Buckhead: Fire Hits Buckhead Village, and a Landmark Tower Lists for Sale

Hey Buckhead — it's been a week worth paying attention to. An electrical fire tore through several Buckhead Village businesses, and separately, one of the neighborhood's most prominent office towers just hit the market in a move that could reshape a key stretch of Peachtree Road. Stick around — there's plenty more inside, from a packed Mother's Day weekend to some notable action at City Hall.

- News — An electrical fire damaged multiple Buckhead Village businesses, a landmark office tower listed for sale, and early voting is open now for the May 19 primary — here's what you need to know.
- Business — Four businesses are making moves in Buckhead: a new brewery is taking over East Andrews, Jeffrey Kalinsky is bringing his designer boutique back to Atlanta, and a medical spa and fitness studio are both planting flags in the neighborhood.
- Events — The Chastain Park Spring Arts Festival kicks off this Saturday for a Mother's Day weekend run, with Alison Krauss at the amphitheater and a rooftop Cinco de Mayo fiesta at St. Julep also on deck.
- Government — City Hall had a busy week — a $1.3 billion airport bond passed, a new 911 Center was funded, and NPU-B meets Tuesday with agenda items covering Buckhead Brewing's alcohol license and the future of the Peachtree Park Neighborhood Plan.
- Construction — Piedmont Hospital is upgrading its radiation equipment, a columbarium is coming to Howell Mill Road, multi-floor buildout activity is underway at 3340 Peachtree, and pothole and traffic signal complaints are stacking up across the neighborhood.

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As a reminder, whoever makes the most referrals by May 10th wins a $50 gift card to Fifth Group Restaurants. Even if you don’t win the contest, though, we have other rewards you can win (see below). These referrals are much appreciated, as helping us grow means a lot to us and allows us to keep this thing going.

Let’s dive in.

NEWS

Several Buckhead businesses damaged in electrical fire
An electrical fire tore through multiple commercial properties in Buckhead this week, leaving a stretch of the local business corridor dealing with damage and temporary closures. If you frequent spots near Buckhead Village, expect disruptions while affected businesses work through repairs and recovery.

Atlanta Financial Center South Tower Hits the Market in Buckhead
One of Buckhead's most recognizable office towers along Peachtree Road is now officially for sale — a rare, high-stakes move that could bring a major corporate tenant, a redevelopment play, or something nobody's quite anticipated yet. Whatever comes next for the property will ripple across the surrounding neighborhood, from traffic patterns to the lunch-crowd economy.

Early Voting for May 19 Primary Underway in Fulton County
Early voting is open now for the May 19 primary, and Buckhead residents don't have to wait until Election Day to weigh in on races that directly shape local zoning decisions, school funding, and public safety priorities. Check Fulton County's site for polling locations near you — there's no good reason to leave this one until the last minute.

Atlanta City Council president's first town hall connects residents with city liaisons
City Council President Overstreet held the first in what could become a meaningful series of town halls, putting Atlanta residents in the same room as department heads who actually have the authority to act on local complaints. The format — direct access, real answers — is exactly what frustrated neighbors dealing with infrastructure gaps and public safety concerns have been asking for.

BUSINESS

Buckhead Brewing & Lodge - opening - A new American restaurant and brewery is moving into the former Chido & Padre's space at 128 East Andrews Drive in Buckhead Village, pairing craft beers with Southern-inspired fare — a welcome addition to a stretch of East Andrews that knows how to have a good time.

Jeffrey - opening - Jeffrey Kalinsky is bringing his namesake designer boutique back to Atlanta for a second act, and for anyone who remembers what the original meant to the city's fashion identity, this one's worth paying attention to.

Sweat EXT - expanding - The high-intensity, low-impact fitness studio is planting its second Atlanta-area flag in Buckhead, giving the neighborhood's workout crowd another strong option close to home.

LumiVita - opening - This hybrid medical-spa brand has launched two new Atlanta-area locations, including a Buckhead flagship that blends clinical wellness with the spa experience — right in step with where the neighborhood's health-and-beauty scene is headed.

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EVENTS

The Chastain Park Spring Arts Festival kicks off this Saturday and runs through Mother's Day Sunday, filling one of Buckhead's most beloved green spaces with art, artists, and the kind of weekend energy that makes the neighborhood worth living in. If you're looking for a meaningful way to celebrate Mom, this one pairs beautifully with everything else the weekend has to offer.

