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.
In a landmark real estate transaction, Buckhead real estate broker Ben Hirsh has sold 3391 Tuxedo Road in Atlanta for $19.8 million. The all-cash purchase closed on March 12, 2024 in a private transaction in which Hirsh represented the seller. Harvin Greene with Dorsey Alston Realtors represented the buyer. This off-market deal more than doubles the highest sale of 2023, also brokered by Hirsh, and sets the record as the highest recorded home sale price in Atlanta history. The prior two record holders were Tyler Perry’s home on Paces Ferry Road, selling for $17.5 million in 2016, and a home on Valley Road which sold for $18.1 million in 2021.
As you might imagine, Atlanta’s most distinguished home to ever sell is unique to the market. It has been described as Scandinavian in style with a Japanese vibe in its flow – uncluttered and refined. One prime example is the sculptural central staircase that connects the three levels of the 17,000 square foot home. Here, an 18th-century Japanese charring technique called Shou Sugi Ban was used to finish the wood cladding of the monolithic wall on which the crisp right angles of the white oak stair treads appear to float in pleasing contrast. In a home that is a showcase for art, this effect is one of the greatest pieces.
The sellers designed the home in close collaboration with local design/build firm Siegel Construction and Design and Norwood Architects. When reached for comment, the firm’s principal designer Kathy Siegel said, “It was the third collaboration between this client and our firm. It was a fantastic partnership and resulted in a home that is truly deserving of the value it has achieved.”
Interior designer, Sherry Shirah, from New Orleans made each room inviting and comfortable, not an easy feat in a space that is focused on minimalism. Sherry introduced texture in the form of antique rugs layered on top of each other, and exceptional custom furniture pieces that she had built for the space
Jackson Fine Art assisted in curating an extensive fine art photography collection for the home. Owner and curator Anna Walker Skillman commented “The art collection becomes an integral part of a home when curated and placed correctly.” So integral, in fact, that much of that collection is going to stay.
The 3+ acres of land that surround the home were landscaped by garden designer Thibault Devillard of Terre Gardens. This was the third home Devillard has worked on with the sellers and he handled the landscaping, outdoor lighting and maintenance.
Ben Hirsh, who has brokered multiple purchases and sales for the client, originally brought the property to them with a vision for what could be done with it. “The couple who sold the home defined a one-of-a-kind vision for this property. Like them, I love the creative process and land development,” said Hirsh. “It is especially gratifying to be part of this process from original concept to a successful close. The family who purchased this home cherished it from the moment they entered and they will be very happy there.”
This record-setting sale marked multiple milestones for Buckhead Realtor Ben Hirsh. “Before this sale, my career sales volume was $995 million. It was exciting to set the record for a home sale, while at the same time surpassing the $1 billion mark in homes I have personally sold.” The secret to this incredible success? “There is no secret and no shortcut,” says Hirsh. “Just last month, I celebrated 20 years in the business. What may look like luck at first glance is really 20 years of very hard work, a focused plan, continuous improvement, and significant resources invested in what I believe are the most effective marketing strategies that have ever been implemented in our industry. I am also blessed to be supported by two incredibly gifted professionals: Michelle Legan, my Operations Director of 13 years, and Rob Knight, my Creative Director.”
While Ben is once again the top individual real estate agent in Atlanta based on 2023 sales volume of over $135 million, his achievements are not just in sales volume. “I get incredible satisfaction from really listening to and serving my clients,” said Ben. “These larger than life sales get most of the attention, but I consider myself an expert on all Buckhead real estate, not just the super high end. I treat each of my clients with the respect, dedication and expertise that they deserve and, ultimately, that creates relationships that grow and last for decades. Those relationships are my measure of success.”
This beautiful home offers the perfect Buckhead location between Tuxedo Park and Chastain Park. Designed by Spitzmiller and Norris, the home provides plenty of room for your family with large rooms and comfortable spaces for guests. Details you will notice immediately are extra-tall 10′ garage doors on the 3-car garage, and 11′ ceilings throughout the home. An elevator shaft serves all three floors for a convenient future upgrade.
