2019 was a great year in Buckhead. As it draws to an end and we prepare to ring in the next decade, we are taking a moment to reflect on our favorite stories and photos from the year gone by. We have featured new businesses and old, art, food, history, sports, and real estate developments that affect all those who call Buckhead home. In addition to these stories we captured and shared 365 images depicting the people, places, and happenings that make Buckhead the community we know and love in our Daily Photo feature.
Posted below, in no particular order, are our top 10 stories from 2019. Enjoy, and Happy New Year!
You have probably seen the colorful and whimsical works of artist Steve Penley on your friends’ and neighbors’ walls. Known for his impressionist style that infuses his works with a sort of frenetic energy, Penley mostly paints Americana in the form of presidents, iconic moments in history, pop culture icons, and the occasional – but very popular – floral still life and landscape. We got an inside look at his studio in Buckhead Village and learned about his process, his passions, and what compels him to paint every day and often through the night. Read More
One of Buckhead’s greatest treasures is the natural beauty that surrounds us. However, encroaching development and an ever-expanding series of roads and interstates has often had a detrimental effect on our ability to get out and actually enjoy nature in our day-to-day lives. That’s a problem that the team at Livable Buckhead aims to remedy through the implementation of Path400, a 5.2 mile greenway and path that runs along the spine of GA 400. Read More
The Atlanta History Center is a beloved institution in the heart of Buckhead that has served as a repository for our community’s history for nearly 100 years. In addition to offering special events, archival records, and museum exhibitions at its 33-acre property on West Paces Ferry, the organization has been making great strides to connect more with the community outside of the Center itself thanks to the guidance of President and CEO Sheffield Hale. Read our interview with him and learn about why he is so passionate about history and all that he hopes the Atlanta History Center can achieve in Buckhead. Read More
We have seen some incredible new restaurants open their doors in Buckhead this year. Ranging from casual eateries to fine dining, we featured 5 of our top new restaurants in 2019 in a roundup with photos and descriptions of what you can expect when dining in these establishments. Read More
A vital part of the fabric of Buckhead since its inception in 1982, the Tophat Soccer Club has been offering opportunities for young girls to learn and advance in soccer for nearly 40 years. Founder Cy Stricker met with us to explain why he started the program and how it got to be so big – from humble beginnings to today’s 1500 members with a waiting list of 1000 more – all without compromising his views on the importance of sports, play, and team building. Read More
The Shepherd Center on Peachtree Road has been saving lives and making tremendous strides in treatments for patients suffering from traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries since 1975. The Shepherd family was inspired to found the Center when they were seeking medical assistance for their son James who was injured in a surfing accident and have been pioneering the cause ever since. Sadly, James passed away just before Christmas this year, but his legacy lives on in the many lives that are forever changed by the incredible achievements of the Shepherd Center. We shadowed Dr. Elmers for a day to learn the ins and outs of this state-of-the-art medical facility and meet some of her inspirational patients. Read More
The 50th Annual Peachtree Road Race kicked off in front of Lenox Square on the 4th of July this year. 60,000 runners flocked to the world’s largest 10K, filling the streets of Buckhead in patriotic garb and cheered on by crowds of onlookers. The race has steadily grown in size since its inception in 1970 and this year marked a momentous occasion for one particular runner, Bill Thorn, a member of the Original 110 runners who has run the race every year since it began. Read More
One of Buckhead’s most iconic and cherished local restaurants, OK Cafe, has stood the test of time at the corner of Northside Parkway and West Paces Ferry Road. Old-fashioned in both aesthetics and menu offerings, the Cafe has gained a reputation as a place for business and pleasure for families and professionals alike since it first opened its doors in 1987. Serving up classic Southern dishes in a diner setting, it’s not uncommon to see celebrities dining alongside regulars who have been returning to the Cafe day after day for decades. Read More
The very landscape of Buckhead Village is steadily changing with a near-constant influx of luxury hotels, condos, and new businesses. One of the most visually shocking developments this year was the demolition of 3 acres of prime real estate adjacent to the Whole Foods shopping complex at Buckhead Market Place in Buckhead Village. The site will soon see the rise of a massive 13-story mixed use building featuring 500 multifamily units and more than 16,000 square feet of commercial space. Read More
For nearly 70 years the Bitsy Grant Tennis Center, located at the Southwest tip of Atlanta Memorial Park along Northside Drive, has been a hub for tennis players of all ages. Named after the legendary Buckhead born tennis player Bryan “Bitsy” Grant, the 10 hard courts and 13 clay courts at this facility have offered a vital meeting place for games, tournaments, and lessons for several generations of Buckhead’s tennis lovers. Read More
The spirit of Buckhead heads forward. This is the way it has been, and perhaps this is the way it will always be. The spirit of Buckhead points forward. You see it in the way we work, and you see it in the way we play. The reach is always extending further. The search is for excellence and beauty and grace and vibrancy.
We are a community of individuals. We are diverse, we are dynamic, and we are discerning. We are builders. We are connected to one another with a common bond. A common dream. A common quest. Pointing life in one direction. Forward.
