Buckhead Village Archives

The high-end luxury market in Buckhead is showing plenty of resilience despite the market fluctuations. While the majority of homes under $4 million involve mortgages, 80% of the homes at $4 million and above are paid for in cash. This insulates these buyers from interest rate shocks and is part of the reason that the upper end of the Buckhead market is outperforming the rest.

Eight of the ten sales below were cash deals and two of the sales were off-market deals. Click here to read my mid-year market update. The market stats may surprise you!

The Loudermilk Estate that I sold in February is still the #1 sale of 2023 but the top ten Buckhead home sales list for the first half of 2023 is packed with beautiful homes!

1

Featured Properties

825 Davis Drive

825 Davis Drive, Atlanta, Georgia 30327

Sold 02/24/2023

7Bedroom(s)

8Bathroom(s)

14.37Acres

14,847Sqft

Your imagination is the only limit to what you can create at this amazing estate! Situated on a roomy 14+ acres, it is the largest property available in the Buckhead area and is being offered for sale for the first time. The grounds include 14+ usable acres with no floodplain. A stately formal entrance is on Davis Drive and a gated staff entrance is accessible from Northside Drive.

$8,600,000

Add to favorites

Remove from favorites

2

Featured Properties

490 W Paces Ferry Road Nw

490 W Paces Ferry Road Nw, Atlanta, Georgia 30305

Sold 06/26/2023

9Bedroom(s)

12Bathroom(s)

2.05Acres

Welcome to 490 West Paces Ferry Road Atlanta's most prestigious address. This idyllic 2+/- acre estate was designed with the utmost privacy and security in mind. Upon the gated entry lined with Limestone pavers, additional gated entry to the 4 car garage.

$8,500,000

Add to favorites

Remove from favorites

3

Featured Properties

1150 Garmon Road

1150 Garmon Road, Atlanta, Georgia 30327

Sold 02/13/2023

6Bedroom(s)

8Bathroom(s)

1.79Acres

15,500Sqft

Behind a massive gate is a spectacular residence constructed of stone, limestone and slate on almost two acres of breathtaking grounds. Harrison Design was the Principle design firm for the entire property including the landscape design, and all interior finishes and furnishings. Located in a very private estate neighborhood in North Buckhead (30327) but technically in Sandy Springs.

$8,300,000

Add to favorites

Remove from favorites

4

Featured Properties

52 Blackland Road Nw

52 Blackland Road Nw, Atlanta, Georgia 30342

Sold 05/17/2023

7Bedroom(s)

7Bathroom(s)

5.18Acres

One of the most extraordinary properties in all of Buckhead, this private 5+/- acre gated estate offers a true escape in the heart of prestigious Tuxedo Park. Custom built home includes the Main House with 7 Bedrooms, Guest House with 2 Bedrooms, plus additional Guest House with 1 Bedroom and boasts garage parking for 9 cars. This home is perfect for entertaining, both indoors and out.

$7,595,000

Add to favorites

Remove from favorites

5

373 Argonne Drive $6,200,000

SOLD 3/33/2023

6 br / 8 ba / 9,500 Sqft

Light-filled European Mediterranean perfectly sited on gorgeous 1.7 acres on a beautiful Atlanta street. Front of house shows perfectly balanced architecture.

6

Featured Properties

4445 Harris Valley Road Nw

4445 Harris Valley Road Nw, Atlanta, Georgia 30327

Sold 04/21/2023

6Bedroom(s)

6Bathroom(s)

1.97Acres

10,553Sqft

This beautifully crafted new construction home by Siegel Construction and Design is located on a private two acre lot on a quiet, cul-de-sac street. The home features 6 Bedrooms/6 Baths/2 Half Baths over three levels. The main level has a walk-out backyard with a tennis court and a pool, as well as an outdoor covered porch and fireplace.

$6,065,000

Add to favorites

Remove from favorites

7

Featured Properties

3994 Emma Lane Ne

3994 Emma Lane Ne, Atlanta, Georgia 30342

Sold 04/12/2023

7Bedroom(s)

8Bathroom(s)

1.48Acres

13,359Sqft

Fall in love with the craftsmanship and timeless style of this seven-bedroom, eight- and one-half bathroom Buckhead masterpiece, set amidst manicured grounds at the end of a cul-de-sac street on nearly 2+/- private acres that border the Blue Heron Nature Preserve.

$5,300,000

Add to favorites

Remove from favorites

8

4825 Woodvale Drive $4,995,000

SOLD 5/23/2023

6 br / 6 ba / 2 half baths / 7,700 Sqft

Former Design Showhouse in Sandy Springs.

9

281 King Road $4,700,000

SOLD 3/13/2023

5 br / 8 ba / 6,571 Sqft

281 King Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30342 is a single family home that contains 6,571 sq ft and was built in 1999. It contains 5 bedrooms and 8 bathrooms. This home last sold for $4,700,000 in March 2023.

10

Featured Properties

4220 Harris Trail Nw

4220 Harris Trail Nw, Atlanta, Georgia 30327

Sold 05/22/2023

6Bedroom(s)

7Bathroom(s)

1.03Acres

8,800Sqft

Sophisticated, modern elegance abounds throughout this nearly new, private gated property on Buckhead's coveted Harris Trail. Stunning interiors couples with resort-quality amenities. The seamless open-concept style, ideally designed for grand scale entertaining and daily living, effortlessly flows from indoor to private outdoor spaces.

$4,650,000

Add to favorites

Remove from favorites

There are myriad reasons you might consider treating yourself to a staycation. It can be a great way to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, or any other reason you may want to get away from your daily grind.

In case you aren’t familiar with the term, a staycation is basically a brief vacation you enjoy without leaving your home or neighborhood. It is often challenging to relax within the confines of your home because of chores or unfinished home projects that may tempt you to work through your staycation. A stay in a local hotel is a great remedy for this problem, and one that can provide a different perspective to the streets you may travel every day.

Buckhead has no shortage of venues that are perfect for a weekend away from home. Buckhead Village has hotels ranging from hip new “lifestyle hotels” like the Thompson Buckhead and Kimpton Sylvan, to Buckhead’s luxury classics like the St Regis. Each of these properties boasts renowned restaurants and easy walking to Buckhead Village shops.

Opened in November 2022, NOBU Hotel and restaurant is part of the recent major expansion at Phipps Plaza that includes Life Time Fitness, Life Time Work, and Citizens Food Hall. The five year process of expanding the mall has resulted in an unmistakable shift from just a high-end shopping center to a multi-use destination for Buckhead residents and visitors alike.

We had a chance to experience the NOBU Hotel and restaurant along with the other new properties at Phipps Plaza, and we would be hard pressed to think of a better place to spend a staycation weekend in Atlanta. Our staycation to-do list offers just a few ideas to get you started planning your next Buckhead getaway.

NOBU Hotel and Restaurant

NOBU Hotel Atlanta is one of just 15 NOBU hotels in the world. Designed by Rockwell Group, the understated elegance of NOBU Atlanta is a quiet contrast to the busier designs found in some other high-end hotels in the neighborhood. Clean lines and natural materials create a calming atmosphere where the decor doesn’t distract from your experience.

The simple elegant design continues into the guest rooms. The hotel includes 152 guest rooms. Accommodations include 400 sqf deluxe rooms, 600-800 sqf suites, and the remarkable NOBU Villa that occupies 2,138 sqf on the 9th floor. A deluxe room can be reserved for a very reasonable $280 per night.

The 9th floor NOBU Villa is a dramatic penthouse with a living room, dining room, private bar, and guest bath in addition to the private bedroom with ensuite full bath. Guests in the NOBU Villa enjoy direct access to NOBU’s rooftop pool terrace. The entire 9th floor can be reserved for events, including the Villa, pool terrace, and rooftop lounge.

The staff at NOBU is friendly and engaging, providing attentive service that doesn’t feel snobby. A walk through the hotel lobby always finds a cordial greeting, and any request is met with a speedy reply.

NOBU and Porsche

NOBU has partnered with Porsche Cars North America to create the Porsche Icon Suite and the Porsche Classic Room, featuring Porsche-themed design elements and custom themed amenities. Packages are available that include dining, champagne, and Porsche-themed gifts.

The NOBU-Porsche partnership also includes all-electric Porsche Taycan house cars for complimentary guest transportation. NOBU’s “Porsche Pilots” will deliver you up to 3 miles of the hotel, and pick you up with a phone call. This service alone makes NOBU a compelling option for a weekend getaway. Park the car in the hotel lot when you arrive, and simply take a Porsche around town!

We thought of a few excursions within three miles of the NOBU Hotel that would add some spice to a weekend away:

NOBU Restaurant

One of the most sought-after reservations in town, NOBU Restaurant proves it is worth the wait from the moment you walk in. Covered patio seating welcomes you for a pre-dinner cocktail, while the beautiful dining room reflects the subtle design and organic materials from the NOBU Hotel.

Dinner lives up to Chef Nobu’s reputation. The Nobu Old Fashioned cocktail, made with Japanese whisky, was one of the smoothest I have ever had.

Signature dishes like Black Cod Miso, Rock Shrimp Tempura, and Yellowtail Sashimi do not disappoint. The Rock Shrimp Tempura was perfectly cooked beneath crispy batter, and the Yellowtail reminds you how good sashimi can be.

There are lots of dining options in the neighborhood, but we wouldn’t blame you if you had dinner in the hotel each night of your stay.

