By Emily Graham

Nestled between the popular neighborhoods of Kirkwood, Little Five Points and Candler Park, Edgewood has, for the most part, gone undiscovered. A wave of new residents and home renovations is causing Atlantans to take notice.

Like its neighbors, Edgewood is filled with Craftsman-style bungalows and Victorian homes, as well as a mix of brick and wood panel homes. Edgewood's greatest asset is its location. The neighborhood encompasses the area between Moreland Avenue and Kirkwood, and from I-20 to Candler Park.

"We're less than one mile from I-20, the shops of Virginia-Highland, Candler Park and Little Five Points, and we're very close to downtown," said resident Kristal Manning.
Manning and her partner bought a home in Edgewood two years ago after renting a house for years in Virginia-Highland. When they decided to move, they desired an intown location, but wanted a house in the $150,000 price range. Not only were homes in Edgewood more affordable than other intown neighborhoods, but the area also had an appealing mix of residents.

"We liked the demographics of the neighborhood," Manning said. "It's a good mix of white and black, straight and gay."

The area is seeing a surge in residential renovation as well as commercial development. Most notably, two developers are vying for the old Atlanta Gas Light building on Moreland Avenue. For now, Edgewood residents must drive to area shopping centers and restaurants, but it may not be long before such amenities are within walking distance, said ONE Vice President Garry Long.

"The development is not there yet, but it's coming," Long said. "The properties are here and the convenience factor makes it comparable to all these other neighborhoods."
With its lack of name recognition, Edgewood is often confused with nearby Kirkwood. The Organized Neighbors of Edgewood are working to gain notoriety. Edgewood flags fly from many porches, and the association has plans to install street sign toppers to mark their neighborhood, Long said.

"It's a hot little area that still is pretty unknown," Long said. "That will go a long way toward recognition."

Creative Loafing, 4/4/2001