The Atlanta Beltline has finalized the purchase of six additional parcels along Bennett Street, completing a 3.2-acre assemblage that will become a cornerstone of the Northwest Trail. The $18 million acquisition in August 2025, combined with the $11 million purchase of the former Elleven45 Lounge in late 2024, solidifies the Beltline’s control over a crucial nexus point where the iconic loop will cross Peachtree Road for the first and only time. This development is expected to serve as a major gateway between the Beltline and Buckhead’s most famous street.
This strategic acquisition is poised to transform a quirky, historically significant street into a major public access point for the 22-mile trail. For decades, Bennett Street has been a charmingly eclectic mix of art galleries, antique shops, and troublesome clubs. Its history is as varied as its storefronts, evolving from a humble country road where servants for Peachtree’s grand mansions resided in the early 20th century to a warehouse district and a vibrant nightlife hub in the 1970s.
Now, a new chapter is being written, one that envisions a future of increased connectivity, affordable housing, and vibrant commercial spaces seamlessly integrated with the Beltline’s path. The now-vacant buildings that line the street are slated for demolition, making way for a master-planned development that will be guided by an intensive community engagement process.
Welcome improvements
The significance of this location cannot be overstated. With The Shepherd Center and Piedmont Hospital—the largest employer in the Beltline Planning Area—just a stone’s throw away, the new gateway will provide a vital connection for thousands of healthcare workers, patients, and visitors. The vision, as articulated by Beltline officials, is to create a “complete community” where people can live, work, and thrive without relying on cars.
The remaining parcels on Bennett Street are owned by Onward Reserve, the popular men’s clothing retailer. TJ Callaway, CEO of Onward Reserve, expressed his enthusiasm for the project, telling the Atlanta Business Chronicle, “We’re excited [the Beltline is] doing all this and looking forward to working with them.” Callaway also noted that the retailer will be seeking third-party tenants for any space it doesn’t occupy in the new development, signaling a collaborative approach to the area’s future.
Northwest Trail
The Northwest Trail, which will eventually span 4.3 miles from Blandtown to Peachtree Hills, has been one of the most anticipated and complex segments of the Beltline. Unlike other sections of the loop that follow defunct rail corridors, the Northwest Trail has required a more intricate and creative approach to land acquisition and engineering. The Bennett Street crossing, for instance, will involve a partnership with the Georgia Department of Transportation to construct a new Peachtree Road bridge that will accommodate the trail passing underneath.
Recent progress on the Northwest Trail has been swift. Just in the past 60 days, construction has advanced on Segment 1, which includes a dramatic suspension bridge over Peachtree Creek. The bridge’s superstructure is now complete, and the trail on both sides of the creek is taking shape, with a targeted completion date of June 2026. This tangible progress, coupled with the landmark Bennett Street acquisitions, has generated a palpable buzz in the community.
Beyond the Trail
The Beltline’s ambitious plans extend beyond the trail itself. The recent announcement of a $3.5 billion light rail network, with a priority on access to Piedmont Hospital, underscores the transformative potential of this project. The integration of transit, trails, and mixed-use development promises to create a more connected, equitable, and sustainable Buckhead.
As the old buildings on Bennett Street prepare to come down, they make way for a future that honors the street’s unique character while embracing the promise of a more walkable Buckhead, directly connected to the best green spaces in the city. For the thousands who live, work, and play in the area, the transformation of Bennett Street can’t come soon enough.
