Highland Steel Apartments in Atlanta: What to Know Before You Rent

If you’re searching for Highland Steel Apartments in Atlanta, you’re probably looking at living in one of the city’s most walkable, in-demand intown corridors: the Virginia-Highland / Poncey-Highland area just east of Midtown and near the BeltLine. This guide walks through what Highland Steel is, what living there typically feels like, and how it fits into Atlanta’s rental market so you can decide if it matches your priorities.

Where Highland Steel Apartments Are in Atlanta

Highland Steel Apartments are located in Northeast Atlanta, in the Virginia-Highland / Poncey-Highland pocket near:

  • North Avenue NE
  • North Highland Avenue NE
  • Freedom Parkway
  • A short distance from the Eastside Trail of the Atlanta BeltLine

This area is considered part of Intown Atlanta, known for its older bungalow homes, tree-lined streets, and strong mix of dining, nightlife, and everyday conveniences.

For renters comparing locations, Highland Steel sits:

  • East of Midtown Atlanta
  • South of Virginia-Highland’s residential core
  • West of Inman Park
  • North of Ponce City Market and Old Fourth Ward

If your daily life revolves around Midtown, Downtown, Emory, or Ponce City Market, this is a practical, central spot.

What Type of Community Highland Steel Typically Is

Highland Steel is generally known as a modern, mid-rise apartment community in an urban setting, geared toward renters who want:

  • Walkability to restaurants, bars, coffee shops, and small retail
  • Quick access to BeltLine, parks, and central job centers
  • Contemporary units (as opposed to older brick walk-ups or subdivided houses)

You can usually expect:

  • Secured or controlled access to the building
  • Elevator access (common in mid-rise communities)
  • Structured or deck parking rather than large open lots
  • Shared amenities (more on those below)

It tends to attract:

  • Young professionals working in Midtown, Downtown, Buckhead, or Decatur
  • Grad students and medical professionals connected to Emory University, Emory Midtown Hospital, or Grady
  • Intown residents who want to be near nightlife, but not in the middle of the loudest bar districts

Typical Floor Plans and Apartment Features

Specific layouts vary by unit and lease period, but in this kind of Atlanta community you’ll commonly find:

Common Floor Plan Types

  • Studios – for renters prioritizing location and amenities over space
  • 1-bedroom apartments – the most common choice for single renters and couples
  • 2-bedroom apartments – often shared by roommates or small households

Some units may have:

  • Balconies or patios, occasionally with neighborhood or city views
  • Open-concept kitchens that blend into living areas
  • Walk-in closets in primary bedrooms

Interior Features You’ll Typically See

While you’ll need to confirm current finishes with the leasing office, apartments in this category and area of Atlanta often include:

  • Hard-surface flooring (vinyl plank or hardwood-style) in living areas
  • Carpet in bedrooms in many units
  • In-unit washer and dryer
  • Dishwasher and built-in microwave
  • Stainless steel or black appliances
  • Granite, quartz, or solid-surface counters
  • Central heating and air conditioning (critical for Atlanta summers)

If you’re sensitive to noise, ask about:

  • Units facing North Highland Avenue versus interior courtyards
  • Top-floor options vs. units with neighbors above

Amenities You Can Usually Expect

Most modern intown Atlanta communities, including Highland Steel–style properties, offer a competitive set of amenities. Confirm specifics on-site, but these are commonly available:

Building & Community Amenities

  • Fitness center – often with cardio machines, free weights, and sometimes functional training space
  • Clubroom or resident lounge – for working remotely, relaxing, or small gatherings
  • Pool or sun deck – not universal, but common in this price tier
  • Grilling stations or outdoor seating areas
  • Package lockers or package room – especially helpful for frequent deliveries
  • Secured parking garage – usually with assigned or permit parking

Convenience & Lifestyle Features

  • Pet-friendly policies – many intown buildings accept cats and dogs (with pet fees, breed and weight limits)
  • On-site management and maintenance – for quicker handling of repairs
  • Online rent payment and maintenance requests

If you rely heavily on bikes, scooters, or rideshare, ask about:

  • Bike storage
  • Where Uber/Lyft pickups typically occur
  • Scooter parking and any building rules about them

Living in the Virginia-Highland / Poncey-Highland Area

Highland Steel’s biggest advantage is its location. This is one of Atlanta’s best-known intown corridors for a “park your car and walk” lifestyle.

