Buying a home is one of the most significant personal and financial decisions you will ever make. So, who do you turn to when you need advice about a residential purchase? Do you call your favorite local real estate professional, who can provide you with objective, expert guidance as you weigh the possibilities? Or do you speak to someone who lives where you hope to settle so you can get bona fide exclusive information about the community you’re considering? Clearly, there are benefits to having insights from both sides of the discussion so you can make a solid and highly education decision.

Here, we look at two of the hottest condo properties in Atlanta and share the perspectives of the people who know all about the condo lifestyle best: those who work to connect home buyers with the perfect condominium home and those who already are living their condo dream. So take note and get ready for an insider’s view of one of Atlanta’s most sought-after intown residential options.

The Real Estate Professional

J5 Midtown
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According to Christa Huffstickler, founder and CEO of Engel & Völkers Atlanta, there are a number of reasons to consider intown for your first or next home purchase. “Intown living is so appealing to buyers across Atlanta right now because of the top-tier dining, shopping and entertainment options right at your doorstep,” she explains. “Intown living affords buyers the opportunity to live a semi-car-free lifestyle with all of the amenities one would need within walking distance. It’s the most attractive for buyers looking to be 10 to 15 minutes from the hottest neighborhoods around metro Atlanta.”

Fortunately, Atlanta’s intown market is replete with home purchasing options. In recent years, condominiums have become a coveted alternative to single-family homes and townhomes, and Engel & Völkers Atlanta manages sales for one of the area’s most in-demand developments: The J5. Located at the corner of Juniper and 5th streets in Midtown, The J5 offers a mix of urban energy and at-home serenity. The six-story building’s contemporary, well-appointed condos start in the mid-$400s and are as unique as they are spectacular, marked by neutral interiors with top-quality finishes, ample natural light and high ceilings that provide and open and airy feel throughout. The one- and two-bedroom homes also boast livable outdoor space with terraces and balconies, as well as numerous floor-to-ceiling windows. Additionally, the building boasts an array of resort-style amenities, including a sparkling saline pool, two private elevated courtyards with green space, summer kitchens, hammocks, fire pits, an onsite gym and more. What’s more, J5 Midtown is located in one of the metro area’s most beloved neighborhoods, the Historic Garden District.

For those who want to get to know this property, Huffstickler shares her thoughts about the stylish and sophisticated condo property.

What draws people to The J5 in Midtown?
J5 is truly a unique condo product for Midtown Atlanta. Each aspect of the building was thoughtfully designed by expert architects Smith Dalia. The building caters to a wide net of buyers, from first-time homeowners to on-the-go executives and others, with its expansive floor plans, state-of-the-art amenities and location within the heart of Atlanta’s Garden District. The concept of indoor-outdoor living is well executed in a community so immersed in one of Atlanta’s hottest neighborhoods.

What are the best features of the development?
J5 was designed for the modern buyer. Each residence is equipped with towering ceilings heights, ranging from 11 to 23 feet, expansive outdoor spaces, a sparkling saline pool and well-appointed main living areas. The entire property is Wi-Fi enabled, creating constant connectivity for homeowners. To add to the building’s luxury feel and to play up its incredible views, J5 features a rooftop club room with a large deck overlooking Atlanta’s Midtown skyline. Additional building amenities include two courtyards featuring arbors, grilling spaces, fire-pit-centered gathering areas, an elevated city garden and a professional-grade fitness center.

What sets J5 apart?
J5 is the most uniquely designed condo development in Atlanta. The mid-rise, six-story ziggurat form design of the building was a first for the city, setting it apart from its competitors. The rear façade of the building has step-down levels to allow for larger footprints for each of the 150 residences’ outdoor terraces.

What does the surrounding community offer to residents of J5?
Located in the heart of Atlanta’s Garden District, J5 is near hundreds of dining and entertainment options, with Piedmont Park and the Atlanta Botanical Garden a short distance away. The building is easily accessible from I-75/85 and within walking distance to Old Fourth Ward. With sleek interior finishes and resort-style amenities, J5 is the premier option for intown living for those seeking a brand new Midtown condominium at this competitive price point.

