“Located at the nexus of Atlanta’s most established neighborhoods, Ponce City Market is the latest incarnation of a long legacy of community-centered built environments along this iconic stretch of Ponce de Leon Avenue. The National Trust for Historic Preservation recognizes Ponce City Market as ‘History in the Making,’ and part of a plan ‘to move Atlanta forward while maintaining and emphasizing the city’s unique history and culture.’ From ground-floor retail and restaurants, to the Flats’ amenity-rich residences, to creative office space, to an amusement park on the Roof, Ponce City Market is the culmination of its history. Located in the Old Fourth Ward neighborhood along the Atlanta BeltLine, across from Historic Fourth Ward Park, and walking or pedaling distance from Virginia-Highland, Poncey-Highland, and Midtown, PCM is a hub for residents, neighbors, and visitors to gather, work, and play.”

Ponce City Market website

We live in the Flats at Ponce City Market. From the 1920’s through the 1970’s, Ponce City Market was part of Sears Roebuck. It was the hub of Sears’ Southeastern United States catalog distribution. My grandmother was an avid Sears Catalog shopper. I know in my bones I received childhood gifts that had made their way through Ponce City Market. That story connects me with her and to my current home. That makes my heart smile. I remember her asking me to look at the catalog and choose a few things for my birthday and Christmas while my wide eyes danced. I remember dog eared pages in the book crafted to make sure she knew exactly where I wanted her to look. She loved Sears. I loved Sears. She loved me. I loved her.

So here I am, living in Ponce City Market right on the Beltline, connected to the pulse of my city inside a piece of history. At 50, the exposed brick, concrete floors, and steel-framed windows make sense to me, in the same way repurposing, history, and wisdom make sense to me. I am living in an example of life’s ebb and flow — an artwork all its own. I am reminded that architecture is art. I am reminded that our lives have an architecture — a shape and function all their own.

A Note on my Atlanta Beltline Writing Project

I am practicing paying attention. I am practicing noticing beauty. I am practicing getting in touch with my artist self. I am practicing connecting with the outdoors. I am practicing my inner Mary Oliver. I live in Atlanta, “the city in a forest.” I live on the Atlanta Beltline, an interurban trail that graces the city. The Beltline is part arboretum, part art gallery, part park. It connects shops and restaurants and homes with people of all descriptions. I walk on the Beltline 4 or 5 times a week. I have spent the last year appreciating all that it is. I have personally photographed the images I will share. My hope is to write about it — its art, trees, landmarks, etc.— for the next few weeks as spring unfolds.