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Nick Churton of the Harry Norman, London office discovers the delights of a wonderful colonial house in one of Atlanta’s most exclusive neighbourhoods.

The Property: 175 Peachtree Circle NE

The Broker: Harry Norman

The Agent: Erin Yabroudy

Atlanta unveils its attractions slowly and beguilingly to the newcomer. It is a city of many parts. There is the cultural Atlanta, the sporting Atlanta, the historic Atlanta, the modern Atlanta and the commercial Atlanta – among many others. There are also lots of interesting, exciting, elegant and secluded residential communities that cluster around great schools and attractive public parks.

One of these communities is Ansley Park, a fashionable residential neighbourhood speculatively created between 1905 and1908 by railroad and real estate magnate, Edwin P. Ansley. There are many echoes of a genteel past at Ansley Park, a past memorably referred to in Margaret Mitchell’s famous novel, Gone With The Wind. The area still retains a quietly dignified Southern aura.

Who lives in Ansley Park? A cross section really. There are some big Atlanta law firms based close by. So lawyers like to live in Ansley Park. The Governor of Georgia lives there. So too do executives from some of Atlanta’s major businesses that include The Coca Cola Company and Delta Airlines. Then there are families with histories that stretch back before the American Civil War that ended just forty years before development at Ansley Park began.

Houses follow a great many architectural styles in Ansley Park, including eye-catching mid-century moderns. But perhaps the most iconic homes are those in the colonial mode with handsome columned porticos.

One such house is 175 Peachtree Circle NE, within walking distance of Piedmont Park, the Beltline, Atlanta Botanical Gardens, shops, restaurants and Atlanta’s superb art gallery, the High Museum of Art

But this house with its ground floor French windows opening onto the wide front terrace is not all that it seems from the outside. The interior has been transformed into a contemporary space packed with charm which certainly nods to the past but is decidedly up to date.

Another surprise is saved for the rear of the property where there is a terraced deck garden, motor court, garages and an enormous studio with kitchenette and cloakroom – or half-bath as they say in the US. This makes a great family room or guest accomodation.

I really liked this baby grand of a house with a fabulous location to match.It was a great introduction to Atlanta.