Buckhead – Governor Brian Kemp, accompanied by First Lady Marty Kemp, Speaker Jon Burns, Mayor Andre Dickens, and Department of Public Safety (DPS) Commissioner Col. Billy Hitchens, along with state and local leaders and law enforcement officers, recently celebrated the opening of a new Georgia State Patrol (GSP) post in Buckhead. The 1,750-square-foot facility and garage bay, designed by Houser Walker Architecture, is situated adjacent to the entrance of the Governor’s Mansion on Woodhaven Road in Tuxedo Park. The traditional Georgian design of the facility seems intended to maintain the historical integrity of the surrounding grounds.
This new post, funded by $1.3 million added to the FY24 budget by the Georgia House of Representatives and approved by the entire General Assembly, aims to bolster safety in Buckhead and the broader Atlanta area. The location of the post on the Governor’s Mansion property in Tuxedo Park was a strategic decision, as previously detailed by Buckhead.com.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Governor Brian Kemp stated, “Keeping our communities safe is my top priority and today’s milestone would not have been possible without the leadership and support of our partners in the General Assembly. Thanks to the General Assembly, Mayor Dickens, and the brave and dedicated work of state and local law enforcement, we are witnessing a historic reduction in violent crime in our capital city. With the opening of this new post, we’re furthering our collaborative approach to taking criminals off our streets and bringing them to justice.”
Speaker Jon Burns echoed this sentiment, saying, “It was a great day to celebrate the opening of the new Georgia State Patrol Post in Buckhead, which will serve the greater Atlanta community and contribute to the safety of our entire state for generations to come. Atlanta is stronger when Buckhead is safer, and that’s why the House was proud to invest over $1 million to support this new Georgia State Patrol post. We will continue leading efforts to crack down on crime, bolster public safety, and support our law enforcement heroes and their families every step of the way.”
Highlighting the collaborative aspect, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens commented, “Effective public safety involves partnerships, coordination, and collaboration. I believe I can speak for Chief Schierbaum when I say that the Atlanta Police Department and the City of Atlanta look forward to working hand-in-hand with our State Patrol colleagues. This new post represents our shared commitment to fostering trust in all our communities as we continue to Move Atlanta Forward.”
Approximately 35 troopers will be able to utilize the facility, with 13 troopers directly assigned, providing increased accessibility and around-the-clock security for Buckhead and surrounding areas. DPS Commissioner Col. Billy Hitchens explained, “We are happy to open a new POST that will allow our Troopers to better serve their community while enforcing Georgia’s traffic laws and holding criminals accountable. The new POST, along with our partnership with the Atlanta Police Department, gives us a tremendous advantage against those who choose to break the law, and the crime rates will continue to lower.”
The construction of the new Georgia State Patrol post was completed in March 2025. This new State Patrol post is expected toprovide increased accessibility and around-the-clock security for the Buckhead community and for the Governor himself.
This gorgeous hill-top lot offers 1.4 secluded acres in the middle of Tuxedo Park. Build your dream home among the trees with complete privacy on all sides, yet conveniently situated within minutes of the best amenities in Buckhead. You will have easy access to the finest shopping, dining, and recreation, such as the Buckhead Village District, Chastain Park, Roswell Road, and more.
Speaking of dream homes… The site includes conceptual drawings for a jaw-dropping modern home designed by Olson Kundig in Seattle. This modern wonder was created to take full advantage of the unique topography of the lot, and perfectly balance the home with the surrounding green spaces. Do not miss this rare opportunity to create your own modern retreat among the trees in the heart of Buckhead!
Tuxedo Park is the undisputed top-shelf neighborhood in Buckhead. The rich history of this area goes deeper than many residents may realize. This early Atlanta suburb was only woods and farmland at the beginning of the 20th century, but that quickly changed. Wealthy Atlantans began building homes along Paces Ferry around 1904, many used as summer or country estates with farm animals and extensive gardens. Tuxedo Park expanded North several blocks from there and has kept its refined Southern elegance ever since.
The Tuxedo Park Civic Association holds social events, hires private security officers, and generally keeps the neighborhood connected despite the mostly gated and secluded estates. With its historic mansions and picturesque landscaping, Tuxedo Park is aptly named for this sophisticated neighborhood of magnificent residences. Some of the finest estates in Buckhead are located in the prestigious Tuxedo Park neighborhood.
Although the city of Atlanta has grown to surround this once-remote area, the neighborhood still maintains an aura of seclusion and escape. The manicured grounds and varied architecture of the homes give the neighborhood a formal air befitting its name.
Loratadine, Azelastine,
Fluticasone, and Clemastine
Wage war against the yellow hoard
That settles like, well, pollen. Stored
All seasons round, the wave’s deployed
Against the populace that’s toyed
With lunch outside, or taking walks,
Or lingering for longer talks
Enchanted with the aching sight
Of fuchsia paired with chartreuse, right
Beside the virgin dogwood white,
Deceptive. Unsuspecting might
They wield, releasing armies light
As air – internally they fight.
While sneezing, itching through the plight,
The natives tell the neophytes,
“There’s hope. A hero will descend,
And watery eyes will have an end.
Endure – and watch the Spring mature
From inside ‘til we have the cure.
You’ll know the end has finally come
When dark green conquers celadon.
The Wind will toss the colors down
And dark clouds – not now cause for frown –
Will lift your eyes in hope to see
The Rain that comes to set us free!
In yellow torrents, Spring will wash
In garish gutters. With panache,
The Summer Rain will rescue you –Until then, stay indoors –” ACHOO!!
Kate Susong writes comedic essays and short stories that can be found on her Substack at www.katesusong.com. She has English literature degrees from Princeton andColumbia and lives in Atlanta with her husband and two children.
Hey, residents of Buckhead and elsewhere in the city of Atlanta: now is the time to provide your opinion on the city’s tree protection ordinance as officials draft an update to it.
That was the message Tuesday from Trees Atlanta in its report at the Buckhead Council of Neighborhoods virtual meeting titled “Lunch and Learn: What’s Proposed for Atlanta’s New Tree Protection Ordinance?”
According to the city’s website, the Atlanta tree protection ordinance was to be updated in 2021. But after it failed to get support, the Department of City Planning opted to take an incremental stance on revising the ordinance.
The first phase of updates was approved in December 2022 and took effect in April 2023. The second phase is being drafted now, and is expected to be passed in April.
“We’re doing this not [just] because trees are beautiful but because trees are critical to all manners of infrastructure,” said Judy Yi, Trees Atlanta’s director of marketing and outreach. “However, we’re losing trees at an alarming rate. The number of trees for removal has doubled in the last four years.”
Yi was one of three Trees Atlanta employees to speak at the meeting. Trees Atlanta is a nonprofit that defends and improves the city’s urban forest by planting, conserving, and educating.
The city council wants to have a new draft of the ordinance by April 1. The public comment period is Jan. 30 to mid-March. Phase 2 is addressing more issues that developers and tree advocates disagree on.
“What we’re seeing is the tree protection ordinance is really addressing the removal of trees from developments,” Yi said. “[Atlanta is] leading the [metro area] in the number of approved building permits. So we need an ordinance that can protect trees as a natural resource. … We want to protect the natural infrastructure while allowing development to move forward.”
Regarding climate change, she said there’s an urban heat island effect that happens when there are less trees and greenspace. This allows the heat to cause problems such as record high temperatures and people getting heat-related illnesses. She said the areas of the highest urban heat island hotspots are the regions where there are the fewest trees.
