Buckhead

There are 71 streets in Atlanta that include the word "Peachtree" tucked somewhere in their name.  There's Peachtree Way, Peachtree Plaza, Peachtree Creek Road, Peachtree Lane, Peachtree Battle Avenue, Peachtree Drive and Peachtree Walk.

And then there's Peachtree Street, which is the Peachtree.  It is Atlanta's main street, and running south to north, it connects Atlanta's three "downtowns" - Downtown Atlanta, Midtown, and Buckhead (in true Atlanta street style, Peachtree Street becomes Peachtree Road when it enters Buckhead).

Buckhead,  is Atlanta's Beverly Hills - the neighborhood of "old money" mansions, cutting edge skyscrapers, designer shopping, and private celebrity parties.  Coming from Miami, Buckhead seems like a mix of Bal Harbour, Brickell, and Coral Gables - stirred, not shaken.  There are two major high-end malls, Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza, that anchor the retail district - which has the highest concentration of upscale shops in the country.  

To the north and west of the financial center of Buckhead are seemingly endless meandering roads through forested hills of affluence and prestige.  The residential  areas of North Buckhead and Tuxedo Park are made of acres and acres of magnificent mansions nestled behind picturesque Southern landscaping.  Unlike similar neighborhoods of wealth in other cities, and keeping with Atlanta's sense of community and openness, Buckhead is relatively free of gated streets and walled subdivisions.  

The demographics of Buckhead aren't so much defined by ethnicity or race, but more by affluence.  In the estates neighborhoods, there are a lot of "old money" European-Americans, and a growing number of upper-crust African-Americans.  In the luxury condo-highrises in the retail and financial district, the vibe is much more international, with younger urban professionals from all over the country, and the world, intermingling at trendy restaurants and bars.  Some of the more recognizable Buckhead residents are Elton John, Young Jeezy and Ne-Yo. 

Buckhead's architecture is some of the most exciting in the city - from the Greek Revival, Tudor, and Georgian estates to the stunningly modern highrises that make the Buckhead skyline.  Like so much of Atlanta, the structures of Buckhead eschew color and shape for texture and reflection.  I had a conversation with Tony a few days ago, where we discussed how the natural environment of Miami is dominated by geometry and color - palm fronds with sharp angles and clean lines, and carefree pastel colored skys and waters - and how the  Art Deco and Post-Modern architecture of Miami mimics the natural themes.  Atlanta is inspired by it's natural environment in much the same way.  The landscape here is dominated by thick forests of shrubs and bushes and enormous deciduous and evergreen trees full of layers and layers of textures, and the four-seasoned sky here is somehow more sensible and reflective than it is in South Florida. Given the area's reputation for conspicuous consumption, it seems a bit off to think of it as a sensible or reflective place, but somehow Buckhead is able to stay true to Atlanta.