Garden Hills is the part of Buckhead people fall for on a walk. Curving streets, 1920s homes, a neighborhood pool at the center and restaurants a short stroll away. It is one of the few places in Buckhead where you can live in a historic house, know your neighbors and walk to dinner. Here is what I tell buyers who want in.
A Little History
Garden Hills was established in 1925 by Atlanta attorney Phillips Campbell McDuffie. Rather than a grid, its streets follow the natural rise and fall of the land, which is a large part of its charm. The neighborhood is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and the City of Atlanta designated it a local historic district in 1987.
Where It Is
Garden Hills sits between Peachtree Road and Piedmont Road in the 30305 zip code, just south of the Buckhead Village area. It is roughly four to five miles from Midtown, with the Lindbergh MARTA station nearby. That location is the core of the appeal: close enough to the center of Buckhead to walk, quiet enough to feel residential.
The Homes
The original homes include Georgian Revival, Tudor, Spanish Revival and Craftsman bungalows from the 1920s and 1930s. Many have been carefully expanded or renovated, and there is some newer construction designed to fit the neighborhood’s character.
Lots are smaller than on Buckhead’s estate streets, so the tradeoff is clear: less land, more walkability and more community. Well-presented homes here tend to sell quickly.
Historic District Rules
This is the part buyers most often overlook. Because Garden Hills is a local historic district, exterior changes, additions, demolition and new construction are subject to review. That protects the character of the street you are buying on, which is a big reason values here hold up. It also means plans for a major addition or a teardown need to account for the review process and its timeline.
If you are deciding whether to expand an older home or start over, my piece on whether to renovate or rebuild in Buckhead covers the tradeoffs, but in Garden Hills the historic rules come first.
The Pool and the Community
The Garden Hills pool and community center sit at the heart of the neighborhood and anchor much of its social life in the summer. Garden Hills Elementary, part of Atlanta Public Schools, is also in the neighborhood, with Sutton Middle and North Atlanta High School serving many addresses. As always, confirm school assignment for the specific home.
Garden Hills vs. Its Neighbors
Garden Hills is often compared with Peachtree Heights East, which offers a similar walkable feel at a slightly smaller scale, and with Peachtree Heights West, which offers larger lots and grander homes at a higher price. I compare all three, along with Buckhead’s other pockets, in Buckhead neighborhoods, explained.
For more on the neighborhood itself, see my Garden Hills neighborhood guide.
FAQ
Is Garden Hills a historic district?
Yes. Garden Hills is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and was designated a City of Atlanta local historic district in 1987, so exterior changes are subject to review.
Can you tear down a house in Garden Hills?
Demolition and new construction in Garden Hills are subject to historic district review. Plan for that process before buying with a teardown in mind.
Does Garden Hills have a neighborhood pool?
Yes. The Garden Hills pool and community center sit at the center of the neighborhood.
Is Garden Hills walkable?
It is one of Buckhead’s most walkable neighborhoods, with restaurants and shops close by along Peachtree Road.
