Peachtree Heights East and Peachtree Heights West sit on opposite sides of Peachtree Road in Buckhead, and buyers often assume they are two halves of the same neighborhood. They are not. They share a name and a history, but the homes, the lots, the price points and the daily experience of living in each are noticeably different. Here is how I explain the difference to clients.
Peachtree Heights West: The Historic Estate District
Peachtree Heights West was developed in 1910 by Eretus Rivers and Walter P. Andrews on land from the Collier estate. The street plan was drawn by Carrère and Hastings, the New York firm behind the New York Public Library, and it follows the terrain in long curves rather than a grid. The district was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.
The homes are the draw. English Tudor, Georgian, Norman, Italian and Regency designs, many by Atlanta’s most respected early architects, sit on generous lots set well back from the street. The Atlanta History Center and the Swan House are inside the neighborhood, and the Buckhead Village shops are minutes away.
What it costs: this is one of Buckhead’s most expensive pockets. Well-located homes routinely trade in the multiple millions, and the best streets rarely see more than a handful of sales a year. More detail in my Peachtree Heights West guide.
Peachtree Heights East: The Walkable Pocket
Peachtree Heights East is a compact, tidy rectangle between Peachtree Road and Acorn Avenue, roughly between Lindbergh Drive and East Wesley Road. It has around 340 homes, most from the 1910 to 1930 era, with many restored cottages and bungalows alongside renovations and newer homes.
The heart of the neighborhood is Duck Pond Park, a small, beautifully kept park the neighbors have looked after for decades. Lots are smaller than across Peachtree, and the street grid makes it easy to walk, which is a large part of the appeal.
What it costs: entry prices are well below Peachtree Heights West, with recent averages around the low seven figures and smaller cottages starting below that. More in my Peachtree Heights East guide.
Side by Side
Lots: West offers large, deep lots on curving streets. East offers smaller lots on a walkable grid.
Homes: West is known for architect-designed estate homes from the 1910s through the 1930s. East is known for early 1900s cottages and bungalows, many expanded or renovated.
Feel: West is quiet, private and stately. East is neighborly and walkable, organized around Duck Pond Park.
Price: West sits near the top of the Buckhead market. East offers a more accessible way into a historic Buckhead street.
Which One I Point Clients Toward
If you want a significant historic home, land and privacy, Peachtree Heights West is one of the best addresses in Atlanta, and it is worth waiting for the right house. If you want character, a park at the end of the street and the ability to walk most places, Peachtree Heights East delivers that at a lower entry price.
Buyers considering an older home on either side should plan for the realities of a house that is close to a century old. My piece on whether to renovate or rebuild in Buckhead covers how I think about that decision.
For a wider view of where these two fit among Buckhead’s other pockets, see Buckhead neighborhoods, explained.
FAQ
Are Peachtree Heights East and West the same neighborhood?
No. They sit on opposite sides of Peachtree Road and are separate neighborhoods with different lot sizes, home styles and price points.
Is Peachtree Heights West a historic district?
Yes. The Peachtree Heights Park historic district, now known as Peachtree Heights West, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.
What is Duck Pond Park?
Duck Pond Park is a small neighborhood park at the center of Peachtree Heights East, maintained with strong neighborhood involvement and central to the area’s character.
What zip code is Peachtree Heights in?
Both neighborhoods are in the 30305 zip code in Buckhead, within the City of Atlanta.