Monday, May 4
- The Wallflowers | Buckhead Theatre
- Trivia Night | Johnny's Hideaway
- Take & Make Craft - Handprint Bumblebee | Brookhaven, GA
- Pop & Country Hits | Park Bench

Tuesday, May 5
- Cinco de Mayo Rooftop Fiesta at St. Julep | St. Julep at Kimpton Sylvan Atlanta - Buckhead
- Karaoke Hot Hits Sing-along! | Park Bench

Wednesday, May 6
- Freddie Dredd | Buckhead Theatre
- PRUMC Midday Music in May: Organ Recitals | Peachtree Road UMC
- Toddler Storytime: Going Wild! | Atlanta History Center
- Seis de Mayo Networking Bingo | Chico Cantina
- Karaoke Night | Park Bench

Thursday, May 7
- Braxton Keith | Buckhead Theatre
- Wellness in Design at ADAC | Atlanta Decorative Arts Center (ADAC)
- Country Karaoke Hits & Requests | Park Bench

Friday, May 8
- Apocalyptica | Buckhead Theatre
- Savannah Bananas Game, Banana Eating Contest & Dueling Pianos | Park Bench

Saturday, May 9
- Celebrate Mother's Day Weekend at Chastain Park Spring Arts Festival - May 9-10 | Chastain Park
- Alison Krauss and Union Station featuring: Jerry Douglas | Synovus Bank Amphitheater at Chastain Park
- Naomi Watanabe: From Tokyo | Buckhead Theatre
- Saturday Vinyasa Yoga Classes with Highland Yoga | Buckhead Village
- Savannah Bananas Game, Banana Eating Contest & Dueling Pianos | Park Bench

Sunday, May 10
- Celebrate Mother's Day Weekend at Chastain Park Spring Arts Festival - May 9-10 | Chastain Park
- Sons of Legion - Soul to SØL Tour | Buckhead Theatre
- Mother's Day Brunch at The Betty | The Kimpton Sylvan Hotel
- Celebrate Mother's Day at The Americano! | The Americano at the InterContinental Buckhead Atlanta Hotel
- Mother's Day 2026 At Local Three | Local Three Kitchen & Bar
- Mother's Day Brunch at Tesserae | Tesserae
- Rockin' Piano Hits After Savannah Bananas Game | Park Bench

GOVERNMENT

Note: our information comes from posted meetings documents (agendas and minutes when available) — latest source document hyperlinked to each meeting.

Past Week Roundup

Atlanta City Council – Finance/Executive Committee

The biggest headline out of City Hall this week was the Finance/Executive Committee's unanimous approval of up to $1.3 billion in bonds for Hartsfield-Jackson Airport improvements — a generational investment in the infrastructure that keeps Atlanta's economy running. The committee also greenlit a $39 million contract to build a new 911 Center, addressing a long-standing public safety infrastructure need, and retroactively authorized $4 million for water meter installations citywide. On the community investment side, the committee approved a $600,000 donation to the Grant Park Conservancy for park improvements and $15,000 for gate restoration at Oakland Cemetery. The FY2027 budget and property tax rates were held and kicked to May 4 — meaning homeowners will have to wait just a bit longer to see what next year's tax bill looks like. A proposal for free summer camp programming at Camp Best Friends narrowly stayed in committee on a 5-2 vote, with Councilmembers Amos and Martin dissenting.

Atlanta City Council – Transportation Committee

The Transportation Committee had a full slate on April 29, starting with a unanimous vote to rename Lee Street SW in honor of Judge Thelma Cummings Moore. The committee also accepted a $3.6 million GDOT grant to fund pedestrian safety improvements along Peachtree Street in Midtown — good news for anyone who walks that corridor — and approved a $7.5 million contract renewal for citywide sidewalk repair and maintenance. On the greenway front, the city was authorized to begin property acquisitions for Segment 4 of the Proctor Creek Greenway, with condemnation proceedings available as a backup if negotiations stall. Easements for the Atlanta Botanical Garden near Westminster Drive were approved on condition, pending a final sign-off from the City Utilities Committee. Two items stayed stuck in committee: a proposed study on privatizing TSA screening at Hartsfield-Jackson, and a plan to designate residential-only parking on Lakeview Avenue NE.

