Neighborhood Origins And Historic Transformation
The West Highlands neighborhood occupies the historic footprint of Heman Edward Perry Homes, originally known as the Sweat Road Project when it broke ground in April 1953. Following completion in the winter of 1954, Perry Homes operated as part of the Low Rent Housing Program until sustaining significant destruction from an eight-mile tornado path in March 1975. The remaining public housing apartments at the site were completely demolished in 1999 to clear the way for master-planned redevelopment. Atlanta Housing partnered with Perry Homes Redevelopment, Columbia Residential LLC, and Brock Built LLC to construct West Highlands using federal HOPE VI grant funds. The transformation replaced concentrated public housing with mixed-income rentals and for-sale residences along Perry Boulevard Northwest.
Residential Architecture And Community Layout
The first completed phase of West Highlands was Columbia Estates, which opened as a fully occupied residential section. In total, the community layout incorporates over 650 single-family homes alongside 700 apartment units and for-sale townhomes. Recent residential additions near 2000 Perry Boulevard Northwest include 65 units consisting of both detached single-family houses and townhomes ranging from 1,400 to 2,500 square feet. The neighborhood combines market-rate residences with designated affordable units supported by development cost subsidies from Atlanta Housing. In addition to private homes, master plans for the area integrated a senior complex, public housing components, and communal greenspaces.
Regional Connections And Surrounding Amenities
West Highlands is connected to wider northwest Atlanta transportation corridors, including nearby Interstate 285 and access routes toward Midtown. Pedestrian and recreational circulation through the neighborhood is supported by dedicated parks, greenspace, and a PATH multi-use trail. The district is tied to infrastructure enhancements planned around the Hollywood Road corridor and the Bolton and Marietta LCI plan. Industrial activity borders the eastern edge of the community at Norfolk Southern's extensive Inman Yard rail facility. Broader development blueprints for West Highlands have outlined community amenities including retail space, a public golf course, a library, day care, and a YMCA.