In 1999, a student at Georgia Tech wrote his master’s thesis on the prospect of redeveloping the many miles of abandoned rail lines weaving through Atlanta into a network of green space trails. From that idea has come the Atlanta BeltLine, one of the most ambitious redevelopment projects in the nation. When completed, it will connect many Atlanta neighborhoods with more than 22 miles of walking/bicycling trails. Already, this project is changing the landscape and home values as several Atlanta neighborhoods now have BeltLine access. Here are four great examples.
1. Inman Park
A neighborhood already known for its walkability and Victorian charm, this former “trolley suburb” sits along the newly developed Eastside Trail that runs from Piedmont Park to the Old Fourth Ward. Access points in Inman Park will connect with Freedom Park to the north.
2. Virginia-Highland
Also located along the Eastside Trail, Virginia-Highland is known as one of Atlanta’s most walkable neighborhoods for its great shopping, dining and historic homes. The community is now even more popular due to its trail access, from which hikers and cyclists can travel north to Piedmont Park, or south to the Old Fourth Ward.
3. Collier Hills
Located between Midtown and Buckhead, the neighborhood of Collier Hills is valued for its easy access to attractions like the Atlanta Botanical Garden and the High Museum of Art to the South and Atlanta Memorial Park to the north. Collier Hills now offers access to the Northside Trail which extends through Tanyard Creek Park between Collier Hills and Ardmore Park.
4. Midtown
Already highly coveted for its central location and convenience, Midtown stands to serve as a connection point for the BeltLine trails. The Eastside Trail is accessed at the southern end of Midtown at Piedmont Park, while the Northside Trail is found just past the northern reaches of the neighborhood.
The Atlanta BeltLine is a work in progress that will have a deep impact on the quality of life and home values in many Atlanta neighborhoods. For more information about this exciting redevelopment project, visit BeltLine.org. To learn more about the neighborhoods that currently offer BeltLine access, or will in the near future, call Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty at 404.237.5000.