About Atlanta's Midtown

Ok Thom you say, "this event is so far away, why are you writing about it now?" With good reason, I say! The Taste of Atlanta, October 10-11 is an event worthy of noting on your calendar in advance. I mean, really, how many times have you wanted to go to something, only to say, "Gosh, if I had known about this sooner, I would not have made other plans." Well, now you know!

And even more exciting....Taste of Atlanta will be in my back yard, at Technology Square and the Georgia Tech Campus! The 8th Annual event is breaking it's own record with 80, yes, I said E-I-G-H-T-Y of Atlanta's favorite restaurants, all in a new 10 block, 8 acre location right in the heart of Midtown! I mean...really, can you imagine how long it would take you to get around to 80 Atlanta restaurants?

This event is such a unique opportunity, that it's rated a Top 20 Event by the Southeast Tourism Society!

In another press release about the Taste of Atlanta, I read about a Amica Insurance Kids Avenue, but not sure what that will involve....maybe a place to drop the youngsters while Mom and Dad eat the food that the kids don't like? Let's hope so! (I'll give your more info on an update later!)

Additionally, a new Farm-To-Fresh Village will feature several restaurants that are on the cutting-edge of the sustainable movement. Not only will there be cooking demonstrations in this area, but a Farmers Market each of the two days with fresh fruits, veggies, and other locally grown products.

This year the event will be gated so a ticket will be required to gain access.

General Admission Ticket:
General Admission Tickets include 15 Taste Coupons

• • $20 early discount Aug 17 - Sept 7
  • $25 advance price Sept 8 - Oct 9 at midnight
  • $30 on site at the event
    
    
• VIP Ticket:
  VIP Ticket includes 20 Taste Coupons, access into the wine, beer & cocktail experience and the first 500 ticket holders each day receive a festival gift bag.
  
  
  • $65. Limited availability / On Sale August 17

  Must be 21 or older to purchase VIP tickets.
  

• Taste Of Atlanta, October 10-11 Tickets are On Sale now, and can be purchased here.

The new location of the event, at Technology Square will make it much more accessable via MARTA trains, with stations on either side of the area, Midtown and North Avenue. So, you can leave the car at home (or at least in the burbs) and leave the driving to MARTA!

For my readers from outside the Atlanta area that might want to look at making this a weekend visit to Atlanta, here is a good resource for Hotels from the Georgia Tech website. Especially check out the newest addition to Midtown Atlanta, The Palomar Hotel.

Mark your calendars! I have....and you know what, I already have a schedule conflict with the World Tour Atlanta stop of DJ Tiesto. Have not figured out how I'm going to do this yet

Well, of course not ALWAYS speechless! Since blogging, I'm always "with camera" where ever I go, provided I don't forget it of course! I never know when that one shot might inspire a post.

Last weekend, while attending the Campaign For Atlanta's Mayoral Forums at the Carter Library, I captured this one.

Anyone want to venture on a caption?

"Looking for a Bench to call your own? Let The Thom And Ray Team help!"

Midtown Atlanta, and especially 10th Street at Piedmont Park will be come a dragstrip as the Red Bull SoapBox Race kicks off next Saturday, August 29th. The pits open at 11:00AM, the Opening Ceremony is at 12:45PM, and the first race starts at 1PM! This is gonna be SOOOOO COOL!

This Red Bull Sponsored event is not like the soapbox derby some may remember from their youth. Red Bull's race is a national race for amateur drivers. It's a unique non-motorized racing event that brings out the creativity of the teams in designing their cars, along with a skit they perform before they race.

A scan of the list of teams shows many of them from Georgia, but also Florida and Tennessee showed up on the list as well. Hundreds applied, but the final list was cut to just 50 teams!

Red Bull Soapbox Race will have 10th Street, between Piedmont Avenue and Monroe Drive closed on Saturday and will serve as the race course. A huge elevated ramp will be constructed to give the racers the speed needed to complete the course. (Needless to say, don't drive in Midtown next Saturday!)

Of course, Red Bull beverages will be out in force!

This is the first time this event has been to Atlanta. A search of the website shows they have not repeated a U.S. city...but maybe there is a first? Attendance is "forcasted" at 45,000 people, but they company organizing the event has staff, security, and porta toilets for 75,000. We shall see!

If you are planning to attend this event and are coming from outside Midtown, it is highly advised you use MARTA and exit at the Midtown Station. Parking will be at a premium, and neighborhood streets will be patrolled for illegally parked cars...and will be towed! Exit the MARTA station, walk east on 10th Street 3 blocks...and you will be there.

BEST OF ALL.....IT'S FREE AND OPEN TO EVERYONE! FREE! FREE!!!!

Here is a map of the event. And if you click on the Map, it will take you to the official website for the

Red Bull SoapBox Race

Saturday, August 29, 2009 11AM - 6PM

Midtown Atlanta - 10th Street

Real estate is really interesting, and Midtown Atlanta Real Estate for $1 Plus is even more interesting.

In our first series, we look at what we could buy for $100,000.

