Jan. 31—One of the most visible commercial properties in Milledgeville is on the market.

When national mega banks BB&T and SunTrust merged in December 2019, the newly-formed Truist suddenly had three locations in town — two on North Columbia Street near the mall and one downtown. The company elected to center its operation downtown on West Greene Street, so that left the former SunTrust branch across from Burger King and Direct Furniture Outlet as well as the former BB&T at the corner of North Columbia and Dunlap sitting empty. The former BB&T location has a "for lease" sign at the corner of the property.

The former SunTrust, a nearly 19,000-square foot building on 2.7 acres, is currently listed for sale at $2.8 million by real estate development and management company Double Eagle Associates, LLC. The Macon-based firm acquired the property about a year ago for $1 million, according to Baldwin County Tax Assessor online records. Double Eagle owns and operates four retirement communities in Georgia — two in Macon, one in Monroe, and The Cottages of Milledgeville located near the for-sale former bank.

Once the closing was complete last year, Double Eagle President Randy Griffin said his company undertook a few improvement projects on the property. Woodwork was repaired and painted, and some landscaping was done as well.

"For sale or lease" signs were placed in front of the former bank building a few months ago as the listing went live.

"Our preference is to sell the building," said Griffin. "That's really what we're wanting to do."

Griffin added that his company would listen to lease offers, but he chose not to quote a price because the rate would depend on different factors including whether or not a potential tenant would want the entire space or just a portion.

"We've received quite a few calls about it," he said of the property.

Previously a SunTrust and First National Bank branch, another bank would make sense as the future owner or tenant since the building is already equipped with teller desks, a drive-thru, safety deposit boxes, and a vault. Griffin pointed out that the property does not necessarily have to remain a bank though. The wealth of office space makes it a good candidate for other types of businesses as well.

"It's a beautiful building, and it would make someone a very nice location for their business," Griffin said.

Originally built in 1990, the former bank sits at two stories tall and has 56 parking spaces. According to listing info, over 36,000 vehicles travel past the property each day.