A Glimpse Into Midtown’s Popularity (1/4)

Located less than a mile± north of Centennial Olympic Park, Midtown is known as Atlanta’s Heart of the Arts. Rising out of the shadows of downtown, it boasts a seemingly endless number of art galleries, museums, theaters, historic buildings and the Atlanta campus for the Savannah College of Art and Design. What began as a small neighborhood tucked between Buckhead and Downtown is now a busy commercial hub and thriving cultural center attracting over six million visitors every year to its more than 150 restaurants, 300± acres of parks and green space, world-class arts and attractions, shopping, events, festivals and much more. And while Midtown is home to notable hot spots such as the historic Fox Theatre, Woodruff Arts Center, Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA), Center for Puppetry Arts, SCAD FASH Museum of Fashion + Film and the Ferst Center for the Arts on Georgia Tech’s campus, part of its appeal is the large number of casual galleries, experiences and installations that can also be found hiding throughout the neighborhood.

Sometimes confusing to those unfamiliar with the area, on the map, Midtown’s 3.8± square miles is defined by the Amtrak Station near I-85 to the north and Pine Street to the south. It extends east to the edge of Piedmont Park, near the Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trails and to the west at I-85/I-75. The southern half of the neighborhood between North Avenue and 8th Street was purchased in 1848 to use the existing pine forest as fuel for a downtown flour mill. Over time, the owner, Richard Peters, subdivided the land for a residential area and built his home, which still remains as a historic building called Ivy Hall. By the late 19th century, Midtown’s Peachtree Street transformed from a shantytown into an area called Blooming Hill. By 1880, cross streets were constructed in the area and neighborhoods like Piedmont Park began to take shape.
 
Today, Midtown is one of the city’s most desirable and fastest growing residential areas in the city. From historic single-family homes to “vertical” neighborhoods of high-rises and multi-use complexes, it offers big city life with a neighborhood feel and is an ideal option for those seeking an exciting and culturally diverse lifestyle in the heart of Atlanta. Moments away from public transit, green space, arts and cultural attractions, healthcare and a thriving business district, there is a lot to love about Midtown. Here are a few reasons why it is such a special place to live, work and play.
 
● Convenience: Centrally located, Midtown is within easy striking distance of most major attractions in the city. Getting around is a breeze. In addition to the city’s most walkable pedestrian-friendly environment, Midtown serves cyclists with miles of bike lanes and a bike share program established in 2016, as well as easy accessibility by car and one of the most robust transit systems in the southeast.
 
● Exceptional Eats: Atlanta has made its mark on the international culinary scene, and many of the city’s most innovative and acclaimed restaurants are in Midtown. From burgers to farm-to-table eats to fine dining, there are more than 150 restaurants, as well as Food Trucks and a thriving street food scene that provides a rotating and diverse selection of new and exciting dining options.
 
● Artistic Attractions: From jazz nights at the Woodruff Arts Center and exhibitions at the High Museum of Art to plays at the 14th Street Playhouse and concerts at the Fox Theatre, there’s no lack of entertainment in Midtown. Boasting 25 different arts and cultural venues, more than 30 permanent performing arts groups and 22 various entertainment facilities, Midtown features the largest concentration of art facilities and organizations in the southeast.
 
● Green Space Galore: With more than 300± acres of green space between Piedmont Park, the Atlanta Botanical Garden and nearby smaller parks, there are plenty of opportunities to get outside and enjoy Atlanta’s mild weather. You can also hop onto the BeltLine right on 10th Street to explore beyond Midtown, as the trail connects with many of the parks and neighborhoods in the city of Atlanta.
 
● Exciting Events: Midtown has a strong sense of community built around exciting events that bring residents and visitors alike together. From events like the Atlanta Dogwood Festival and Music Midtown to the Peachtree Road Race and Atlanta Food and Wine Festival, the calendar is packed all year long with a variety of activities for everyone to enjoy.

A Few Midtown Listings