The city’s tree canopy loss, according to recent urban tree canopy assessments, was 47.9% in 2008, 47.1% in 2014, 46.5% in 2018, 45% in 2023, and unknown this year.
Yi called Phase 1 “low-hanging fruit” because it had items everyone wanted. They included: planting specifications (soil area and soil volume, spacing of trees), species diversity requirements, tree protection during construction (chain link fencing for front yard), parking lot requirements (16 spaces or more), survival or replanting of replacement trees for the life of a commercial property, removal of invasive vine species required to be counted as saved, site selection for public projects require early review by the city arborists, and a provision of $200,000 to assist with removal of dead, dying or hazardous trees.
The Phase 2 updates will include recompense, tree preservation and density, affordable housing, and the tree trust fund, all key issues that still remain with the ordinance, Yi said.
“Overall, the concepts were addressed, but once we received the final document in January from a neighborhood planning unit, this is where we landed,” she said. “We asked for five changes to the earlier draft. Some made it in the earlier draft and some did not.”
First, the recompense was to be set to $260 per inch. The city got an A- grade for that part. The $260 value was assessed using 2019 costs.
Tree preservation standard and tree density requirements on single-family residential got a B from Trees Atlanta. The organization said this portion is missing a preservation standard for commercial properties, including multi-unit residential properties.
Trees Atlanta gave the city an F for the tree trust fund portion. “We think there are some easy changes to improve it to a C or B, but the changes currently are not preferential to the city,” Yi said. “It could represent an additional $1 million to $1.5 million on staffing alone.”
Trees Atlanta says public trees should be treated the same as private ones in terms of use and fees (the offset format).
Trees Atlanta gave the city an F for the fact that public removal can be “offset” by activities other than planting or payment. Its analysis includes four issues that are missing from the ordinance.
“With the ‘offset,’ we lose parkland but we can’t buy more land,” Trees Atlanta Executive Director Greg Levine said.
The organization gave the city a D grade for the 50% and 100% recompense waivers for affordable housing developments. Its analysis includes three issues still missing from the ordinance.
Trees Atlanta gave the city a C grade for the close gaps in tree protection. This section addresses how the new ordinance doesn’t allow for some of the rules that were in the previous ordinance.
Following the presentation, there was a Q&A in which attendees could type in their questions via the Zoom comments section. However, because the presentation ran a bit long and the meeting was limited to an hour, not all questions were answered then. In a phone interview Wednesday, Levine answered buckhead.com’s question about Buckhead’s tree canopy.
“Buckhead has a higher tree canopy than the overall canopy for Atlanta, but it’s also losing trees at a very rapid rate,” he said. “Through canopy assessments, we know that Buckhead is also amongst the neighborhoods with the highest rate of canopy loss due to large single-family lots being subdivided and/or becoming subdivisions. Many creeks in Buckhead are overflowing their banks, flooding the neighborhoods as a result of the canopy loss and an increase in impervious surfaces caused by development. Buckhead does have a lower amount of parks than the rest of the city, along with the southwest.”
“Also, subdividing larger properties is one of the challenges we’re seeing in Buckhead.”
Levine mentioned a 30-acre property that was owned by Lucinda Bunnen, a photographic artist who died in 2022, could be transformed into a park once the city acquires it. At the Feb. 13 council of neighborhoods meeting, Justin Cutler, commissioner of the Atlanta Parks and Recreation Department, said the city and its public and private partners have raised $10.5 million so far and hope to close on the land in September.
Regarding Phase 2 of the ordinance, residents can submit their opinions on the ordinance by emailing treeordinance@atlantaga.gov, an email address included on the city’s website. Trees Atlanta also recommended resident contact David Zaparanick of the city’s arborist division (dzaparanic@atlantaga.gov and 404-865-8489), Keyetta Holmes, office of the zoning director (kmholmes@atlantaga.gov, 404-330-6145), Department of City Planning Commissioner Jahnee Prince (contact Nicole Jenkins at snjenkins@atlantaga.gov or 404-330-6037), Department of City Planning Deputy Commissioner Janide Sidfall (contact Kina Laster at klaster@atlantaga.gov or 404-546-1965) or the city council (citycouncil.atlantaga.gov/).
Ten years ago, just as I was getting Buckhead.com established as a community news source, I decided that we needed to create a compelling brand for the Buckhead community. I enlisted the talents of renowned brand designer, Terry Slaughter. Terry’s reputation for place-making was stellar, with his work including the Alys Beach brand and the ubiquitous “30A” bumper sticker.
Terry and I spent hours immersed in conversations about the community and my vision for Buckhead.com. His enthusiasm for the project was evident, and after these discussions, he returned to his Birmingham office to begin his work. A few months later, he returned and unveiled the Buckhead brand. The design perfectly captured the essence of Buckhead: a simple “BH” crest within a shield, subtly incorporating the hint of the buck’s head that adorned Irby’s Tavern in the late 1800’s, the original source of our community’s name.
This crest became the brandmark for both Buckhead.com and later, The Buckhead Paper. We distributed a limited number of window stickers in those early days, but we have now included a complimentary Buckhead window sticker in each of the 49,000 printed copies of The Buckhead Paper! Show your pride in our community by displaying it on your car or anywhere else you choose. Every time you see it, be reminded of the elegant mantra Terry penned about the spirit of Buckhead:
The spirit of Buckhead points in one direction. It is an undeniable truth. The spirit of Buckhead has always pointed forward. This is the way it has been, and perhaps this is the way it will always be. The spirit of Buckhead heads forward. You see it in the way we work, and you see it in the way we play. You see it in the way we nurture our children, and you see it in the way we nurture our gardens. You see it in the way we care for our homes, and you see it in the way we care for our schools. The quest is always pointing forward. Whether it’s our businesses, the arts, or the entertainment, the bar is always rising higher. The reach is always extending further. The search is for excellence and beauty and grace and vibrancy. This is Buckhead. We are a community, but we are a community of individuals. We are diverse, we are dynamic, we are discerning, we are builders. We are connected to one another with a common bond. A common dream. A common quest. Pointing life in one direction.
Terry Slaughter
Forward.
With excellence.
Grace.
Beauty.
Compassion.
One dream.
One goal.
One quest.
Heading forward.
Always.
Buckhead’s luxury real estate market soared to new heights in 2024, shattering records and redefining expectations.
The year started strong, with early significant sales including a Knollwood Drive home in Tuxedo Park selling for $9.5 million and a Georgian estate in the Paces neighborhood for $12.8 million. This early success set the tone for a year of unprecedented achievements. Later in the year a home at 3540 Woodhaven Road that tipped the scales with 49,665 square feet sold for $17 million. This home included indoor and outdoor pools, a full-size bowling alley, and an indoor basketball court, among other features.
However, the pinnacle of the year arrived with the off-market sale of 3391 Tuxedo Road, a masterpiece of Scandinavian design and Japanese-inspired flow. I am proud to have represented the seller in this transaction, which culminated in a remarkable $19,800,000 sale price – the highest ever recorded in metro Atlanta. This landmark achievement coincided with a professional milestone – as it pushed me past $1 billion in career sales volume. Combined with my role in three of the top 10 sales of the year, these accomplishments highlight the impact of personalized service and the strategic marketing plan I have implemented in Buckhead to ensure my clients’ success.
As you will see in the top ten home sales listed below, the Tuxedo Park neighborhood reigned supreme. Half of the top 10 sales were located in this beautiful neighborhood. As Atlanta grows, Buckhead continues to be the most sought-after community in the region. If 2024 is any indication, real estate in Buckhead will continue to increase in value and desirability.
