“SoNo” Defined!

SoNo: , noun

1. A rapidly developing district of downtown Atlanta, inhabited by a myriad of city-dwellers who enjoy the convenience of midtown and downtown, loft living, luxury condos and apartments, with the benefit of being able to walk to great restaurants, nightclubs and cultural centers.

2. also So•No A district of downtown Atlanta noted for excellence in healthcare facilities, music festivals, banking centers, parks, shopping, neighborhood pubs, restaurants and clubs, houses of worship and convenient transportation. The area is south of North Avenue, hence the name.


The bedraggled "Flatbottoms" of Atlanta in an area once known as Bedford-Pine have morphed into one of the hippest and safest areas in the city. The community has a new moniker (the name coined by Brian Glass, president of Central Atlanta Neighbors) to go along with its new image and rapid development: SoNo -- South of North.

Restaurants, pubs, luxury apartments and affordable condominiums, healthcare facilities and businesses have emerged in this once-destitute area of downtown. The added security--from the City of Atlanta Police and the Central Atlanta Progress Ambassador Force to the private security provided by local businesses--makes this a great place to call home.

LOCAL NOTES

Central Atlanta Neighbors
Monthly Community Meeting: First Thursday of every month at 6:30 pm. Community Room, Waterford on Piedmont

RESIDENTIAL

450 Piedmont
Central Park Lofts
CityHeights
Freedom Lofts
Gables Cityscape
Highland Walk
McGill Park
McGill Place
Post at Renaissance
Renaissance Park Condominiums
Savannah Midtown
Siena Condominiums
Summit Midtown Apartments
The Enclave at Renaissance
The Reynolds
The Telephone Factory Lofts
The Waterford on Piedmont
Renaissance Lofts
Renaissance II

BUSINESSES

Atlanta Chiropractic Associates
Atlanta Civic Center
Atlanta Travel Experts
Bank of America
Blue Sky Real Estate, Jennifer Spivey
Courtyard by Marriott Downtown
Emory-Crawford Long Hospital
Fairfield Inn by Marriott Downtown
Fast Signs
Five Star Hotel & Spas
Georgia Power Company Headquarters
Heather's Custom Jewelry & Gifts
Hilton Atlanta Hotel
Linden Medical Center
MotherDaughter & Co. Cleaning Service
Publix on Piedmont
Sheraton Atlanta Hotel
Southface Energy Institute
The Savannah Suites
Travel Lodge
Walgreens
Washington Mutual Bank
Worldwide Leisure Travel

COMMUNITY
INFORMATION

Central Atlanta Neighbors
Central Atlanta Progress
Downtown Connects

Georgia Aquarium
St. Luke's Episcopal Church
Zone 5 Police

Atlanta Intown Living Resources

 

 

Map & Boundaries

Contact Us


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What It's All About.....

To the north of Downtown and to the south of Midtown, is an area of Atlanta now dubbed “SoNo” – South of North. Signs are popping up on street corners in the newly-named district proudly advertising its new moniker. And proud it should be!

The idea to rename the rapidly developing area SoNo came from New York’s SoHo district (South of Houston). Like SoHo, this district is a complete live-work-play community with one of Atlanta's most diverse populations.

More Fun, Less Money: Central Atlanta Progress has made available at no cost their downtown discount card -- Downtown Connects -- to anyone just for the asking. The Downtown Connects Card brings you the opportunity to experience the best Downtown Atlanta has to offer at a discounted price! Whether you're a Downtown Atlanta resident, out-of-state visitor, or simply traveling in from the suburbs, the Downtown Connects card enables you to enjoy all Downtown Atlanta has to offer at a discounted price.

The free program provides special offers and discounts at Downtown attractions, restaurants, hotels, stores, and museums throughout Downtown Atlanta. The card can be downloaded online or picked up at any of the many offering affiliates for unlimited use while in Downtown Atlanta.

 

Where to Play: Your first stop should be O’Terrill’s Neighborhood Pub on Piedmont Avenue. Similar to traditional pubs in Ireland, you'll get that same warm and welcoming feeling. While their menu is not completely Irish, its owners are true descents of the old sod and they bring to Atlanta the best fish and chips we've ever tasted. The open-air patio overlooks the SoNo's Renaissance Park, and they provide free private parking as well as there is ample free street parking at night. And if a couple of pints of Guinness and their fish and chips make you yearn for a visit to Ireland, the owner's wife, Linda, one of Midtown Atlanta’ most respected travel agents, will help you plan extraordinary Tours to Ireland, even over St. Patrick's Day!

