Developments May Spell New Era For Ponce De Leon Avenue

Courtesy of Horizon Theatre / https://www.flickr.com/photos/wallyg/

Listen to the interview

The Atlanta BeltLine has spurred new developments in the Intown neighborhoods that border it, from Inman Park to Old Fourth Ward. But little of that growth has spread farther north to Ponce De Leon Avenue — until now, that is.

Rosser International Architect and Curbed Atlanta editor Michael Kahn says the street, somewhat neglected in recent decades, is now beginning to show signs of change.

“There are some very visible projects on Highland near Ponce De Leon,” Kahn said. “There are quite a few sites on Ponce now that are coming up for redevelopment. There’s an old house from the 1920s that just came on the market, completely gutted – really the architectural character is still there on the outside, but sitting on a fairly small parcel of land – and asking well over a million dollars. And so there’s this recognition that this land, this space is a hot area and has a lot of value.”

In an interview with WABE, Kahn discusses Ponce’s potential and describes how the new developments may mark a return to the street’s past role in the early 20th century as a “grand avenue” into the city.