The backyard is a private oasis, featuring a beautiful pool and spa, level lawn that seems to go on forever, and a covered patio with sitting and dining areas. The patio and pool terrace are easily accessed from multiple rooms, including the family room, kitchen, and main floor guest suite.
A grand entry foyer is your introduction to the open spaces on the main level. The cozy fireside sitting room and formal dining room are separate-yet-connected spaces, thanks to large cased openings. Ahead you will find the family room with a wall of windows looking onto the pool terrace.
The expansive kitchen features a large central island with counter seating, and a breakfast area with fireplace and room for a full-sized dining table. Professional Viking appliances are surrounded by ample custom cabinets, including a walk-in pantry with a stacked washer and dryer! A butler’s pantry provides more storage, and the side entry hall and mudroom provide even more custom cabinetry.
A guest suite is tucked away down a hallway on the main level will make your guests feel more than welcome. The private suite features a bedroom overlooking the pool terrace, a walk-in closet, and a beautiful ensuite full bath.
Access the upper level via the main staircase or the back stairs by the kitchen. Here you will find a cozy sitting area, a laundry room, and built-in library shelves in the main hallway. The upper level includes three SPACIOUS secondary bedroom suites, each with generous closets and ensuite full baths. One of these suites currently connects to the primary bedroom as it was originally utilized as a nursery. It can easily be separated depending on your needs.
The primary suite includes a fireside bedroom with an attached office, his and her walk-in closets, and his and her full baths! The view of the amazing backyard is wonderful!
Downstairs you will find lots more room for entertaining and recreation, plus a few unique features of this home. Finished in 2013, the terrace level includes a large family room, rec room, home gym, and a full guest suite. There is also a half bath on this level and a remarkable amount of storage space.
Additional features include a whole-house HEPA air filter and a whole-house dehumidifier.
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.
Homeowners here will enjoy all that Chastain Park has to offer year-round. Chastain Park is Atlanta’s largest city park, and known by all as Buckhead’s premier park. The wide variety of competitive and recreational activities and entertainment venues hosted by Chastain Park include a swimming pool, a musical amphitheater where both pop and classical musicians entertain audiences outdoors, an arts center, tennis, gymnasium, walking trails, playgrounds, softball diamonds, a golf course and even a horse park – all of which appeal to athletic types and Sunday morning strollers alike.
The Chastain restaurant offers “refined comfort food” for residents and visitors alike in a beautiful setting across from the park.
On a warm night in September of last year, Assembly Studios in Doraville, GA, made a grand debut just a few miles Northeast of Buckhead, igniting excitement in Georgia’s film and TV scene. The star-studded opening featured a glamorous red carpet where invited guests lined up fortours of the high-tech facilities on a new 50-acre campus The night buzzed with live entertainment and networking, spotlighting Georgia’s growing status in entertainment and leaving a mark of anticipation for the studio’s future. Though Buckhead is not the epicenter of productions taking place in Georgia, the Assembly Studios opening further solidified it’s position at the geographic center of the major film studios that now form a ring around Atlanta.
The “Made in Georgia” logo has become a common sight as the credits roll for film and television productions, and the state’s film/TV industry continues to flourish after a brief hiatus for Hollywood actors and writers strikes of 2023. Several industry experts underscored the important and unique role Buckhead plays in the state’s burgeoning film industry and the economic benefits to the community are substantial
. According to the Georgia Department of Economic Development, the fiscal year 2023 saw a direct expenditure of $4.1 billion on productions in the state.
Georgia’s TV/film industry is now firmly established. As such, many crew members who are considered “below-the-line,” such as grips, makeup artists, camera operators and similar behind-the-scenes roles, now live in the state. But when a production is filming in the Atlanta area, actors, directors, producers and other “above-the-line” talent who do not live in the area require housing. They often move into the Atlanta area for several months for a film production, or longer for a television series.
Jacob Bean owns Studio Housing Atlanta. The company specializes in providing fully furnished housing — and other relevant services — for cast and crew members living temporarily in the Atlanta area during productions.