Atlanta City Council – Community Development/Human Services Committee

Atlanta's FIFA 2026 preparations moved into high gear at the April 28 Community Development meeting, where the committee approved a $52.1 million federal grant from DHS and FEMA for emergency management and public safety readiness around the World Cup. Closer to home, nearly $1.9 million was authorized for construction of Enota Park along the BeltLine, giving that corridor another green space investment to look forward to. The committee also passed a new rule requiring a mandatory 72-hour waiting period before demolition permits can be issued on structurally distressed properties — a move aimed at slowing the rapid teardown of neighborhood housing stock. A separate vote placed a temporary hold on the sale of a key property on Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway pending a community impact review, with three council members abstaining. Meanwhile, legislation that would have created a formal Short-Term Rental Registry and Office — the city's attempt to regulate Airbnb-style rentals — was deferred at the sponsor's request, so those rules remain unresolved for now.

Atlanta City Council – City Utilities Committee

The City Utilities Committee approved a sweeping round of infrastructure spending on April 28, recommending over $60 million in sewer repair contracts and budget amendments — including $15 million each to two separate contractor teams — as the city continues its long-running effort to overhaul its aging sanitary sewer system. The committee unanimously authorized the transfer of 12 acres of city-owned land at 1270 West Marietta Boulevard to Invest Atlanta for future redevelopment, while reserving a portion for continued watershed operations. Also approved was a $24 million change order to add the Peachtree Creek Eastside 2B project to an existing agreement, along with a $1.28 million conservation donation for stream and floodplain restoration at Hunter Hills Refuge. A controversial proposal to waive standard flood elevation requirements for a residential property was deferred for a second time, remaining in committee while members seek more information. One rare moment of dissent: a painting and pressure-washing contract extension worth over $3.2 million passed on a 2-1 vote, with one council member voting no and two abstaining.

Atlanta City Council – Public Safety & Legal Administration Committee

The Public Safety Committee used its April 27 meeting to lay groundwork for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, unanimously approving a temporary exemption allowing alcohol consumption on specified downtown streets from June 11 through July 19 — a major logistical accommodation for the international tournament. On the labor side, the committee greenlit a new sworn compensation plan for Atlanta Fire Rescue to make firefighter pay more competitive, a move that matters for recruitment and retention citywide. In a significant civil rights development, the committee unanimously directed the Atlanta Police Department to stop using colorimetric field drug tests as the sole basis for arrests, requiring lab confirmation before charges can proceed. The committee also launched an emergency study of the annual "404 Day" event following concerns about its neighborhood and resource impacts. A proposed 180-day moratorium on new alcohol licenses in the Edgewood Corridor was held at the sponsor's request, leaving that debate open for now.

Atlanta City Council – Zoning Committee

The Zoning Committee wrapped up a brisk 26-minute session on April 27, advancing a handful of smaller items while putting the brakes on higher-stakes development proposals. A sign waiver near Lenox Square was approved unanimously, as was a rezoning for single-family homes on slightly smaller lots in Southwest Atlanta's Beltline Overlay. The committee forwarded several items to the full council, including a special use permit for a large alcohol-serving establishment on Marietta Street and a permit for a personal care home. However, a proposal to build two digital billboards near Cleveland Circle was referred back for further review, and a plan to increase apartment density on Bellview Avenue was held until at least May 4. A sprawling 13.8-acre mixed-use rezoning that would convert industrial land in Southwest Atlanta remained stuck in committee pending more information — a project worth watching as it represents a significant potential land-use shift.

Atlanta Public Schools – Board of Education

The APS Student Advisory Council wrapped up its 2025-2026 term on April 29 with a final session focused on student recommendations rather than binding board action. Student leaders presented a summary of their "Breakfast with the Board" meeting with district officials and finalized standing committee recommendations — the formal student-voice input that gets passed along to APS leadership for policy consideration. No votes on budgets, zoning, or contracts were taken, as the SAC functions in an advisory capacity. The session closed with recognition of outgoing student council members for their year of service.

Notable Neighborhood Mentions

Atlanta City Council — City Utilities Committee
- SR 3 (Northside Dr) / SR 9 (14th St to N. Paces Ferry) and Peachtree Rd NE — The committee approved a memorandum of understanding with GDOT committing $1.66 million to adjust water and sewer infrastructure along these corridors during upcoming road resurfacing projects.

Atlanta City Council — Zoning Committee
- 3393 Peachtree Rd NE — The committee unanimously approved a sign ordinance waiver authorizing a new business sign and supporting structure near Lenox Square.
- 4300 Powers Ferry Rd NW — A request to expand a nonconforming structure at The Chastain restaurant was referred back to committee for further review.
- 1950 W. Paces Ferry Rd NW / 2518 W. Wesley Rd NW — A rezoning proposal for planned development housing at this site remains held in committee with no decision issued.

