Built on the site of the Ponce de Leon Spring 2 miles east of downtown Atlanta, Old Fourth Ward is a neighborhood whose new lease on life serves as a good metaphor for de Leon’s search for the mythical Fountain of Youth. “I’ve never seen a neighborhood turn around as fast as Old Fourth Ward has,” says Atlanta Realtor Dawn Landau of Keller Williams. Landau adds it is a “prestigious old Atlanta neighborhood” today, though it wasn’t that way even a few decades ago. “Old Fourth Ward has seen the lowest of lows and the highest of highs,” she says. Local Realtor Bru Krebs of Berkshire Hathaway agrees: “I bought my home in Old Fourth Ward in 2005. People thought I was crazy. I was scared to go out my front door after 9:00 at night.” But then came the Ponce City Market, and the neighborhood’s rebirth began. “Today, I feel completely safe walking around the area,” says Krebs. “It’s very urban, very hip. Everything you need is within walking distance.”
Dining around Sweet Auburn couldn't be sweeter with walkable access along the Beltline.
The Victorian is a beloved plant store that features a bar on the 2nd floor that opened in O4W.
1/2
Ponce City Market and beyond
In 2011, the development of the Ponce City Market – the former site of a Sears, Roebuck headquarters – injected a new energy into the area, which had been decimated by the 2008 financial crisis. The centerpiece of the neighborhood, Ponce City Market is home to retailers ranging from local candy stores to national chains, making it one of the premier shopping destinations in Atlanta. One of the many popular stores here is Citizen Supply, an artisan collective featuring local merchants who sell their wares in person to shoppers. The Roof at Ponce City Market is another attraction, featuring a vintage-themed arcade, miniature golf course, restaurant and cocktail bar, all with a spectacular view of the city skyline. When it comes to dining out, Old Fourth Ward residents can choose from several restaurants within the market, including classic Tex Mex cooked over a charcoal grill at Minero. Favorite breakfast stops include Bomb Biscuit, which earned a Bib Gourmand rank from Michelin, and Donnie’s Donuts, named the 12th best donut in the United States by Yelp in 2022. For lunch and dinner, they can opt for any of the multiple offerings in the neighborhood, including Italian fare at a mano (Landau’s personal favorite) or Asian fusion at Ruby Chow (Krebs’s go-to in the area).
Ponce City Market by O4W is a popular multi-use space with living, shopping, & dining options.
Citizens Supply features space for local brands to showcase there products.
1/2
Out and about in Old Fourth Ward
It's impossible to talk about Old Fourth Ward and not mention the Atlanta Beltline, a paved path that covers 22 miles and encircles the core of the city. Atlanta residents use the word "connectivity" to describe the power of the Beltline, as the trail joins neighborhoods and provides residents with easy access to multiple restaurants, parks and other open green spaces. “Old Fourth Ward’s development was central to the Beltline’s connectivity,” says Landau. Residents of the neighborhood can access the Beltline at Ponce City Market and hop on a bike, electric scooter or just walk. For those seeking an enclosed park, both Central Park and Historic Fourth Ward Park are in the neighborhood. Central Park offers tennis and basketball courts, a playground and plenty of open space; Historic Fourth Ward Park has a playground, splash pad, hiking trails and a skateboarding park, and it also offers Beltline access.
Large crowds form at the Old Fourth Ward Arts Festival.
Poncey-Highlands visitors can enjoy the many hidden gem restaurants, such as Ruby Chows.
1/2
A rapidly growing housing market
In addition to bringing in new retail, dining and recreation, Ponce City Market served as a tangible representation of what the neighborhood could become, and Atlanta residents began to take note. Homes that cost less in than $10,000 in the 1990s were getting snatched up by buyers who recognized the early signs of the transformation, and today those same houses can sell for more than $500,000, according to Krebs. With options including townhouses, condominiums and detached single-family homes, the median price of real estate in the neighborhood today is $400,000, and buyers should expect to pay an average of $370 per square foot. A one-bedroom/one-bathroom studio condo can sell for $150,000, and prices can go up to $2 million for a three-bedroom/four-bathroom contemporary detached single-family home.
Lush green lawns are scattered throughout Old Fourth Ward.
Old Fourth Ward has all kinds of different home styles.
1/2
School days
Old Fourth Ward is districted to Atlanta Public Schools, which earns an overall rating of B from Niche. Students in the neighborhood can attend Hope-Hill Elementary, Howard Middle and Midtown High School. Hope-Hill earns a C from Niche, Howard earns an A-minus and Midtown High earns an A. The newly renovated Howard Middle School “looks more like a small college campus than a middle school,” according to Landau. Students at Midtown High School can participate in 60 different school-sponsored clubs and 33 different varsity-level sports. Alternatively, parents can take advantage of some of the best private schools in the country, including The Westminster School, which earns an A-plus from Niche.
Students in the neighborhood David T. Howard Middle School in Atlanta.
Midtown High School receives an A+ grade on Niche.
1/2
Illustrious residents
Old Fourth Ward has been the home to many Atlanta luminaries, including Martin Luther King, Jr., whose legacy is celebrated in the adjacent Sweet Auburn neighborhood at the Martin Luther King Jr. Historic Site.
