20 Apr Virginia Highlands – Atlanta’s SoHo
Virginia Highlands began life as a streetcar suburb at the intersection of North Highland Avenue and Virginia Avenue. This area has become the center of the business district for the neighborhood. The homes in Virginia Highlands are famous for their bungalow style and the historical homes are breathtaking. The original subdivisions included Highland Park, which was located on the north side, and Vineyard Park. Vineyard Park was constructed on Adair Mansion.
There are three parks in Virginia Highlands. The New Highland Park underwent major renovations and it is now more eco-friendly. It also has a rain garden. John Howell Memorial Park is also located in Virginia Highlands and visitors can enjoy Orme Park and the creek that runs through it. Residents who have homes in Virginia Highlands are among the few who can enjoy one of the city’s Neighborhood Arboretums—walking trails of trees. Each route contains information about the trees and there are markers to identify them.
Virgina Highlands is well known for its social scene with many trendy boutiques and popular restaurants and clubs lining the two main streets that give the neighborhood its name. It is also home to Atkins Park Tavern, Atlanta’s oldest restaurant and bar. Surrounding neighborhoods usually join in on all that Virginia Highlands has to offer.
Virginia Highlands holds several events yearly. Each event provides residents and visitors the best the neighborhood has to offer. Summerfest 2012, Saturday, June 2nd and Sunday, June 3rd, is a community event that highlights art, and there is plenty of food and fun at the event every June. During the summer months, residents can also enjoy movie night, a weekly parade and a dinner.
Virginia Highlands was given a nickname by the local newspaper when it referred to the homes in Virginia Highlands as VaHi. This was a way to imitate some of New York’s most famous neighborhoods like SoHo, but his nickname did not go over well with the residents. Most of the homes in Virginia Highlands were constructed in the early 1900s.
The residents take great pride in their investment and every year the homes in Virginia Highlands become part of the Virginia-Highland Tour of Homes.
The community is part of the Atlanta Public School System. The three schools that serve this neighborhood are Springdale Park Elementary, Inman Middle and Grady High School.
[Check out other neighborhoods near the Highlands:
Little Five Points Homes for Sale
For more on the Virginia Highlands neighborhood and to see some of its lovely homes, contact Tom of The Anderson Group, 404-277-9581 / info@tagatlanta.com.