“The studios and crew members want something turnkey,” Bean said. “They want it to be fully furnished, with bedding, towels, everything A-Z as they are just showing up with a suitcase.”
Many are coming to Buckhead. Bean said many Buckhead homes are listed for about $30,000 to $70,000 a month. That budget could be even, higher for “top A-list celebrities.”
“Some actors get what they want, and the productions will pay practically whatever,” he said.
Studios will look elsewhere for productions taking place at Trilith Studios in Fayetteville or others area south of Atlanta due to commute times, Bean said. However, Buckhead has become a housing hotspot for productions filming on the north side of Atlanta, including at OFS Studios or Eagle Rock Studios in Norcross, or the newly opened Assembly Atlanta in Doraville. This is particularly true for A-listers who want the estate atmosphere Buckhead provides.
“Buckhead is a hotspot for [more prominent] cast members because it offers the privacy, security and amenities people are looking for,” Bean said.
Buckhead resident Ryan Millsap is the founder of Blackhall Studios, which was sold to a private investment firm in 2021 and now operates as Shadowbox Studios in DeKalb County. Millsap said Buckhead is an attractive housing option for many A-list celebrities as its upscale atmosphere can’t be found in others areas of the city.
“Buckhead is the nicest neighborhood in all of Atlanta,” he said. “This is where you will find the nicest homes. Originally, a lot of stars, directors, and above-the-line teams wanted to live in Buckhead, which I think is still true.”
Millsap said Buckhead has served as a temporary home for major actors like Robert Downey Jr., Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Jennifer Lawrence, Chris Pratt, and Tom Hardy during the production of films, including Jungle Cruise, Jumanji, The Accountant, Venom, and Marvel movies.
Justin Campbell, director of studio operations for Assembly Atlanta — the newly opened 50-acre studio development in Doraville on the former General Motors assembly site — said Buckhead is also an exceptional place for on-site filming.
“(Buckhead) provides something other areas of Atlanta don’t in its unique architecture and fine-end finishes,” Campbell said. “From the homes, hotels, corporate and retail spaces, it brings something you can’t find anywhere else.” Assembly Studios is projected to include over 1 million square feet of stage space at full build-out and already has a long-term partnership with NBCUniversal.
Jacob Bean with Studio Housing Atlanta said the opening of Assembly Atlanta, which is about 12 miles from the center of Buckhead, should drive more talent to be housed in the community.
“I do think Buckhead’s prominence will rise with Assembly Atlanta,” Bean said. “Already there is one production rumored to be coming in the next 30 days. What I know about that film, it will be higher-end actors looking for higher-end properties.”
Millsap said the biggest driver of the Georgia’s film/tv industry growth, and subsequently that of Atlanta and Buckhead, is the state’s 30-percent tax credit for qualifying productions.
“The tax credit really makes the difference in why people want to make movies and TV in Atlanta,” he said. “All of the growth is largely dependent on the tax credit. If the tax credit changes or caps, it could have a significant effect on the future growth of the industry.”
Other cost savings are notable factors. Millsap said Atlanta provides “a massive discounted price for what you get.” For Buckhead, this includes the leasing costs to house actors.
“You can lease a beautiful home in Buckhead, but move that home to L.A. and you have to multiply the cost by eight or 10 times. The same is true in New York. Even in Miami you are probably paying five times as much for the same home. Atlanta provides a deep, deep discount for luxury. It’s a big draw because the quality of life here for the money is unmatched.”
Though the tax credit serves as the draw, the Atlanta area’s appeal for TV/film production goes beyond cost savings.
“The 30 percent qualifying productions receive, that’s what made [Georgia’s film/TV industry] go,” Campbell said. “But what’s allowed it to grow at the pace it has, and sustain, is the bipartisan support, labor development, the great infrastructure with Hartsfield-Jackson Airport and private airports, and thousands of small businesses that have either started in response to the industry or have pivoted to fit this industry’s needs.”
