Buckhead

History of Buckhead Atlanta

Buckhead may be one of the most affluent places to live, but once upon a time, a man named Henry Irby purchased part of it — about 202 acres near the intersection of Peachtree, Roswell, and West Paces Ferry Roads — for only $650 in 1838. He named it Irbyville and built a tavern and general store near where the intersection sits today. Years later, legend has it that Irby killed a large buck and hung the head near that same spot, and soon the area became known as Buckhead. By the 1890s, the name change to Atlanta Heights, but that lasted less than 30 years, and the community became known as Buckhead once again by 1930.

Throughout the 1800s, the area became a popular spot for wealthy Atlanta residents to build country estates where they would spend their summers. After World War I and with the invention of the car, they began building mansions in Buckhead and making it their permanent residence. By 1959, the city was home to Lenox Square, one of the first malls in the country and the largest shopping space in the Southeast. After that, the community continued to grow around the mall and those homes into the haven that it is today.

Quick Facts

• Population: 80,500
• Public school students living in Buckhead will attend Atlanta Public Schools, many of which are International Baccalaureate World Schools. One example is Morris Brandon Elementary School which has been named a National Blue Ribbon School as well as a Georgia School of Excellence over the last few years.
• Private schools in Buckhead include The Westminster Schools, The Lovett School, Pace Academy, Atlanta International School, Christ the King School, Atlanta Girls School, Atlanta Speech School, The Galloway School, Holy Spirit Perpatory School, and Trinity School.
• Both Georgia State University and the University of Georgia have campuses in Buckhead that offer access to their MBA programs.
• The community has its own branch of the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System on Buckhead Avenue.
• Both Piedmont Hospital and the Shepherd Center are based here.
• According to Forbes, Buckhead is home to the ninth-wealthiest zip code in the country. The Robb Report ranked it among its “10 Top Affluent Communities.”

Demographics

• The cost of living in Buckhead is around $136,000.
• The median age is 42.
• The median income is just under $133,000, and the average household is worth over $967,000.
• Nearly 50 percent of Buckhead residents are married and 43 percent have children.

Local Attractions

People come from all over North Georgia each week to shop, dine, and play in Buckhead. The district is home to several malls and shopping centers that are famous throughout the country for selling top designer clothing and accessories that you cannot find anywhere else in the Southeast. Mixed throughout the area are a number of award-winning restaurants that have received national attention. The city also has a reputation as a place to come out at night and listen to live music and have a drink with friends at one of its infamous bars and nightclubs. If you prefer spending time outdoors playing golf or tennis, watching concerts under the stars, or taking a walk through a historic area, there are several opportunities for that too.

Dining

• Thomas Deluxe Grill – Since 1985, R. Thomas Deluxe Grill has been bringing a little bit of California to Georgia. You can dine on juices and smoothies, organic dishes, vegan and vegetarian dishes, gluten-free dishes, raw food, macrobiotic food, and free-range meats. It is one of Atlanta’s favorite places to grab a burger — a healthy burger that is.
• Local Three – Local Three is located in the affluent West Paces Ferry area, and its menu lives up to the neighborhood’s reputation. Opened in 2010, the restaurant puts its own spin on traditional dishes like Summer Vegetable Lasagna, Panko Crusted North Carolina Flounder, and Crispy Confit Duck Leg.
• Holeman & Finch – Holeman and Finch may be Buckhead’s favorite gastropub, and much of it has to do with one dish: The Burger. The Burger, which you can find on the Sunday brunch and daily dinner menus, has been declared one of the best in the country by numerous publications. The seasonal, made-from-scratch menu includes a number of other delicious dishes as well.
• Fogo de Chao Brazilian Steakhouse – The upscale Fogo de Chao Brazilian Steakhouse is located in the heart of Buckhead, and it is, without a doubt, a local favorite. From the colorful dining room to the open churrasqueira grill, the ambience is just as exciting as the assorted steak and seafood dishes.
• Farm Burger – For something a little more casual, Farm Burger is a must-visit. Start by choosing your protein: farm-fresh chicken, grass-fed beef, or vegetarian quinoa. Next, add your favorite toppings. Finally, choose a side, like sweet potato fries or pimento cheese fries, and you have one of the best meals in Buckhead. Do not forget to wash it down with a beer or milkshake.

