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The History of Buckhead What’s In A Name? For Atlanta’s original posh destination--Buckhead--there’s plenty. Before becoming the now thriving urban district, even before its original fame as a sought-after estate suburb of Atlanta, Buckhead was a mere tavern. Henry Irby founded his general store and pub in 1837, killed a huge deer and mounted the buck head for passerbys to see, and just like that, Buckhead began its modern history. During Irby’s time the lush wilderness region of Buckhead held a Creek Indian village called Standing Peachtree. A network of Indian trails lead to this village, making it an important trading center, and centuries later Buckhead continues to define thriving Atlanta commerce as home to Lenox Square, the preeminent Atlanta shopping district. Lenox Square is now home to over 170 stores including Macy’s, Rich’s, Neiman Marcus and Laura Ashley. The seventy-four acres running alongside where Lenox Square now stands hold a history as rich as its inhabitants. Today, it is the place where Atlantans shop. The Golden Age By the late 19th century Buckhead had become an elite suburban district where wealthy people lived serenely on lush, well-tended estates. One such estate, The Ottley residence, would later become the site of Lenox Mall in 1959. Since 1959 the shopping district has become a modern Irby's tavern, the social and commercial hub of Buckhead---and now, all of Atlanta. John Ottley was an Atlanta banker and sportsman, and bought the 74 acre property around the turn of the 20th century. Social life in Buckhead centered around the Ottley estate and others. 1900 - 1929 were the golden age of Atlanta society: the social calendar of Buckhead elite included football season, debutante season, Christmas receptions and grand opera. With the automobile thriving just after the first World War, the Ottley’s opted to live year-round at their Buckhead estate. The family’s decision encouraged a wave of high-end construction of fashionable Buckhead city homes. In 1945 the estate was purchased by a real estate investment group, who converted it to Buckhead’s oldest luxury apartments. “Everything’s There At Lenox Square” The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation purchased the Ottley estate in 1956. The Ottey home was demolished and Big Stone Hill where Creek Indians had ground their corn and generations of privileged Atlantans had picnicked and played, was dynamited. Preliminary construction of Lenox Square began in 1957, and the Joe Amisano design was complete by 1958. A new era in Atlanta luxury was born. Atlanta newspapers called the lavish new venue the largest regional shopping center south of New York. The mall’s slogan was "Everything's There At Lenox Square." Lenox Square is now right in the heart of Buckhead and is surrounded by high-rise condos, lofts, swanky hotels and other local shops and businesses. In the early 1990s Lenox Square began renovations and additions. It is now one of two very upscale malls in Atlanta, although Lenox Square boasts the greatest number of designer/couture style shops. Phipps Plaza, adjacent to Lenox Square, did not even exist in 1959. Today, it is home to Saks Fifth Avenue, Parisian and a new Nordstrom, which was rebuilt at the old Lord & Taylor site. Joining The Legacy Whether discovered by the appeal of at-your-door designer shopping, the proximity to the heart of the Atlanta social scene, or the mere convenience to all the modern luxuries man has to offer, the much sought after estates of Buckhead are as old a tradition of wealth and comfort as the city itself. The Ben Hirsh Team can gracefully guide your inauguration into the Buckhead community; contact us today.
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