In our second series, we added a Zero and saw what $1,000,000 will buy us in a single family home or a condominum in Midtown Atlanta.

Now, Midtown Atlanta Real Estate for $1 Plus takes you to some amazing homes, priced at $10,000,000! I was even amazed myself! I have to confess that these homes are not in the Midtown area....our real estate has not gotten that pricey.....yet!

Ever notice you you can drive down a road, and not really notice all the real estate that is there? Well, here's a perfect example.

Located at 5501 Long Island Drive in the suburb of Sandy Springs is this little bungalow! Yeah, right! It's actually 6 bedrooms, 6 baths and 2 half baths, and sits on 11 acres on a lake. Yes, on a lake and in the middle of Atlanta! Who knew?

All this can be yours for just....

$10,000,000

The home was built in 2008, and has such features as an indoor pool with a retractable roof! Of course, it's gated and quite private, yet minutes to all of Atlanta's business centers.

Here's a view of the pool....

I can only imagine the cost to maintain a home like this....the listing shows the taxes for 2006 at $10,848.

Next, Midtown Atlanta Real Estate for $1 Plus takes you to the posh Buckhead neighborhood, and one of our newest buildings, Sovereign. This unique building is a combination of offices, retail and condominum homes. Especially cool for the condominums, since they start on the 28th floor and go up to the 50th Floor!

Located at 3344 Peachtree Road, this building is truly right in the middle of everything Buckhead!

This exciting, dramatic 2 story Penthouse is located on the 48th and 50th Floors. There is even an option for a private pool on the 50th floor terrace! Can you imagine a pool 50 stories in the air? WOW!

The floorplan allows the buyer to buildout and customize, so it's like a blank canvas! At 10,000 plus sq ft. it's no small canvas, including 3,000 plus sq. ft. of terrace space.

The home is listed as having 4 bedrooms, 4 baths, and 3 half baths.

And all this can be yours for.....

$9,520,000

This next home is worthy of an honorable mention. It's not located in Atlanta, but north of the City in Rabun County, with views to Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina! And what a place it is!

Situated on 62 acres, this private estate features 4 villas, a 15 suite lodge, chapel and event building. It is a Tuscan design. The list price actually includes Chota Falls, a wedding, reception and resort business component. What more can you ask for!

Listed at $10,000,000, it currently serves as a corporate retreat, special events and weddings facility. I wonder if you could make the payments off the business? Interested buyers should do some due diligence on the options available to them prior to purchasing the property.

As you can see, Midtown Atlanta Real Estate for $1 Plus can come in all shapes and sizes. And while many of the listings we've featured in the special series might be a bit more than you want to spend, The Thom And Ray Team are here to help you find just the right home or condominium, at the price that is affordable for you!

If you happen to be interested in any of these listings, or any other real estate you may be looking at, just click on the picture below to visit our website and learn more about The Thom And Ray Team, Midtown Atlanta and living in Midtown!

In our first part of Midtown Atlanta Real Estate for $1, I ventured a bit out of the Midtown Atlanta area to find you a Single Family Home in Kirkwood. We found a really nice condo near Atlantic Station, all for around $100,000. But, what do you get when you up the stakes, and add a "0"? Ok, we are not talking a few thousand more, but a a mere $900,000 MORE! Of course you are going to get alot more...but the differences between a home and a condominium might amaze you!

Our Single Family Home option, is located in the area referred to as Historic Midtown. This area, protected from development of any high rise buildings, and currently working to get an actual Historic designation, is true "intown surburban" living.

This Midtown Atlanta Real Estate for $1will actually set you back $899,900. Located on Penn Avenue, this home was built in 1914, but obviously has had some renovations! It features 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, a top-of-the-line kitchen renovation with SubZero and Wolf appliances, and lots of the period details homes built at this time are known for!

It also features a carriage house for an in-law suite or rental income. And a 2 car garage, a nice amenity in Midtown!

There are currently 33 homes in Midtown ranging in price from $245,000 to $1.75Million.

Here's a couple more photos of this home.

When we change to a condominium, Midtown Atlanta Real Estate for $1 takes on a whole new style!

Welcome Home....to this stunning combination of two homes at MidCity Lofts in Midtown!

This ultra-fab home features 3 bedrooms, 4 baths and views that are...well just awesome!

And it can be yours for $995,000. As you can see, a little less than a mile can get you a whole different kind of place!

MidCity Lofts is located between Spring Street and W. Peachtree at 6th Street. A great location with the MARTA Midtown station just 2 blocks away, GATech a block away, and all the other amenities that city living offers.

A couple more views of this home, and the totally cool roof-top pool and club house...

Midtown Atlanta Real Estate for $1 Plus a few zeros will get you some pretty cool digs. Whether it's $100,000 or $1,000,000, The Thom And Ray Team will be happy to show you all the options available in Midtown Atlanta, and tell you about all the great benefits of living in

"Midtown Atlanta...Manhattan Of The South"

To visit our Web site, learn more about Midtown Atlanta and The Thom And Ray Team,

just click on the picture below!