Scroll down or CLICK HERE to see the top 10 list.
This chart depicts the dynamic relationship between interest rates, sale prices, and sales volume in Buckhead’s single-family home market, spanning pre-pandemic through post-pandemic periods. The green line illustrates the average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage, revealing the inverse correlation between interest rates and sales volume. The chart demonstrates how historically-low interest rates fueled a surge in sales activity, while subsequent rate increases led to a market contraction. The recent moderation in both price growth and interest rate escalation suggests a potential resurgence in sales volume.
In 2024, the average sale price for a single-family home in the Buckhead area climbed at a moderate rate of 1.91% to $1,745,000, marking a new record. This increase occurred despite average 30-year mortgage interest rates more than doubling over the past three years.
The dramatic rise in interest rates, coupled with increasing prices, has dampened market activity since 2022. However, the rate of growth in prices and interest rates slowed significantly in 2024. This moderation has begun to thaw parts of the market and resulted in increased transaction volume. The number of homes sold in Buckhead last year increased by 20%, reaching approximately 800. While this is a significant improvement, it remains well below the levels of activity seen before and during the pandemic, when annual sales consistently exceeded 1,000 homes and exceeded 1,400 home sales at the 2021 peak.
The interplay of these factors—higher prices and rebounding sales volume—suggests that while demand remains robust, the Buckhead real estate market may be finding a new balance in the post-pandemic era. However, higher interest rates are expected to act as a brake on the overall market until they begin to decline. The outlook for falling rates has become less certain with recent policy changes and the latest inflation data, creating a degree of uncertainty in the market forecast. The rate of price appreciation, while currently moderating, will likely remain sensitive to fluctuations in interest rates.
Tuxedo Park boasts many beautiful homes, but this estate stands out as truly exceptional. From the moment you enter the gates, the home commands your attention. What lies beyond the front door surpasses even the highest expectations.
Originally presented as the Designer Showhouse & Gardens by Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles, 3800 Northside Drive has been transformed into a warm, welcoming family home. Renowned designer Melanie Turner has infused each stylish space with the family’s unique taste and lifestyle.
Set on a sprawling 3.5-acre lot, this English manor-style house, designed by architect Dietrich T. Logan and built by Bill Preston of Paradise Builders Inc., offers both grandeur and comfort.
The impressive gated drive and motor court lead to the stately home, but it’s the backyard that truly shines. Formal gardens surround an infinity-edge pool, flanked by two structures designed for entertaining and relaxation.
The entertaining pavilion features a covered lower level with a summer kitchen and outdoor dining and living spaces. The rooftop terrace offers commanding views and ample space for relaxation.
Step inside this amazing space and you will instantly be transported to Palm Beach. Whatever the season, the pool-side villa offers your very own oasis to get away from it all. A large living space and full kitchen add substantial form and function to the pool area. Downstairs is a full guest suite, with a large private living room, bedroom, and full ensuite bath.
Inside the main house you are treated to wide-open spaces that are stylish and contemporary, while also feeling warm and inviting. The large rooms are designed with a human scale in mind to provide a comfortable home where you’re never afraid to sit on the furniture.
The dramatic 2-story foyer is flanked by a study and the formal dining room.
The rear of the main level is dominated by the great room. Natural light floods this fireside space that is open to the kitchen and features dramatic views of the gardens and pool terrace.
The open chef’s kitchen is anchored by a large central island surrounded by custom cabinetry. The adjacent breakfast room has unique sculptural wall treatments.
The primary suite features a luxurious bedroom with dramatic vaulted ceilings, exuding a true sense of calm. The opulent primary bath is accompanied by his and hers walk-in closets, with her closet resembling a fine boutique and opening into a comfortable lounge area. It truly doesn’t get any better than this!
Family living spaces on the upper level include two sitting areas, three bedroom suites, and a large bonus room. Over the 3-car garage you will find a second laundry room and a studio space that is currently used as for yoga and meditation.
The terrace level is taylor-made for entertaining, relaxing, and recreation. A large living area has plenty of space for games and access to the backyard. A bar rivaling most private clubs occupies the end of the living space, with custom seating, lighting, and a diso ball to get the party started!
It is rare to find a spa of this caliber in a private home. A central lobby is surrounded by a traditional sauna, an infrared sauna, and a steam shower. Truly the perfect place to recharge after a workout in your private gym.
What recreational space would be complete without a home theater? Oversized lounges and a snack bar compliment the recliners in front of the massive movie screen.
This is not just a place to store your collection, it is a place to celebrate it. Custom lighting and glass storage accent the ample bottle storage, with seating areas and space to open your favorite bottle and settle in to enjoy great conversation with friends.
3800 Northside Drive is more than a spectacular home; it’s a lifestyle. Experience unparalleled luxury, comfort, and style in this exceptional Tuxedo Park estate.
Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles magazine has been sold to its publisher, Elizabeth Ralls, as a way to keep it under local ownership.
On Nov. 26, Buckhead Crown Media LLC, the company Ralls founded, closed on the deal to purchase the publication from Esteem Media Inc. The amount of the sale was not disclosed.
“Buckhead is where I live and work and we included Buckhead in the company name… to create that same sense of place that Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles is known for,” Ralls said in an interview. “It’s home to ADAC, the Atlanta Decorative Arts Center; the top home dealers and antique dealers. It’s where the Southeastern design community comes to source and shop.” I wanted it to be the umbrella to incorporate Buckhead in the title.”
“Probably 75% of clients in the magazine are local small business owners, so now it makes us feel like we have as much skin in the game as they do. I’m excited to be at the helm of a publication I have spent so long with I’ve worked hard over those 13 years and it really feels like one of those cases where the hard work really paid off.
Founded in 1983, Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles is the city’s only monthly home and garden magazine. It was first owned by Network Communications Inc. before being sold to Esteem in 2014. Esteem CEO Adam Japko was the president of Network’s home design division in 2005 when he took control of the magazine.
“After 20 years of ownership, we are selling the business to ensure that the Atlanta-based team on whom Esteem has relied on all along, led by Elizabeth Ralls, becomes the ultimate stakeholder for the next 20 years,” Japko said in a news release. Ralls is the sole owner of Buckhead Crown Media.
Ralls has spent a total of 13 years at Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles, over two stints. She started as its managing editor, left the company to raise a family and returned in 2013 as editor in chief. She was promoted to publisher in 2020 when the publication’s
longtime publisher, Gina Christman, retired. Ralls said Japko approached her two years ago about buying the magazine.
“I’ve assembled a great team from marketing to editorial to sales. I’m really excited about the ways they can help us reach that next generation, which is really important. We want to make sure Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles retains its appeal and is something readers want to put into their hands every month.”
In addition to publishing 12 issues annually, the magazine organizes several events, including the Home for the Holidays Designer Show House currently open for tours at a
location on Tuxedo Road, and the Southeastern Designer Showhouse each spring.
In 2021, Ralls launched a new franchise, Atlanta Tour of Kitchens, to influence the publication’s close ties to the city’s kitchen-and-bath industries; she also raised its live-event audiences by 40%, according to a news release. In the last two years, Ralls has expanded into key second-home territories, with the launch of decorator showhouse franchises in Florida’s 30A in 2023 and Georgia’s Lake Burton in 2024.
In addition to her leadership role at Buckhead Crown Media, Ralls will remain publisher of the magazine and media brand. Until recently, she never thought she would own a magazine.“It’s the highlight of my career for sure,” Ralls said. “I never dreamed I would be the owner of this publication, but I’ve put a lot of sweat equity into it. I just want to do the brand justice and equip the team with the same passion and effort that was instilled in me by the previous leaders.”