The Green

A short stroll across NOBU’s driveway finds you on The Green. The manicured outdoor space has lots of different chairs and tables for dining, drinking or just enjoying the weather. The Green is surrounded by NOBU Hotel, Life Time Fitness, Phipps Plaza, and the One Phipps Plaza office tower. The surrounding buildings give the green a secluded secret-garden feel that helps a visitor feel far removed from the hustle and bustle of the surrounding city.

Life Time Fitness

Grab a day pass for Life Time Fitness to enjoy the gym, spa, and rooftop Beach Club. Studio, cycle, and yoga classes, plus Life Time’s own GTX and UltraFit classes offer something for everyone. Book a post-workout massage, manicure, or salon treatment before heading to the roof for a snack and a cocktail. Parents will appreciate the 2.5 hours of Kids Academy (AKA built-in childcare) included with your day pass!

Citizens Market

The lower level of the Life Time building is home to the Citizens Market food hall. Enjoy 8 chef-inspired restaurant concepts situated around a central dining area. Samoto, Krispy Rice, and Umami Burger are just a few recognizable names. The central Citizen Bar has seating inside and out, with convenient service to The Green. We are talking about several of the best new restaurants in Atlanta, and we haven’t gone more than 100 yards from the hotel!

Phipps Plaza Shopping

It is quite a luxury to have the southeast’s premier shopping destination just across The Green. Sacks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom, Givenchy, Gucci, and dozens of other luxury brands provide ample opportunity to put your credit cards to work. Take a break from shopping and check out the latest movies on the big screen at AMC Phipps Plaza theater, or use your imagination and engineering skills at the new LEGO Discovery Center.

The amenities, and restaurants at Phipps Plaza, plus complimentary transportation to many other local hot spots, make NOBU Hotel Atlanta the perfect headquarters for your next Buckhead staycation.

Elected officials, Atlanta Police Department officers and representatives from several Buckhead community organizations gathered on W Paces Ferry Road May 22 for a proverbial ribbon cutting on the Buckhead Safety Alliance’s security patrols. The patrols began in earnest several weeks ago, but Monday’s event — which included comments from Atlanta City Council District 8 representative Mary Norwood, Atlanta Police Department Chief Darin Schierbaum and others — was intended to spread the word about the safety initiative.

Debra Wathen of the Buckhead Safety Alliance (BSA) and Buckhead Council of Neighborhoods said public knowledge and support of the BSA’s security patrols are particularly vital given the initiative is funded solely through donations. Funding is secure in the short-term, Wathen said, but the long-term viability of the patrols is dependent on continued financial support from the Buckhead community.

What Are The Buckhead Safety Alliance’s Patrols?

The BSA’s patrols employ off-duty APD officers with “full arrest powers” to patrol five commercial corridors throughout Buckhead — identified by the Buckhead Public Safety Task Force —in donated APD cruisers. Currently, the patrols are conducted with two cruisers, and another is expected to begin operating in the coming months.

“The crime statistics show that the commercial corridors is where the crime is, so we want to patrol where the crime is, and these officers have been trained to do that,” Wathen said.

Additionally, Wathen announced each of the BSA’s patrol cars will have a direct cell phone number that BSA members can call directly with concerns.

APD Chief Schierbaum said the BSA patrols will allow officers to better assist with traffic control, respond to 911 calls, “and [be] proactive to address criminal behavior where it may arise.”

The patrols began several weeks ago, so not enough time has passed to judge their overall effectiveness through crime statistics, Wathen said. She added that Maj. Ailen Mitchell of APD Zone 2, who also spoke at Monday’s event, will be monitoring the statistics closely to manage the impacts of the patrols.

“If the statistics show that crime is down in these corridors, then you’ll know they are effective,” Wathen said.

Funding The BSA Patrols Requires Substantial Funding

“The financial commitment for these patrols is not insignificant,” Wathen said, noting the program will require about $570,000 annually to operate. Though the patrols are off to an auspicious start with the donation of police cruisers from the Atlanta Police Foundation and a $250,000 contribution from the Buckhead Coalition, long-term funding will be needed from the community at large.

“We have plenty of money to get us through 2023 and into 2024, but what we need to do is raise money for 2024 and beyond,” Wathen said. “That’s really what we’re raising for now. We’d love to have a police car for every corridor. Right now we’re sharing three police cars among the five corridors.”

With long-term funding still in the air, Wathen said Monday’s event was held primarily to bring public attention to the BSA’s patrols and, in turn, drum-up continued backing.

“It’s important for the community to know because we need their support to keep it going,” she said. “It’s all donation based. Businesses have been very gracious to this point, but we need the small businesses and our individuals to come forward with donations. I know they have been doing patrols in their neighborhoods forever, but this has a little bit of a different twist to it, and I think it’s going to make a huge difference. And having Chief Schierbaum here sort of indicates [the APD] agrees this is going to make a difference in crime.” Wathen said those interested in donating to the BSA’s patrols can visit the organization’s website, buckheadsafety.org, or donate through the Atlanta Police Foundation.

The Thompson Buckhead Hotel officially opened in Buckhead Village in December of 2021. Invited guests toured new rooms and suites and the Dirty Rascal restaurant, but the real party was held that night in the exclusive roof-top club known as Tesserae.

Tesserae is an upscale indoor-outdoor bar and restaurant designed by Dallas-based firm Studio 11 Design. The interior features luxurious decor, including deep blue velvet couches and pink leather booths, surrounding a gorgeous central bar. Breathtaking 10th floor views through floor-to-ceiling windows provide a unique backdrop to the entire space.

The views from the outdoor patio are hard to beat. Guests can flow effortlessly between indoor and outdoor spaces when an entire wall of glass is folded out of the way. Covered and uncovered areas outside offer unobstructed views of both the Buckhead skyline and downtown Atlanta.

From private club to inclusive lounge

Tesserae was designed as a private club, with access granted only to members and guests of certain suites in the Thompson Buckhead. On opening night it was easy to see what attracted members to Buckhead’s newest private club, and according to the Thompson there was a waiting list to join the club before it was even opened.

From the Thompson, “Since debuting in early 2022, the former private social club has earned a reputation as one of the city’s most sought-after locations for sipping handcrafted cocktails and rubbing elbows with movers and shakers in a chic and sophisticated setting.”

As of May 2023 Tesserae will be open to all hotel guests and the general public for dinner and drinks. The Thompson Buckhead team says that rave reviews and steadily growing demand prompted the decision to go public.

“We’re eager to continue growing the incredible community we’ve built at Tesserae and excited to build on this strong foundation to attract a diverse audience of individuals from Atlanta and our surrounding cities,” said Donte Johnson, General Manager of Thompson Buckhead. “We’re grateful to Tesserae’s founders, some of the city’s most influential thought leaders and power players, for helping drive this success, and remain committed to challenging the status quo in this beautiful place where guests can connect, be inspired and celebrate the best this city has to offer.”

Tesserae is open Tuesday to Thursday from 5:30 p.m. to midnight, and Friday and Saturday from 5:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. Menu items range from yellowfin tuna tostadas to lobster rolls to sliders, and you will not want to miss the signature craft cocktails.

More information about Tesserae’s public opening can be found at @TesseraeATL on Instagram.

The final piece of the puzzle for a massive re-development at Phipps Plaza that began in 2018 is now open. Citizens Market Atlanta at Phipps Plaza, joins the Nobu Hotel, Life Time Fitness & Life Time Work, and a 13-story class A office tower called One Phipps Plaza. According to the developers, “The reimagined Phipps Plaza is an unrivaled mixed-use development that redefines the way Buckhead lives, works, plays and shops.”

Citizens Market Atlanta is a culinary market occupying 25,000 square feet on the lower level of the Life Time building. The concept by C³ features eight chef-driven restaurant brands offering “fast-casual” dining for breakfast, lunch, and dinner seven days a week. Guests can enter the Citizens Market from outside or through Phipps Plaza’s lower level. Covered parking is available in the parking deck behind Nobu on Phipps Boulevard.

Much more than a food court

The space is a far cry from what you might expect from a dining experience attached to a mall. Citizens Market feels more like a restaurant than a food court. Indoor seating, designed by David Rockwell, includes high-tops, banquettes, and upholstered ottomans. Diners can also enjoy a variety of tables and benches outside on The Green, the manicured greenspace between the Life Time and One Phipps Plaza buildings. Each restaurant currently offers grab-and-go service, but a full-service area will be open soon for dining in.

Restaurant counters surround the indoor dining area. Cohesive signage and design throughout the market adds to the high-end vibe. The only real individual touches are the menus above the ordering counters. LCD panels display the menus and feature unique designs for each culinary brand. If there is a down side to this design, it is that it takes a bit of exploration to determine what each counter is selling. For example, the counter at Cicci Di Carne doesn’t give much hint to its Italian butcher shop concept, or the delicious sandwiches they make.

Citizens Bar is an indoor/outdoor bar featuring craft cocktails and a variety of beers, showcasing many local brands. Guests can enjoy the full-service bar from counter seating indoor or out, or from the extensive patio seating on the Green. Citizens Bar is consistently among the most popular vendors in the market, according to Assistant General Manager Ben Richards.

Creating Culinary Communities

C³ (Creating Culinary Communities) was the brainchild of Sam Nazarian, launched in February 2020 as a partnership between sbe Entertainment Group, Simon properties, and Accor to pioneer new culinary technology. C³ jumped into the ghost kitchen space as the COVID-19 pandemic shuttered restaurants across the country. The group partnered with acclaimed chefs like Dani Garcia, Masaharu Morimoto, and Dario Cecchini to build restaurant brands designed exclusively for carryout and delivery. These partnerships led to restaurants like Krispy Rice, Umami Burger, Ella Mia, and the other restaurant concepts you find at Citizens Market Atlanta at Phipps Plaza.