Inman Park residents can enjoy direct access to the popular Beltline, an expansive path.
Pittsburgh Yards offers weekly community growers markets, fitness events, and more.
1/2
Written By
Andrew Spencer
Video By
Michael Voyack
Was this overview helpful?
Agents Specializing in this Area
Brandon Nunley
Ansley Real Estate | Christie's International Real Estate
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
It's a great environment to be part of, because everyone is friendly and helpful, but security definitely can be an issue in downtown areas.
4.0Current Resident
11/26/2020Niche Review
O4W is close to downtown and midtown. Fairly safe to walk around at night. Restaurants and bars are just a short walk or ride away. Perfect for college students or young professionals. Although the area is still going through gentrification, which is sad to see happen for the older residents being pushed out.
4.0Niche User
2/9/2016Niche Review
I'm a Californian, so the weather is a bit of a shock, but I truly love Atlanta, there's always something to do, the city is never dead (except maybe when it "snows"), and the people are always willing to help.
Are you familiar with the Old Fourth Ward neighborhood?
to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Old Fourth Ward
US
Homicide
4
4
Sexual Assault
5
4
Assault with Weapon
5
4
Robbery
4
4
Burglary
6
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
6
4
Larceny
6
4
Crime Score
6
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Old Fourth Ward Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Old Fourth Ward, Atlanta sell after 58 days on the market compared to the national average of 54 days. The median sale price for homes in Old Fourth Ward, Atlanta over the last 12 months is $447,500, up 10% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Refined city living in the heart of Old Fourth Ward. Perfectly positioned near the Atlanta BeltLine, Piedmont Park, and Ponce City Market, this exceptional townhome offers the perfect blend of walkable urban convenience and modern sophistication. Originally designed as the model home, it showcases curated upgrades, expansive windows filled with natural light, and a sleek contemporary aesthetic
Experience the ultimate urban lifestyle at City Heights Condominiums, where incredible value meets an unbeatable location in the heart of Atlanta's vibrant Old Fourth Ward. This thoughtfully designed floor plan features a dedicated bedroom area, offering the privacy and functionality of a one-bedroom with the efficiency of a high-rise studio. Bathed in natural light from a stunning wall of
Fully gut-renovated 8BR / 7.5BA residence in the heart of Old Fourth Ward just two blocks from the Eastside BeltLine Trail and Inman Park. Spanning 6,630 sq ft across three finished levels, this rare property offers luxury scale and unmatched intown flexibility with three full kitchens, laundry areas and living rooms, one on each level-ideal for multi-generational living, house hacking, or as a
Set within an exclusive gated enclave in the heart of Old Fourth Ward, just steps from the Atlanta BeltLine, 353 Brownstones Circle NE represents a rare convergence of architectural sophistication, premier location, and exceptional value. This brick, modern residence offers refined intown living with a level of privacy and amenity seldom found in the city.The home unfolds across multiple
Beautifully renovated, first floor end unit condo in wonderful Old Fourth Ward gated community! You simply can't beat the price on this one! Two bedroom, two bath split bedroom plan with NEW EVERYTHING. Gorgeous new flooring, paint and fixtures, a brand new kitchen with high end white cabinetry and an abundance of granite counters, stainless appliances, a dedicated dining area and a cozy
Set within the iconic The Stacks in Cabbagetown, this expansive 2-bedroom, 2-bath loft offers approximately 2,200 square feet of authentic industrial character paired with modern comfort. Soaring ceilings, three oversized steel-framed windows, and exposed architectural elements pay homage to the building's historic textile-mill roots while creating a light-filled, open living environment. The
Newly Renovated Loft at The Stacks - Historic Cabbagetown Experience urban living at its finest in this newly renovated 1-bedroom, 1-bathroom loft at the iconic Stacks Lofts in historic Cabbagetown. This distinctive home blends industrial charm with modern upgrades, featuring all-new appliances, elegant quartzite countertops, and a versatile bonus loft space perfect for a guest room, office, or
This charming 1920s duplex is your opportunity to own a slice of Atlanta history in the coveted Martin Luther King Jr. Historic District. Lovingly maintained & thoughtfully updated, this unique property is perfectly positioned for both homeowners looking to offset their mortgage and investors seeking a turnkey asset in a high rent demand neighborhood. Each unit offers one spacious bedroom & one
Beautifully renovated historic and charming loft in the heart of Cabbagetown. Spacious open floor plan with modern industrial design. Columns and exposed beams and bricks, concrete polished floors and soaring ceilings. Gorgeous kitchen with quartz countertops and newer stainless appliances and backsplash. Large living room and entertaining area. Spacious bedroom with updated barn door and walk in
Refined city living in the heart of Old Fourth Ward. Perfectly positioned near the Atlanta BeltLine, Piedmont Park, and Ponce City Market, this exceptional townhome offers the perfect blend of walkable urban convenience and modern sophistication. Originally designed as the model home, it showcases curated upgrades, expansive windows filled with natural light, and a sleek contemporary aesthetic