3445 Habersham Road is the perfect blend of comfortable family living and fantastic amenities for entertaining. The secluded 1.05 acre property is conveniently situated near the convergence of Valley Road and Habersham in Tuxedo Park. Imagine living within walking distance of Chastain Park, 30 acres of gardens at the Atlanta History Center, and the buzzing energy of the Buckhead Village!
Outdoor living spaces include a two-tiered deck with relaxing views of the wooded backyard. Each level of the deck connects to indoor entertaining spaces, making indoor-outdoor parties a breeze. A crushed-stone path leads through the backyard, and your 4-legged family members will love the large fenced dog run, complete with stairs to the lower level deck.
Inside, you will notice updated fixtures and finishes, and high ceilings throughout the home. A handsome wood-paneled office and the private dining room flank the entry foyer.
The fireside family room features a vaulted ceiling, large windows overlooking the backyard, built-in bookcases with a wet bar, and opens to the kitchen and eat-in breakfast area.
Custom white cabinets and calacatta marble counter tops surround a central island with counter seating, and high-end appliances will delight the chef in your family. The breakfast area connects to a bright sun porch through large glass doors. A large laundry room and adjacent mudroom are found between the 2-car garage plus a large carport for your golf cart and other toys.
The primary suite on the main level includes a spacious bedroom with a vaulted ceiling, large windows, and dual bathrooms.
Three bedrooms occupy the upper level, along with a unique secret playroom. Two bedrooms share a generous Jack-and-Jill bath. The third bedroom is the largest of the three, and includes a private ensuite bath.
The terrace level was built for family fun! A large fireside family room with backyard views and deck access features a wood-paneled bar, complete with a sink and brass foot-rails for your patrons. Behind the bar, you will find a full-size beverage fridge and a climate-controlled wine cellar. A wood-paneled billiard room, home theater, and a home gym provide fun and recreation for your family or guests, and the gym and theater each include a king-size Murphy bed when you need space for overnight guests. Keep an eye out for a hidden door that leads to your own secret vault!
Tuxedo Park is the undisputed top-shelf neighborhood in Buckhead. The rich history of this area goes deeper than many residents may realize. This early Atlanta suburb was only woods and farmland at the beginning of the 20th century, but that quickly changed. Wealthy Atlantans began building homes along Paces Ferry around 1904, many used as summer or country estates with farm animals and extensive gardens. Tuxedo Park expanded North several blocks from there and has kept its refined Southern elegance ever since.
The Tuxedo Park Civic Association holds social events, hires private security officers, and generally keeps the neighborhood connected despite the mostly gated and secluded estates. With its historic mansions and picturesque landscaping, Tuxedo Park is aptly named for this sophisticated neighborhood of magnificent residences. Some of the finest estates in Buckhead are located in the prestigious Tuxedo Park neighborhood.
Although the city of Atlanta has grown to surround this once-remote area, the neighborhood still maintains an aura of seclusion and escape. The manicured grounds and varied architecture of the homes give the neighborhood a formal air befitting its name.
The headline on a recent real estate listing located just north of Chastain Park caught my attention: “Discover the legacy of Kenny Rogers as you step inside his final home.” It beckoned, “Now is your time to own a piece of Kenny Rogers’ history.” Interior photos revealed walls lined with platinum records and shelves proudly displaying a row of Grammy Awards. The listing was first reported by The Wall Street Journal and then generated headlines around the world before selling quickly at the $2.475 million asking price.
Rogers’ final home featured his signature design style, including faux old-world European finishes, a muted beige palette, oversized furnishings, and generous touches of gold leaf. While it was more restrained than many of the extravagant estates he had built, renovated, or decorated during his lesser-known second career as an interior decorator, it still reflected his distinctive style.
Kenny Rogers’ music career was monumental, spanning seven decades and resulting in over 120 million records sold, making him one of the most iconic musical personalities in the world during his time. He was born in Houston and spent much of his early career in Los Angeles, before eventually making Buckhead his home. In the Bel-Air neighborhood of LA, Rogers owned an estate that Realtor.com called the “most prestigious luxury estate” in Bel Air, boasting “possibly the best views in Los Angeles.” He purchased the property in the 1970’s, added large lion statues on either side of the gated entrance, and christened the property “Lionsgate”, as it is still called to this day. Rogers sold the home in 1983 for $5.8 million, but the property most recently traded hands in 2015 for $46.25 million. This exposure to an opulent lifestyle early in his career undoubtedly influenced his future taste in homes and interiors. “I’ve seen some incredible places,” said Rogers. “I think taste is dictated by exposure.”
Rogers eventually settled in Atlanta, a city that would become intrinsic to his personal and professional life. Atlanta’s vibrant music scene and growing entertainment industry offered both new opportunities and a more tranquil pace of life. Moreover, Rogers was drawn to the city’s Southern charm and burgeoning real estate market.
Rogers soon became a fixture around Buckhead. He met his 5th wife, Wanda Miller, while having dinner at Pricci in the Buckhead Village, where she was a hostess. The two married in 1997 and would spend his final 22 years together in and around Buckhead in various homes with their twin sons.
One of the most recognizable homes that Wanda and Kenny purchased together in Buckhead was not far from where they had met. They paid $2.8 million for an elaborate Italianate home at the corner of Valley Road and Habersham Road. Rogers renovated the home to include a combination of international flavors. He labeled his sense of style as “high-end eclectic” in an interview with the AJC. “I love Chinese. I love Italian. And in almost every house I have had, I have an African Room.”
In 2002, Rogers purchased a six-bedroom, 26,000-square-foot mansion a few miles away on Garmon Road, which had been repossessed by a bank. Originally listed for $12 million with no buyers, the price eventually dropped to $4 million, and Rogers acquired it for $2.75 million. He transformed the property into a striking “French castle,” incorporating themed suites inspired by Asian, Safari, and Mediterranean influences, as well as a Grecian-style pool. In a nod to his former LA digs, larger-than-life stone lions were installed to guard the front gates. The grand entry hall with 40-foot ceilings became a Moroccan-style seating area with floor cushions and fabric-draped columns. One of his new neighbors, former Home Depot CEO Bob Nardelli, introduced Rogers to established interior designer Jim Weinberg to consult on the project.
Rogers and Weinberg quickly developed a strong creative partnership, leading them to co-found an interior design firm called Kenji Design Studios that had a storefront on Huff Road. “We bounce off each other in a melodic way,” Weinberg told Atlanta Magazine in an interview. “My role is to help him to his next level of accomplishment.” Not everyone in the Atlanta design world was welcoming of the new super-star interior designer. “Design in Atlanta is an open market, and many people are doing it. I think it’s great that Kenny Rogers is putting his financial backing behind this. I personally don’t feel the need to be a singer,” commented interior designer Stan Topol to Atlanta Magazine.
Despite this, Kenji and Kenny Rogers continued their winning streak as the market accepted their gilded France-meets-Asia style. Kenji took on a bold speculative renovation project for a 15,000-square-foot residence located at 1080 West Paces Ferry Road. Rogers came up with the idea of a ten-car underground garage, and Home Depot billionaire Arthur Blank purchased the property in 2006. “We think there’s a market that’s untouched, which is CEO territory, and everybody’s afraid of it. But we’re not afraid to play there because we know how to make it work,” Rogers boasted to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
They struck gold again when Donald Trump announced twin condo towers near the High Museum in Midtown in the Season finale of The Apprentice in 2007. Kenji was tapped as the lead interior designer and their Huff Road showroom became the sales office.
