BUSYBODY BUCKHEAD
Welcome to your weekly update for Buckhead, keeping you informed on the latest news in our community. This week, we’re following a dire water crisis at a local high-rise and celebrating the groundbreaking of a massive $64 million opera house on the Beltline.
Big Stories — Residents in a local high-rise are entering their third week without water. Other highlights include a $91 million apartment acquisition by Goldman Sachs and the 100th anniversary of the Atlanta History Center.
Local Business Updates — Retail activity is surging with the upcoming opening of a PGA Tour Superstore and new leases at Chastain Market. Plus, design showroom Dixon Rye debuts its new storefront. Also, the new Atlanta Opera near Bobby Jones breaks ground.
Upcoming Events — It’s a busy week for the arts with concerts at Buckhead Theatre and a Bridgerton-inspired masquerade tea at the Waldorf Astoria. You can also catch a biscuit-making class at Buttermilk Kitchen or celebrate local history with lectures at the Atlanta History Center.
Local Government Discussion — Officials are moving forward with $90 million in bonds for the Woodruff Arts Center and new noise mitigation rules for sewer projects. Upcoming meetings will tackle a significant rezoning on West Paces Ferry and a proposal to legalize "Happy Hour" drink discounts.
Development & Construction Nearby — Major road widening continues on Piedmont Road alongside a massive multi-family residential conversion project on Peachtree.
Let’s dive in.
Table of Contents
BIG STORIES
High-rise water crisis, ex-judge acquitted, and Atlanta History Center turns 100
Buckhead high-rise residents without water for weeks: ‘I really want to cry’ (February 22, 2026)
Residents at a Buckhead high-rise are facing a dire situation as they enter their third week without running water, forcing many to rely on bottled water for basic hygiene and daily needs. This prolonged utility failure has left neighbors feeling abandoned and desperate for a resolution from building management.
Ex-judge found not guilty in brawl outside Buckhead club (February 20, 2026)
A jury has acquitted former judge Christina Peterson of all charges stemming from a physical altercation with law enforcement outside the Red Martini Restaurant and Lounge in Buckhead. Peterson, who represented herself during the trial, successfully challenged the obstruction charges related to her interference during a police response to a fight at the venue.
Academy for Innovation in Medicine selects transit-oriented space for new tuition-free charter school (February 18, 2026)
A new middle and high school focused on medical training has secured a lease at the Uptown Atlanta development surrounding the Lindbergh MARTA station. The tuition-free charter school will provide specialized education for local students and further activates the transit-oriented development near our neighborhood's southern edge.
Goldman Sachs buys apartments near Buckhead Village for $90.8 million (February 18, 2026)
An affiliate of Goldman Sachs has officially purchased a 210-unit multifamily building on West Paces Ferry Road for nearly $91 million. This major acquisition of high-end rental property near Buckhead Village highlights the ongoing institutional investment in the local housing market.
The Atlanta History Center Turns 100. Why Its 33-Acre Buckhead Campus Deserves Your Attention (February 18, 2026)
The Atlanta History Center is celebrating its centennial anniversary this week, marking 100 years of preserving the heritage of the city from its expansive Buckhead campus. Neighbors are encouraged to explore the 33-acre grounds, which include the iconic Swan House and several historic gardens that define the character of our area.
LOCAL BUSINESS UPDATES
PGA Tour Superstore opening, Atlanta Opera breaks ground, and new Chastain Market shops
Dixon Rye - relocating - The design showroom has debuted its new storefront in Buckhead, bringing its signature industrial-inspired furniture and curated home decor to the neighborhood. (February 20, 2026)
PGA Tour Superstore - opening - The golf and tennis retailer is set to open its newest Atlanta location on March 7, with leadership noting the neighborhood's performance as a driver for future local expansion. (February 20, 2026)
SkyHouse Buckhead - closing - Developer Novare Group has officially concluded its SkyHouse-branded high-rise era with the sale of its apartment tower in Buckhead. (February 19, 2026)
Wetzel's Pretzels - opening - A new location of the snack chain is slated to open soon within the Lenox Square food court, marking its sixth outpost in the metro area. (February 18, 2026)
Chastain Market - opening - The shopping center formerly known as Gateway Chastain has secured new leases for a Learning Express toy store and a Mattress Lux showroom. (February 18, 2026)
Atlanta Opera - opening - Significant progress is being made on a new $64 million opera house located along the Beltline and Bobby Jones Golf Course. This state-of-the-art cultural facility is expected to serve as a major anchor for the arts and will include a new headquarters for the Atlanta Opera. (February 19, 2026)
EVENTS
Buckhead Theatre concerts, history lectures, and biscuit making class
If you have event venues you want covered here, let us know in the feedback form (bottom of this newsletter)! Always open to improvements.
