Perimeter City residents enjoy convenience of master-planned business district
Perimeter Center is known as an edge city, a large suburban hub of business and retail. The area – north of Atlanta – grew in the 1970s, after a population shift to the suburbs and the construction of Interstate 285 led to a development boom on what was formerly farmland. The master-planned business district centers around Perimeter Mall and includes multiple high-rise office and residential buildings. It is named for I-285, which circles Atlanta and is known as “The Perimeter.” Tiffany Boazman, associate broker with 14th & Luxe Realty, says the area is popular because it has so many amenities. “Whether you need to go to the hospital or you need to go shopping or you want to go to a restaurant or you want to go to the park or you want to take in a local event," Boazman says, "I think it’s the convenience of everything being pretty much right there."The community straddles three cities: Sandy Springs, Brookhaven and Dunwoody. The southeastern part of the neighborhood houses a large medical district, nicknamed “Pill Hill," which includes Emory Saint Joseph's Hospital, one of the region’s leading hospitals.
Shopping and dining at Perimeter Mall and surrounding areas
The district is full of retail options, including Target, Best Buy and Barnes & Noble. Perimeter Mall is anchored by Nordstrom, Dillard’s and Macy’s. Two Publix grocery stores can be found within the community, as well as a Costco Wholesale. Whole Foods Market is just west of the neighborhood along Hammond Drive. A mix of chain and locally owned restaurants can also be found in and near Perimeter Center, including Rush Bowls, a popular acai bowl shop. Battle & Brew is also highly popular and is about 2 miles west on Roswell Road. “You can eat burgers, of course, and play video games,” says Boazman. “You can play board games there. I thought that was really neat.”
Townhomes and condos along the edges of the neighborhood
Residential properties, mostly condos and townhomes, lie along the edges of the district. The median price is $390,000, lower than Atlanta’s median price of about $420,000. High-rise condo buildings often have concierge services and fitness centers. Many townhomes are located within gated communities. Sizes range from 1-bedroom condos just under 500 square feet to 5-bedroom townhomes over 3,000 square feet.
Students zoned for DeKalb or Fulton schools
Perimeter Center lies within two counties, and children living in the area are served by two school districts. Those living in the eastern portion of the area are zoned for DeKalb County Schools. The district has a B-minus rating on Niche. Children living on the west side of the neighborhood are zoned for Fulton County Schools, which has an A on Niche.
Splash pad, playgrounds and sports fields at area parks
Perimeter Center residents enjoy Sandy Springs’ Hammond Park, which has a playground, tennis and basketball courts, a sports field and a gymnastics center. Murphey Candler Park, Brookhaven’s largest park, is also nearby. It includes a pool, lake and walking trails. On the Dunwoody side, Two Bridges Park has a playground, exercise equipment and a splash pad.
A community built around the junction of I-285 and Georgia 400
Perimeter Center’s creation is due in part to the building of I-285 and the expansion of Georgia State Route 400. The district is centered around the junction where the highways meet, simplifying commutes into downtown Atlanta. Hammond Drive and Abernathy Road lead to the heart of Sandy Springs, and Mt Vernon Road goes northeast into Dunwoody. Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority—or MARTA—buses serve the area.
Photography Contributed By
Thaddeus Rombauer