Ben Richards discussed the transition from delivery-only concepts to brick-and-mortar restaurants, “When Sam Nazarian started the C³ fast casual concepts, they started as ghost kitchens.” He continued, “Conveniently, he started [C³] right before COVID when all the ghost kitchens popped off, and they became pretty recognizable brands. It’s fun to bring the packaging and everything to life in a freestanding operation like this.”

A different kind of food hall

Even though Citizens Market Atlanta features eight different culinary concepts, they are all overseen by executive chef Jeremy Weaver. The eight open kitchens and corresponding service counters are essentially branches of the same restaurant. This concept sets Citizens Market Atlanta apart from other food halls in the Atlanta area that rely on multiple restaurants, with individual chefs, leases, decor, etc.

Chef Weaver oversees the execution of each restaurant’s cuisine according to the acclaimed chefs who created the concepts. The connection between restaurants allows for streamlining measures that are not possible with individual restaurant vendors. Ingredients such as pickled onions, sauces, and more can be shared between restaurants to save time. If one counter is busier than another, staff from a less busy counter can join in to help cover the rush.

Open kitchens behind each counter are used for food preparation, but there is more going on behind the scenes. There are multiple coolers and an additional prep kitchen three floors below the Citizens Market where food storage and prep is handled for all of the restaurants. “It’s all open and you see a lot of work going on here.” Chef Weaver said, “But there’s more going on downstairs.”

Another advantage to the common management of the food hall is the ease of transition if C3 wants to replace one of the restaurant concepts. Chef Weaver explains, “If we make a space change, it will probably be unnoticeable except for one day it was here and tomorrow it is something different. Everything really is plug and play, so that is an option for us. It’s not in the plans right now. But the flexibility of the space was thought of [in the design].”

Culinary offerings

After sampling several dishes from various vendors at Citizens Market Atlanta at Phipps Plaza, we can enthusiastically recommend that you visit Buckhead’s newest food hall. Residents we spoke to said they are already visiting Citizens Market multiple times per week, and we were thrilled to see the market already busy with the lunch crowd just a few weeks after opening. Check out the full list of culinary concepts below, and we will see you on the Green this summer!

Umami Burger: A rich and savory taste sensation that goes beyond the commonplace flavors of sweet, sour, salty, and bitter. Umami is the fundamental element of the Umami Burger experience. We make the most craveable burgers known to man.

Sam’s Crispy Chicken: A fast-casual dining concept offering Southern-fried chicken specialties, 100% antibiotic and hormone free. Sam’s Crispy Chicken specializes in crowd-pleasing, hand-battered, cornflake-crusted, all-natural chicken sandwiches done right.

Krispy Rice: An elevated sushi experience that’s anything but ordinary. The menu centers around the iconic Krispy Rice dish alongside handrolls, maki cut rolls, nigiri, and chef-curated combinations. All fast and fresh.

Sa’Moto: A collection of Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto’s most loved Pan-Asian dishes, merging Asian flavors, Japanese techniques, and American spirit.

Ella Mia: (Open for breakfast at 7:00am) A modern and sophisticated coffee shop that brings guests a slice of craft coffee culture. Ella Mia serves breakfast, lunch, and early dinner, including breads, sandwiches, and soups rich with an international flair.

Cicci Di Carne by Dario: Centered on the local deli and butchers’ shop concept, with a menu helmed by world-renowned Butcher Dario Cecchini, known as the “world’s best butcher.”

El Pollo Verde: El Pollo Verde by Dani Garcia offers roasted organic chicken and Spanish-inspired salad bowls on the menu courtesy of Three Michelin-Starred Chef Dani Garcia, who is the creative-force behind renowned Casa Dani.

Soom Soom Fresh Mediterranean: Soom Soom serves authentic Mediterranean pitas and wraps packed with flavor in dishes like Chicken Shawarma, Kabobs, Classic Hummus, and Falafel served with housemade tahini.

A proposed 20-story primarily residential building along East Paces Ferry Road near the Buckhead Village District is a step closer to reality after the Buckhead Development Review Committee (DRC) recommend approval for the project at its May 3 meeting. The Atlanta City Council will consider the committee’s recommendation when it hears the request for the development.

The project, spearheaded by Chicago-based Harbor Bay Ventures, calls for 314 total townhomes and apartment units at 359 E Paces Ferry along Grandview Avenue NE and Buckhead Avenue NE.

The Loudermilk Companies planned a 12-story office building on the site in 2019, but the project was halted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Perhaps post-pandemic work habits helped convince the developers that a residential building is now more appropriate for the neighborhood. 359 E Paces Ferry Rd is currently a parking lot.

Project details

Project plans show a total of 182 one-bedroom apartments, 79 two-bedroom units, four three-bedroom spaces and four townhomes. Additional retail space is also shown in site plans near the intersection of E Paces Ferry and Grandview. Harbor Bay also owns a coffee company, and a representative said May 3 the firm could use the retail space for its coffee brand.

Renderings for the project show street parking along Grandview Avenue and a one-way drop-off area along E Paces Ferry with landscaping, a residential amenity area and deck on the third level. The top floor includes a terrace, pool and pool deck. An outdoor space will also be open to the public along E Paces Ferry.

Sustainable building

One of the highlights of the project is its proposed use of “mass timber,” essentially engineered wood products that can serve as a lightweight, environmentally friendly alternative to concrete or steel. Renderings showV-shaped timber support beams and other uses of the material in place of traditional concrete and steel construction.

DRC reactions

The project calls for several variances, including an additional curb cut and changes to the building’s setback, which is being requested due to the odd shape of the lot, a Harbor Bay representative said. The Development Review Committee shared its support for the variances but will include a few caveats to its recommendation of approval related to landscaping and the materials used for one of the driveways. That language was not finalized during the May 3 meeting.

Sally Silver, a policy analyst for Council District 7 of the City of Atlanta and member of the Development Review Committee, said she would like to see artwork along the street level walls for “a more pleasant pedestrian experience.” Dan Whalen of Harbor Bay said the company is exploring potential art projects for the site, along with the potential for “green walls,” which are installations featuring living vegetation on vertical walls. Silver said she was willing to support the variances, especially considering the proposal calls for greenspace and public space.

Bonnie Dean, a member of the Development Review Committee and Buckhead Community Improvement District (CID), said the proposal shows a “great looking development.” Denise Starling of Livable Buckhead said she was particularly pleased with the environmental components of the proposed project.

If approved, the project will provide residences with close access to Buckhead Village, the popular dining and retail district.

Whalen with Harbor Bay said the company hopes the project will be fully funded by this fall with a goal to break ground by the end of this year. That still hinges on the project being approved by the City of Atlanta.

Snap Thai Fish House, a Thai-inspired seafood restaurant, celebrated its grand opening May 1 at 3699 Lenox Road NE. The new restaurant is helping to cement the development, which also includes Prominence Apartments, as a dining hot spot, joining Zakia Modern Lebanese, CT Reforma Taqueria, and The Yard Milkshake Bar.

Owned and led by classically trained chef Pattie Lawlertratana, the restaurant’s menu features an array of fresh seafood, including coldwater lobster, oysters from both the east and west coasts, and more than 10 varieties of sustainably caught fish delivered daily from the country’s top suppliers. Lawlertratana’s passion for high-quality seafood is evident in the fish-market-style section, where guests can choose their fish and preparation. All prepared with an interplay of Thai flavors and textures.

“I hope that every guest who walks through our doors at Snap Thai Fish House feels transported to the beautiful coast of Thailand through the flavors and atmosphere of our restaurant,” said Lawlertratana.

Save room for dessert

Chef Pattie Lawlertratana not only has a flair for creating savory Thai dishes, but also has a passion for crafting delectable desserts. All the desserts served at the restaurant are made in-house daily. Chef Pattie is excited to offer diners a sweet ending to their meal, featuring unique desserts such as a deconstructed strawberry cheesecake and a crown melon panna cotta.

“I believe that dessert should be a celebration of flavors, just like the rest of the meal. That’s why I put as much thought and care into my desserts as I do my entrees,” quoted Lawlertratana.

Time and place

The restaurant is open for dinner seven days a week with lunch on weekdays. The restaurant also offers a special brunch menu from 11:30 am to 3 pm, featuring dishes such as Thai Lobster & Waffles and Thai Fish & Chips. A weekend brunch is planned to begin in June.

Snap Thai Fish House boasts a new open-air patio that seats 40 guests and indoor seating for up to 84 diners. At the restaurant entrance, guests are greeted with a striking hanging fish art piece that was shipped from Thailand. The open and sleek space features bare concrete with gold flaking. Numerous windows allow a great deal of natural light to flow through the dining room and into the open kitchen. The indoor/outdoor bar, featuring custom-made fish traps hanging from the ceiling, can accommodate up to 30 guests.

Curated cocktails

Snap Thai Fish House’s drink list features over a dozen specialty cocktails inspired by Thailand, along with a wine list offering 90 bottles with a significant focus on Champagne, Rosé, and sparkling wines to complement the seafood-dominant menu.

In addition, co-owners Jason Adjanasuknart and Yai Siripetamorn are whiskey enthusiasts and have curated a collection of high-end Japanese Whiskey, Cognac, and Scotch that is unique to the Atlanta area.

“Our whiskey collection is something we’re really proud of, and we can’t wait for our guests to try them,” said Jason Adjanasuknart.

