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.
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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 an 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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. Today, the neighborhood is what Landau describes as “a true melting pot with a younger vibe,” a neighborhood where history converges with modernity in a story of regeneration and progress.
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.
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.
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The downtown area (especially in front of Varsity) has a lot of crimes happening (Tech students get emails about these crimes) so it makes it difficult to decide to leave the campus area for anything.
5.0Niche User
2/9/2016Niche Review
It's a college campus, so the community is, at the same time, like minded and at odds with each other. We all hold similar interests, but how we go about pursuing them and what we think of different paths vary greatly, as well as opinions in general. There are a lot of Georgians in the area, a lot of international students, but not many out-of-state students, which is understandable considering it's a public university.
4.0Current Resident
8/25/2018Niche Review
I have lived in O4W for over a year. I love the neighborhood. We have close access to the Beltline, shops, and restaurants. We can easily access 75/85 while it still feeling like a residential area. Overall, it's a safe neighborhood but we are located in an urban area.
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Old Fourth Ward Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Old Fourth Ward, Atlanta sell after 53 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Old Fourth Ward, Atlanta over the last 12 months is $440,000, up 11% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Welcome to one of the largest residences in the iconic Fulton Cotton Mill Lofts. This top-level 2-bedroom, 2-bath home with a rare 400 sq. ft. bonus space showcases soaring 17-ft ceilings, exposed brick walls, and dramatic two-story windows. It’s the perfect blend of historic charm and modern comfort.The thoughtful floor plan features a main-level bedroom with a walk-in closet, plus an
Spacious, turn-key home in Old Fourth Ward! Featuring historic details, modern updates, and an unbeatable location, this turnkey gem combines classic Atlanta charm with thoughtful modern updates, in one of the best locations in town. Beautifully fenced front yard and rocking chair front porch enhance the privacy and curb appeal of this well-maintained 1930s home. Enter the front door to find a
** SELLER IS WILLING TO COVER CLOSING COSTS, RATE BUY DOWN ETC **Perfect for an investor who is looking for a rental property** Tucked away on a quiet street in the heart of Old Fourth Ward, this stylish 2-bedroom, 1.5-bath standalone home with a GARAGE offers modern comfort with a distinctly urban edge. Unlike anything else on the market, this hidden gem blends privacy, walkability, and
Spacious 1BR Condo in the Heart of Old Fourth Ward! Discover this beautifully updated ground-floor condo in the well-maintained Renaissance Park II community — perfectly situated between Renaissance Park and Central Park, just off North Avenue & Central Park Drive. This 1-bedroom, 1-bath home features brand new LVP flooring throughout, a renovated bathroom, excellent closet space, and a cozy
Welcome to 512 Old Wheat Street, a charming and fully renovated duplex nestled in the heart of Atlanta’s vibrant Old Fourth Ward. This shotgun-style property features two stepless-entry, one-bedroom, one-bathroom units—each thoughtfully updated with modern finishes while preserving historic character. With inviting front porches, updated kitchens with stainless steel appliances, in-unit laundry,
Step into this stunning newer home in the heart of Old Fourth Ward, where modern design meets everyday comfort. Soaring 10’ ceilings and wide-plank oak floors set the tone, while perfectly placed skylights fill the open floor plan with natural light.The chef’s kitchen is a true showpiece, marble countertops, stainless steel appliances, offering seamless views into the dining area, living room,
This is your unique opportunity to lease out an original 1920's apartment in Old Fourth Ward. Renovated from top to bottom keeping original features but updates for today's living. 900+ square feet for a 1 bedroom is hard to find. Original hardwoods, covered expansive balcony, extensive renovation throughout with no detail spared. The kitchen features thoughtful timeless finishes, vintage
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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.
