Peachtree Street is a principal north‑south thoroughfare in the city of Atlanta, Georgia, United States. It originates at the historic Five Points intersection in downtown Atlanta and extends northward through the Midtown, Buckhead, and Sandy Springs districts, eventually becoming Peachtree Road beyond the city limits.
Route and Designation
- In the downtown core, the street carries U.S. Highway 19 and U.S. Highway 41.
- The Georgia Department of Transportation designates the segment from downtown to the Buckhead area as State Route 155.
- The total length within the City of Atlanta is approximately 7 miles (11 km).
Historical Context
- The name “Peachtree” derives from the nearby Peachtree Creek, which was so called by early European settlers referencing the presence of wild peach trees in the vicinity.
- The street follows the path of early 19th‑century trails that connected the original settlement of Atlanta (then terminus of the Western & Atlantic Railroad) with outlying farms and the town of Decatur.
Key Landmarks and Institutions
- Georgia State Capitol (located near the intersection of Peachtree Street and Washington Street)
- Peachtree Center, a complex of office towers and hotels designed by architect John Portman
- The High Museum of Art, situated off Peachtree Street in Midtown
- Buckhead’s commercial district, featuring offices, retail, and the Peachtree Street corridor’s high‑rise skyline
- Numerous hotels, restaurants, and corporate headquarters that incorporate “Peachtree” in their names, reflecting the street’s prominence in local branding
Cultural Significance
Peachtree Street is often used as a metonym for Atlanta’s business and cultural life. The prevalence of “Peachtree” in street names, businesses, and media—over 70 streets in the metropolitan area contain the term—underscores its iconic status within the region.
Transportation
- The street is a major conduit for vehicular traffic and is served by multiple MARTA bus routes.
- It intersects with Interstate 75/85 (the Downtown Connector) near the downtown segment and connects to the Georgia 400 tollway via the Peachtree Street exit in the northern suburbs.
Urban Development
Over the 20th and early 21st centuries, Peachtree Street has undergone extensive redevelopment, including the construction of mixed‑use high‑rise towers, pedestrian improvements in Midtown, and streetscape enhancements in the Buckhead corridor.
References
- Georgia Department of Transportation, Highway Maps (2022 edition)
- City of Atlanta, Official Street Naming and History Archive
- “Peachtree Street” entry, Encyclopedia of Atlanta History, vol. 3, 2019.
