An increasing number of families, retirees, and young people are choosing to live in walkable neighborhoods where they can easily access amenities like greenspace, dining, and arts and entertainment without piling into the car and worrying about parking.
Cities and developers are responding to this demand by building more live-work-play communities.
In these mixed-use communities, residents enjoy a stronger sense of community, healthier lifestyles, and a vibrant cultural scene. The hottest new live-work-play developments even offer some of the amenities that suburban homes have to offer, such as private on-site parking spaces.
If you’re interested in living or investing in one of these communities in the beautiful state of Georgia, you should definitely learn more about the following five communities.
In mixed-use communities, residents enjoy a stronger sense of community, healthier lifestyles, and a vibrant cultural scene. Click To TweetPinewood Forest in Fayetteville
If you’re looking for a living experience that’s a little more connected to nature and values the environment, you definitely need to check out Pinewood Forest in Fayetteville. The community — built on acres of former farmland — is dedicated to preserving a rural feel while also offering urban amenities. Nature lovers will appreciate the generous greenspace and networks of boardwalks that traverse the wetland preserve.
The community began out of a film production campus, and it continues to serve the needs of Pinewood Atlanta Studios. However, it is now growing into a full mixed-use community with a focus on “creators, entrepreneurs, and storytellers.”
If you want to live in the Pinewood Forest community, you can choose from among single-family homes, townhomes and apartments — all of which boast an eco-friendly geothermal design for energy efficiency.
The community will feature a Town Center district that will feature chef-driven restaurants, 70,000 square feet of retail and offices, a wellness center, a boutique hotel, and fitness and sports amenities — all within a short walk for residents.
The community has some even more unique features, such as a learner-driven Forest School for children, a community pool, and a boutique theater.
Avalon, Image Source
Avalon in Alpharetta
Residents of Avalon, an 86-acre community just about a thirty-minute drive from Atlanta, can choose from among single family homes with attached courtyards and luxury loft apartments with one- and two-bedroom plans.
A few of the amenities within an easy walking distance include a small park, movie theatres, 500,000 square feet of retail options, and 20 chef-driven restaurants.
The development also features a conference center, a full-service hotel, and plenty of office space, attracting companies including Microsoft.
Renters and owners also get a membership to a unique concierge service called Club Avalon. The club provides perks such as complimentary restaurant delivery, private event planning help, and restaurant reservations. Members can also pay for easy access to things like car wash services, housekeeping, dog walking, and even personal stylists.
Avalon hosts plenty of events and activities throughout the year in the plaza, including an ice skating rink in the winter months. They also regularly host outdoor concerts, fitness classes, and more.
Centennial Yards in Atlanta
Approximately 50 acres of parking lots and former rail-yards in downtown Atlanta are in the process of being transformed into a new mixed-use neighborhood called “Centennial Yards.” The developers and planners involved in this upcoming live-work-play community hope to embrace the best of Atlantan culture, from food, to sports, to entertainment and business.
The area, formerly called “The Gulch,” is expected to feature up to 12 million square feet of mixed-use development including retail, office, residential and hotel.
When it’s finished, the development will feature a boutique hotel, plenty of upscale office space, a 260-unit residential building, a dedicated parking garage, and central green space.
The developers of Centennial Yards hope to leverage the community’s central location downtown to “maximize the location and connectivity of downtown Atlanta in ways not possible for generations.”
Serenbe Street, Image Source
Serenbe in Chattahoochee Hills
Although this development isn’t brand new, Serenbe is still making headlines for its innovative approach to creating a Southern live-work-play community — and it’s still offering new building opportunities to residents.
Touted as a “wellness community,” Serenbe is nestled in the woodlands of Chattahoochee Hills. It is comprised of four residential neighborhoods, a 25-acre organic farm, and a town center complete with things like a local bakery, a cafe, a yoga studio, art galleries, and a grocery store. Residents enjoy walking to these amenities and using a network of interconnected trails for hiking, jogging, and enjoying nature.
Other highlights of this unique community include a community pool, a local inn, an equestrian facility, and a Montessori school.
The community also features an award-winning playhouse and events like world-class dinners and outdoor concerts.
The Battery in Atlanta
Atlanta hasn’t generally been known for its walkability. But that’s changing thanks to mixed-use communities like The Battery Atlanta, which is located near the Atlanta Braves stadium.
The Battery residents can enjoy access to a resort-style pool, indoor and outdoor lounges, and even an outdoor fireplace for the cooler nights.
But the real perks come from all the retail, shopping, restaurants, and entertainment that are within just a few minutes’ walk from The Battery Atlanta apartments. Residents (and visitors) can choose from a variety of sports bars and nightlife options, from karaoke to bowling to an escape room. They can even stroll over to catch big-name music acts at the Coca-Cola Roxy concert venue.
Major employers Comcast and HD Supply have their headquarters in The Battery, as well, which is an additional draw for the neighborhood’s amenities (and can be a huge perk for their employees).
And of course, SunTrust Park is easy to access for baseball fans.
Shown: The Adler in Upper East River
Eastern Wharf in Savannah
The historic city of Savannah is developing something special along its riverfront: A 54-acre mixed-use development called Eastern Wharf.
The area has a rich history. In the early 1800s, the area commonly known as the Eastern Wharves District was a thriving hub of industry. It saw decades of prosperity that played a key role in the state’s economic growth. And while the wharves eventually gave way to industrial progress, the legacy remains.
The new development will be a gathering place complete with community parks, an extended Riverwalk, curated shops and restaurants, modern offices, luxury hotel rooms, and beautiful riverfront residences.
The development will also feature health and wellness options and on-site programming that connects it all to the park and waterfront.
The Offices at Eastern Wharf will offer wide-open, creative, loft-style spaces that embrace the best of industrial design and modern efficiency.
When it comes to residences, the development has partnered with developer Patrick Malloy to build amazing new homes that blend seamlessly into the historic neighborhood. Potential residents can choose from among luxury apartments with river views, or invest in one of five types of single-family residences, such as townhomes and lofts. If you want to learn more about living or investing in this community, please contact us at Upper East River.