Meetings This Week
- Atlanta City Council — Committee on Council — Monday, May 4 at 11:30 AM
The committee is scheduled to consider a resolution requesting certified law enforcement presence at all city recreation centers used as polling places. Also on the agenda: appointments to the Beltline's Affordable Housing Advisory Board and Tax Allocation District Advisory Committee, two Budget Commission seats ahead of FY2027 planning, and a proposed City Charter change that would require legislation to list a primary council sponsor of record.

- Atlanta City Council — Monday, May 4 at 1:00 PM
The full council will take up a wide-ranging agenda that includes a $52.1 million federal FIFA World Cup grant, the FY2027 proposed budget and tax rates, and a text amendment that would ban new self-storage facilities within the BeltLine Overlay District. Parks-related items include a $1.87 million construction contract for Enota Park and a lease expansion for the Atlanta Botanical Garden.

- Atlanta NPU — NPU-C — Tuesday, May 5 at 6:45 PM
The agenda includes a proposal to formally adopt the Collier Road Multimodal Study into the city's Comprehensive Development Plan, which would set the long-term vision for traffic, pedestrian, and bike improvements along that corridor. A zoning amendment that would prohibit new self-storage facilities within the BeltLine Overlay District is also scheduled for consideration.

- Atlanta NPU — NPU-A — Tuesday, May 5 at 7:00 PM
A variance request for 4035 Tuxedo Road NW is scheduled for a community vote. The applicant is seeking to increase lot coverage from 35% to 43.2% and reduce both the eastern side yard setback (from 15 feet to 7.5 feet) and the rear yard setback (from 20 feet to 15 feet) on the R-2 zoned property.

- Atlanta NPU — NPU-B — Tuesday, May 5 at 7:00 PM
The NPU will consider an ordinance to officially adopt the Peachtree Park Neighborhood Plan into the city's Comprehensive Development Plan, a document that would guide future growth and land use in that community. Also on the agenda: a special use permit for outdoor dining at 4475 Roswell Road NE; setback variance requests at 214 Alberta Drive NE and 4180 McClatchey Circle NE; alcohol license change-of-ownership at 128 East Andrews Drive NW (Buckhead Brewing); and an administrative license update at 3186 Roswell Road NE. A July 4th block party application for Stratford Road is also scheduled for review.

- Fulton County Board of Commissioners — Wednesday, May 6 at 10:00 AM
The board is scheduled to consider $165 million in revenue bonds for a student housing project and $75 million for a Georgia Tech Athletic Association project, alongside a $325 million Tax Anticipation Note issuance to cover county cash flow ahead of property tax collection. Also on the agenda: a five-year, $28-million-per-year wastewater operations contract for North Fulton and two affordable housing grants targeting the English Avenue neighborhood in Atlanta.

CONSTRUCTION

Permits

- 3340 Peachtree Rd NE — Two separate commercial permits filed for what appears to be an active tenant buildout inside this multi-story office tower. One covers a suite expansion, another addresses finishes and lighting for a previously spec'd space. Electrical work is already underway. Something's coming together on multiple floors here.
- 1968 Peachtree Rd NW — Piedmont Atlanta Hospital has permits in for a ground-floor linear accelerator replacement — the kind of heavy medical equipment swap that signals a meaningful upgrade to radiation treatment capabilities. Plumbing work (six sinks, two water closets) is part of the same push.
- 2450 Piedmont Rd NE — Full HVAC demo and replacement plus plumbing overhaul permitted. The scope suggests a significant interior gut of a commercial space rather than routine maintenance.
- 2951 Howell Mill Rd NW — A columbarium with 90 niches is in for permitting, including a footing, foundation, precast niches, stone veneer, and caps. That's a permanent memorial structure, likely tied to a religious institution or cemetery on that corridor.
- 1718 Peachtree St NW — A tenant renovation involving suite subdivision, new walls, finishes, and electrical. The split suggests a single tenant making way for multiple, or a landlord repositioning the space for smaller users.

Beyond these, the area logged 92 residential permits this week — mostly electrical, HVAC, and minor alterations across Buckhead's single-family neighborhoods. Routine stuff, nothing that should rattle the neighbors.