Monday, February 23
- Lunar New Year Scavenger Hunt | Children's Area | All Day
- Toddler Time | Buckhead Library | 10:30 AM
- A Founding Friendship and its Discontents: John Adams and Thomas Jefferson | Atlanta History Center | 2:00 PM
- Trivia Night | Johnny's Hideaway | 7:30 PM
Tuesday, February 24
- Jan Cress Dondi | Atlanta History Center | 7:00 PM
- Peaches - No Lube So Rude Tour | Buckhead Theatre | 8:00 PM
Wednesday, February 25
- Ladies Night | Johnny's Hideaway | 4:00 PM
- Party with the Past: DeKalb History Center | Atlanta History Center | 6:30 PM
- Hanumankind - OTW Tour: North America 2026 | Buckhead Theatre | 8:00 PM
Thursday, February 26
- Country Karaoke Hits & Requests | Park Bench | 9:00 PM
Friday, February 27
- Buttermilk Kitchen's Bread Series - Biscuit Making Class | The Pantry by Buttermilk Kitchen | 3:00 PM
- Lute and Strings by Candlelight | The Cathedral of St. Philip | 7:30 PM
- Larry Fleet | Buckhead Theatre | 8:00 PM
- The Power of Presence: A Jazz night presented by Buckhead Art & Co. | Buckhead Village District | 6:30 PM
Saturday, February 28
- Saturday Vinyasa Yoga Classes with Highland Yoga | Buckhead Village | 3:00 PM
- America at 250 with Kermit Roosevelt | Turner Lynch Campus Center | 3:00 PM
- Masquerade Tea: A Bridgerton-inspired Experience | Waldorf Astoria Atlanta Buckhead Brassica | 4:00 PM
- Pasta Making class at Bella cucina | Buckhead Village District | 4:30 PM
- Rooftop Mixology Class with Inez Goodwine at St. Julep | St. Julep at Kimpton Sylvan Atlanta - Buckhead | 6:00 PM
- Del Water Gap | Buckhead Theatre | 8:00 PM
Sunday, March 01
- Lenox Square and Atlanta Mission Host Winter Clothing Drive | Lenox Square | 1:00 AM
- John Heffron | The Punchline | 6:00 PM
LOCAL GOVERNMENT DISCUSSION
School construction plan, $90M arts bonds, and new sewer noise rules
Meetings from the Past Week
Fulton County Schools Board of Education
February 19, 2026
Big agenda items: The Board approved the 2026 Local Facilities Plan, which serves as the district’s construction and renovation roadmap. They also adopted new textbooks for several programs, renewed charter school contracts for Chattahoochee Hills and FAST, and received updates on property tax assessments that impact school funding.
Neighborhood detail: The approved 2026 Local Facilities Plan identifies district-wide school repair needs and potential new building requirements based on neighborhood population growth.
Other topics: The Board reviewed policies regarding graduation requirements and the selection process for valedictorians.
Atlanta Public Schools - Policy Review Committee
February 19, 2026
Big agenda items: The committee reviewed several district-wide policies, including safety protocols, visitor regulations for school grounds, and student attendance and admission requirements. They also discussed community service requirements for high school graduation.
Other topics: The meeting included a discussion on financial procedures governing the Board Office.
Fulton County Board of Commissioners
February 18, 2026
Big agenda items: Commissioners authorized the issuance of up to $90M in revenue bonds for improvements to the Woodruff Arts Center. They also adopted a revised "Standard Details, Specifications, and Pump Station Manual" to set new technical requirements for water and sewer construction and approved a resolution to limit ICE activities at county facilities.
Neighborhood detail: New infrastructure standards were implemented for sewer rehabilitation, including the use of trenchless technology to minimize excavation in residential neighborhoods. New rules for pump stations near residential areas now require specific odor control and noise mitigation measures.
Other topics: The board extended the term of the Reparations Task Force through the end of 2026.
