In Buckhead, meaningful change in the residential market tends to happen quietly—until it doesn’t. This spring, Kolter Urban is making a definitive impact with the start of construction on its third residential tower in Buckhead.

Elyse Buckhead, a new 20-story residential condominium tower along West Paces Ferry Road, has officially broken ground, marking a significant step forward not only for the project itself but for the broader Buckhead residential market. The milestone follows more than $60 million in early contracts, underscoring a level of demand that has been building quietly—and decisively—over the past several months.

For buyers and market observers alike, the combination of construction commencement and early sales velocity tells a clear story: confidence in well-located new construction remains strong, particularly in supply-constrained submarkets like Buckhead.

The Buckhead Market Defined by Limited New Opportunities

That dynamic is not new, but it is becoming more pronounced. Buckhead has long been defined by its established character and limited development pipeline. With few sites available for new high-rise development, most inventory consists of resale residences.

Kolter Urban, serving as development manager, brings a track record that includes the successful sellout of Graydon and The Dillon—two projects that helped shape the current condominium landscape in the neighborhood. Their performance has contributed to strong recognition among both local real estate professionals and buyers.

“Breaking ground is an important milestone, but it’s also a reflection of the response we’ve seen from the market,” said Aaron Taulbee, Regional President of Kolter Urban. “Early demand has reinforced our belief that there is a continued need for thoughtfully designed, well-located residences in Buckhead. Savvy buyers understand the advantages of entering at this stage.”

That early-stage confidence is driven by more than timing alone. It is also shaped by experience—particularly among buyers who recognize Kolter Urban’s track record in Buckhead and understand the performance of its previous developments. Historically, those who engaged in the pre-construction phase of Graydon and The Dillon benefited from both pricing advantages and broader selection, reinforcing a pattern that continues to inform buyer behavior today.

At Elyse, one- to three-bedroom residences are currently offered from just over $1 million, providing a range of entry points for those seeking a long-term position within the neighborhood.

A Construction Milestone That Changes the Conversation

Integra Construction, the general contractor for the project, brings deep experience in the Buckhead market, having delivered both Graydon and The Dillon. That continuity across Kolter Urban’s previous developments reinforces a level of consistency in execution, along with a strong familiarity with local conditions. Their involvement reflects a commitment to quality and precision in construction, with the project currently scheduled for completion in late 2028.

Design and Livability Drive Long-Term Appeal

Elyse Buckhead will include 194 residences, ranging from approximately 1,400 to over 4,000 square feet, with layouts designed to support a range of lifestyles—from full-time primary residences to those seeking a pied-à-terre or a more effortless city-based lifestyle. Expansive floor plans, floor-to-ceiling glass, and private terraces create a sense of openness that aligns with how many buyers are choosing to live today—prioritizing light, connection to the outdoors, and adaptable living space.

The amenity offering further reinforces that approach. With more than 63,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor amenities, the building has been designed as a true extension of the residences. Rather than functioning as occasional-use spaces, these environments are intended to support everyday routines—whether that includes wellness, work-from-home flexibility, entertaining, or quiet retreat. The result is a residential experience that feels both comprehensive and intentionally scaled.

Location remains a defining factor.

A Central Location Near Buckhead Village

Situated adjacent to the St. Regis Atlanta, Elyse Buckhead occupies one of the neighborhood’s most sought-after residential corridors, with immediate proximity to Buckhead Village. This positioning allows residents to engage with the area’s dining, retail, and cultural destinations while maintaining a sense of separation and residential calm—an increasingly important balance for today’s buyer.

Taken together, the project’s timing, location, design, and execution help explain its early traction. More broadly, they also reflect a market that continues to respond to well-considered new construction. As the project moves into its next phase, Elyse Buckhead offers a clear example of how demand is taking shape in one of Atlanta’s most established neighborhoods.

For those watching the evolution of Buckhead’s residential market, the message is clear:  when Kolter Urban offers a new opportunity, the luxury market takes note. The Elyse Buckhead Sales Gallery is located at 107 W Paces Ferry Road, Suite 200, across the street from the project development site. Learn more at ElyseBuckhead.com or call 404.777.6259.

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Hudson Rouse, founder of Whoopsie’s and Pure Quill Superette, opened his all-day cafe, Babygirl, on April 11, bringing with it a sense of familiarity. The restaurant moves into Hosea and 2nd—near Gene’s and Poor Hendrix—in a neighborhood Rouse has known for years.

“The first farmer’s market I ever sold at was in the lot across the street,” he says. “That was really where I got my start in the food scene in Atlanta.”

Now he returns to the area, serving breakfast, lunch, and weekend brunch including favorites from his recently shuttered Avondale Estates breakfast spot Rising Son.

“Rising Son can live on,” he says. “The ethos and mentality are the same—we want to support local and get to know our community.”

Photo by Claudia Ross

Rouse’s famous three-ingredient Rising Son biscuits will be available a la carte or as sandwiches, including one with fried chicken thigh, Swiss cheese fondue, and a chive omelet. Other callbacks include a grits bowl with fried trout, waffles with fruit and cream or fried chicken and collards. Rouse swapped the loose hash browns in his Hashed Out bowl to a crisp McDonald’s-style patty topped with Riverview Farms sausage, Pine Street Market bacon, peppers, and onions. A smoked salmon version pairs egg and crème fraîche atop the hash brown patty in a way that recalls latkes and lox.

A seasonal smoothie will be available daily, beginning with strawberry banana. “We’ll change it as we get tired of it,” Rouse says. “As a cook, you can’t eat biscuits and gravy every day, so we usually make smoothies.”

Coffee comes from Natural Born Roasters—another thread connecting Babygirl to Rouse’s earlier projects—with rotating single-varietal selections and an espresso program centered on straightforward classics rather than compete with Perc Coffee across the street.

Photo by Claudia Ross

As the day progresses, the kitchen expands beyond breakfast as well. Lunch brings salads like Cobb, Niçoise, and spring vegetable salad with fried goat cheese. There’s a a fried fish sandwich and a smashburger made with Riverview Farms beef, shaved Vidalia onion, and white American cheese.

Babygirl was designed primarily for dine-in with 58 seats indoors and 16 outside; however, both counter service and table service will be offered. Designed by Claudia Ross, the space features light wood tables, a colorful wall-sized window, and a Danish-meets-Japanese aesthetic. Rouse is perhaps most excited about the open kitchen, where he plans to spend his mornings. “I’m looking forward to cooking breakfast every day,” he says.

The restaurant is named for Rouse’s family—he has two daughters and a son—and follows the same thinking behind his restaurant group, Rising Sons and Daughters. That team, notably, includes much of Rising Son’s staff.

Photo by Claudia Ross

The bar program is led by longtime Porter Beer Bar fixture Justin Wickline. It will focus on classic breakfast and brunch cocktails, from Irish coffee modeled after that at San Francisco’s Buena Vista Café to an espresso martini, Harvey Wallbanger, and Death in the Afternoon. Wine will be natural and seasonal, while the beer list stays small and local. Rising Son’s pineapple mimosas may be gone, but fresh-squeezed orange juice will be poured daily, with the peels turned into marmalade for biscuits.

Dessert leans simple and nostalgic. House will move the soft-serve machine from Pure Quill to Babygirl, offering sundaes to “give kids in the neighborhood something they’ll recognize,” he says.  “I’ve watched the neighborhood grow [and] my friends open restaurants here. Now, I’m being welcomed back with open arms.”

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