Buckhead Butcher Shop owner Connor Boney doesn’t just want to sell his customers cuts of meat and meal accompaniments, he aims to greatly improve the quality of life for those who visit his sleek and modern shop. At the heart of the unique business — an amalgam of butcher shop, food retailer, private dining space and instructional kitchen — is the intention of getting people together around a table to enjoy a top-tier meal, prepared with passion, so it can be the centerpiece in an evening of togetherness.

“It is my belief, and why we started this, if I can make you a better cook, you’re going to do it more,” Boney said. “And if you do it more, you’re going to experience better fellowship at the table, and with better fellowship at the table, you’re going to have a better quality of life. And I fully believe that. Although that might come off as sort of arrogant, I believe life happens through fellowship and relationships, and I’ve found if you’re better at cooking, with industry experts helping you, the more you are going to do it and the more fun you’re going to have. I think that’s quality of life.”

A Butcher Shop Without Intimidation

Boney’s mission to improve the home dining experience took a significant leap in January when Buckhead Butcher Shop opened its permanent location at 3198 Cains Hill Place NW, the former headquarters of Harrison Design. The completely transformed space now houses a notable selection of ultra-premium cuts sourced from the same producers who supply the top restaurants in Atlanta and beyond. In addition to the wide selection of meats running the gamut from ground beef to foie gras, Buckhead Butcher Shop also carries an extensive array of seafood, oils, pickled vegetables, spices, olives, dessert fare, sauces and more. Boney says everything available has been selected purposefully to elevate the home cooking and dining experience, and that starts well before his customers have left the store.

A significant goal of the business, Boney said, is creating an atmosphere that does not come with the intimidation of a typical butcher shop.

“We had to get rid of the stigma you feel when walking into a normal butcher shop where you feel either overwhelmed by the choices or under served by the person behind the counter,” he said. “In that environment, growth isn’t going to happen. It was very important to find people from the industry that were not only in love with food but could convey and teach that passion.”

Boney says his staff is intent on helping people become better cooks, not creating an air of pompousness he feels is synonymous with many traditional butcher shops. This allows customers to feel “vulnerable” enough to share what they don’t know about cooking. In turn, he says, that inspires them to become better cooks.

“I want to create an environment here where people can come in and feel vulnerable enough to let their guard down to get better,” he said. “That vulnerability is huge in creating an atmosphere for education, learning, and ultimately, the growth factor.”

Cooking Classes and Private Events Add To The Company’s Unique Standing

Those who want to take things a step further can also sign up for a cooking class in Buckhead Butcher Shop’s instructional kitchen. The workspace was purposefully designed as an upscale residential kitchen, allowing people to learn using the type of equipment they have at home rather than an industrial, professional workspace. Leading the classes is Chef Leonard Lewis, the James Beard Award nominated former executive chef for Bones Restaurant and an industry veteran of over 40 years.

Chef Lewis also consults with clients for private dinner parties adjacent to the retail area of the business. With seating for up to 32 with arrangements for larger parties offered and a full bar, the dining room can offer a private oasis for gatherings. Coupled with the cooking classes, large retail space, and planned expansion into offering other meal adjuncts like cigars, Boney says Buckhead Butcher Shop is perhaps the only business of its kind in the country.

Its progression is made all the more significant given its relatively humble roots.

From A Box Truck To An Elegant, Modern Space

Boney, along with his business partners, created Revere Meat Company, a food service processing and distribution company, and operated the business for six years. Boney was led to create the business after a “faith awakening” inspired him to help people and bring them together. In this case, through food. Revere distributed premium meat and seafood to some of the top restaurants in Georgia, but the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic served a crushing blow to the entire restaurant industry and, subsequently, the food service industry.

With the doors locked on restaurants and grocery store shelves barren, Boney and his partners decided to set up a box truck at a residence in Buckhead to sell their stock of premium cuts to budding and experienced home cooks. Neighbors certainly took notice with Boney stating a socially distanced line stretched out for 400 feet at one point. The small bright spot in the otherwise tumultuous time allowed Boney to connect with people, and in turn, inspired families to cook together. In a sense, that experience led to the creation of Buckhead Butcher Shop.

After operating a temporary location in Buckhead, the new, permanent building was completely reconfigured and redesigned to create what Boney calls an immediately unique business.

“The vision, being from Buckhead, was to always give something to Buckhead that relates to the uniqueness of this city,” he said. “I wanted to create a place where people who live here tell those visiting them, ‘You have to try this place before you leave.’”

Buckhead Butcher Shop has been cementing its unique standing and helping to improve the cooking prowess of its customers since opening its new location in January 2023.

The journey from wholesale distribution to the back of a box truck to the current business has been eye-opening for Boney.

“It’s been fantastic being able to connect with the end consumer and get immediate feedback that they’re excited and thankful for what we’ve built here, but then when they come back after having tried our product and they’re so much more passionate to try something else, that’s invigorating,” he said.

And again, it comes down to improving the quality of life through exceptional meals. “The quality-of-life purpose in our mission is so important,” Boney said. “Right now, more than anything, so much of what we’ve lost is the ability to be vulnerable and have those connections with family and friends at the dinner table. If I can get more people to be confident in their cooking, they are going to do it a lot more, with more people, and they’re going to enjoy their life more. I just want to be able to help people to do that, and our staff can help people do that.”

Helen Keller, the famed deaf and mute American author, disabled rights advocate, and politician, had a favorite motto: “Alone we can do so little, but together we can do so much.” Those words also well describe the platform of the Buckhead Business Association (BBA). A platform which has stood the test of time for more than 72 years of the organization’s existence, according to its president, Rizwan Peera.

“We believe an organization is only as strong as its members, and as its members allow it to be,” Peera said. “We have been fortunate over the years to have been blessed with business leaders returning to us as sponsors.”

Although the Covid pandemic almost brought the BBA to a standstill, the business organization has regained its stamina by reinstating its numerous events, such as the Taste of Buckhead. When asked what impact the BBA has had on the Buckhead community, Peera said that many of the organizations within the Buckhead community would likely not exist without the BBA.

“A lot of the founding members of those organizations started out in the BBA, or the ideas for those organizations started out as ideas which developed within in the BBA,” he said. The BBA is continually providing business and working professionals a platform to enhance good relations, cooperation, and business deals with one another. According to Peera, “This is part of the BBA’s input and initiatives which have continued throughout our history.”

Attracting new members

That spirit of cooperation and helping one another has been a beacon for drawing new members, like Eboni Ward who joined the BBA last September. “I love the quality connections that I have made, and continue to make through the BBA,” Ward said. That insight has helped her establish another goal, to become president of the BBA.

The same holds true for another member, Julie Bailey, who has been with the organization for more than a decade and was president of the BBA in 2018. The organization provides a direct connection between the businesses in Buckhead and the community at large. Bailey explained, “The BBA plays a role in elevating events in Buckhead and promoting the city’s businesses and helping business connect in a way others might not be able to do.” The community also connects with the BBA through the association’s service projects, like its mentoring program.

“The BBA is a vessel for the community to have direct access to speakers and leaders in the city of Atlanta, which most people would not have access to,” Bailey said, adding the BBA has a robust speakers’ program where members have access to some of the top CEOs and elected officials in Atlanta.

The BBA has a variety of goals, which can be summarized as providing more value for its members while also increasing its membership. Although the BBA’s board of directors meets once a month, Peera said the association doesn’t conduct regular organizational meetings, but rather social and networking events which attract from 30 to 50 members and guests. “These events support the BBA’s goal of educating, inspiring and connecting people to build relationships within our association and the community,” he said.

Visit the BBA’s website for more information and a complete schedule of events.

Buckhead could soon be home to a Georgia State Patrol satellite post aimed at increasing patrols and reducing police response times in the area following the adoption of Georgia’s 2024 fiscal year budget by the House and Senate last month. The 2024 fiscal year budget is now set to be signed into law by Gov. Brian Kemp and includes $1.25 million for the establishment and operation of the satellite post, which will also serve as a base of operations for the Georgia State Patrol’s Nighthawks DUI Task Force.

The funding will allow the Georgia State Patrol (GSP) to acquire and equip the satellite post with up to 20 existing troopers.

The budget item was included in the State House’s proposed 2024 budget and passed through both chambers. In a statement announcing the line-item, Speaker of the House Jon Burns, Kemp and Lt. Gov. Burt Jones expressed their approval of the Buckhead post.

“This new state patrol office will improve the ability of our state troopers to respond to incidents along and inside the northern perimeter,” Burns said. “It will also increase the visibility of law enforcement in this densely-populated area.” Burns added the post will not supplant the Atlanta Police Department, rather it will “allow for better coordination and cooperation” between the GSP and APD.

“Funding for this new satellite post will increase resources for an area in the state where citizens have been seeking a larger law enforcement presence” Jones said. “By working together, the city, county and state can increase public safety for citizens while supporting existing efforts and initiatives.”

Kemp could still veto the Buckhead patrol post line-item from the budget, but it appears he’s unlikely to do so given he shared his support of funding the satellite location. In a statement, Kemp said the GSP post is an example of state and local partnerships at work amid the state’s demonstration it “will not tolerate crime or street gangs.”

GSP’s Potential Post Could Join Another New Local Public Safety Initiative

Crime and public safety has been a hot-button issue in Buckhead in recent years, and the new GSP patrol post is the latest in a string of initiatives to curb crime and increase law enforcement visibility. While the GSP’s post still needs approval from Kemp and for logistics — including its actual location — to be finalized, the Buckhead Safety Alliance’s subsidized patrols for the area’s commercial districts is getting underway. The patrol will include three staffed APD patrol cars to monitor commercial districts with the same policing power as the APD.