Atlanta City Council
February 16, 2026 at 1:00 PM
Big agenda items: The Council approved a major Mold Remediation Ordinance to establish cleanup guidelines for substandard housing. They also passed a mandate requiring push-button door activators for disability access on all new commercial and multi-family buildings and discussed equity frameworks for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Neighborhood detail: A rezoning was proposed for 1950 West Paces Ferry Road and 2518 West Wesley Road NW to allow for a 4-unit planned housing development. The Council also considered an honorary designation of a portion of Chastain Memorial Parkway as “Honorary Cooley Conlon Drive.” Other Buckhead-area properties on the agenda for various government actions included 2539 Piedmont Rd (Lindbergh Target), 3004 Piedmont Rd NE (Circle K), 2166 Peachtree Rd (Houston’s), 760 and 815 Sidney Marcus Blvd (apartments, and The Dump, respectively).
Other topics: A 180-day moratorium on new alcohol licenses was approved for the Edgewood Corridor.
Atlanta City Council - Committee on Council
February 16, 2026 at 11:30 AM
Big agenda items: The committee recommended several administrative appointments, including Delvin Davis to the Water and Sewer Appeals Board and Councilmember Liliana Bakhtiari to the Atlanta Regional Commission Board of Directors.
Other topics: The committee discussed its formal goals and objectives for the 2026 calendar year.
Upcoming Meetings in the Next Week
Atlanta City Council - Zoning Committee
Monday, February 23, 2026, 11:00 AM
The committee will consider a major policy change to prohibit new self-storage and distribution centers along the Beltline and review density increases for the Historic West End. Most notable to your neighborhood: a rezoning request for 1950 West Paces Ferry Road and 2518 West Wesley Road to allow for the construction of four single-family homes on an 11-acre site.
Atlanta City Council - Public Safety & Legal Administration Committee
Monday, February 23, 2026, 1:00 PM
Councilmembers will discuss legalizing "Happy Hour" style drink discounts citywide and the creation of a new outdoor entertainment district in South Downtown. The agenda also includes a resolution urging police to prioritize community diversion programs over arrests for low-level offenses to ease jail overcrowding.
Atlanta City Council - City Utilities Committee
Tuesday, February 24, 2026, 10:00 AM
The committee will vote on $24 million for water infrastructure management and a proposal to delay the city’s "Cool Roofs" reflectivity requirements until June 2027. Other major items include funding for levee improvements at the RM Clayton Water Reclamation Center to prevent catastrophic flooding.
Atlanta City Council — Tuesday, February 24, 2026, 1:30 PM (agenda not yet posted)
Atlanta City Council - Community Development/Human Services Committee
Tuesday, February 24, 2026, 1:30 PM
Legislators will review the creation of a centralized Office of Short-Term Rentals to handle all city permitting and enforcement for platforms like Airbnb. The committee will also consider a long-term lease in Vine City for the Andrew J. Young Foundation to develop an international peace institute.
Atlanta City Council - Transportation Committee
Wednesday, February 25, 2026, 10:00 AM
The committee will discuss infrastructure and airport beautification projects tied to the 2026 FIFA World Cup and a proposal to increase on-street metered parking fees. Additional items include grant acceptances for Peachtree Street safety improvements and several neighborhood traffic-calming measures.
Atlanta City Council - Finance/Executive Committee
Wednesday, February 25, 2026, 1:30 PM
The agenda features a $4.87 million upgrade to the city's E911 system and contracts for the "Wi-Fi World Cup" initiative to install smart lighting and internet infrastructure. Members will also consider several annexations and updates to the municipal tax code regarding interest on delinquent accounts.
Atlanta Board of Education — Monday, March 2, 2026, 2:41 AM (agenda not yet posted)
DEVELOPMENT AND CONSTRUCTION NEARBY
Peachtree residential conversion, Pinnacle updates, and tree removal permits
Permits
Looking to see what’s changing in the neighborhood? We’ve got a flurry of activity this week, from high-end residential renovations to a major multi-family conversion project on Peachtree. Here are the most notable permits recently filed or issued for our neck of the woods:
3455 Peachtree Rd. NE (Lenox): A significant Commercial Alteration valued at $200,000 is in the works for The Pinnacle building. The permit covers interior building alterations as this landmark office tower continues its updates.
W Arden Rd NW (Castlewood/Brandon): A major Residential Alteration permit was filed for $149,000. Expect some construction noise in the area as this substantial building renovation gets underway.