The initial growth of the state’s production industry has also fostered a new workforce of below-the-line crew members. Campbell credits initiatives like the Georgia Film Academy with fostering the state’s TV/film production labor pool. The Georgia Film Academy partners with the University System of Georgia and Technical College System of Georgia providing workforce training and classroom instruction for TV/film production at universities and colleges around the state.
“We no longer have to import crews from across the country,” Campbell said. “Eighty to ninety percent of crews are local, they’re Georgians. That has been a major driver and component to sustain the industry and make it a permanent presence.”
It is rare for an estate lot on the Chastain Park end of Tuxedo Road to become available, and this one is spectacular! Spanning over 3 acres, the expansive property boasts a remarkable width of 250 feet and extends over 600 feet in depth. The site, where a previous residence once stood, has been meticulously cleared and groomed, setting the stage for your custom dream home.
The approach is perfect, dipping down at the street and then rising up gently to the hilltop plateau. Here, you will find the perfect site to build your dream home with no compromises. A conceptual plan designed by Land Plus shows ample room for a large home, gardens, lawns, a pool with a pool house, and a tennis or sports court at the rear of the property if desired!
In a landmark real estate transaction to kick off 2024, Buckhead real estate broker Ben Hirsh has 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 Hirsh represented both the buyer and seller. This off-market sale tops the highest sale of 2023 (which was also brokered by Hirsh), and is a testament to his ability to handle high-value, luxurious properties discreetly and efficiently.
The sellers, Andy and Lindsey Capps, are no strangers to big real estate deals. Andy is the CEO and Co-Founder of Buckhead-based RESICAP, a large real estate development and services firm that develops and manages thousands of build-to-rent homes throughout the country. When reached for comment they said: “Ben has been our agent for years and we have been nothing but impressed. His deep knowledge of the Buckhead market is tremendous and his extensive connections make him the ideal agent to work with. He managed our most recent off-market sale with complete professionalism and exceeded our expectations yet again.”
The home is situated on 1.8 acres and has over 10,000 square feet of living space. The Capps worked with William T Baker to design the home, and Shaba Derazi completed construction for them in 2019. Lindsey worked closely with Dana Lynch Design on the interior, and the result was a masterpiece. Luxe Magazine had the following to say about the home when they featured it on the cover in 2022: “Infusing a contemporary aesthetic into a traditional home takes skill, vision and a substantial helping of resolve. Fortunately, one Atlanta couple was steadfast in their desire to create a family-friendly residence whose clean lines wouldn’t feel out of place alongside its stately Buckhead neighbors.”
The new owners has a growing family and a successful B2B business headquartered in Buckhead: “We had such an enjoyable experience working with Ben to find us our forever family home. This was our second time working with Ben over several years and he made the entire process as seamless as possible. He listened to our needs and was able to deliver and show several homes to us, walking us through each one, and spending hours helping us narrow down to our top choice. We relied on him heavily for everything- both big and small concerns; he was always there. Not only was he able to find us our dream house, but he did so in the timeline we needed before our baby arrives, and took stress off our shoulders. We could not have better things to say about our experience working with Ben and would recommend him to anyone looking to find their perfect home.”
This sale starts the year off strong for Ben Hirsh, who was once again the #1 individual real estate agent in Atlanta in 2023, with over $135 million in homes sold. He will surpass the $1 Billion mark in career sales early this year. However, his achievements are not just in sales volume: “I get incredible satisfaction from really listening to and serving my clients.” said Hirsh. “These larger than life sales get most of the attention, but I consider myself an expert on all Buckhead real estate, not just the super high end. I treat each of my clients with the respect, dedication and expertise that they deserve and, ultimately, that creates relationships that grow and last for decades. Those relationships are my measure of success.”
For more information about Ben Hirsh and his work in Buckhead real estate, visit Buckhead.com/Ben.
While Buckhead’s most expensive home sales in 2023 did not break records, they showed broad strength in the top-end of our market. The average sale price for homes in Buckhead reached $1,714,416 in 2023, marking a 12.3% rise from the previous year. To join the elite list of Buckhead’s top 10 home sales in 2023, properties needed a minimum price tag of $7 million.