The Residents

Seven88 West Midtown
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Of course, there’s nothing quite like living the condo lifestyle yourself. And one of the city’s most popular condominium developments made its debut when construction began in 2018 on Seven88 West Midtown, a beautiful 22-story building located on Atlanta’s Westside. Offering a hip, urban lifestyle, the property features a unique all-glass exterior and offers dramatic city views and open vistas from every direction. The bold, contemporary architecture includes floor-to-ceiling windows inside each of the property’s 279 luxury residences, affording those views to everyone. And home buyers can choose from 20 exceptional floor plans designed to maximize the building’s views and space. The homes, which include one-, two- and three-bedroom options, as well as penthouses, are priced from the mid-$300s to more than $1 million and feature designer finishes presented in three distinct options, hardwood flooring and kitchens with European-style cabinetry with under-mount lighting, waterfall-edge quartz countertops, tiled backsplashes and more.

Residents Virginia Yerger Avisto and Jeff Hallman are happy to share their experiences at Seven88 West Midtown with other possible homeowners, as both not only enjoy the condo development itself, but also the intown lifestyle afforded by their homes. “While there are many lovely places to live outside the perimeter, the majority of the action and the vibe are intown, in my opinion. Everything I need or want to do, for the most part, is within an easy five to 25 minutes,” Avisto says. “And it is easy living for people who wish to simplify their lives or who want to travel and do not want the cost and stress of upkeep on a traditional home.”

Hallman agrees, adding, “I have found that living in a condo gives me so much more time to pursue interests and outside activities. I don’t have a yard to keep, and I don’t have the continued maintenance to attend to in my free time. I can choose how I satisfy those exact needs. I have volunteered my time to a group that I support and other family members on their household and maintenance projects. This has been much more rewarding than just doing something that benefits only me.”

Both Avisto and Hallman offer their own personal words of advice to those interested in Seven88 West Midtown and the transition to the condo lifestyle.

What drew you to Seven88 West Midtown?
Avisto: I was in the market seeking a new condo in Atlanta proper, one bedroom with a spectacular view, and that is just what I got. I love my unit. It is bright and open and just what I need for this chapter of my life. Having a 24/7 concierge is a big plus, and it is exciting to be part of a new community set in a still up-and-coming part of Atlanta. I also like the clean design of the building. Having an indoor dog park (and dog wash area) is a great asset as well.

Hallman: We were one of the very first, if not first, people to close on a Seven88 condo. We were drawn to Seven88 because of the industrial history of the area, the beautiful architecture, the quality of the finishes and the unparalleled Buckhead to stadium views. My unit is everything I ever wanted in appointments for a condo. I have never seen a more dramatic view than from my unit. We made such a great choice moving to Seven88; it was a leap of faith, and we recognized the potential and bought in 20 months before completion.

What are the best features of the property?
Avisto: The finish out is so attractive, from the lobby and the amenities to the hallways and the units themselves.

Hallman: The finishes, views and staff. The staff and management have been a pleasure to interact with when I have a question and need assistance. Nothing is ever perfect, but Seven88 has been the best home experience I have ever encountered in all the places I have called home.

What sets Seven88 West Midtown apart?
Avisto: We are the first of its kind in West Midtown, and Seven88 is a development that offers more price points to choose from versus other high-rises. As such, we have a great cross-section of interesting people.

Hallman: The view and staff set Seven88 apart. The residents as well.

What does the surrounding community offer to residents of Seven88?
Avisto: I would say Seven88 is set in an industrial part of the ATL that continues to innovate and is located down the street from the new Westside Park and close to the airport. We are within walking distance from several of the best restaurants in Atlanta: Forza Storico, The Optimist, Miller Union, Red Bird and Marcel, to name a few. We are also close enough to Buckhead and Midtown to enjoy restaurants, shopping and more.

Hallman: The community offers a relaxed and engaging atmosphere. Although there is a relaxed atmosphere, this energy of the community will continue to make it thrive. I also need to mention Quarry Park. If you have not been there since it opened, you should go. It is nearby, and I think it will have so much more than Piedmont Park to offer as it continues to develop.

What is your advice to someone who is considering condo living?
Avisto: If you are ready for more carefree living, start your research by understanding that many older condos in significant parts of town need renovation and do not have ideal parking. Seven88 presents a fresh and new option.

Hallman: Do it now! I had to invest money and time as Seven88 was in development. You don’t have to now. If you wait too much longer, you will end up missing a fantastic opportunity. I believe the area is becoming the new focal point for Atlanta.