“Moving forward…there is a commitment from all the legislators who represent Buckhead to really work together with city officials, with the county…with our school board and, of course, with our residents of Buckhead to really see what we can do to continue to tackle public safety and city services,” State Sen. Jason Esteves, who represents much of Buckhead, said at the March 9 Buckhead Council of Neighborhood’s meeting.

Esteves’ comments came soon after the failure of a proposed cityhood bills for the City of Buckhead City under the Gold Dome. The bills were backed by the Buckhead City Committee, which used public safety as a rallying cry for Buckhead to form its own municipality and police force.

Other Notable Funding Within The State’s 2024 Budget

In addition to the Buckhead GSP patrol post, other notable budgetary updates await Kemp’s signature. They include a $66 million cut from the University System of Georgia’s budget while funding HOPE college scholarships at 100 percent, the original figure when the scholarship program was introduced. Teachers and state university employees could receive a $2,000 annual pay increase while state law enforcement employee salaries may increase by $4,000-$6,000. Spending for K-12 schools is set for $13.1 billion, a record figure. Overall, the state expects $32.4 billion in state revenue. The 2024 fiscal year begins July 1.

JLL announces 3379 Peachtree, a boutique Class-A office building in Buckhead, has secured two new tenants, taking the building occupancy from 60% to 90% and leasing more than two full floors of the building. Lucid Private Offices, an upscale alternative to casual co-working space, has leased a total of 30,000 square feet of space at the 126,000-square-foot building. JLL Atlanta Senior Vice President Claire Ross and Vice President Will Tyler handle marketing and leasing on behalf of the owner, Nuveen Real Estate.

Lucid Private Offices, represented by Cresa’s John Pelletier and CBRE’s Kush Mirani and Dale Lewis, is establishing its third Atlanta location at 3379 Peachtree, taking 30,000 square feet on two floors of the nine-story building. The Buckhead location comes on the heels of Lucid’s first location outside of Texas – in Alpharetta, GA – which opened in mid-February. The company is also preparing to open a second Cumberland location at the end of April. “We are very excited about our growth in the Atlanta area.,” said Tosha Bontrager, Executive Director at Lucid Private Offices. “In addition to solidifying our third Atlanta location in Buckhead, our Pennant Park/ Cumberland area location will open next month, and our first location outside of Texas, in Alpharetta, is filling up quickly.”

Following Nuveen’s acquisition of the property in 2019, the owner refreshed the brand and updated building features throughout, creating an amenitized office that emphasized a work and play environment – one that users would be excited to return to post-pandemic. Popular Atlanta eatery 5Church and Pinnacle Bank reside on the ground floor of the office tower, activating the newly renovated lobby.

JLL’s Tyler added, “Collaborating with Nuveen and reintroducing 3379 Peachtree to the office brokerage community has been a very rewarding process. The excitement built around this asset is ultimately a testament to the strength and continued desirability of Buckhead; 2023 is shaping up to be a year of exponential growth for the submarket.”

3379 Peachtree is nestled between Shops Around Lenox and Lenox Mall, the tower is a five-minute drive from GA-400 and walking distance from the nearby Buckhead MARTA station, with multiple points of ingress and egress. It’s surrounded by distinguished Buckhead hotels such as The Westin, Grand Hyatt, The Whitley and Waldorf Astoria, further contributing to the overall convenience of the office’s prime location.

“Our new location in Buckhead presents an extremely valuable opportunity for our business,” said Bontrager. “The building’s landscape allows us to provide our clients with upscale private offices and professional coworking spaces in the heart of Buckhead, with proximity to elevated shops and dining, as well as optimal accessibility. We are excited for this expansion and are looking forward to continuing our investment in the Atlanta market.”

Pickleball is America’s fastest growing sport, and that trend has taken hold in the Atlanta area. Buckhead residents are picking up the paddles in neighborhood parks and country clubs, and pickle ball-specific facilities are popping up around the city. The “pro tour of pickle ball”, the PPA Tour, even has a stop in Atlanta in May.

Atlanta has been slow to pick up the sport compared to other parts of the country, but now pickleball is picking up steam. Milos Vasovic, Director of Rackets at the Cherokee Town and Country Club, said, “I feel like [Atlanta] is becoming more part of the up and coming pickleball world, and I think it’s going to grow for sure.”

We explored this seemingly new phenomenon to find out where it came from, who’s playing, and where our readers can get in the game!

What is pickleball?

Pickleball is a racket sport that is played with solid paddles and a perforated plastic ball. The paddles resemble oversized ping pong paddles, and the balls are similar to a Wiffle ball with smaller holes. A pickleball court is smaller than a tennis court, but similar to a badminton court at 20 feet wide and 44 feet long. The net is a bit lower for pickleball as well. 36 inches at the posts and 34 inches in the middle, versus 42 inches and 36 inches respectively for tennis.

A pickleball court is the same size for single or doubles play. Many facilities that offer pickleball and tennis simply apply pickleball lines in addition to the tennis court markings, and use the same net placement. It is also easy to play 2 pickleball games at once on a tennis court by adding a court on each side of the tennis court’s net.

Pickleball history

Pickleball was conceived in 1965 by Washington State Congressman Joel Pritchard and businessman Bill Bell. The men returned to Pritchard’s home on Bainbridge Island, WA after a round of golf to find their families looking for something to do. They explored the badminton court on the property, but couldn’t find enough rackets. After scrounging ping pong paddles and a Wiffle ball, the families began to play over the badminton net. The net was soon lowered to 36 inches, and pickleball was born.

The name pickleball was coined by Joel’s wife Joan. She said the game reminded her of a mismatched rowing crew, referred to as a “pickle boat”. There is also a story that the game was named for Joel Pritchard’s daughter’s dog “Pickles,” but apparently the dog was in fact named after the sport.

The sport grew among Pritchard and Bell’s friends, and became more widespread throughout the 1970’s. 1976 saw the first pickleball article in Tennis Magazine and the first known pickleball tournament in Tukwila, Washington. The United States Amateur Pickleball Association was formed in 1984, and the first official rulebook was published. By 1990, pickleball was being played in all 50 states.

Who plays pickleball?

Pickleball has been around for almost 60 years, but the sport really started to gain notoriety after 2010. According to the Association of Pickleball Professionals (APP) in 2022, there are 36.5 million pickleball players in the U.S., and the sport’s average growth rate is 158.6% over the past 3 years. The sport that has been popular in retirement communities in Florida for years is getting younger all the time. Recent statistics say the average pickleball player is 38 years old, and the fastest growing segment of players is 18-34 years old.

Mike Gottfried is the CEO of PCKL, an Atlanta-based pickleball equipment company. He was introduced to the sport in 2013 by his parents at their club in Florida. His parents and their elderly friends loved it, but he thought, “Okay, this is just old people tennis.”

Fast-forward to 2020 when Mike and his friends were looking for something fun to do while social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic. By 2021 he was playing pickleball 2-3 times a week, and soon he put his consumer product and marketing experience to work building a pickleball brand. Since starting PCKL, Mike has been pleasantly surprised by the growth of the sport. He saw opportunity in the market, but he says, “I never expected the sort of wave that I saw coming to be the tidal wave that it is in terms of the growth of the sport and the number of people playing, but here we are and pickleball is seemingly everywhere.” PCKL was recently named the official tournament ball for the Amateur Pickleball Association and the Southern Pickleball Association.

Milos Vasovc says there is more crossover between pickleball and golfers than there is with tennis players at the Cherokee Town and Country Club. Of the 110 players in the Club’s pickleball league, only 40% also play tennis. The club’s golfers are his target audience for pickleball. Milos says that many tennis purists see pickleball as too easy, but it offers golfers and other club members an entry into racket sports that doesn’t have the steep learning curve of tennis. “I always tell people when you play tennis, you’ve got to give yourself three years to become okay.” Milos says, but with pickleball, “everybody can play in 10 minutes.” He credits pickleball’s underhand serve and smaller court with helping to make the sport easy for beginners.

Milos came to the Cherokee Town Club from southwest Florida, “the hotbed of pickleball.” One of his initial goals as the Director of Rackets was to grow the sport of pickleball in the community. He was hoping for 40-50 players in the club’s house league, but they ended up with 110 players on 6 teams. The league plays each Wednesday for six weeks, then the top 2 teams play a house league championship. This year the Cherokee Town Club will host a pickleball Grand Slam tournament, pitting their league players against club teams from Ansley Golf Club, Capital City Club, and others.

In addition to league play, the Cherokee Town Club will host a pickleball member and guest event for the first time. Milos said there will be programs for kids as well. “We’re going to start our first ever Junior pickleball program. We purchased 10 brand new movable pickleball nets that we put on the courts, so every facility looks a little nicer. And I purchased 50 pickleball paddles that we give away to the kids who participate in the program to help them get started and get involved in pickleball.”

A social sport

Many of our experts mentioned the social nature of pickleball in one way or another. Mike Gottfried explains, “The game lends itself to our short American attention spans. The games are quick, they play to 11, win by 2.” He continues, “It’s social, it brings a lot of people together. So if you had a group of 4, 8, 12, or 16 people, you can rotate in and play, and not be sitting and waiting on the sidelines for hours and hours.” Of course some players are more advanced than others, but Mike adds, “I’ve seen it in all forms and formats, but I think the core of pickleball is still driven and oriented around fun.”

