Atlanta Communities
ATLANTA, once known as Terminus, the city was founded in 1837 as a transportation point with a tavern, blacksmith shop, and grocery store. The city of Atlanta was chartered in 1847, but really began as a major city after its rebirth in 1865.After The city was burned in the Battle of Atlanta during the Civil War, and afterwards Atlanta began a growth and building boom that continues to this day. Atlanta is made up of many neighborhoods within the city limits, but is such an anchor for the whole metro area that even residents of outlying communities and smaller towns within the large metro area will refer to being from “Atlanta” when they are traveling.
Buckhead & In-Town Atlanta
Within Fulton County and parts of Dekalb County is an Intown area made up of several dozen distinct neighborhoods, each having its own identity, residential style, and atmosphere. Many have active and fiercely proud community associations. These are areas where streets are lined with stately oaks and azaleas and often populated by both young and old residents who can be seen out walking and socializing. Here you can find outdoor cafes, trendy boutiques, and old-fashioned drug stores which add to the charm and friendliness of these neighborhoods. From trendy Buckhead to artsy Virginia-Highlands there is an Intown neighborhood for everyone.
BUCKHEAD, around 1840 a tavern owner named Henry Irby mounted a buck’s head on a post outside his establishment which was located at the present intersection of West Paces Ferry and Roswell Roads. The area has been known as Buckhead ever since.
Buckhead is situated north of downtown proper, and is the most prestigious residential area in Atlanta as well as Atlanta’s “uptown” commercial, banking, and shopping center. Many of Atlanta’s finest shops and department stores are located here, in Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza and in smaller centers as well. It is an area of neighborhoods with distinct character, and, some of the most lavish and expensive homes in Atlanta.
BROOKHAVEN, an older neighborhood that straddles the line between the City of Atlanta and Dekalb County. Originally developed as a golf club community in 1910, Brookhaven is now one of Atlanta’s most beautiful neighborhoods, offering lush, natural landscaping and winding streets with early 20th century Georgian, Colonial, and Tudor-style homes on large lots. Brookhaven Country Club and Golf Course (a private club) was built around 1920. These historic streets are now joined by new townhomes and cluster communities on nearby roads, making Brookhaven a popular place for young professionals to live. Prices range from the high $200,000’s for some of the ranches to the low millions for some of the classic early 20th century homes. Homes facing the golf course naturally command the higher prices. The newer townhomes and cluster homes range from about $ 300,000 to $ 475,000. Schools serving the neighborhood are Sara Smith Elementary, Sutton Middle, and North Fulton High School, and private schools are available as well.
BROOKWOOD HILLS, is an elegant neighborhood with quiet shady streets and fine traditional homes of Georgian and Tudor architecture built in the 1920’s. Most of these homes have been renovated and enlarged. A range of homes can be found here, from one-story bungalows to 3-story colonial and Tudor mansions. A community association maintains the neighborhood pool and tennis courts. Prices range from the mid $200,000’s to $800,000+. The neighborhood is particularly attractive to physicians, attorneys, and other professionals whose practices are located nearby. Piedmont Hospital and Shepherd Spinal Center are within walking distance, and the downtown and Buckhead business districts are only minutes away. East Rivers Elementary, Sutton Middle, and North Atlanta High School serve the area, as well as nearby private schools.
COLLIER HILLS, is a close-in neighborhood of small cottage-style, and one and two story traditional homes located on the west side of Peachtree Road, and was built in the 1930’s and 1940’s. The neighborhood has an active civic association, and three parks within walking distance as well as Bobby Jones public golf course. In the past this was the place where young couples bought their first homes because of the convenience to downtown, and because these smaller homes were reasonably priced. Any remaining tracts of land have been developed with newer homes and subdivisions of larger traditional homes on small pieces of property. Prices range from about $200,000 to $350,000+. Piedmont Hospital is only a few blocks away.
GARDEN HILLS, here mature trees and landscaping and quiet winding streets create a park-like atmosphere. This Buckhead neighborhood is popular with families who have young children due in part to the active civic association and the Garden Hills Recreation Center’s swimming pool facilities, and baseball fields and tennis courts at Frankie Allen Park. Homes are a mix of one and two story traditional with stone, brick, or frame construction. Established in the 1920’s and 1930’s, many of the homes have been renovated and enlarged and are situated on lots from 1/4 to over 1 acre. Prices range from the mid $200,000’s to over $600,000. Peachtree Battle, a great neighborhood shopping center for groceries and restaurants is within walking distance. Piedmont Hospital is nearby, and Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza, two of the cities best shopping centers are about ten minutes away. Schools serving the area are Garden Hills Elementary, Sutton Middle, and North Atlanta High School. Private schools are also nearby.
HAYNES MANOR, developed in the 1920’s to the early 1940’s, this is an area of well-maintained homes of mostly classic traditional and Georgian architecture. The area has two neighborhood parks and is bordered on the south by Bobbie Jones Golf course. More recent homes have been developed on sub-divided tracts but careful attention has been paid to preserving the character of this area. Prices range from the high $200,000’s to the low $1 million range. Fine shopping at Lenox Square, Phipps Plaza and the specialty shops on Peachtree Road are only minutes away. Public schools serving the area are Margaret Mitchell and E. Rivers Elementary, Sutton Middle, and North Atlanta High School.