Never one to rest on his laurels, in 2015 Rogers told the U.K.’s The Guardian that he had some big retirement plans for an amusement park called Kennyland or Kenny World located “on an island” 40 miles north of Atlanta. It would be like Dollywood, he said, but more high-tech. “We are doing a SXSW theme, where singers and songwriters will want to come here. We have an avatar of me on the stage.”
Rogers was a hard worker, never satisfied enough with his world-wide fame or incredible wealth to sit still for long. Still, his ventures outside of the music business often faltered. The Trump Tower project in Atlanta that was to be the capstone of his decorating career was never built, and the land was foreclosed in 2010 during The Great Recession. The homes he built and decorated often sat on the market for years waiting for buyers. Design trends moved away from his signature international opulence toward a more modern look with clean lines. His former home on Garmon Road, that he and Wanda had sold for $8.5 million, was later foreclosed.
Kennyland was never built.
Though he experienced mixed success in his ventures outside of music, Kenny Rogers left an indelible mark on the music and entertainment world, celebrated not only for his rich voice and iconic hits like “The Gambler,” but also for his charisma and warmth. One of his most touching final performances was a duet with Dolly Parton in 2017 at his final concert in Nashville. Their chemistry lit up the stage as they sang together one last time. Rogers, visibly emotional, called Dolly his “soulmate in music,” as she sang to him;
“How will I sing when you are gone?
‘Cause it won’t sound the same
Who will join in on those harmony parts
When I call your name?”
As they had for most of his seven-decade career, the crowd roared in approval for Rogers as he sang his farewell.
In 2020, Rogers passed away surrounded by his family at his Chastain Park home. True to his instincts for finding the best location, he had purchased a plot in historic Oakland Cemetery where Bobby Jones, Margaret Mitchell, and other famous Atlantans had been laid to rest. His tomb is as unsubtle as you might have expected. Six gleaming black granite columns surround an above-ground casket-shaped tomb. Hovering overhead is a matching ring of granite. His name is inscribed on the outside in tall white letters, and inside the ring are the words “Will the circle be unbroken”… and you just can’t help but sing along to the rest of that verse, just as Kenny Rogers hoped you would:
Will the circle be unbroken
By and by Lord, by and by
There’s a better home awaiting
In the sky Lord, in the sky.
Jenny Pruitt, an icon of Atlanta real estate market, died Sept. 27 after a battle with cancer. Pruitt was 85.
Pruitt’s influence on the Atlanta real estate market, particularly in Buckhead, spanned 40 years. Pruitt carved her own path in the Atlanta market before founding Atlanta Fine Home – Sotheby’s International Realty, which grew to include more than 500 agents with over $3.7 billion in sales in 2023. Pruitt also served as Director of the Buckhead Coalition and was a dedicated philanthropist.
“Jenny was a true pillar of our city as a third-generation Atlantan, but she was also a prominent and legendary force in the real estate community at-large and genuinely made a difference in our city’s growth, development, and prosperity,” a statement from Atlanta Realtors Association (ARA), said. “Jenny Pruitt was so many things to so many of us.”
Pruitt’s self-made journey had humble beginnings. Her father died when Pruitt was a child, and her family scraped by while living with relatives. In a 2022 ARA interview, Pruitt said she gained an interest in real estate through her mother, who was in sales but “never very successful.” With limited means and encouragement from her mother, Pruitt saved enough money to attend business classes at Georgia State University. With a newly established business acumen, Pruitt began her real estate career in 1968 and quickly found success. Pruitt worked as an agent with Northside Realty, founded by late U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson, before serving as a manager with Buckhead Brokers for five years. The firm was the top brokerage for sales in Atlanta during Pruitt’s tenure with a staff of 90 associates.
In 1988, she established Jenny Pruitt & Associates and furthered her indelible mark on the Buckhead real estate community. The company, founded along with her husband, Bob, specialized in the Buckhead market and its upscale residences. Founded ahead of a recession, Pruitt said the company continued to grow despite its inauspicious start. It continued to be a top firm in Atlanta real estate market with annual sales of over $1.5 billion with six metro Atlanta offices.
After catapulting her own brokerage, Pruitt sold the company in 2001 to a company under the umbrella of billionaire investor and Berkshire Hathaway CEO Warren Buffett. Despite starting over, Pruitt’s second venture proved to be even more successful.
Pruitt founded Atlanta Fine Homes- Sotheby’s International Realty in 2007, chosen by Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates, Inc. as its exclusive Atlanta affiliate, with business partner and son-in-law David Boehmig. Atlanta Fine Homes has nearly 600 sales associates in four offices in metro Atlanta. According to the company’s website, it is the metro’s top brokerage with $3.7 billion in annual sales.
Pruitt earned a bevy of awards throughout her career. Pruitt was selected as an E.A. Isakson Award recipient for “upholding the highest standards of integrity and professionalism,” the Sally Washburn Lifetime Achievement Award, Georgia Small Business Person of the Year and Realtor of the Year. She was also inducted into the Business Hall of Fame at Georgia State University, the YWCA Academy of Women Achievers, and Junior Achievement Hall of Fame. She was named a Four Pillar Award winner in 2016 by The Council for Quality Growth, which recognizes the pillars to be quality, responsibility, vision, and integrity, and celebrates her philanthropic endeavors as well as significant contributions to economic development in Metro Atlanta.
Pruitt and her husband, Bob, were married in 1966. Pruitt credited Bob with giving her the push that ultimately led to the founding of Jenny Pruitt & Associates. The couple had two daughters, seven grandchildren, and a great-granddaughter.
In 2015, Pruitt penned “Beneath His Wings,” a memoir in which she discussed the struggles of her youth to her rise to prominence, through which she was driven by her faith. Pruitt’s faith and business success drove her numerous philanthropic efforts. She founded a scholarship for students at Georgia State University and founded the Buckhead Girls Club, which provided local community and cultural funding.
“Jenny was truly legendary in Atlanta real estate, but more than that, she was a woman of deep faith and kindness,” Atlanta Fine Homes Realtor Thomas House posted on Facebook.
Pruitt was also an active community member. She is the former Director of the Buckhead Coalition and served on various leadership boards, including for the Carter Center, the Atlanta Police Foundation and the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce.
“At her very core, Jenny was the embodiment of a servant leader and always ensured that other people’s highest needs were being served before hers,” a statement from ARA said.
17 Habersham Cove Drive is in a small, quiet, and private double cul-de-sac 10-home community with young families and retirees alike. The charming homes, serene setting, and lush landscaping on this private street off of Habersham Road make it hard to believe you’re just around the corner from the Buckhead Village in one direction, and Chastain Park in the other. Restaurants like Hal’s, Chopped and Cava, along with kid-friendly places like Menchie’s are a short walk away. Amenities abound in this brick home, in which sunlight pours through walls of windows on all sides of the house. Throughout its life, the home has been upgraded and impeccably maintained. Foam insulation in the attic has increased efficiency, and all three HVAC units have been replaced with new, higher-efficiency units within the last two years. The exterior was recently repainted, as were many of the bedrooms.
Step into a backyard of lush gardens, salt-water pool with a stone waterfall spa, a koi pond, and a beautiful natural gas fire pit, and be transported to a nature sanctuary only steps from the heart of Buckhead! The stunning travertine pool patio surrounds an oversized pool. The pool was recently refinished with PebbleTec, and it includes an electric safety cover. The sumptuous, mature gardens are the product of multiple large-scale landscaping projects and years of loving gardening labor by the seller. The property and gardens are well-equipped with an irrigation system and landscape lighting that highlight the beautiful contours of the gardens at night.