Like bowling alleys and golf-entertainment concepts such as Top Golf, pickleball allows friends to get together around a sport where everyone can have fun regardless of their skill level. Several new pickleball facilities are coming to Atlanta from companies with experience in similar markets. The Painted Pickle is coming to Armour Yards this summer from the team behind the upscale Painted Pin bowling and entertainment venue on Miami Circle. The Painted Pickle will include 8 indoor courts, along with a restaurant and full bar. Alpharetta regulars may be familiar with the golf-entertainment venue Fairway Social. The company is working on the upcoming Pickle and Social in Gwinnett County.

Pickleball in Buckhead

There are several opportunities to play pickleball in and around Buckhead, including private clubs, public parks, and neighborhood courts. Homes in Buckhead with private pickleball courts are now starting to appear in the market. The following is a list of pickleball hot spots in and around Buckhead. If you know of a great court we missed, please drop your favorite in the comments. Also, please let us know if your neighborhood tennis courts are home to a pickleball community.

The Cherokee Town and Country Club

The private Cherokee Town Club has 10 pickleball courts. The club league has a six-week season on Wednesday nights. The pickleball program includes staff pickleball pros, pickleball clinics, a junior program, and pickleball grand slam events.

Carl E. Sanders Family YMCA at Buckhead

YMCA members enjoy 8 pickleball courts, clinics, open play, and league play. Pickleball pros are on staff to help with training and events.

Hammond Park

Hammond Park is in Sandy Springs, but this pickleball hot spot is worth checking out if you’re interested in the sport. The 8 public courts are regularly buzzing with activity, and you can always find a friendly game.

The Atlanta Pickleball Center

The Atlanta Pickleball Center is the go-to indoor pickleball club in town. The facility features 10 indoor courts, league play, trainers, and lessons. Courts are available for reservations.

Ridgeview Park

This public park has gone all in for pickleball! The 6 dedicated outdoor courts have permanent lines and nets.

Chastain Park Tennis Center

The Chastain Park Tennis Center has 1 court available for pickleball. Court reservations include the pickleball net.

Bitsy Grant Tennis Center

The Betsy Grant Tennis Center offers pickleball reservations on their 4 platform tennis courts.

Peachtree Hills Park

Peachtree Hills Park has 3 outdoor tennis courts with permanent pickleball lines. Players have access to restrooms, water, and lights.

Shady Valley Park

Public park with 3 outdoor asphalt courts. Pickleball lines are overlaid on the tennis courts.

Jackson Fine Art has been a staple of the Atlanta art scene for over thirty years. The contemporary photography gallery hosts exhibitions for artists from around the world, sells photographic fine art prints, and brokers the sale of art on behalf of their clients. Co-owner and creative director Anna Walker Skillman and co-owner Andy Heyman will celebrate their 20th year of owning the gallery in March by moving into a brand new building that was designed and built especially to house the gallery.

Jane Jackson opened the gallery in a converted home on East Shadowlawn Avenue in 1990. The home had previously been used by a fur merchant who built a climate controlled vault to store customers’ fur coats. The vault turned out to be an excellent place to store photographic prints, and the layout has worked well for the contemporary art gallery ever since. After Ms. Jackson was hired to curate Elton John’s (one of the gallery’s many influential clients) private art collection full-time in 2003, she sold Jackson Fine Art to the gallery’s director of six years, Anna Walker Skillman.

Ms. Skillman reminisced about how much the original building has meant to her, “It’s been quite a 20 years to see how photography and the art market has changed. And all from that little house which I’ve loved.” The gallery had leased the original location for 30 years. When a lot became available across the street, the owners took the opportunity to move the gallery and create their dream space.

Details of the new space

The new home of Jackson Fine Art is across the street from the original location on East Shadowlawn Avenue. The exterior of the new gallery feels a bit like a larger more modern version of the original. It was designed to blend in with the neighborhood, and looks comfortable among the 1940’s brick bungalows lining the street.

According to Ms. Skillman, the original gallery was an inspiration for the new space. She said she doesn’t like the cold unwelcoming feeling that some galleries have, and she wants Jackson Fine Arts’ clients to feel more comfortable. “I want it to be open to people that want to learn about contemporary art and 20th century photography, but also collectors.” She continued, “I’ve always wanted a warm welcoming space. So it looks a lot like the old house.”

The new gallery occupies 4000 square feet at 3122 East Shadowlawn Avenue. Two large exhibition galleries are the tip of the iceberg in this modern custom-built gallery. Client-facing viewing rooms and storage areas contain a treasure trove of contemporary photography. Upstairs, a new library and meeting spaces provide opportunities for exploration and study for clients, students, and more.

Work is displayed throughout the gallery, including hallways and other public spaces. Ms. Skillman discussed the importance of displaying work beyond the large gallery spaces. “Sometimes you can do these intimate spaces.” She continued, “I love the idea of creating a home to put the work in so that people can envision it in their own house.” Ms. Skillman sees the gallery as an opportunity to connect people with contemporary photography. “We offer this because people come in and you want them to feel educated and engaged.”

Around the neighborhood

East Shadowlawn Avenue has seen an increase in foot traffic since the opening of the Kimpton Sylvan Hotel and the Thompson Buckhead Hotel on East Paces Ferry Road. Ms. Skillman told us that people walking down East Shadowlawn is something new. She says it’s now common for visitors to walk out of the hotels to explore the neighborhood and find their way to the gallery. Some guests know about the gallery and seek it out, and others discover it while they are walking.

Ms. Skillman is hoping that the increased pedestrian traffic will attract other businesses to the street. She said, “I love all the different things that are happening in Buckhead, and I love the change so much here.” She said the street has always been home to the same type of businesses, but she sees an opportunity for the neighborhood to become more of a destination. Considering the clientele from the Thompson and the Sylvan, Ms. Skillman said, ”I would hope there would be all these great little businesses for them to explore on the street. There’s some now, but not as many as I would like.”

Jackson Fine Art opening exhibits

The three opening exhibitions at the new Jackson Fine Art include artists from around the world. All three exhibits will will be on display from March 24- May 26, 2023

Sheila Pree Bright. “The Rebirth of Us”

Atlanta-based fine art photographer Sheila Pree Bright is featured in one of the main galleries. “Sheila Pree Bright is someone I’ve admired for a long time.” Ms. Skillman said, “She has not had a formal gallery in Atlanta, and so I want to celebrate her for the inaugural show.” The exhibition is called “The Rebirth of Us.” Ms. Skillman described the relevance of the exhibition, “[Sheila Pree Bright] was commissioned to [depict] racism, and she thought she didn’t want to do the 1969 series where she was photographing protests. She really wanted to move away from that. She started going into the landscape around Stone Mountain and really understanding the history of that place, and did a series that ended up being part of the Picturing the South exhibit at the High Museum of Art. We wanted to celebrate that series here. In her mind, the landscape has this fraught history in what the Confederate carving represents. I think she is now looking for the other side of that, and how the landscape actually becomes a meditative space to bring the kind of peace and light and the hope of moving away from the negativity of what has happened for years and years.”

Cooper & Gorfer. “When We are Giant”

The exhibit in the second gallery, entitled “When We are Giant,” is by the Swedish duo Cooper and Gorfer. The two female artists create collages with photography, embroidered elements, and more to create intricate, large-scale work. They also photograph their collages to create prints of the three-dimensional work. Ms. Skillman told us of Cooper and Gorfer, “One lives and works in Stockholm and the other lives outside Stockholm. They’ve been working together as a team for many years. The work is around this idea of femininity, and a lot of the images have storytelling and mythology.” https://www.jacksonfineart.com/exhibitions/237-cooper-gorfer-when-we-are-giant/

Francesca Woodman & George Lange in the Viewing Room

The third exhibit, and the first in the viewing room, is photographs by Francesca Woodman and George Lange. Francesca Woodman was a young photographer who Ms.Skillman describes as a “cult figure in photography.” Ms. Woodman’s self-portraits and other work in the mid 1970’s pushed artistic boundaries and inspired countless artists ever since. Her untimely death at the age of 22 elevated her profile and brought more attention to her work.

George Lange was a classmate of Francesca Woodman at the Rhode Island School of Design. His portraits of her are included along with Ms. Woodman’s self portraits in the viewing room.

Lenox Marketplace now bears a new moniker — The Block At Phipps — but the updates to the 9.4-acre retail center on Peachtree Road go beyond its name. Construction begins soon to revitalize the shopping area opposite Phipps Plaza that includes Dick’s Sporting Goods, Target, L.A. Fitness, and more. Selig Enterprises, which purchased Lenox Marketplace in 2020 and is a notable firm in the Buckhead real estate market, aims to create a “vibrant, walkable retail district” with a suite of upgrades to the retail destination. The renovation project is slated to begin soon with completion expected by the end of this year.

“The goal is to create a more walkable, inviting retail experience,” Shirley Gouffon, senior vice president at Selig Enterprises, said. “The vision includes new merchandising along with thoughtfully designed façade improvements and enhanced pedestrian connectivity with approximately 50,000 square feet of flagship retail and restaurant space.”

The Block emphasizes connectivity with ‘European’ alleyway

The project is highlighted by a new open-air corridor that will join the sidewalk along Peachtree Road to the parking deck to enhance connectivity in the shopping center and create public seating and gathering areas. Selig says the “Paseo” corridor will feature landscaping and lighting “reminiscent of a European alleyway.” Additionally, the project will reinvigorate the façade along Peachtree and Oak Valley roads with landscaping and improved walkways.

Bonnie Dean with Selig Enterprises said the design will create a sense of place and pedestrian friendliness that is currently lacking at the development.

Selig had planned upgrades for the retail center since it completed its purchase of the property in 2020, Gouffon said. Connectivity was a priority during the design phase, which was done in conjunction with design firm ASD|SKY.

