Communities
Downtown Norcross
The homeowner: Keith Shewbert lives in downtown Norcross and owns 45 South Cafe, a nearby coffee shop in the shopping and dining district, where several buildings date to 1890. "We're seeing young professionals who are moving in and also empty nesters as they're transitioning out of their larger houses maybe further out and they're looking for a more active, more dynamic kind of area to live in ... a place where they can walk to restaurants and such," he said. Historic homes and original buildings in the 112-acre downtown Norcross district have helped it land a spot on the National Register of Historic Places. "It's got a very small-town feel," said Shewbert, who has a ranch home. "You really get to know your neighbors." Skip Nau, developer of Parkside, which will have live-work units in row-house style next to Lillian Webb Park, says the area is moving toward a "new urbanist" community, which is unique outside the Perimeter. The walkable village, with its restaurants, shops, Lionheart Theatre and four parks, plays off the historical charm of Norcross, an 1870s railroad town, he said. Other recent construction can be found in communities such as Colonel Jones Park and Lum Howell Park, which has single-family homes in the $400,000s.
About the community
Historic Norcross
County: Gwinnett
Price range: Mid $100,000s to high $400,000s
Information: Parkside, 678-481-6396, www.parksidenorcross.com; www.aplacetoimagine.com and www.norcrossga.net for Norcross city and events information
Taxes: About 1.5 percent of sales price, for city of Norcross and Gwinnett County taxes
Style: Single-family homes and townhomes in a variety of styles, including Victorian, bungalow, ranch and traditional
Square footage: About 1,000 to more than 2,500
Amenities: Walk to dining, shopping, parks and community events, including concerts, farmers markets and car shows in downtown Norcross. Upcoming events include Spring Break in Norcross, on April 16 at Lillian Webb Park, which will become a free beachlike spot with sand, volleyball, a rock-climbing wall, games and inflatables for kids, and live music.
Schools: Norcross Elementary or Stripling Elementary, Summerour Middle, Norcross High
More on schools: schools.ajchomefinder.com
Getting there
Take I-85 north to Exit 99 (Jimmy Carter Boulevard) and turn left. Travel about 1.5 miles and turn right onto Buford Highway. Turn left onto Cemetery Street. Turn right onto South Peachtree Street, one of the main streets in historic Norcross.
For sale right now
$149,000: 460 Autry St., Norcross 30071. A three-bedroom, two-bath home built in 2001 with white cabinets and a walk-in pantry in the kitchen.
$375,000: 75 College St., Norcross 30071. A new three-bedroom, 31/2-bath row home planned for the Parkside development, with a two-car garage, covered front porch, rooftop terrace, hardwood floors and granite countertops.
Community information provided by Deborah Hobson with Tri-Group Realty.
Housing trends in ZIP code 30071
Sales of new homes: 38, down 27 percent
Sales of existing homes: 217, up 9 percent
Median price of new homes: $169,950, down 16 percent
Median price of existing homes: $95,500, down 23 percent
Source: AJC’s Metro Home Sales Report, 2009 data
