In 1925, the Atlanta Street Railway Company began selling parcels of land for suburban development.  Developers bought large plots and subdivided them into areas for residential and commercial use.  The Virginia-Highland neighborhood began as another of Atlanta’s “streetcar neighborhoods”.  It has narrow streets and features homes with beautiful front yards.  Growth in the area continued steadily until the 1960s.

Though the neighborhood didn’t falter as much as its neighbors did in the 1960s, it was threatened by the proposed I-485 highway project which was to connect to I-85 to I-20.  Virginia-Highland joined other neighborhoods in the fight against the Department of Transportation.  Even though the proposed North-South highway was planned and fully supported by just about all the “Who’s Who” in the city and the state, the power of the people prevailed and the proposal failed.  In fact, the Neighborhood Planning Unit (NPU) became quite a political force to be reckoned with.  It was this victory which was the beginning of the larger neighborhood movement in Atlanta that launched the revitalization of “in-town” Atlanta. 

Eventually, the Department of Transportation deeded some of the property it had acquired for those highways to the City of Atlanta to be used exclusively as a public park.  The area around the intersection of both of these cleared rights-of-way became Freedom Park.  Interestingly, the Jimmy Carter Library and Museum sits on the piece of ground that was to be the main interchange on the proposed highway. 

The rest of the land acquired for the highway by the DOT was eventually put back on the market.  The houses that were built on that land are quite different enough in style from the other homes in the area, and it is obvious even to the casual observer where that proposed highway would have run through the neighborhoods.

Although there is an assortment of activities for people of all ages, Virginia-Highlands is most attractive for its friendly, laid-back atmosphere.  The neighborhood is very prosperous and offers its residents and visitors five main shopping areas, restaurants, unique bars and coffee houses, a few art galleries, and has several neighborhood activities including its annual festival, Summerfest, the first weekend of June.

While these amenities are nice to have, what is more interesting about the Virginia-Highland homes is the wide range of architectural styles you see as you walk along the streets in the neighborhood.  One of the most interesting streets in the neighborhood is St. Charles Avenue which showcases a wonderful array of the bungalow-style homes which are characteristic of the neighborhood.

It is true that this neighborhood is one of Atlanta’s most dynamic communities.  And just what makes Virginia-Highland homes for sale so desirable?  It is a great place to just sit back in one of the many picturesque spots, relax, and take in the scenery.  After all, what makes this neighborhood so special . . .  is the people.