WELCOME TO OUR NEIGHBORHOOD!
First developed in 1893, Virginia-Highland (VaHi) in northeast Atlanta was one of the city's original 'trolley suburbs.' The neighborhood's borders - Briarcliff Road on the east, Ponce de Leon on the south, the BeltLine and Piedmont Park on the west, and Amsterdam Avenue on the north – were formalized in the early 1970’s amid a multiyear fight that stopped the Georgia Highway Department from building a four-lane freeway across the community. Land cleared along Virginia Avenue for that interstate was turned into a park, John Howell Memorial Park. The name Virginia-Highland comes from the heart of the community: the cross roads of Virginia Ave NE and North Highland Ave.
Virginia-Highland has a wealth of amazing buildings and public spaces. We host the city's oldest continuously operating fire station, Fire Station #19. Ponce de Leon Library serves as both an incredible knowledge hub and a polling place for many in the neighborhood. VaHi host four public parks: John Howell Memorial Park, Orme Park, and The Triangle are each City of Atlanta Parks, while North Highland Park is owned and maintained by VHCA. Amongst our blend of home styles, ages and underlying residential zoning, we have a half dozen places of worship and one of the most exciting, historic commercial corridors of restaurants, butcher shops, boutique shopping, yoga studios, art galleries, and more.
Our community is served by a number of public schools, including Springdale Park Elementary - better known as 'SPARK' - which sits on VaHi's eastern border. Virginia-Highland Elementary as the newest kid on the block is getting ready to open for the 2023-2024 school year. Howard Middle School in Old Fourth Ward and Midtown High in Midtown are just outside of VaHi western border, the Atlanta BeltLine.
The Virginia-Highland Civic Association (VHCA) is led by a board of elected volunteers who dedicate time to Parks, Planning, Fundraising, and Social events. VHCA is the community's official (but not sole) and formal voice on city regulatory efforts such as, development, land use, zoning, festival permitting, special events, alcohol licenses, legislation, and other quality of life issues that impact our day to day livability in VaHi. All neighborhood residents are eligible for membership to VHCA. To opt-in, sign up here!
The association’s largest events – Summerfest and the Tour of Homes - are volunteer-intense productions that generate funding for planning, parks, schools, libraries, community organizations, and nonprofits. Proceeds from these events go directly back to the neighborhood, as none of our directors or volunteers are compensated from the money raised by these events. Find out more and be the first to find out when you get the VaHi Voice, distributed periodically to all members.
VHCA Planning Committee and Board meet monthly and welcome you! Please check our calendar and join us.
Questions? Explore our specific committee headings or contact us at [email protected].