Decatur GA Real Estate for Sale

DECATUR is one of Atlanta’s thriving communities, dates back to 1822 and is the county seat of Dekalb county. At the center of this small town is the old courthouse, surrounded by small shops, the new courthouse tower and several modern mid-rise office towers. There is a strong sense of community in Decatur and new residents either refurbish the older homes, or build new homes on any available in-fill lots to fit in with the neighborhood. Homes range from a variety of popular and distinctive smaller Craftsman, Prairie, and Tudor bungalows dating from around 1905 to the 1930’s, to larger, stately versions of these same designs, as well as some large grand Georgian, Neo-Classical, and Colonial Revival styles from the early half of the century.

EMORY/DRUID HILLS – the development of this beautiful residential area was begun in 1890 by Joel Hurt, who from 1890 – 1893 acquired 1492 acres of land northeast of Atlanta for the project. Hurt commissioned the founder of landscape architecture himself, Frederick Law Olmsted, to design and plan Druid Hills. The depression of 1893 delayed development and it was not until 1905 that Olmsted’s firm completed the final plans. Development of Druid Hills was completed between 1910 and 1935, and the area emerged as the most successful affluent residential community in Atlanta.

Druid Hills with Olmsted’s plan of a gently curving main avenue intersected by parkways running alongside wooded parks, continues to maintain its genteel lifestyle today. The area is listed on the National Register of Historical Places. Home styles are mostly stately two-story traditional Tudor and Georgian designs and most are priced between $250,000 to $600,000. Some townhomes are available for $175,000 and up.

Home prices in these areas have steadily escalated, because of their close proximity to the Emory University research center and to downtown Atlanta. The most famous Druid Hills home is Callanwolde, built in 1920 for the son of Asa Candler, founder of Coca-Cola and now a fine arts center. Other mansions are located throughout the area, but one of the most well recognized is the house used for the filming of “Driving Miss Daisy”.