A block north and you'll find the newest arrival in SoNo -- RARE -- an upscale soul-food lounge. The restaurant has a retro speakeasy feel, with a lengthy bar giving way to a swank lounge area with sexy reclining seats, decorated with ornate chandeliers and rich-colored fabrics. The eclectic menu is tapas-style, focusing upon interpretations of classic soul food, like lobster mac-and-cheese and grits with turkey sausage. Parking presents a problem, but valet parking is available.

Immediately next door is Midtown Tavern, a favorite for Midtown 20-somethings and Tech students. A raised stage provides room for live acts, open mic night, and other events. A mix of televisions offer sports viewing, while guests can also make use of the pool tables, video games, and dartboard for a little fun, along with the weekly poker tournaments. Their food is traditional bar fare, however, dishes like chipotle honey glazed chicken and grilled ahi tuna are available.

A few blocks west, you’ll find the long-established Mick’s and the Pleasant Peasant restaurants. Both mainstays in SoNo for decades, they continue to serve excellent food in pleasing atmospheres and ample valet parking.

Head a block south on Peachtree and you’ll find newly-renovated New American Shakespeare Tavern. Unlike other theaters, it is a place out of time: a place of live music, hand-crafted period costumes, daring sword fights centered on the passion and poetry of the spoken word. With an authentic British pub menu and a broad selection of Irish ales and premium brews, the Shakespeare Tavern is a place to eat, drink, and nourish the soul while experiencing SoNo.

Don’t leave SoNo without experiencing DJango, a meeting point of influences from Asia, Latin America and North Africa with a distinct Mediterranean accent. Both the menu and the décor are designed to reflect the flavors and nuances of these fascinating cultures. Django features a street-level bar and restaurant with a mezzanine and an open-air patio-deck for al fresco dining or libations. The basement level - aka “The Belly”- features live music, cabaret, DJs and dancing.

Circling back to Piedmont Avenue you’ll be at the cultural center of SoNo: The Atlanta Civic Center. Upcoming events include the King Tut Exhibit, Paula Deen Live, The Hermitage Ballet and The Lion King.

Where to Live: People moving into town from the suburbs are flocking to SoNo, leasing or buying the plethora of available and affordable housing choices. With thousands of new voters and increased tax revenues, it’s no surprise that the district has improved so dramatically.

At the center of SoNo sits Renaissance Park with luxury apartments, lofts and condominiums surrounding the blossoming trees and winding walkways. The luxury Waterford Apartments has been a boon to the area and has earned its registry of eclectic and expect-the-best tenants! And with views looking directly over Renaissance Park or the city skyline, it’s no wonder that it’s a good choice for folks moving into SoNo.

If high-rise living is not your style, the well-established and beautifully-landscaped apartments at 450 Piedmont should be on your list of places to check out. Directly across from the Atlanta Civic Center and a few blocks from MARTA, the location and the amenities make it an excellent choice.

Post Properties provides SoNo with an oasis in the middle of the city at Post Renaissance offering beautiful city views, townhouses, ten-foot ceilings, pools, a fitness center, and even an urban vegetable garden. With their outstanding security, fireplaces and walk-in closets, balconies and sunrooms, SoNo is proud to have a Post property as a part of the community.

If a condo is your preference, the luxurious and extraordinary Reynolds is now open, located at the corner of Peachtree Street and Linden Avenue. The Reynolds includes 130 residences atop a four-level parking deck as well as 8,000 square feet of restaurant and retail space fronting Peachtree Street. The Reynolds is a classic residential building that relates to its urban fabric, including the historic North Avenue Presbyterian Church next door, and will enliven the neighborhood with restaurants and sidewalk cafés. The building is designed to provide a boutique condominium feel with larger and fewer units, a greater percentage of two-bedroom residences and more traditional architecture to provide a different choice compared to other properties in the area.

These are but a few of the highlights of SoNo. It's an area worth checking out.

by Elise Farrell