED standards with an energy-efficient, sustainable design, the new $18.5 million 52,636 square-foot facility will offer 31 guest rooms with private baths and full ADA accessibility including an elevator and roll-in showers. The house will also include an indoor treehouse to aid in healing through play.

The leadership began raising money for the expansion in late 2012 and 82% of the final sum has been reached. However, ARMHC must raise the balance by year-end to claim a $2.5 million challenge grant.

During the construction, families will be housed at the Gatewood Road facility and at nearby hotels. Opening is expected in 2016.

Image source: Business Wire