Something Old, Something New: Old Fourth Ward

The renaissance of the Old Fourth Ward neighborhood was a slow burn in the late 1990s and the early part of this decade, but over the last two years the fire has become a full blaze.

Perception has played a large part in the slower gentrification of this Downtown community. While Freedom Parkway cut a pretty swath for those looking for easy access to Virginia-Highland and Inman Park, the district’s main thoroughfare, Boulevard, was a crime-infested hangout for drug dealers, prostitutes and those looking to buy.

Some of that iniquity still remains today, but the rehabbing of the Old Fourth Ward has suddenly included a greater police presence and an attempt to clean up the neighborhood and understand its colorful place in Atlanta history.

The name Old Fourth Ward confuses many, but it simply relates to how the city of Atlanta was once broken up in voting districts, known as wards. This system ended in the 1950s, but the name stuck.

The community produced Atlanta’s two most famous names; both Martin Luther King Jr. and Margaret Mitchell were born there. Morehouse College has its origins there, and it is home to “Sweet” Auburn Avenue, once dubbed the most prosperous African-American street in the world.

Like many Intown neighborhoods, the Old Fourth fell into decline, but urban pioneers are discovering cottages ripe for renovation, and developers are responding with lofts and townhomes for those who want to live in the city. The eating and shopping ain’t so shabby either.

“It’s an exciting neighborhood,” says John O’Callaghan, president and chief executive officer of the Atlanta Neighborhood Development Partnership. “With all the new homes and retails, it’s become a vibrant area.”

The heart of the district is now bounded by Piedmont Avenue on the west, DeKalb Avenue to the south, the old Southern Railway line to the east and Ponce de Leon Avenue to the north. The ground zero for redevelopment has been on Highland Avenue and Irwin Street where the Old Fourth and its more refined neighbor, Inman Park, merge.

Restaurants like P’cheen, Zuma Sushi, Johnny’s Pizza, Inman Perk Coffee House, Highland Bakery, Fritti, Sotto Sotto and The Grape are some of the city’s hottest dining destinations along Highland Avenue and Elizabeth Street. Just to the south on Krog Street, Chef Kevin Rathbun has his eponymous restaurant and Krog Bar in the Stoveworks building. Across from Stoveworks is movie mogul Tyler Perry’s new film studio, where you can expect more films featuring his cross-dressing alter-ego Madea, as well as other feature films and television programs.

Waiting in the wings is the Old Fourth Ward’s real trump card: the proposed Beltline. The old Southern Railway line snakes through the community, backing up to many of the district’s most high-profile developments, including Inman Alley. The post-Civil War cotton warehouse has seen many uses, including a manufacturing site for Clorox and more recently as Black Box Rehearsal Studios.

Now, Inman Alley is completely restored and nearly sold out, with a mix of “entrepreneurs” drawn to the Krog Street site, according to Jeff Pollock of Parkside Partners, which developed the site with Jeannie Wooster and Richard Taylor. The 30,000-square-foot space will open this spring. Its most notable tenant will be Kevin Rathbun’s new eatery, Rathbun Steak, also scheduled to open in the spring.

Both Callaghan and Pollack agreed that the future Beltline will only enhance the district. “It will have a tremendous impact,” Callaghan said. “I think people will be riding it and discovering neighborhoods they’ve never visited. I think it will bring more interest and opportunities.”

Another major project is Tribute Lofts at the corner of Boulevard and Freedom Parkway. Located on the site of a former liquor store, the building was already 60 percent sold at press time. Sales manager Patrick Allos said the commanding views of Downtown were a huge selling point. Another is the rooftop, which will feature a saltwater pool, clubhouse, fitness center and gathering spot with fireplace.

Irwin Street is also seeing a major turnaround with the construction of the Irwin Place Townhomes at the corner of Sampson Street. The three-story homes blend seamlessly into the historic neighborhood, and developer Todd Tillman said only three weren’t spoken for at press time.

Just down the street is the funky Irwin Street Market, home to Jake’s Ice Cream and the Flower Bar. The multicolored building is hard to miss at the corner of Sampson Street. Local photographer and Flower Bar assistant Laura Winters said the retail space has become a favorite hangout for locals, especially on the weekends.

“It’s a fun space, and people enjoying coming in to relax and get something to eat, look at the art and see our flowers,” Winters said.

One of the district’s first renovations, Studioplex on Auburn Avenue, is being transformed from apartment/office space into lofts. Studioplex, a former cotton warehouse built in 1906, features 112 loft residences and 18 loft offices – any of which can be purchased for live/work space. Spaces range from 760 to 2,100 square feet and will be priced from mid $100s.