Walkability & Nearby Attractions

From the Highland Steel area, you’re typically within easy walking distance of:

  • Restaurants and bars along North Highland Avenue and nearby streets
  • Coffee shops, bakeries, and small boutiques
  • Short drives or bike rides to:
    • Ponce City Market
    • The Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail
    • Inman Park restaurant district
    • Virginia-Highland village area

Nearby green spaces often used by locals include:

  • Freedom Park (accessible via Freedom Parkway)
  • The BeltLine for walking, running, and biking
  • Close access to Old Fourth Ward Park via Poncey-Highland / PCM routes

If being able to step outside and walk to dinner, drinks, or a weekend coffee shop is a priority, this neighborhood layout is a strong fit.

Commute and Transportation Considerations

A major decision point for Atlanta renters is how easily they can get around without constant traffic stress.

By Car

From the Highland Steel area, typical drive routes include:

  • Midtown – usually via North Avenue, Ponce de Leon, or Freedom Parkway
  • Downtown – via Freedom Parkway to the Downtown Connector (I‑75/85)
  • Emory / Druid Hills – often via Briarcliff Road or Clifton Road corridors
  • Buckhead – via Piedmont Road, Monroe Drive, or surface streets connecting to GA‑400

Peak rush hours can be slow, but compared with living farther out in the suburbs, commute times into central job hubs are often shorter and more predictable.

By MARTA & Alternative Transit

The immediate area around Highland Steel is primarily bus + walk or bus + train territory rather than being right next to a MARTA rail station.

  • Nearest MARTA rail access is typically via:
    • Inman Park/Reynoldstown Station
    • Midtown or North Avenue Stations
  • MARTA bus lines run along major roads such as Ponce de Leon Avenue and North Avenue, with transfers to rail stations.

For planning routes, you can contact:

  • MARTA Customer Information Center
    • Phone: 404-848-5000
    • Address: MARTA Headquarters, 2424 Piedmont Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30324

Many residents also rely heavily on:

  • Bikes and e-scooters on the BeltLine and nearby streets
  • Rideshare (Uber/Lyft) for nights out or bad-weather days

If you do not own a car, it’s wise to map your regular destinations (work, school, gym, grocery store) and check:

  • Distance by foot or bike
  • MARTA service frequency
  • Average rideshare costs at rush hour

Noise, Nightlife, and Neighborhood Feel

Living near Highland Steel places you close to some of Atlanta’s most active restaurant and nightlife areas. This offers trade-offs.

Benefits

  • Easy access to bars, late-night food, and live music
  • Lively feel, especially on weekends
  • Social atmosphere—good for those who like being “in the mix”

Potential Downsides

  • Street noise from traffic, people, and occasional late-night crowds
  • Busier weekends and event nights
  • Limited on-street parking during peak times (if you or your guests depend on it)

If you’re noise-sensitive, you might consider:

  • Asking for a unit facing interior courtyards rather than main streets
  • Visiting the area at night and on weekends to get a realistic sense of the ambient noise

Rent Levels and Cost Expectations in This Area

Exact rents change frequently, but Highland Steel’s style and location typically place it in the mid- to upper-tier of Atlanta apartment pricing, compared with:

  • Cheaper: older, smaller buildings and basement units farther from BeltLine and core intown neighborhoods
  • Similar or higher: newer luxury high-rises in Midtown, Buckhead, or West Midtown

When budgeting, consider:

  • Base rent for your preferred floor plan
  • Parking fees (garage spaces may be extra)
  • Pet rent and pet fees if you have animals
  • Utilities (some communities include partial utilities; others bill separately)
  • Trash, pest control, amenity fees, and admin fees, which can add noticeably to monthly costs

To benchmark your budget, consider using:

  • Atlanta Regional Commission and local housing resources for general cost-of-living guidance
  • The City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development for information on affordability programs and housing assistance
    • 55 Trinity Avenue SW, Suite 5400, Atlanta, GA 30303
    • Main City Hall line: 404-330-6000 (ask for Housing and Community Development)

Parking and Car Ownership

In this part of Atlanta, street parking can be limited and sometimes regulated, especially nights and weekends.

