Free-flowing floor plan pleases family

A public school search brought John Woods, an investment banker with Oppenheimer and Co., and wife Janelle to Heyward Square in Marietta. Janelle chatted about their most recent move with their four boys.

Enlarge this image

Photos by Christopher Oquendo / AJC Special

Heyward Square is a residential community located in Marietta.

Enlarge this image

John and Janelle Woods’ home has 6 bedrooms, 5 full and 3 half baths, a finished basement and more than 5,700 square feet of liveable space.

Getting there

Take I-75 north to I-285 east to Exit 24 (Riverside Drive) and turn left onto Riverside Drive. Turn left onto Johnson Ferry Road. Turn right onto Lower Roswell Road. Turn left into Heyward Square.

Atlanta home development stories

Shorter commute, more sleep 
Location, busy social calendar, diversity of ages among draws 
'I think the house found me' 

Q. Where did you move from?

A. Sandy Springs.

What brought you to this neighborhood?

The schools. My older boys had been to private school since they were in preschool and they really wanted to go to public school, and they’re athletes, so we wanted a good sports program for them. We moved to Walton (High School).

What did you know about the homes in that area?

When I first moved to Georgia 16 years ago I actually lived right across the street from where we live now. I rented a house for eight months because we were new to the area and I wanted to get to know the area. I loved it. It was a great suburb of Atlanta. You don’t have to get out and leave unless you want to go to Bloomingdales. With the school system and having twin boys who are going to be driving, for them to drive to school, to restaurants, to their friends’ house and not have to get on the highway, it really was a nice little pocket.

Did you look at new homes and resales?

We looked for both. Honestly I found that the resales, by the time you put the money into updating them, you were spending what you would get for a new home.

What was on your must list for a home?

One of the first things I wanted was a great neighborhood where the kids could get out and ride their bikes. We have a neighborhood where the kids can go out and play from sunup to sundown.

What did you like about the home’s layout?

The floor plan is kind of wide open, free flowing. For kids, it was great because the kitchen area really opens up to the breakfast room and the den, where we spend most of our time. The kids can sit and do their homework and I can cook and the little ones can watch TV. When you’re in a house so big, you don’t want to get where everybody disperses to their own little hole and you never see anybody.

What’s something you haven’t had in another home?

We just added a wine cellar and a theater room. I’ve never really wanted one. My husband was the one that said with the kids (the theater) was going to be great. Since we added it, I’m totally sold on it. It’s hard to go to the movies with the different age groups.

Did you sell your other home before buying this one?

We did not. For a while we did have two homes, but at Christmastime we sold our other house.

At a Glance

John and Janelle Woods’ home has 6 bedrooms, 5 full and 3 half baths, a finished basement and more than 5,700 square feet of liveable space. They purchased the home in August.

Heyward Square

Address: 5482 Heyward Square Place, Marietta

County: Cobb

Information: 678-461-7695, Harry Norman

Price range: $1 million-$15 million

Homes: 29

Square footage: 5,000 and up

Lot sizes: One third of an acre and up

Standard features: Islands and walk-in pantries in the kitchens, terrace levels, home offices and libraries

Amenities: Five pocket parks, sidewalks, gas lanterns

Homeowners fees: $350 per month ($700 initiation fee)

Developer: Showcase Real Estate Development

Builder: Steve Armstrong, Jeff Aycock, Gary Deppe, John LaBarbera, Showcase Home Builders

Broker: Harry Norman, Realtors/East Cobb office

Schools: Mount Bethel Elementary, Dickerson Middle, Walton High

More on schools: ajchomefinder school guide