PEACHTREE HILLS, developed in the1920’s, this is a charming neighborhood of traditional architecture consisting mostly of quaint two and three bedroom brick, frame, and stone bungalow-style homes. Excellent shopping and hospital facilities are nearby as are trendy cafes and restaurants. Recreation centers around Peachtree Hills Park and its lighted tennis courts. Home prices range from the high $100,000’s to $300,000+. There are private schools nearby, but most students attend the fine public schools serving the area, E. Rivers or Garden Hills Elementary, Sutton Middle and North Atlanta High School.
PEACHTREE ROAD CORRIDOR, the high price and scarcity of building lots in the Buckhead area have been the driving force in the development of elegant townhomes and, more recently, loft developments and the new high-rise condominium towers seen along Peachtree Road. High-rise condominiums, and the more recent lofts, are a relatively new but popular lifestyle in Atlanta. Residents are often young professionals or newcomers who enjoy the opportunities and conveniences of urban living, but also include “empty nesters” from the Buckhead area who want to remain near the fine shopping, dining, and cultural facilities, but no longer desire the maintenance of a larger home. Prices for the condos, lofts, and townhomes range from the low to mid $100,000’s to $ 5 million, with many in the $200,000 to $500,000 range.
TUXEDO PARK, was developed in the 1920’s and 1930’s as Atlanta’s affluent began to move north of the city to build their estates in this beautiful gently rolling woodland. Tuxedo Park is more than the most affluent residential area in Atlanta, it represents a collection of some of the finest homes in America. Atlanta’s most respected architects, Neel Reed, Philip Shutze, and James Means designed many of the homes built during this period. A pleasing mixture of English, Colonial, French, and Mediterranean architecture is represented here. These estates are situated on very large beautifully landscaped grounds, many ten acres or more, with immaculately manicured lawns and mature oak and magnolia trees. Often the long winding driveways disappear in the trees before one can even glimpse some of these fabulous estate homes. Prices in this area range from $500,000+ to over $8,000,000. Many of the homes have been renovated and enlarged. Although some large estates have been subdivided into smaller parcels over the years, building lots remain extremely scarce.
Intown/Midtown
ANSLEY PARK, was developed by Edwin Ansley in 1904 with the design being inspired by the era’s leading landscape architect, Frederick Law Olmstead. A great deal of attention was paid to the landscaping, large setbacks, and the many miles of curved streets. Elegant homes in this beautiful shaded setting stand witness to great urban design. It is fitting that Ansley Park, one of the cities first garden suburbs should have boundaries that begin across the street from the Atlanta Botanical Gardens. Well-maintained homes built mostly from 1900 to the late 1930’s are situated on hilly and heavily wooded lots. There are a variety of home styles from Victorian to Frank Lloyd Wright Prairie School and some multifamily, however grand traditional Georgian and Tudor styles predominate. Prices range from the high $200,000’s to over $1 Million. This is one of the finest and most prestigious residential areas in Atlanta. Because of its location, within walking distance to the Arts Center, and close proximity to Piedmont Park, the cities largest park, and two private clubs, The Ansley Park Golf Club and the Piedmont Driving Club, Ansley Park is highly sought after by both young professionals and native Atlantans alike. The Ansley Park Civic Association sponsors neighborhood activities and a community newspaper.
GRANT PARK, one of Atlanta’s oldest neighborhoods is situated around Grant Park, home to two well known Atlanta landmarks, the Atlanta Zoo and Cyclorama. The area has seen many homes renovated over the last 10 years and still offers opportunities for those interested in renovating historic homes. Streets near the park are lined with restored Victorian homes, but most homes are frame bungalows priced from about $150,000. for un-restored properties. Because of Grant Park’s close proximity to downtown, the area has recently seen a dramatic increase in demand for housing.
INMAN PARK, was developed in the 1880’s as one of the nation’s first planned communities, and one of its first garden suburbs. Inman Park and Ansley Park were the first suburban developments in Atlanta. One of the countries first street car systems was formed in Inman Park to transport affluent inhabitants to their offices downtown. Most homes in Inman Park are large Victorian, Colonial, and Classic Revival with some smaller brick or frame bungalows as well. Restored Victorians can easily exceed the high $300,000’s while un-restored bungalows may be found in the high $100,000’s to mid $200,000’s
LITTLE FIVE POINTS, located next to Inman Park, the area derived its name from the meeting of five major streets in its business district. The area consists mostly of 1920’s bungalow style homes which have been popular with young professionals for restoration. This is a colorful area with sidewalk cafes and restaurants and a neighborhood theater that give it an “artsy” atmosphere. Home prices range from about the mid $100,000’s
MORNINGSIDE, is only minutes from downtown and has a diverse blend of cultures and ages. The homes are mostly well-kept Tudor and Jacobean revival styles, many with exceptional brickwork, and even a few Spanish and contemporary homes. There are a variety of well-known restaurants, coffee shops, and stores for residents. There are several small parks in the area and several Atlanta public schools are nearby. A very popular area, the prices of homes have escalated over the last few years with the majority in the $250,000 to $350,000 range. The Morningside Association sponsors festivals, block parties, and activities.
VIRGINIA HIGHLANDS, gets its name from the intersection of Virginia and N. Highland Avenues, and could be described as Atlanta’s “Greenwich Village”. This “in” part of Intown is a fun potpourri of popular restaurants, hip boutiques, sidewalk cafes, bookstores, small antique and art shops and several of the cafes feature live music on weekends. Homes are mostly renovated brick bungalows and brick Tudor homes built in the 1920’s and 1930’s which are popular with young professionals as well as young families, and feature hardwood floors, carved moldings and large fireplaces. Prices range from the high $100,000’s to in excess of the high $400,000’s.