Road Work

Under Construction
- I-75 Lighting Upgrade (Fulton County) — GDOT is swapping out aging high-pressure sodium lights for LED fixtures along I-75 between Musket Ridge Drive and I-85, about 1.7 miles from Buckhead. Pole and conduit replacements may also be part of the scope. No lane changes to plan around yet, but expect intermittent nighttime activity in the corridor.
- SR 400 Tunnel Bridge Rehab at the Justin C. Martin Building (Fulton County) — Active rehabilitation work is underway on the SR 400 tunnel just 1.9 miles out. Crews are tackling spall repairs on transfer beams and roof slabs, fire system repairs, and other structural upgrades. If SR 400 is part of your daily routine, keep an eye on lane configurations near this stretch.
- SR 9 Resurfacing from SR 3 to North of Paces Ferry Road (Fulton County) — Peachtree Road (SR 9) is getting a fresh layer of asphalt as part of a GDOT maintenance push to bring up its pavement condition score. At 2.8 miles out, this one touches roads many Buckhead commuters use regularly. Expect lane restrictions during active paving windows.

Pre-Construction
- SR 9/SR 237/Habersham Road Intersection Study (Fulton County) — A scoping study is underway for operational improvements at three interconnected intersections: Piedmont Road at Roswell Road, Piedmont Road at Habersham Road, and Roswell Road at Habersham Road. This triangle of intersections is a persistent headache for Buckhead drivers, so the study's findings could eventually reshape how traffic moves through the heart of the neighborhood.
- SR 141 Connector: Phipps Blvd to Piedmont Road Multi-Use Trail (Fulton County) — Streetscape improvements and a shared-use path are planned along Lenox Road between Piedmont Road and Phipps Boulevard, connecting commercial, office, and residential destinations along the corridor. Once built, this gives pedestrians and cyclists a safer, more direct route through one of Buckhead's busiest stretches.
- I-75 NB Ramps at Moores Mill Road Roundabout (Fulton County) — A two-lane roundabout is planned at the intersection of Moores Mill Road and the I-75 northbound ramps. The design includes dedicated turn movements along the eastbound approach. If you use this interchange to get on or off I-75 near the Buckhead-Marietta Street corridor, expect meaningful changes to traffic flow once construction begins.
- SR 3 at West Paces Ferry Road Restriping (Fulton County) — Planned restriping on SR 3/Northside Parkway will add dual left-turn lanes in both directions, plus two eastbound through lanes under the I-75 overpass. A low-disruption fix with real upside for drivers navigating this notoriously awkward interchange.
- SR 400 Atlanta Financial Center Tunnel LED Lighting (Fulton County) — LED lighting upgrades are coming to the SR 400 tunnel near the Atlanta Financial Center. Straightforward infrastructure work, but worth knowing if you commute through that stretch daily.
- SR 400 Resurfacing: I-85 to South of Johnson Ferry Road (Fulton County) — A resurfacing project is funded and in the pipeline for a significant stretch of SR 400. No start date yet, but when it kicks off, expect lane restrictions on one of the area's most-traveled commuter corridors.
- SR 9/US 19 Bridge Replacement over CSX Railroad (Fulton County) — The existing bridge carrying Peachtree Road over the CSX rail line is slated for full replacement. The typical cross-section includes multiple through lanes in each direction, so construction-phase lane restrictions on this segment of Peachtree Road will be significant when work begins.
- Bridge Preventative Maintenance at Four Locations — SR 6, SR 9, SR 14, SR 70 (Fulton County) — Deck preservation, joint replacement, steel painting, and spall repairs are planned across four bridge locations on these state routes. Work is funded but not yet scheduled; watch for intermittent lane closures once it gets underway.

Service Requests

Buckhead residents filed 32 service requests this past week, with road and traffic issues dominating the list.

- Potholes — Eleven reports filed across the area, including SLATON DR NW, LORIDANS DR NE, NORTHSIDE PKWY NW, the NORTHSIDE PKWY & E BEECHWOOD DR intersection, and W WIEUCA RD NE, among other locations.
- Traffic Signal Repairs — Nine non-emergency signal repair requests on W PACES FERRY RD NW (three reports), LINDBERGH WAY & LINDBERGH DR (two), LENOX RD, PEACHTREE RD & WIEUCA RD, and LENOX PARK BLVD & N DRUID HILLS. Three additional emergency signal repair calls came in at PIEDMONT RD & ROSWELL RD and POWERS FERRY RD & ROSWELL RD.
- Overgrowth & Visibility — Six right-of-way overgrowth complaints at LINDBERGH DR & GARSON DR, W WIEUCA & LAKE FORREST, LINDBERGH DR & ADINA DR, ROSWELL RD & WIEUCA RD, PIEDMONT RD & LINDBERGH DR, and one additional location.
- Sign Repair — Two requests for sign repair or replacement on BUFORD HWY NE & LENOX RD NE and PACES FERRY RD NW.
- Litter Removal — One right-of-way litter complaint at DEERING RD & PEACHTREE ST NE.