The City of Chamblee, located in northern Dekalb, is a vibrant, diverse community just 14 miles from downtown Atlanta. Chamblee offers international flair while maintaining its vintage buildings and architecture with plenty of entertaining locations for residents of all ages to explore.
Chamblee is known as a city embodying three entities: dairy, railroads, and the military. Originally known for its dairy farms, this city has become one of the most thriving urban cities with a diverse community. In the late 19th century, two intersecting railroads were constructed, one being used to transport residents between Atlanta and Charlotte, NC. Chamblee was also home to Camp Gordon, a military operation and training facility that was home to 40,000 servicemen during World War I and World War II. The site caused a building boom as a result of the city’s sudden growth in population. After Camp Gordon was closed following the war, it reopened as the Navy Flight Training Center.
Most homes in Chamblee embody a traditional style. Much of its residential development took place during the 1947 blue-collar industry surge after the General Motors plant opened in Doraville. The city’s resident occupancy skyrocketed due to its affordable housing and close proximity to the plant.
Peachtree Park, also known as City Hall Park, is located in the center of downtown Chamblee next to City Hall. Constructed in 1995, this downtown park serves as a modified town square with its elaborate arbor. The park is a favorite spring and summer lunch spot for surrounding office workers with its numerous benches and covered gazebo.
During the early 2000s, Chamblee began growing and become more refined. A new city hall was constructed in 2002. In 2010, Chamblee attached an area that includes Huntley Hills and the population was estimated at 5,000 residents. Peachtree Industrial Boulevard went on to be renamed as Peachtree Boulevard and the city began taking steps to revitalize its downtown area.
Atlanta’s Chinatown Mall is located in the heart of Downtown Chamblee. Opening in 1988, it has been the cultural center for the growing population of Chinese Americans in and around DeKalb County, GA. The I.D.E.A. Gallery has unique energy as a platform for artists to showcase their work in a non-traditional style that creates beautiful harmony between different pieces.
Plaza Fiesta, a 350,000 square-foot retail center that draws 4.4 million visitors a year from all over the Southeast, was first opened in 1968 as the Buford-Clairmont Mall. In 1996 the strip was remodeled as a busy Hong Kong street and renamed the Oriental Mall. Just four years later, new owners spent $11 million to transform the mall into Plaza Fiesta. With over 280 retail and specialty stores, a dozen restaurants, healthcare services, a fitness center and the largest indoor playground in Georgia, Plaza Fiesta is a hub of activity seven days a week.
Over the span of 100+ years, Chamblee doubled in size and continues to expand its thriving city. It now holds a population of almost 30,000 residents. In addition to being a hub of cultural diversity, Chamblee is known for some of the best-in-class festivals and events. The popular Taste of Chamblee Festival is the city’s largest event with cuisine from many of the incredible international restaurants along Atlanta’s International Corridor, Buford Highway.
This up and coming community still has plenty of resources and room to grow. Chamblee residences are in high demand among empty-nesters and other homeowners looking to downsize while remaining close to Atlanta. Chamblee’s revitalization of the historic district is expected to draw even more business infrastructure, robust restaurant selections, residential developments, and plenty of green space for years to come. As new developments continue to emerge throughout the city, there will be a constant aim to make transit easily accessible while also fostering a pedestrian-friendly community.
At Karen Cannon, Realtors, we are local real estate experts for Brookhaven, Dunwoody, Sandy Springs, and North Atlanta. We live, work, and play here, and our agents are hand-picked for their connections in the community. Our clients know about homes coming on the market before anyone else. And our highly effective marketing program allows us to shorten the number of days on the market. We’ve even put homes under contract sight unseen!
If you are thinking about selling your home, or are interested in moving into Chamblee, Brookhaven, Dunwoody, Sandy Springs or the surrounding areas, call us at 770-352-9658 send us an email at Info@KarenCannon.com. Check out our current listings here.