Transportation

• Airports – Buckhead is just 20 miles north of Hartsfield-Jackson International Atlanta Airport, the busiest airport in the world.
• Public Transportation – Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) offers bus and rail service to three stations in Buckhead: Lenox, Lindbergh Center, and Buckhead. A community bus shuttle called “The Buc” is also available to connect MARTA riders with popular area destinations.
• Major Roads and Interstates – Interstates 75 and 85 run just south of Buckhead, forming the district’s southernmost tip, and Interstate 285 is just minutes away. Other main roads include Georgia 400, Peachtree Road, Paces Ferry Road, Roswell Road, Northside Parkway, and Piedmont Road.

Shopping

• Lenox Square – Lenox Square is one of the most upscale shopping malls in the entire United States. It is home to around 250 stores and restaurants, such as Bloomingdale’s, Apple, Burberry, Cheesecake Factory, Cartier, Pottery Barn, Ralph Lauren, Neiman Marcus, and Williams-Sonoma.
• Phipps Plaza – The upscale Phipps Plaza is home to 112 stores and restaurants and is aslo one of the most upscale malls in the country. You will find brands like Versace, Gucci, Hugo Boss, Valentino, Tory Burch, Prada, Fendi, and Louis Vuitton.
• Buckhead Atlanta – Buckhead Atlanta is one of Buckhead’s newest shopping and dining destinations, and it is home to some of the hottest stores in Atlanta, such as Warby Parker, Alice + Olivia, Hermes, La Perla, Jimmy Choo, Jonathan Adler, Christian Louboutin, Bella Bag, Scoop NYC, and Helmut Lang.

Entertainment, Nightlife & Things To Do

• LEGOLAND Discovery Center – Buckhead is home to the family-friendly LEGOLAND Discovery Center which offers hours of fun for the entire family. Watch a 4D film, ride rides, and see the coolest LEGO displays in the country.
• Atlanta History Center – Buckhead is also the home of the 32-acre Atlanta History Center. It features one of the largest history museums in the South, the Swan House, a museum dedicated to the Centennial Olympic Games, the Kenan Research Center, event space, a Coca-Cola Café, a gift shop, trails, and gardens.
• Chastain Park Amphitheatre – Sure, you can head into Midtown or Downtown to see a concert, but Buckhead has its very own outdoor amphitheater. Chastain Park Amphitheater seats just under 7,000 and hosts some of the biggest acts in music.
• Nightclubs – Buckhead has a reputation for its thriving nightlife, and no matter what type of nightclub you enjoy, you will find it here. Dance the night away at the Havana Club or mingle with the locals at Johnny’s Hideaway. Tongue & Groove, Park Bench, and The Sanctuary are other great places to have a drink or hear live music.
• Atlanta Memorial Park– Buckhead has its own 200-acre park, the third largest in the city of Atlanta. Atlanta Memorial Park is home to the infamous Bitsy Grant Tennis Center, the Bobby Jones Golf Course, historic sites, trails, playgrounds, and fields.

Real Estate Information

Housing options vary greatly throughout Buckhead, but no matter what you are looking for, make sure you make an offer quickly, because most Buckhead homes do not stay on the market for long. The center of the district, along Peachtree Rd, is home to several high-rise condos that offer numerous amenities, beautiful views of the city, and state-of-the-art interiors. Venture a little further out, and you will find historic neighborhoods with charming bungalows and cottages, as well as family-friendly neighborhoods with new construction and everything in between. Many people think of sprawling estates and mansions when they think of Buckhead, and it has plenty of those, too. Many of them are located on the northwest side in the Paces area. They sit on large private wooded lots and showcase some of the most beautiful architecture in the country.

Average Price of Homes

As of the summer of 2015, the average home price in Buckhead is $650,000. That is more than twice the average price in the rest of the city of Atlanta and almost four times the national average. However, you can find homes that range between around $350,000 all the way up to the multi-millions.

Popular Neighborhoods

• Chastain Park
  
• Brookwood Hills
• Collier Hills
• Buckhead Forest
• Pine Hills
• Lenox
• Paces
• North Buckhead
• Peachtree Battle

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• Peachtree Heights
  
• Garden Hills
• Haynes Manor
• Castlewood
• Underwood Hills
• Wildwood
• Wyngate
• Tuxedo Park
• Springlake