For several years in a row I have personally sold more of these top 10 sales than any other Realtor, and I am proud to say that I have maintained that record for another year with two of the top ten sales to my name, including the #1 sale of the year.
Four of the top 10 sales were new construction spec homes, indicating a demand for “new” from buyers and a boldness to fill that demand among local luxury home builders. Siegel Construction & Design built two of these four homes and has plans to bring more top-tier homes to the market in the near future. “We see a lot of strength at the top end of the market in Buckhead both for spec and custom builds,” commented David Siegel, the founder of the firm.
Among the top 10, two were high-rise condominiums. The condo at Park Place, formerly owned by Elton John, garnered international interest and secured the 9th position with a $7.2 million sale price. Meanwhile, a Penthouse at the Graydon, located on the same stretch of Peachtree Road, quietly surpassed this figure, selling for $7.95 million and achieving the 5th spot on our list.
A new Georgia State Patrol post in Buckhead aimed at curbing crime and improving law enforcement response times in the area now has its location — in Tuxedo Park on the Governor’s Mansion property. Earlier this year the state Legislature approved a $1.3 million budget to fund the new post, which will be accessed via Woodhaven Road off West Paces Ferry Road.
“With this new patrol post, our dedicated State Troopers will have another base of operations as they take the fight directly to criminals, and I look forward to seeing its positive impact on the Buckhead community,” Gov. Brian Kemp said in a press release announcing the post’s location.
The 1,750-square-foot facility will accommodate “close to 30” state troopers, the announcement noted. Twelve troopers will be directly assigned to the facility “providing increased accessibility to and security for the Buckhead community and surrounding areas around the clock.”
The post, which includes a garage bay, “will maintain the historical integrity of the (Governor’s) Mansion and surrounding grounds,” the press release said.
Gigi Rouland, president of the Tuxedo Park Civic Association, said there was no outward opposition to post’s location among nearby residents, and neighbors “will most definitely benefit from an additional layer of security presences” in the area.
“The Georgia Governor has been our good neighbor for decades,” Rouland said. “Building this new GSP post on the Mansion property will provide a central GSP location in Buckhead without burdening taxpayers with the cost of purchasing more land. We also believe a GSP post at this location, not to mention the thirty state troopers who will be assigned there, will provide an increased public safety presence that will help deter and reduce crime not only in and around our neighborhood, but also in the other neighborhoods around the West Paces corridor.”
The Civic Association was given a preview of the new post on Sept. 19 by Deputy Executive Director of the Georgia Building Authority, Gerald Pilgrim, and Col. William Hutchens, deputy commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Safety. Rouland said the presentation outlined key factors of the post’s operations and details on how the structure “would be in keeping with the aesthetics and design of the Governor’s Mansion and our historical neighborhood.”
“We believe a permanent GSP post here, with as many as thirty additional state troopers coming and going at different times, will provide a public safety presence that will not only help deter property and other crimes in the area, but also give our local APD officers additional support and assistance in keeping our community safe,” Rouland said.
Georgia Speaker of the House Jon Burns said the post will improve law enforcement response times around Atlanta and “improve coordination between state and local law enforcement.”
Construction is slated to begin on the new GSP post early next year. A construction timeline and expected completion date have not been announced.
The new GSP post continues a string of crime-reduction efforts in the Buckhead area. Earlier this year, the Buckhead Safety Alliance group launched its security patrols for monitoring five of Buckhead’s commercial areas. The patrols include three staffed Atlanta Police Department patrol cars to monitor commercial districts with the same policing power as the APD. These efforts appear to be working. Overall crime in zone 2 (Buckhead) was down 14% in 2022 and year to date there has been a further decline of 2%.
The home at 490 West Paces Ferry Road features massive dimensions, is lavishly outfitted, and has been featured in blockbuster movies. It once had an owner with a pet lion, is embellished with $2 million in gold gilding, and has ties to a reality TV star — and those are far from the only reasons it is notable. After several years on and off the market, the two-acre property featuring an over-the-top 25,000-square-foot mansion was recently sold.
