The Pullman Yard in Kirkwood. Photo by Dan Whisenhunt

This story has been updated. 

It’s official. Atomic Entertainment is now the owner of the Pullman Yard property in Kirkwood.

According to Georgia Building Authority officials, the sale closed on June 13.

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The GBA held a surprise vote on the project on April 19, voting to sell to the winning bidder, Atomic Entertainment, for $8 million. The developer intends to build a film studio on site.

Adam Rosenfelt with Atomic Entertainment said, “We are beginning the development process immediately.”

Other bidders raised concerns about the sale, saying they thought there would be a second round of bidding to find a “best and final offer” for the property. GBA has defended the deal, saying it was anxious to unload the property which it has owned since 1990.

The Pratt-Pullman Yard – originally farmland purchased in 1904 by the Pratt Engineering Company for a sugar and fertilizer processing plant – was used for munitions manufacturing during World War I.

It was purchased in 1922 by the Pullman Passenger Rail Company and used as a rail car service and repair facility. Southern Iron and Equipment Company used it from 1955 to the 1970’s. The facility was closed after the federal court order split up the Pullman Passenger Rail Company.

Georgia Power used the facility for its fleet of Trackless Trolleys, a name for electric buses. The Georgia Building Authority bought the property in 1990. It was briefly used as part of the New Georgia Railroad, a dinner train running from Underground Atlanta to Stone Mountain. In recent years, it has become a popular filming location.