The grand entry foyer is flanked by the formal dining room and a fireside living room. A wet bar with under-counter fridge and ice-maker connects the living room to the fireside family room, kitchen, and breakfast nook.
The home boasts a common sense, economical design in which the kitchen, breakfast nook, and open family room function as the heart of the main floor. Glass doors in the family room provide access to a roomy covered back deck with lounging and dining areas, as well as an open deck area for grilling and container gardening.
The kitchen was upgraded with exotic granite countertops and stainless steel appliances. Custom white cabinets surround a central island that houses the gas cooktop and provides counter seating. Other features include a wine fridge and a walk-in pantry.
Upstairs you’ll find the generous primary suite with large bathroom, separate large tub, shower, and water closet, plus two separate walk-in closets. Three additional bedrooms are upstairs; one bedroom has its own bathroom, while the other two share a jack-and-jill bathroom.
An extensive renovation on the full daylight terrace level added an exercise room, inviting sunroom, and full-sized bar with Quartzite counters and Italian glass backsplash tiles. The bar has not only a beverage fridge and ice maker, but also an oven/microwave and dishwasher. The family room features six glass doors that lead to the sunroom and the pool terrace beyond; allowing the sunroom to function as both an extension of the family room and standalone office/sunroom. A private guest suite on the terrace level features natural light and an ensuite bath.
Tuxedo Park is the undisputed top-shelf neighborhood in Buckhead. The rich history of this area goes deeper than many residents may realize. This early Atlanta suburb was only woods and farmland at the beginning of the 20th century, but that quickly changed. Wealthy Atlantans began building homes along Paces Ferry around 1904, many used as summer or country estates with farm animals and extensive gardens. Tuxedo Park expanded North several blocks from there and has kept its refined Southern elegance ever since.
The Tuxedo Park Civic Association holds social events, hires private security officers, and generally keeps the neighborhood connected despite the mostly gated and secluded estates. With its historic mansions and picturesque landscaping, Tuxedo Park is aptly named for this sophisticated neighborhood of magnificent residences. Some of the finest estates in Buckhead are located in the prestigious Tuxedo Park neighborhood.
Although the city of Atlanta has grown to surround this once-remote area, the neighborhood still maintains an aura of seclusion and escape. The manicured grounds and varied architecture of the homes give the neighborhood a formal air befitting its name.
Nestled on prestigious Valley Road, this Tuxedo Park residence seamlessly marries classic elegance with modern sophistication. Recently, the property has undergone a meticulous renovation, unveiling a stunning new kitchen that seamlessly connects to the family room, a modern gym on the main floor, and an impressive primary suite. The professionally designed interiors are not only fit for a feature in Architectural Digest but are also exceptionally practical for daily living. With its stately setting, the home offers the grandeur of an estate, yet at a scale that is easily manageable.
The level backyard is an oasis for outdoor living, offering dedicated spaces for grilling, entertaining, and recreation, all framed by manicured landscaping and centered around a refreshing plunge pool with a new pump and filter equipment.
The main level exudes elegance, with steel-framed windows allowing natural light to flood the space, creating a bright and airy ambiance. Upon entering, you’re welcomed by a winding staircase in the grand 2-story foyer, which offers tantalizing glimpses into the formal dining room, kitchen, and living room. The large formal dining room provides an exquisite setting for family gatherings and elegant entertaining.
The formal living room, while maintaining its refined character, is also warm and inviting, featuring arched steel windows that offer peaceful views of the backyard and access to the pool terrace.
The adjacent, expansive family room is perfect for both intimate and large gatherings, with multiple seating areas and direct access to the beautifully renovated kitchen. This recently renovated open-concept space dramatically expands the connectivity of the central living spaces on the main level. A cozy fireside sitting area includes a striking built-in beverage station with Rift White Oak cabinets, while the main seating area is graced with more arched windows and leads to a generous side patio.
The kitchen is a chef’s dream, boasting a large central island and high-end finishes, including leathered stone counter tops and Rift White Oak cabinets. Highlights include all new Thermador appliances, Double sinks, double dishwashers, and a built-in Miele Coffee Maker. Recent renovations opened the wall between the kitchen and family room and added a unique sunlit display cabinet. The walk-in pantry provides ample storage, and the open breakfast room ensures a seamless connection between cooking, dining, and relaxing.
Nearby, the private home management office and spacious laundry room are both easily accessible. Functional renovations continue in the garage wing of the main level. The third bay of the original 3-car garage was transformed into a well-appointed sunlit home gym. This professional exercise facility is accessed through the 2-car garage or through steel doors from the motor court.
On the second floor, you’ll find three oversized bedroom suites, each offering ample space for comfort and privacy. A generous bonus room near the back stairs serves as an ideal playroom or an additional family room.
The primary suite is a luxurious retreat, featuring a spacious bedroom with a cozy fireside sitting area, hand-finished plaster walls, and new steel windows with custom drapery. Recent renovation has transformed the primary bathroom into a spa-like sanctuary, complete with Rift White Oak cabinets and marble counter tops, double vanities, a separate soaking tub, a dramatic tiled shower, and expansive his-and-hers closets. A private beverage station adds a touch of indulgence to this serene space.
The third floor offers two additional bedroom suites connected by a central sitting room. Each bedroom includes an ensuite full bath and a generous walk-in closet. A third-floor bonus room makes a great home office. An elevator provides effortless access to all three levels of living space, as well as the storage area on the basement level.
Tuxedo Park is the undisputed top-shelf neighborhood in Buckhead. The rich history of this area goes deeper than many residents may realize. This early Atlanta suburb was only woods and farmland at the beginning of the 20th century, but that quickly changed. Wealthy Atlantans began building homes along Paces Ferry around 1904, many used as summer or country estates with farm animals and extensive gardens. Tuxedo Park expanded North several blocks from there and has kept its refined Southern elegance ever since.
The Tuxedo Park Civic Association holds social events, hires private security officers, and generally keeps the neighborhood connected despite the mostly gated and secluded estates. With its historic mansions and picturesque landscaping, Tuxedo Park is aptly named for this sophisticated neighborhood of magnificent residences. Some of the finest estates in Buckhead are located in the prestigious Tuxedo Park neighborhood.
Although the city of Atlanta has grown to surround this once-remote area, the neighborhood still maintains an aura of seclusion and escape. The manicured grounds and varied architecture of the homes give the neighborhood a formal air befitting its name.
Have you seen the Sightseeing tour bus rolling down West Paces Ferry and wondered what the guides are saying about our beautiful neighborhood? For a few years now, the Atlanta Sightseeing Bus Tour has been showing off sections of Valley Road, Tuxedo Road, and West Paces Ferry throughout the heart of Buckhead. We decided to board the bus to see what we might learn about our community.
Neighborhoods in Buckhead are a small part of the Atlanta Sightseeing Bus Tour. Only about 45 minutes out of the five-hour tour takes place in Buckhead. The rest of the tour winds through downtown Atlanta, Old Fourth Ward, Midtown, and more. Let’s begin at the beginning…
I booked my tour online (look for a Groupon) and then I met my tour guide, Don Moore, in the Hub food court under Peachtree Center downtown. Moore is a cordial Atlanta native who says he has learned a lot about his city during his time as a tour guide. I explained that I too am an Atlanta native, and I was looking forward to learning about my hometown.