“We worked with ASD|SKY to create the Paseo which will greatly enhance the pedestrian experience between Peachtree and the tenants with entrances within the parking deck,” Gouffon said. “From there we looked at materials and features to enhance the existing facade and create a space for relaxing or gathering for guests. The design as a whole is meant to mimic the vibrant yet relaxing feel of a European alleyway with manicured landscaping and seating areas.”

The Block At Phipps is the latest property under Selig’s expansive umbrella of Atlanta properties. The company also owns the 1105 West Peachtree office tower, the Epicurean Atlanta hotel and 40 West 12^th residential tower. “Buckhead has long been a retail hub for the Southeast, and we are proud to play a role in continuing to elevate the community into a premier place to shop, dine and spend time,” Gouffon said. “We are excited to continue our footprint in the neighborhood. We hope to make Buckhead even more inviting and appealing for shoppers by upgrading this corner of the neighborhood.”

State Sen. Jason Esteves (Pictured) addresses failure of Buckhead cityhood bills, outlines other legislation addressing public safety at March 9 meeting.

Public safety was at the forefront of discussions at the Buckhead Council of Neighborhood’s (BCN) latest meeting March 9, spurred further by the recent failure of two Buckhead cityhood bills during the ongoing state legislative session. State Sen. Jason Esteves (District 6), who represents a significant portion of Buckhead, addressed those gathered in person and virtually. He discussed several pieces of legislation concerning public safety, while noting why the two proposed Buckhead City bills failed in the Senate earlier this month. Meanwhile, an update on the Buckhead Safety Alliance’s upcoming patrol of Buckhead’s commercial districts was outlined amid the backdrop of a proposed state budget item that would fund a Georgia State Patrol post in the area.

Why the Buckhead City Bills Failed

Addressing the cityhood elephant in the room shortly into his remarks, Esteves said the cityhood bills failed “primarily” due to questions surrounding the actual execution of the two proposals.

“There were constitutional questions that were raised from both inside the chamber, from lawyers inside the Legislature and also lawyers outside from the governor’s office, and from those representing different parties,” Esteves said. “Because of the fact that there were many questions around the constitutional issues, and there was a big question about whether it would actually address the concerns residents have around public safety and around city services, that failed.”

Two bills proposing the de-annexation of Buckhead and the creation of the “The City of Buckhead City” by referendum were submitted this Legislative session. For the first time, both bills passed through committee with a 4-3 vote along party lines with Republicans in support. The bills’ momentum quickly fizzled out at the State Capitol after being introduced in the state Senate due to constitutionality concerns, including from Gov. Brian Kemp’s office. On March 2, the Senate voted 33-23 with all Democrats in opposition and 10 Republicans joining their ranks to vote against one of the cityhood bills. In response, the other proposal was tabled, effectively killing the Buckhead cityhood effort for the 2023 Legislative Session — and perhaps longer. The Buckhead City Committee released a statement the group believes “there is no path forward for a cityhood referendum” with Gov. Brian Kemp in office. His second term ends in January, 2027.

Additional Public Safety Measures Are In The Works

Addressing crime has been the most prominent rallying cry for those supporting the Buckhead cityhood movement, and Esteves said government officials will continue addressing those concerns following the failure of the cityhood bills.

One effort to do so has been introduced in the Fiscal Year 2024 state budget introduced earlier this week in the State House. The budget line item calls for $1.25 million to be invested for the Georgia State Patrol to open a satellite post in Buckhead. The budget item states the satellite post will “allow quicker response to incidents inside and along the northern Atlanta perimeter and afford an additional base of operation for the Nighthawks DUI Task Force.”

Though the patrol post hasn’t been finalized within the 2024 state budget, Georgia Speaker of The House Jon Burns, Gov. Brian Kemp, and Lt. Gov. Burt Jones shared their support for the proposal this week.

Meanwhile, the Buckhead Safety Alliance’s subsidized patrol for the commercial districts of Buckhead will kick off in the coming weeks. Maj. Anthony Singh, formerly of APD and tasked with the hiring of officers for the patrol, spoke at the March 9 BCN meeting. Singh said the post should be fully staffed as early as March 10 with patrols beginning either March 20 or March 27. The patrol, which will include APD patrol cars, will monitor commercial districts within Buckhead with Singh stating it will have the same policing power as the APD while focusing on commercial areas in Buckhead.

Buckhead City is now one step closer to reality than it ever has been, but significant hurdles remain.

The de-annexation of Buckhead and subsequent incorporation of Buckhead City crossed a significant barrier for the first time Monday. Two bills aimed at creating a Buckhead municipality were approved by the Senate State and Local Government Operations Committee — which voted 4-3 along party lines with Republicans in favor — to send the bills to the state Legislature this year.

The two bills still face the hurdles of passing in both chambers after a similar bill proposed in the 2022 state legislative session was effectively quelled. The Kemp administration dealt a significant blow to the prospect of approval when one of the administration’s attorneys issued a memo last night outlining eleven concerns about the bills and stating in part that passage of the bills “without thoughtful consideration” would “ripple into a future of unforeseen outcomes”. The two bills outline various means of how Buckhead would incorporate and will allow Buckhead residents to vote on cityhood in November 2024 if passed by the Legislature.

Both bills have been sponsored by lawmakers outside of Atlanta and the Buckhead area. Still, the bills are likely to instigate a renewed push for and against the proposed Buckhead municipality, which gained significant momentum in 2021 and last year before ultimately fizzling out with some of the state’s top lawmakers, including House Speaker David Ralston and Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan, sharing their eventual opposition.

Bills outline some key aspects of how Buckhead city would operate

The two bills, SB 113 and SB 114, illustrate some details of how a potential “City of Buckhead City” would operate, though some additional logistics remain unclear. Both bills are sponsored by Republican lawmakers representing areas outside of the City of Atlanta, including Randy Robertson (Cataula), Brandon Beach (Alpharetta), Greg Dolezal (Cumming), Matt Brass (Newnan), Lee Anderson (Grovetown) and Marty Harbin (Tyrone).

SB 114 calls for the creation of a city council with six districts plus the election of a mayor for four-year terms with all representatives living within the proposed city for at least 12 months prior to the date of election. Though this provision is in-line with many cities in the state, the proposed pay for these elected representatives has raised eyebrows. It calls for the mayor’s salary to be $225,000 for the first four years, $50,000 per year than Gov. Brian Kemp’s annual salary, with $179,000 paid per year for subsequent years in office. Councilmembers would be paid $72,000 per year for the part-time position, about $12,000 more per year than Atlanta City Council representatives.

Other stipulations in the bill would require the City of Atlanta to sell assets to the proposed Buckhead City, including parks, fire stations, schools, and water and sewer systems. These assets would be sold at bargain prices, including $100-per-acre for parkland, $5,000 for existing fire stations within the proposed city limits or a lease of $10 per year, and $1,000 for existing schools. The water and sewer systems could be sold for $100,000.

“There’s a lot of things that haven’t been worked out yet,” Frank Ginn (R-Danielsville), chair of the Senate’s State and Local Governmental Operations committee, said during a Feb. 22 hearing on the two bills.

The next steps for the cityhood bills

After passing committee, SB 113 and SB 114 will now go before the Senate Rules Committee. This committee is tasked with the order of business for proposed bills, including the setting of Senate calendars and which bills are presented on Senate floor. The Senate Rules Committee includes several sponsors of each Buckhead cityhood bill. It is chaired by Matt Brass with Brandon Beach and Greg Dolezal serving as members and Randy Robertson in an Ex-Officio role.

The bills could then go to the State Senate floor. The bills must be passed by the chamber by March 6, crossover day, to move to the State House. The 2023 legislative session ends on March 29.

The Buckhead cityhood movement fight continues

Proposals to incorporate a Buckhead municipality first gained momentum in mid-2020 with the creation of the Buckhead Exploratory Committee, which led to cityhood bills in the 2021 legislative session. The push for potential cityhood also created opposing factions, including the creation of the pro-Buckhead City movement, the Buckhead City Committee, and the grassroots group Neighbors for a United Atlanta, which opposes the municipality.

Following the election of Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, who opposes Buckhead cityhood, and controversies surrounding Buckhead City Committee head Bill White, including incendiary statements that often rankled even supporters, the Buckhead referendum was not taken up for a vote at the State Legislature with growing opposition from leading state lawmakers.

However, the fight of Buckhead City is now primed for another round with SB 113 and SB 114, the first glimpse of which was on display at the State and Local Government Operations Committee’s hearing on the bills over the last two weeks.

Several dozen speakers took to the podium to voice their stance for or against the cityhood proposal Feb. 22. Those in favor of cityhood cited crime and safety as top concerns, many sharing personal stories of how they or those they know had been directly impacted by crime while living in the area. Some also shared displeasure over what they consider a decline in city services in Buckhead. They also contended residents should be able to cast their ballot for or against cityhood through a referendum. Buckhead City Committee leader Bill White did not speak during the public hearing Feb. 22, a continuation of what appears to be an effort on his part to not be the constant face in the media that he was in last years failed effort.

Those in opposition were fewer at the Feb. 22 meeting, but all those who spoke at the Feb. 17 meeting were against cityhood. In both meetings, those opposed claimed Buckhead City would create a litany of issues, some of these constitutional, regarding school representation and attendance at Atlanta Public Schools, issues over bonded debt, and effectively cutting off Buckhead’s water and sewage from the regional system. A representative with the Georgia Municipal Association also shared the organization’s opposition to the de-annexation, including the impact it would have on the proposed police training facility in Dekalb County. An Atlanta Public Schools representative also noted the district’s opposition.