LOCATION. LUXURY. LIFESTYLE. Lavishly updated and lovingly maintained, the luring architecture of this residence with lofty 10' CEILINGS, luxurious crown molding/wainscoting, is filled with luminous light throughout. This traditional gem, only 25 years old, keeps the style of the century-old neighboring homes in the HISTORIC OLD FOURTH WARD. Feel at peace in your PRIVATE, fenced-in, perennial ZEN
Closings are now underway at The Leon on Ponce, Old Fourth Ward's newest opportunity to own across from Ponce City Market and the Atlanta Beltline, featuring a rooftop social club basking in Atlanta's best Midtown skyline views. Residence 503, one of Leon's few remaining Majestic Plans, delivers truly cinematic, front-row views of Ponce City Market paired with a remarkably flexible layout-an
Experience elevated loft living in this stunning two-story residence at the historic Troy Peerless Lofts, ideally located across from Ponce City Market in the heart of Old Fourth Ward. Originally built in 1920 and masterfully converted into luxury lofts, this furnished 2-bedroom, 1.5 bath home seamlessly blends historic character with modern sophistication. Inside, soaring ceilings, exposed brick
Located minutes from Downtown and Midtown Atlanta and on the Beltline - Highland Walk is nestled in the urban community of Old Fourth Ward/ Inman Park/Virginia Highland - Highland Walk appeals to a vibrant in town community of residents who live near work and understand the day doesn't end at 5pm. Highland Walk offers unsurpassed accommodations in one of Atlanta's most desirable neighborhoods. As
Come Check out this fully Renovated, Spacious 2/2 situated in the Middle of Poncey-Highland & Old 4th Ward. This Top Floor unit features an Open Floor Plan w/ true Hardwood Floors throughout. New Kitchen w/ Custom Cabinets, Quartz Countertops, SS Appliances & Bar. Palatial Master Suite w/ Separate Soaking Tub & Floor to Ceiling Tiled Shower. Large Secondary Bedroom w/ Fully Renovated Shower/Tub
Located in the heart of Historic Fourth Ward, Block Lofts gives you the best of urban living. Our collection of loft, one, and two-bedroom apartments in Atlanta offer upgraded finishes, spacious floor plans, and amenities to fit every lifestyle. Calling Block Lofts home conveniently places you among the city's best attractions. Step outside your door and be minutes away from Ponce City Market,
Live one block from the BeltLine and have the entire property to yourself. In the heart of Old Fourth Ward, this fully renovated 3 bedroom, 3.5 bath home with a dedicated office offers space, privacy, and walkability all in one. Walk to Krog Street Market, Ponce City Market, Inman Park, and some of Atlanta’s best restaurants and coffee shops. Spend your mornings on the trail, meet friends around
Our luxury apartments in Old 4th Ward are located just steps from the scenic and serene Historic Fourth Ward Park and the bustling Ponce City Market. The nearby Atlanta Beltline Trail provides access to shopping, dining and entertainment throughout this walkable neighborhood, and the nearby MARTA station offers transportation to Downtown Atlanta in just minutes. Enjoy a host of luxurious
An awesome home located in one of the most sought out neighborhoods in Atlanta - Old Fourth Ward/Inman Park. This upstairs unit is a spacious 3 Bedroom + 2 Bathroom, 1800 sq foot, unfurnished, does not include utilities.Parking at rear or front, laundry, large kitchen with granite and hardwood floors throughout. Has front and rear private decks. Situated on a spacious wooded backyard with
Signal House offers a modern, luxury lifestyle in Atlantas Old Fourth Ward. Choose from 1, 2, and 3-bedroom apartments featuring floor-to-ceiling windows, stainless steel appliances, Italian cabinetry, and smart home technology. Our pet-friendly community is steps from Ponce City Market and offers direct BeltLine access to top dining, shopping, and entertainment. Enjoy amenities like a pool
Definitely one of Atlanta's most sought after live/work communities in the heart of the historic Old Fourth Ward! Wow! ON the beltline Eastside Trail, in the hottest spot in town! Studioplex is located in the booming Krog District, just steps away from SPX Alley, Krog Market and fantastic restaurants, retail, local breweries, parks, entertainment and business centers. Ready for immediate
Nestled in the heart of Atlanta's Old Fourth Ward, 555 Boulevard is your ultimate luxury living destination. Find your brand new studio, one or two bedroom apartment home here and step into the 555 lifestyle.Inside your home, you'll find upgraded interior features such as chef-inspired kitchens, modern backsplashes, and in-home washers and dryers. Outside your home, soak up the
Great space in the heart of Old Fourth Ward! Walking distance to Ponce City Market, Beltline and Historic Old Fourth Ward. This is a single room on a shared floor with three other people. Each person has their own private bedroom and private bathroom. Common area is shared amongst the four tenants. Great location at a great price with great people.
Welcome to Anthem on Ashley – luxury living in Atlanta’s historic Old Fourth Ward. Discover beautifully designed one and two-bedroom apartments that blend contemporary style with everyday comfort. Each home features modern finishes, including sleek vinyl plank flooring, upgraded lighting, and gourmet kitchens with distinguished countertops and stainless-steel appliances in select layouts. Many
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
