The Atlanta Beltline’s expansion into Buckhead is picking up pace. The Beltline announced two significant updates Nov. 7 for two sections of the 22-mile trail, including a notable land purchase to complete a section of Buckhead’s portion of the pathway.
Beltline breaks ground in Buckhead
Atlanta Beltline, Inc. and Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens held a groundbreaking ceremony Oct. 31 to begin construction of Segment 1 of the Beltline’s Northwest Trail in Buckhead. The trail section begins at Peachtree Park Drive at the entrance of Peachtree Park apartments. It then winds 0.8-miles slightly northwest and ends at the Kinsey Court cul-de-sac. Notably, this portion will cross over Peachtree Creek via a large suspension bridge, which will create a dramatic visual landmark on this segment of Beltline. This segment also includes elevated trail sections along Peachtree Creek.
The Beltline has not announced an anticipated completion date for this segment of trail.
Segment 1 of the Northwest Trail is slated to join a section of Beltline crossing Peachtree Creek to the east before turning south and joining the Northeast portion of the Beltline at the Armour-Ottley commercial district. A connector trail is also planned to join this portion of Beltline to the trailhead of Path400, a 5.25-mile greenway currently under development. Path400 runs adjacent to SR 400 along eastern portions of Buckhead.
The Beltline/Path400 connection is slated for the area near the Beltline’s 2.68-acre property in Buckhead at 579 Garson Drive. Plans for the property include a mixed-use development with affordable housing. Rezoning for the site is underway, according to the Beltline.
Beltline earns key land acquisition on site of shuttered Buckhead nightclub
As construction begins to the east on Segment 1 of the Northwest Trail, the Beltline announced it completed a necessary land purchase to complete Segment 2 of the path near Piedmont Atlanta Hospital and the Shepherd Center. The Beltline purchased three parcels, approximately one acre, at 2110 Peachtree Road, the site of the former Elleven45 Lounge. The nightclub was declared a public nuisance by a Fulton County Superior Court Judge in August and was shut down following a shooting in May. Two people were killed and four wounded in the shooting.
The land purchase is the first for the Beltline along the Peachtree Corridor.
“This property purchase brings the Beltline closer to realizing its vision of a fully connected, accessible, and vibrant infrastructure, further enhancing the economic, recreational, and environmental benefits for Atlanta’s residents and visitors,” said Clyde Higgs, president and CEO of Atlanta Beltline, Inc.
The property will allow the Beltline to connect trails along Peachtree Park Drive Northeast and under Peachtree Road to Bennett Street Northwest. In total, Segment 2 is 0.7-miles long and connects to Bobby Jones Golf Course.
“This acquisition and expansion will help us continue to make Atlanta the best place in the nation to raise a family and to start a business,” Mayor Dickens said in a statement.
Notable trail details
Segments 1 and 2 are included in the 4.3-mile Northwest Trail, which will traverse 4.3 miles from Marietta Boulevard Northwest in Blandtown through Buckhead to connect to the Northeast trail at the Armour-Ottley district.
Meanwhile, a significant new development recently announced will overlook the Beltline in Buckhead. The Atlanta Opera announced in September its plans to transform the former Bobby Jones Clubhouse into its new headquarters. The Opera’s headquarters will be located adjacent to the Beltline on Woodward Way.
Plans call for the original early 1900s Grecian revival building to be renovated and triple in size to 56,000 square feet. It will house a 200-seat recital hall, educational spaces, film studio, and the Opera’s administration offices. Construction is scheduled to be completed in the summer of 2027.