We began our tour inside Peachtree Center. Moore explained that Peachtree Center was originally designed by John Portman in the 1960s. Portman was instrumental in re-imagining the Atlanta skyline in the ‘60s and ‘70s by designing many of the iconic downtown buildings. The Westin Peachtree Plaza, Atlanta Merchandise Mart, and the Atlanta Marriot Marquis just to name a few.
Moore led me outside to connect with some late-arrivals to the tour, and the group was treated to more downtown history. A binder with historic photos was brandished by Moore throughout the day to emphasize and illustrate how the buildings along the tour have evolved over the years. Did you know that Atlanta’s flatiron building on Peachtree Street pre-dates the one in Manhattan by five years? It is Atlanta’s oldest standing skyscraper.
After more informative descriptions of downtown’s landscape, our group boarded the sightseeing bus. The bus traveled a circuitous route through downtown, effectively making several loops down Peachtree Street, past State Farm Arena, GA State University, and more. Each block invited stories from Moore about past and present buildings, events, and famous Atlantans. Civil War battles and Atlanta’s subsequent reconstruction were a regular part of the tour. Moore pointed out battle sites from downtown to Buckhead as we went along.
The bus crossed Freedom Parkway on the Jackson Street bridge to show the group possibly the most famous view of the Atlanta skyline. This iconic view is in countless movies and TV shows, including the poster art from The Walking Dead.
The bus moved east toward the Sweet Auburn neighborhood, where the group exited the bus to visit Ebenezer Baptist Church and the King Memorial. I had not visited the King Memorial before, and I was glad to make the trip with an experienced guide. After a tour and a brief visit to the museum, we boarded the bus and made our way toward Inman Park.
After a brief stop at the Krog Market food hall, the bus made its way to Fourth Ward Park for a visit to the Atlanta Beltline trail. One of the highlights of this stop was a brief harmonica performance by our guide, Don, as he jammed with a musician named Kermit Walker, who was playing drums along the Beltline.
Before long, the group was back in the bus to explore the Old Fourth Ward neighborhood. I found it interesting that Moore included the price of an average home as we passed through each neighborhood. I found out the source of his real estate knowledge later when we went to Buckhead.
We stopped to discuss the history and development of Ponce City Market, before taking 40 minutes to eat lunch in the food hall. H&F Burgers is among my favorite restaurants in the city, so this was a particularly fun stop for me!
After lunch, we found the bus in front of Ponce City Market and headed for Buckhead. Moore was great about constantly pointing out interesting buildings and sites, even as we were traveling up the interstate on the way to Northside Drive. Once the bus was heading east on West Paces Ferry, the tour took on more of a “Tour of Homes” vibe, with Moore pointing out the mansions of past and present famous Atlantans.
Our driver, Audrey Tobin, has a background in real estate, so she is quite knowledgeable about current home prices in Tuxedo Park and throughout the city. She would mention the recent sale prices as Moore explained which billionaire or celebrity occupied each home.
Moore pointed out rapper T.I.’s house, and mentioned that golf legend Bobby Jones’ family lives a few doors down. Unfortunately, neither of those properties are home to either T.I. or the Jones family! Other famous homes we past formerly belonged to Kenny Rodgers, Robert Woodruff, and countless business and sports figures. Driving through Atlanta’s wealthiest neighborhood prompted Moore to read a list of Fortune 500 companies that are based in Atlanta. Much of the Buckhead section of the tour related to how much money is in Atlanta, and who has it.
The bus pulled back onto West Paces Ferry to pass the Governor’s Mansion and The Cherokee Town & Country Club on the way to the Atlanta History Center. After a brief stop to view the Swan House from the bus windows, we made our way past the Cathedral of St. Phillip and back to Peachtree Street. Park Place on Peachtree brought up stories of Elton John’s recent condo sale, and more Civil War stories followed us south on Peachtree Street.
The tour followed Peachtree Street through midtown, past the High Museum and Colony Square. Finally we ended up back at Peachtree Center, where the tour concluded and we went our separate ways.
The Atlanta Sightseeing Bus Tour was a fascinating experience for a native Atlantan. There was a lot of history that I was unaware of, even though I was here when it some of it happened! I did not expect to learn so much through the Buckhead section of the tour , but I was pleasantly surprised. Moore shared multiple stories about the neighborhood and its residents that I had never heard, even if a few of the details were a bit less than accurate. You may be surprised by what you learn when you view your hometown from a different angle!
3540 Woodhaven Road in Buckhead’s Tuxedo Park neighborhood sold on July 12th, 2024 for $17 million after 177 days on the market. This sale price was enough to land it in the top five sales of all time for Buckhead, but was 51% discount off the original asking price. This home, which took three years to construct, is believed to be the largest home to ever sell in Buckhead based on the square footage of 49,665 square feet. The buyer was 3540 Woodhaven Property LLC.
The home was one of the final designs personally overseen by architect Bill Harrison before his passing in 2021. It was built by Brody Dernehl for a local family that called it home until the recent sale. The home sprawls across a 3.79-acre lot, and features 11 bedrooms and 20 bathrooms (13 full and 7 half).
For recreation and entertainment, the estate includes both indoor and outdoor pools, a bowling alley, an indoor basketball half-court, a batting cage, a golf simulator room, a movie theater, a game room, a wine cellar, and a grand ballroom. Additionally, there is a large spa, a hair salon, and extensive outdoor living spaces such as a covered deck, rear porch, and landscaped gardens.
Security features are top-notch with a high-level security system, impact glass for all ground-level windows and doors, and a secured garage that can accommodate 10 cars; with a full two-bedroom apartment above one of the five bays. The property also includes a commercial-grade elevator that serves all four levels of the main house. Betsy Akers and Sam Bayne of Atlanta Fine Homes brokered the sale, which is now the 2nd highest sale of the year after a $19.8 million sale within the same neighborhood.
At the halfway mark, 2024 has already seen the bar raised in many ways for Buckhead real estate. The year started off strong when I sold a home on Knollwood Drive in Tuxedo Park for $9.5 million. The all-cash deal closed on January 17th in a private transaction in which I represented both the buyer and seller. With 11 months left in the year, this home had already topped the highest sale of 2023.
Just six weeks later, that record was eclipsed by a stunning Georgian estate on Riverly Road in the Paces neighborhood, closing at nearly $13 million.
Around that same time, I was putting together the biggest deal of my career. In fact, when it closed for $19,800,000 in April, it became the #1 home sale of all time in metro Atlanta. As you can imagine, Atlanta’s most distinguished home ever sold is unique in the market. It has been described as Scandinavian in style, with a Japanese-inspired flow – highlighting the fact that many of today’s buyers value a more streamlined aesthetic.
More recently, a 1930’s estate at 65 Valley Road traded hands for an even $10 million. This grande dame sits on 9 acres and was originally built by the 3rd president of Coca-Cola, Samuel Candler Dobbs.
Our own Marci Robinson sold the 2023 Holiday Show House for $7,450,000, one of the highest sales ever in Chastain Park. This stunning home came in at #7 on the list.
It has been a fast-paced year for Buckhead real estate with many big deals in the record books. Behind every one of these sales are families that have chosen to call Buckhead home, when they could truly live anywhere in the world! That is a testament to the enduring and growing appeal of the Buckhead community. Here are the top 10 homes sold during the 1st half of 2024:
What do three lawyers, one private equity investor, a SCAD professor, a commercial real estate broker, and a writer have in common? Enjoying the game of Mahjong. This is my Mahjong group and this is the tale of us.