2460 Peachtree Rd NW (Peachtree Heights West): This address is the site of a massive Multi-Family Conversion project. Dozens of permits have been issued or are pending for various units, signaling a major residential overhaul that will likely keep the area busy with contractors and delivery vehicles for some time.
Additional Commercial Activity: Beyond the major projects above, there are over 120 other notable commercial permits totaling more than $2 million. The bulk of these are concentrated in multi-family conversions and HVAC upgrades, primarily centered around the Peachtree corridor and Buckhead Village.
In addition to these larger projects, there are 102 minor residential permits currently active across Buckhead. Most of these are for routine maintenance like HVAC repairs and electrical work, but a good chunk (18 permits) are for Arborist work involving dead or hazardous trees—so keep an ear out for chainsaws if you’re near any heavily wooded lots this week!
Road Work
If you’re planning your commute through Buckhead this week, there’s a lot of movement to keep on your radar—some of it is happening right now, while other major changes are just around the corner. Here is the latest on the GDOT projects affecting our neighborhood:
Peachtree Road Median Work (Shadowlawn Ave to Maple Drive): This project in the heart of Buckhead Village is currently Under Construction. Active work is happening now, and crews are on-site to install corridor and intersection improvements. Expect traffic impacts and shifting lanes as you navigate near the Shops at Buckhead.
Piedmont Road (SR 237) Widening: Work is Under Construction on the stretch from the SR 141 Connector to Peachtree Road. This is a major one—crews are actively on-site to widen the road from its current five-lane setup to include more capacity and sidewalk improvements. Definitely expect delays during peak hours here.
I-75 Lighting Upgrades (Musket Ridge Drive to I-85): This project is Under Construction, meaning crews are working to replace old high-pressure sodium lights with new, energy-efficient LED fixtures. You might see lane closures at night while they swap out poles and conduit along this stretch of the interstate.
West Paces Ferry Road at Northside Parkway (SR 3): This intersection is currently in the Construction Work Program phase. It’s funded and approved, so while you won't see crews out there today, work is imminent. The plan includes restriping for dual left-turn lanes and improvements under the I-75 overpass to help clear up that bottleneck.
Lenox Road Multi-use Trail (Phase III): A new shared-use path is in the Construction Work Program phase for Lenox Road between Phipps Boulevard and Piedmont Road. The project is funded, and once it starts, it will connect our commercial and residential hubs with better pedestrian access and streetscaping.
Piedmont, Roswell, and Habersham Roads Intersection: This project is also in the Construction Work Program phase. It’s currently a scoping study focused on operational improvements at this tricky three-way intersection area. Construction hasn’t started yet, but the plans are moving forward to fix the flow between these major routes.
SR 3 Resurfacing (Northside Drive): Maintenance is coming to the stretch of SR 3 from I-75 up to the Cobb County line. It is in the Construction Work Program status, meaning the project is funded and contracts are being finalized. Resurfacing is likely to begin soon, which will eventually mean a smoother ride but some temporary lane closures.
Service Requests
It’s been a busy week for city crews across Buckhead. Here’s a look at the latest service requests submitted by your neighbors to keep our streets and sidewalks in top shape:
- Potholes — Road repairs are a major priority this week with a high volume of reports along W. Wesley Rd, Peachtree Dunwoody Rd, Northside Pkwy, and Moores Mill Rd. Other trouble spots include sections of Peachtree Rd, E. Wesley Rd, W. Wieuca Rd, Piedmont Rd, Woodhaven Rd, and intersections at Peachtree Battle Ave, Mount Paran Rd, and Haven Oaks Ct.
- Traffic Signal Repairs — Maintenance crews are addressing both emergency and non-emergency signal issues at several key intersections, including Peachtree Rd at the Paces Ferry, Roswell, and Lenox Rd junctions, as well as Piedmont Rd at Lindbergh Dr, and Howell Mill Rd at Moores Mill Rd.
- Loose Metal Plates — Residents have flagged shifting or noisy metal plates on Haven Oaks Ct, Stovall Ter, and Pharr Rd.
- Right of Way Maintenance — Requests were filed for overgrowth and visibility clearing on Hillside Dr, along with litter removal services along Lenox Rd.
- Illegal Dumping — An investigation was requested to address illegal dumping occurring on Woodward Way.
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Until next week,
Buckhead Busybody
Disclaimer: We use advanced data retrieval and analysis techniques across hundreds of sources, and as such we may be prone to occasional error. Independently verify anything presented here with a second source, and please let us know if we got anything wrong via the feedback form.
