Eric Brock, AIA

Historic Inman Park / Photo courtesy Wikipedia Ponce City Market / Photo courtesy of Wikipedia Krog Bar / Photo credit Rathbun Restaurants

 

 

Eric Brock is the Director of the Housing & Mixed-Use practice area at Lord Aeck Sargent.

Best Neighborhoods

Atlanta has so many great in-town neighborhoods like Historic Inman Park, which was Atlanta’s first planned residential suburb developed in the 1880s by Joel Hurt. Another favorite is Druid Hills, which is considered Atlanta’s second suburb. Also developed by Hurt, Druid Hills was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted. Be sure to check out Olmsted’s lovely string of linear parks along Ponce de Leon Avenue. Stay on Ponce and in a mile find yourself in family-friendly downtown Decatur where there’s great casual dining and world-class beer at the Brick Store Pub.

Best Excursions

The Beltline provides the best excursions; rent a bike at the Atlanta Beltline Bicycles shop and take a ride along this former railway turned into one of the largest urban redevelopment programs in the country. The Beltline connects public parks, shopping, dining, events, arts…and it links many of Atlanta’s in-town neighborhoods along a safe walking/running/biking trail. It will eventually cover 22 miles and link 45 of Atlanta’s in-town neighborhoods!

Best Off-the-Beaten Path Architecture

Hop on your bike and ride along the Beltline to discover some of Atlanta’s most interesting architecture. Lots of exciting new urban in-fill and many historic warehouses and factories that have been turned into restaurants, office spaces, housing, and markets such as Ponce City Market, Savi Provisions, BoccaLupo and Kevin Rathbun’s fantastic restaurants. One of the best places to get a glass of wine is the quirky little Krog Bar—sit on the terrace and people watch.

Best Bars/Clubs

To see great music and a different scene, pop over to Little Five Points (L5P). Go to a show at Variety Playhouse and experience a grittier shopping experience and great bars. Grab a beer at one of the older pubs, the Euclid Avenue Yacht Club or an award-wining burger at the Vortex.