Since the ideation of Buckhead de-annexation has gained momentum, the Buckhead City Committee has argued incorporation will enable better crime prevention through the creation of a Buckhead police force, prevent increased density and improve the local return on taxes paid. Meanwhile, opponents state incorporation will lead to a host of issues, primarily increased taxes and bond debt for both Atlanta and Buckhead residents, the potential of Buckhead area students not being able to attend Atlanta Public Schools and that the City of Atlanta is effectively working to address crime issues and concerns within the area.

The 2022 State of Buckhead Study notes crime remains a top concern for residents, with split on those who believe area is safe.

Livable Buckhead, the nonprofit organization that aims to enhance the community, recently released its 2022 State of Buckhead Study providing insight on the overall appeal and concerns of those who live and/or work in the community. Livable Buckhead last conducted its survey in 2020 and is using the latest results to gauge changes on key issues over the last two years.

The 2022 survey includes over 2,800 respondents with over 2,300 living in the area and about 1,300 who both live and work in Buckhead. The average age of respondents was 51.5-years old, 83 percent were white/Caucasian, and 96 percent are registered to vote in Buckhead.

Crime continues to be a concern among residents

Crime continues to be a key interest among respondents, according to the study. Half the respondents to the survey noted the most important issue Buckhead faces is crime/public safety, far ahead of any other issue. The study found the most significant “association” with Buckhead is crime/safety concerns with 11 percent of respondents ranking the issue as the top association with the area, down from 13 percent in the 2020 survey.

More homeowners and business owners in the area do feel safety has improved since 2020, the results show. In 2020, just 28 percent of respondents agreed or “strongly” agreed Buckhead is a safe place to live, but 41 percent of respondents agreed or strongly agreed in the latest study. However, a total of 43 percent stated they disagreed (23 percent) or strongly disagreed (20 percent) Buckhead is a safe place to live. While those figures are down 13 percent from 2020, the updated figure shows safety is still a prime concern among those living and working in the community. Twenty-one percent of respondents said the safety of the city was a motivating factor for moving to the neighborhood.

Residents note positive gains in government representation and responsiveness

A notable increase in positive sentiment among residents over 2020, the survey found, regarded government representation and responsiveness from the City of Atlanta. Just 25 percent of respondents agreed or strongly agreed Buckhead’s elected leaders were representing resident/worker interests well in 2020, but that figure rose to 39 percent for 2022. Twenty-four percent stated they disagreed or strongly disagreed, a decrease of 21 percent from the prior survey. Respondents also said Atlanta government is now more responsive to the primary issues concerning Buckhead, up from just 17 percent agreeing or strongly agreeing in 2020 to 36 percent for 2022.

Shopping, education lead positive sentiments

Oher notable “beliefs” regarding Buckhead shows the majority of 2022 respondents think the area offers the best shopping, restaurants, schools/education in Atlanta, with 58 percent agreeing it is a “great place to raise a family.” The proximity to retail areas and restaurants was cited as the top reason for residents moving to Buckhead ahead of being closer to work, the community serving as a great place to raise a family and the prestige of the community. Among responses, the esteem of Buckhead ranked higher for younger residents, those aged 25-34 years, while those aged 35-54 prioritized the schools in the area.

Alternatively, a majority of respondents felt Buckhead was not pedestrian-friendly with nearly half disagreeing or strongly disagreeing the community offers the best festivals or annual events, or that it is “the home of the arts in Atlanta.”

Businesses rank community’s prestige as a top appealing factor

Buckhead’s prestige again ranked as the top reason for business owners and companies to call the community home — nearly half of businesses noted Buckhead’s distinction as the driving factor for locating their business in the area. Other notable reasons for operating a company in Buckhead is its proximity to retail/restaurants and the availability of C-suite individuals, the historical significance of the community and the availability of office space, the study found.

Perhaps attributable to more people now working from home, companies put less emphasis on Buckhead’s accessibility to major thoroughfares as an appealing aspect, though 32 percent still noted it was a key factor. The survey found more workers in the area are using public transit or walking/biking to work versus 2020.

Among those who commute to Buckhead for work, 51 percent stated they would not be interested “at all” in using the Xpress regional community bus service if it were available in Buckhead, while just 18 percent responded they would be “very” or “extremely” interested in using the service.

The survey notes about 40 percent of respondents were “at least somewhat likely” to use the Buc free community shuttle service.

Survey respondents look to the future

The study showed that most residents have a notable interest in two upcoming community projects — the HUB404 initiative and PATH400. About 66 percent of survey respondents said they would likely use HUB404, a proposed nine-acre park “capping” Ga. 400 in central Buckhead, with a similar level of interest in using PATH400, a 5.2-mile greenway connecting major neighborhoods, office and retail locations proposed by the Buckhead Community Improvement District and the PATH Foundation.

About half of residents and overall respondents shared support of the inclusion of carriage houses in single-family neighborhoods, and “nearly half opposed the idea of increasing housing density near MARTA transit stations.”

Livable Buckhead shares its guidance to drive Buckhead’s viability

The nonprofit organization listed its recommendations for city leaders, policymakers and others based on the survey results. The group states Buckhead should continue “the focus of brand building” on its recent successes, such as driving the upscale appeal of the community, its desirability, proximity benefits and status as a good place to raise a family. To counter crime concerns, the group notes, statistics regarding reductions in crime, or specific initiatives aimed at doing so, should be a priority. Beautification and sustainability efforts should be highlighted, the group believes, along with the generation of volunteerism opportunities and awareness of the HUB404 and PATH400 projects.

The growing use of mass transit also shows a need to drive awareness of the Buc and Xpress, which could lead to longer-term opportunities, the study states.

Over the years many neighborhoods throughout Buckhead have supplemented their security with off-duty officer patrols often referred to as ODPs. Some neighborhoods have patrol that operate 24/7 and others patrol fewer hours each week. Some patrols operate in the off-duty officer’s vehicle and some patrol in vehicles that resemble an Atlanta police vehicle. If you see one of these, you will most likely not know the difference. Some of these also provide invaluable services to the residents, like checking a home while the occupants are out of town. As a long-time resident of the Paces neighborhood, I saw first-hand how these off-duty officers were extremely effective in deterring nearly 100% of crimes within the neighborhoods borders.

However, the best part of these patrols is they also offer the best form of community policing. These officers get to know the residents and their families, and they themselves become part of the neighborhood. They quickly get to know all the residents and they look after them as if they are family.

All in all, these patrols are very effective. Crime statistics show that these patrols have proven to reduce crime in the neighborhoods that have them. Those in the look alike police vehicles are the most effective.

But these days, the crime statistics show that most of the crime is occurring along the commercial corridors of Buckhead.

Responding to concerns

Since becoming Chairman of the Buckhead Council of Neighborhoods last January, quality of life in Buckhead Neighborhoods was a top priority for me. I listened to the concerns of these neighborhoods and crime was, their number one concern. Everyone deserves to feel safe, especially in their homes and out in their community. Unfortunately, that has not always been the case for residents across much of Atlanta and certainly not in Buckhead. Having heard these valid complaints, I decided it was time for us to take action.

It makes complete sense that if these ODP patrols are effective in neighborhoods, then they should also work in the commercial corridors.

From a meeting of the Buckhead Council of Neighborhoods, District 8 Councilperson, Mary Norwood’s Public Safety Task Force, the Atlanta Police Foundation, APD Zone 2 and the Buckhead Community Improvement District, the Buckhead Safety Alliance was born. The mission of the Buckhead Safety Alliance is to have off-duty Atlanta Police officers patrol important commercial corridors in Buckhead. The Atlanta Police Foundation offered three fully equipped Atlanta Police Department cars and the Zone 2 Command Staff identified 5 commercial corridors needing these patrols.

These off-duty officers will be active Atlanta police officers and will have full arrest power. By patrolling in fully equipped police cars, they will have the best tools available to do the job.

Their sole purpose will be looking for individuals committing crimes such as car break-ins, unruly behavior, burglary, and any other suspicious behavior. They will only answer 911 calls when there is an active crime along their assigned corridor. Shops and business owners will have the ability to call 911 and then the patrol car directly and take action if necessary.

Corridors for expanded patrols

As you look at the color-coded corridor map, you will see that patrol areas were expanded beyond just the commercial corridors to include the areas where most of the community’s schools are located. It is crucial that we have a safe environment for our young students. It also was expanded to include Chastain Park where so many of our children play and participate in sports.

The color-coded routes do not show coverage in the central business district of the Buckhead Community Improvement District (BCID) because similar ODP patrols were implemented there in 2021 by the BCID. These patrols have also proven to have a positive effect on deterring crime in the downtown business district of Buckhead. However, the BCID can only fund programs inside their official boundaries, so these patrols remain within the BCID area. The Buckhead Security Alliance will extend these patrols to the other commercial and shopping districts outside of the Central business district of Buckhead.

Community support

The plan is in place, and the patrols are only waiting on the police vehicles (held up by supply chain issues) but, rumored to be available soon.

However, we need your help to increase funds raised to support this initiative. The more funds we raise, the more hours these patrols will operate. If each business, individual, school neighborhood and multi-family complex helps share in the cost of these patrols, the returns will be huge.

The Buckhead Public Safety Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, and all contributions are tax deductible. If you already give to the Atlanta Police Foundation, continue to give generously to them—you can designate those funds to go to the Buckhead Safety Alliance to ensure that your contribution goes directly toward funding these Buckhead Safety Alliance patrols. Please visit www.BuckheadSafety.org to learn more and make a contribution today.