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Rated 5 stars in
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www.handsyoudemand.com | 404-804-5485
Atlanta Fine
Homes
Just Listed in Druid I Tills
Sotheby's
INTERNATIONAL REALTY
1874 Ridgewood Drive, Atlanta, Georgia 30307
4 Bedrooms, 2.5 Bathrooms, Offered for $950,000
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Located in sought-after Druid Hills and just blocks from Emory Village and
award-winning schools, this charming 1930 Tudor-style home offers an
updated kitchen open to the family room, a main-level primary suite with
a new primary bathroom and a screened porch overlooking the backyard.
Peggy Hibbert
#1 Agent in Druid Hills + #1 Metro Brokerage
C. 404.444.0192 o. 404.874.0300
peggy@atlantafinehomes.com
©2024 Atlanta Fine Homes, LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal
Opportunity Act. Each franchise is independently owned and operated. Source: FMLS. 1/1/21-
12/31/21. Druid Hills. All Property Types + Price Points. Intown Ranking: TrendGraphix. Top 5 Firms.
1/1/23-12/31/23. Zip Codes 30306,30307,30308,30309,30324. All Property Types + Price Points.
Why I’m bullish on
Downtown
I have a very distinct childhood memory of the first time I saw the City of Atlanta.
It was from the backseat of my parents’ car at age 5 as we approached from the south
on 1-85. The Westin Peachtree Plaza was nearing completion and it rose so tall over the
surrounding buildings that it almost frightened me. It was like the apes discovering the
towering monolith in “2001: A Space Odyssey.” It instilled in me
a sense of awe and wonder.
A year or so later, my first grade class took a questionable
“field trip” to the grand old Rich’s Department Store to visit
Santa Claus, ride the Pink Pig, and eat lunch at The Varsity.
And, again, I was agog at the sights and sounds of Downtown.
All these years later, it still gives me a little thrill to drive into
that canyon of high-rises on Peachtree Street or come up the
long escalator at Peachtree Center.
Since my parents passed away, I have spent most holidays
with friends. For Christmas lunch, we got reservations at By
George located in the lobby of the former office building, which is now known as the
Candler FFotel. It was a delicious meal and being Downtown (despite the dreary weather)
for Christmas felt very chic and urbane.
Downtown catches a lot of flak — some of it warranted — for its acres of parking lots,
lack of basic amenities for urban dwellers, and crime. The Downtown I remember — and
that many folks of a certain age will too — is a place full of hustle and bustle both day
and night. There were old movie palaces like the Loew’s Grand Theatre and Paramount,
Davison’s and Rich’s were thronged with customers, and restaurants and shops were
destinations on the clanging streetcar system.
That Downtown is gone, but there is an opportunity to bring something even more
exciting to the core of the city.
As you’ll see in our special section this month, we’ve partnered with Central Atlanta
Progress (CAP) to showcase what’s next for Downtown. From a concerted effort to bring
more arts and culture to the streets, to the revitalization of South Downtown into an
entrepreneurial tech hub, and the rise of Centennial Yards on the long-derelict property
adjacent to Mercedes-Benz Stadium — there is much to be bullish about.
The project that excites me most is the Stitch — the plan to cap the 1-75/85 interstate
with greenspace and new development opportunities. Atlanta was desecrated by the
decision to run an interstate through its heart but the Stitch would reconnect some of the
surface street grid and reunite both sides of Downtown.
The Stitch’s promise will have to be done with equity in mind: more affordable
housing, more small business opportunities, and sustainability.
My hope is that CAP, city leaders, business owners, and residents who also love
Downtown will make the Stitch and other ongoing projects a reality.
Downtown is on the cusp of being the vital place it used to be if we can retain some of
that childhood awe and wonder.
Tell me what you think at collin@roughdraftatlanta.com.
EDITOR'S
NOTE
Collin Kelley
4 | FEBRUARY 2024
RoughDraftAtlanta.com