This Atlanta House: Kirkwood
Kirkwood is a colorful and historic neighborhood on the east side of Atlanta in DeKalb County. Bordered by Lake Claire, Oakhurst, Edgewood, and East Lake, Kirkwood has blossomed with beautification, preservation, and development efforts that gained steam in the 2000s. Residents value the area's affordability, charming downtown, creative murals, serene parks, and proximity to Atlanta's extensive amenities.
Kirkwood was incorporated in 1899 and named for its previous land owners, the Kirkpatrick and Dunwoody families. It was a streetcar suburb of Atlanta until the city annexed it in 1922. The area experienced similar growth and decline as many in-town neighborhoods until revitalization efforts in the 1980s and 1990s. In the 2000s and 2010, groups like the Kirkwood Neighbors Organization (KNO) and the Kirkwood Business Owners' Association (KBOA) led efforts to enhance the community through historic preservation, improved infrastructure, small business support, and family-friendly amenities. In 2009, Kirkwood was added to the National Register of Historic Places. Learn more about Kirkwood's history on the KNO website.
With more than 1,788 contributing properties, the Kirkwood Historic District is the largest of its kind in Georgia. Residents enjoy a large stock of Victorian and Craftsman homes, plus many commercial buildings that have been repurposed. Architect Frank Ruggles designed many Craftsman homes along Warlick Avenue and Howard Street NE. Also on Howard Street is an exquisitely preserved Eastlake Victorian home built in 1892 by Joel Hurt and Asa Candler of Coca-Cola. Kirkwood Lofts was originally Kirkwood School, built in 1910 by John Francis Downing, the son of the noted Atlanta architect W. T. Downing. The redevelopment of historic Pullman Yard in 2017 as an entertainment venue brought properties such as Pullman Flats and Arizona Lofts.
Along with its historic homes, Kirkwood offers many newer properties in traditional and modern styles. A quick search provides multiple styles and sizes in different budgets, from large single-family homes to trendy lofts and condos. Single-family homes range from $450K to $1.6M, townhomes range from $440K to $850K, and condos range from $265K to $550K.
According to Niche, Kirkwood gets high scores in many quality-of-life factors. They include the local job market, housing options, access to outdoor activities, shopping and dining, nightlife, health and fitness, commute times, and diversity. The area has C scores in school systems, cost of living, and crime and safety.
Families and nature lovers will enjoy Kirkwood's unique parks and recreation facilities with activities for all ages. They include Coan Park, Bessie Branham Recreation Center, and Kirkwood Dog Park. Kirkwood is surrounded by some of Atlanta's best parks, including Grant Park, Candler Park, and Freedom Park, and amenities like the Zoo Atlanta, Fernbank Museum of Natural History, and the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum.
The Kirkwood Neighbors Organization is an excellent resource for newcomers and residents. The group organizes year-round community events and works closely with local governments on community development projects, zoning decisions, and crime and safety initiatives.
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