The home, which sits on a 2.05-acre property across from Tuxedo Road near the Georgia Governor’s Mansion, was purchased for $8.5 million by a local family who already lived nearby.
The sales listing notes the home totals nearly 25,000 square feet with nine bedrooms, 12 full bathrooms, and six half-baths. It also features 19 fireplaces, a four-car garage, three grilling areas with a Hibachi grille and brick pizza oven, two owner’s suites, and a grand foyer with a custom staircase. Other highlights include a courtyard-style pool and spa, a “grand salon,” a movie theater with tiered seating for up to 18, elevator, three wine cellars, game room and bar, recording studio, hair salon, and more.
Perhaps even more attention grabbing is the home’s eccentric styling that appears to be inspired by a Mediterranean villa. Amenities include 10-carat gold leaf ceilings, limestone and Moroccan hardwood floors, and furnishings from custom design firms like Phyllis Morris of LA, Maitland-Smith, and others.
The home’s outlandish style is the result of a massive renovation undertaken by its former owner, “Big Papa” Lee Najjar. A real estate investor, Najjar was portrayed as the “sugar daddy” of Kim Zolciak-Biermann of Real Housewives of Atlanta fame. The home has been featured in films such as Zombieland and the 2012 “Three Stooges”, and on HGTV’s “Million Dollar Rooms,” according to Yahoo. It was also shown on MTV Cribs.
The property has a long-standing history. The original 7,500-square-foot home was built around 1910, according to an Atlanta Journal Constitution article from 1996. In 1914, during the original building period of the great estates lining West Paces Ferry Road, the Jackson-Alsop-Arnold House, as it was then known, was renovated and expanded by architectural firm Hentz, Reid and Adler, who were also responsible for the design of several other well-known homes in the area.
The home was later renovated and expanded in 1996 by then owner and builder Jacque Fowler. The renovations included the Mediterranean-themed styling that carries over to the current house. It was then dubbed Villa Banderas after Fowler’s lion cub pet, Banderas.
Barry Milam, a real estate broker and custom home builder in the Atlanta area, was the listing agent of the home for over five years and actually lived on the property as caretaker for several years between 2017-22. He said the build quality of the home is exceptional.
“I’ve built homes for over 50 years, and the craftsmanship is simply like nothing I’ve ever seen in Atlanta,” Milam said.
The home was listed in 2009 for a staggering $25 million, making it reportedly the most expensive asking price in the Atlanta area at the time. However, prospective buyers apparently felt it wasn’t worth its eyebrow-raising price or took issue with its unique design, so it remained unsold for years.
Milam believes the styling was a case of “love it” or “hate it” for many prospective buyers.
“The uniqueness of the interior, that’s what either appealed to people or turned them away,” he said. “I feel if it had been in L.A. or Miami, it would have been sold very quickly. But in Atlanta’s traditional market, I feel it took a special customer. It’s certainly one of the most unique homes in Atlanta.”
The listing price was reduced to $15.9 million in 2014, but later that year it shot back up to near the original asking price of $25 million before quickly falling again.
The deed records on the home are a jumble of unusual transfers, but in 2015 Najjar lost the home to foreclosure. It was then sold by the mortgage lender for a bargain-basement price of $1.358 million on the Fulton County courthouse steps to a private investor from California who immediately relisted it at $18.8 million. It has been on and off the market since.
One aspect of its on/off listings, Milam says, is a rash of bad luck at the 11th hour during the sales process, at least while he was the listing agent.
“It went under contract on several occasions,” he said. “We sold it to a famous rapper, we sold it to a California movie director, we sold to several people, but every time some late issue came up, so it never got past due diligence. It was just very unusual circumstances.”
The home finally found a new buyer after being listed in September 2022 for $9.98 million and later dropped to $8.995 million in March. It was sold June 30 through an $8.5 million cash offer. The new owners are already making it their own and will be moving in soon. It appears the home’s days of drama are now history.