Typical considerations for Highland Steel–type buildings:

  • Garage or deck parking is often available, with:
    • Monthly fees per space
    • Potential guest parking rules or limited guest spots
  • Nearby street parking may require:
    • Attention to posted time limits
    • Awareness of permit-only residential streets

If you host visitors often, ask the leasing office:

  • How guest parking works
  • Whether nearby streets are usually full at night

Safety and Security Context

Intown Atlanta neighborhoods like Virginia-Highland and Poncey-Highland are popular and generally active, but they are still urban environments, and renters commonly keep standard city precautions in mind.

Reasonable steps many residents take:

  • Using garage or secured building entrances consistently
  • Not leaving valuables visible in cars
  • Staying aware when walking at night, especially on quieter side streets
  • Reporting suspicious activity to Atlanta Police Department (APD)

For non-emergency concerns, you can contact:

  • Atlanta Police Department – Non-Emergency Line: 404-658-6666
  • APD Zone 6 (the zone that covers many eastside intown neighborhoods, including areas around Virginia-Highland / Poncey-Highland):
    • Zone 6 Precinct: 2025 Hosea L. Williams Drive SE, Atlanta, GA 30317
    • Main Precinct Phone: 404-371-5002

Leasing offices at buildings like Highland Steel often:

  • Control access with key fobs
  • Use security cameras in common areas
  • Provide after-hours emergency maintenance lines

As with any property, it’s wise to:

  • Walk the property yourself, day and night
  • Talk to current residents in common areas or nearby businesses
  • Review any publicly available crime maps for the area if that’s important to you

Schools and Services Nearby

Renters with children or long-term plans often factor in school zoning and basic services.

Schools

School zoning can shift, so verify with Atlanta Public Schools (APS) before making decisions:

  • Atlanta Public Schools (APS) – Main Office
    • 130 Trinity Avenue SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
    • Phone: 404-802-3500

Ask the leasing office or APS:

  • Which elementary, middle, and high schools serve the Highland Steel address
  • Whether there are charter or magnet options you might be eligible for

Everyday Services

Around the Highland Steel area, you’ll typically find:

  • Grocery stores and markets within a short drive or quick rideshare
  • Pharmacies along main corridors like Ponce de Leon Avenue and North Avenue
  • Urgent care and medical offices, plus larger hospitals a short drive away:
    • Emory University Hospital Midtown – 550 Peachtree Street NE, Atlanta, GA 30308
    • Grady Memorial Hospital – 80 Jesse Hill Jr Drive SE, Atlanta, GA 30303

Being close to Midtown and Old Fourth Ward usually means you can handle most errands without long suburban drives.

How to Evaluate If Highland Steel Is Right for You

When comparing Highland Steel to other Atlanta apartments, focus on how well it matches your day-to-day routine and budget. Consider:

1. Your Commute and Transportation Style

  • How long will your commute be to work or school from this location?
  • Do you plan to walk, bike, use MARTA, or drive most days?
  • Will limited guest parking or heavy weekend traffic near dining areas frustrate you?

2. Your Noise and Lifestyle Preferences

  • Do you enjoy being able to walk to nightlife, or do you prefer quieter, more residential streets?
  • Are you OK with more activity on weekends and evenings?

3. Your Budget and Priorities

  • Would you rather pay more for location and amenities or move a bit farther out for a larger floor plan?
  • Are you accounting for parking, pet fees, and utilities in your monthly total?

4. Tour Checklist 📝

When you visit Highland Steel or a similar Atlanta community, consider asking:

  • Which direction does this unit face, and how noisy is it at night?
  • What is included in rent, and what fees are extra?
  • How does parking work for residents and guests?
  • What are typical internet providers and speeds available in the building?
  • Are there any major construction projects nearby that may impact noise or traffic?

Practical Next Steps for Atlanta Renters

If you’re seriously considering Highland Steel Apartments in Atlanta:

  1. Drive or walk the area at different times of day (rush hour, late evening, weekends).
  2. Map your regular routes (job, school, gym, friends’ neighborhoods) to understand your likely commute patterns.
  3. Call or visit the leasing office to confirm:
    • Current availability and specials
    • Floor plan options and square footage
    • Pet policies, parking rules, and amenity hours
  4. If you’re concerned about budget or affordability, reach out to:
    • City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development
      • 55 Trinity Avenue SW, Suite 5400, Atlanta, GA 30303
      • City Hall main line: 404-330-6000

By weighing the central location, walkable lifestyle, and amenity set against your noise tolerance, commute, and budget, you can decide whether Highland Steel—and the Virginia-Highland / Poncey-Highland corridor as a whole—is the right Atlanta neighborhood for your next apartment.