Mahjong enthusiasts are popping up everywhere in Buckhead. Have you noticed? Even though many of us have experienced a cultural whiff of Mahjong, either from the novel The Joy Luck Club or the movie Crazy Rich Asians, some are still wondering What is Mahjong?
The rudimentary answer: Think gin rummy using artful tiles instead of a deck of cards. That is an understatement, but you get the idea. The goal is to be the first player to match a sequence of tiles, using all thirteen of your tiles.
Maybe this tile craze is taking off because it is known to promote patience and politeness. Meh. That is not why our group plays. We live in an exponentially-growing metropolis, so patience is probably not all that obtainable anymore. According to Market Business News, studies show that Mahjong helps maintain good brain health and improve memory skills. A fat chunk of dark chocolate does that too. Just saying. Actress Julia Roberts plays because she finds it relaxing. I love that for her. Really, I do. Yes, those are meritorious rationales for playing. And so is the important skill of making speedy decisions and gathering information. Yet, none of those explains our Mahjong motivations.
We play for one reason, simple enjoyment. No committees are required. No agendas are passed out. We don’t have to elect co-chairs. No casserole sign-up is needed. No nothing. Not even prizes.
It’s weird. When we play, we also never eat and rarely drink anything except LaCroix. I know, all of this seems incredibly counter intuitive for a gathering group of women who like each other. Sometimes, Melissa Laue brings us good chocolate. This is the one group I am a part of that doesn’t feel compelled to drone on incessantly about scuttlebutt, Ozempic, or botched-up Botox. That is not who we are.
What we are is beautiful laughter and joy for a mere two hours.
History is unsure if the ancient Chinese game started in the 1200s, 1300s, 1600s, or the 1800s. Another thing that cannot universally be agreed upon is how to spell the game. Mah Jongg? Mah jong? Mahjong? With hyphens or without? No one knows. Any way works.
According to the Seattle Times, the American Mahjong introduction happened in the mid-1920s by Joseph P. Babcock, a Standard Oil employee. According to legend, after Babcock first encountered the game on a ship while traveling the Yangtze River, he began exporting sets of the game to the United States. At the time, Babcock realized that there was a fascination with the ‘unknown China’ and that Americans were hungry for anything from the exotic East. Babcock’s Mahjong sets became all the rage.
Today, the game is having a resurgence across America, not just Buckhead. Possibly, the pandemic-induced home-bound isolation that lasted for months on end gave so many of us the same take away: We hated the grueling separation from one another. We need each other. So Mahjong seems a fitting solution; four people at one table, elbow to elbow. Eyes glued to the same action.
For those interested and needing an entrée into the game, look to the Buckhead Mahjong Club on Facebook. That is a terrific spot to start. Co-founders of the club, Liz Liu and Luciana Holbert, instruct players of all levels and host wine and Mahj games across the southeast.
Our group typically plays on a Tuesday or Wednesday night, rarely every week though. I miss it when it’s not on my calendar. Some weeks, we have two tables of four players. Other weeks, we can only fill one table. The game stays with us long after we go home, feed the dog, spray the mucky kitchen sink clean, and roll into bed. We have never once been together and not exploded into memorable laughter. Inevitably, the day after playing, someone starts a text chain because they are still giggling. Which gets us remembering the generous night together.
For us, Mahjong is gobs better than a sisterhood; it’s a cousinhood. A cousinhood in the sense that no matter who shows up to play, we know it will be a lovely, lovely time. And no one can ask more of that from a Tuesday or Wednesday night.
This lovely home exudes the timeless charm and classic elegance that you expect in Tuxedo Park. Renowned architect Stan Dixon designed a recent complete renovation and expansion. The updates increased the living space and added a semi-detached garage which connects to the home by a breezeway. Step inside the inviting foyer to a formal dining room and spacious living room graced with a fireplace and French doors.
The heart of the home lies in the lovely kitchen which is equipped with a center island, double oven, and walk-in pantry. The kitchen seamlessly opens to a family room with a cozy wood-burning fireplace and built-in bookshelves and a wet bar.
Relaxation and entertaining converge in the enclosed all-season living porch, complete with a grilling station, beverage fridge, wood-burning fireplace, living room and dining area, creating the perfect setting for both casual gatherings and elegant dining. With a view of the swimming pool and landscape beyond, this will be where you will enjoy spending most of your time!
Adjacent to the living porch is the generously sized main-floor recreation room. This versatile room with a temperature-controlled wine cellar and powder room is perfect for watching the game or hanging out after a day at the pool!
The primary bedroom suite on the main level is a lovely retreat and features a walk-in closet with custom shelving, and in-suite laundry (which can be converted to extra closet space if desired).
Upstairs, discover three spacious bedrooms, each with its own ensuite bath, walk-in closet, and access to a shared laundry room with a sink and ample storage.
Behind the 2-car garage is a surprise that will delight golfers – a putting green! Practice your short game right in your own backyard!
A Control 4 system conveniently integrates music and security cameras throughout the home. Conveniently located just a short drive from Buckhead Village and only 1 block from 35 acres of gardens and parkland nestled behind the Atlanta History Center! This home offers an exceptional living experience for the discerning homeowner, combining classic charm, convenience, and a variety of outdoor recreation in the heart of South Tuxedo Park.
South Tuxedo Park is a small neighborhood that combines just about everything you might move to Buckhead for. Valley Road alone has some of the most beautiful homes in Buckhead, with similarly wonderful homes on nearby streets.
The Cherokee Town & Country Club and the entire South Tuxedo Park neighborhood was once the 100 acre estate of the Grant family. John W. Grant and his wife Annie Inman Grant operated a farm on the property and built their home (which is now part of the Cherokee Club House) there in 1917.
Today the Cherokee Club sits in the center of the neighborhood and offers its members swimming, tennis, and more. The Atlanta History Center includes 35 acres of gardens and walking trails in addition to the fascinating displays and artifacts inside.
The southeastern tip of South Tuxedo Park includes many of Buckhead’s favorite shopping options. The adjacent Buckhead Village is home to the finest collection of high-end dining and retail in Georgia. Neighbors love Lucy’s Market, the Buckhead Butcher, and Whole Foods to name a few.
Tuxedo Park is the undisputed top-shelf neighborhood in Buckhead. The rich history of this area goes deeper than many residents may realize. This early Atlanta suburb was only woods and farmland at the beginning of the 20th century, but that quickly changed. Wealthy Atlantans began building homes along Paces Ferry around 1904, many used as summer or country estates with farm animals and extensive gardens. Tuxedo Park expanded North several blocks from there and has kept its refined Southern elegance ever since.
The Tuxedo Park Civic Association holds social events, hires private security officers, and generally keeps the neighborhood connected despite the mostly gated and secluded estates. With its historic mansions and picturesque landscaping, Tuxedo Park is aptly named for this sophisticated neighborhood of magnificent residences. Some of the finest estates in Buckhead are located in the prestigious Tuxedo Park neighborhood.
Although the city of Atlanta has grown to surround this once-remote area, the neighborhood still maintains an aura of seclusion and escape. The manicured grounds and varied architecture of the homes give the neighborhood a formal air befitting its name.
The spirit of Buckhead heads forward. This is the way it has been, and perhaps this is the way it will always be. The spirit of Buckhead points forward. You see it in the way we work, and you see it in the way we play. The reach is always extending further. The search is for excellence and beauty and grace and vibrancy.
We are a community of individuals. We are diverse, we are dynamic, and we are discerning. We are builders. We are connected to one another with a common bond. A common dream. A common quest. Pointing life in one direction. Forward.
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