Perimeter Center in Atlanta: A Local Guide to One of the City’s Biggest Hubs

Perimeter Center is one of Atlanta’s major activity centers, combining office towers, high-end shopping, dining, residential communities, and key medical facilities. Centered around the Perimeter Mall area in Dunwoody and Sandy Springs, it’s a daily destination for commuters, a convenient base for visitors, and a growing home for thousands of residents.

If you live in Atlanta, visit regularly, or are considering a move, understanding how Perimeter Center Atlanta works will help you navigate traffic, pick the right transit options, and make the most of what’s around the I‑285/GA‑400 interchange.

Where Exactly Is Perimeter Center?

Perimeter Center is not a single building—it’s a large commercial and residential district roughly centered around:

• Perimeter Mall – 4400 Ashford Dunwoody Rd, Dunwoody, GA 30346
• The intersection of I‑285 (Perimeter Highway) and GA‑400
• Portions of Dunwoody, Sandy Springs, and Brookhaven on Atlanta’s north side

Key reference points include:

• Perimeter Mall (shopping and dining anchor)
• MARTA’s Dunwoody, Sandy Springs, and Medical Center stations
• Major office complexes like Ravinia, Concourse (the “King and Queen” buildings), and Perimeter Summit
• Nearby hospitals: Emory Saint Joseph’s Hospital, Northside Hospital Atlanta, and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite

Locals often use “Perimeter” or “Perimeter Center” to describe the entire cluster of offices, retail, and apartments lining the north side of I‑285 between Roswell Road and Ashford Dunwoody Road.

Getting To and Around Perimeter Center

Driving and Major Roads

Perimeter Center is built around highway convenience, which is both its strength and one of its challenges.

Main routes:

• I‑285 (The Perimeter) – Runs east–west along the district’s south edge
• GA‑400 – Runs north–south, connecting to Buckhead and Midtown to the south and Alpharetta to the north
• Ashford Dunwoody Road – Main surface road for Perimeter Mall and many offices
• Peachtree Dunwoody Road – Runs parallel to GA‑400, close to hospitals and office parks
• Hammond Drive – Connects Sandy Springs side of Perimeter Center to Roswell Road and GA‑400

Traffic can be heavy, especially:

• Weekday mornings (7–9 a.m.) heading into the office core
• Late afternoons (4–6:30 p.m.) in all directions
• Holidays and weekends around Perimeter Mall

If you’re planning appointments or shopping, locals often try to schedule outside rush hours to avoid gridlock around exits and surface streets.

MARTA Access: A Key Advantage

Perimeter Center is one of the best MARTA-connected suburban hubs in metro Atlanta. It’s served by the Red Line with three key stations:

All three stations offer access to local bus routes, sidewalks, and nearby offices. Many workplaces in the area encourage employees to use MARTA instead of driving.

If you’re coming from:

• Downtown/Midtown/Buckhead – Take the Red Line northbound to any of the three stations.
• North Fulton (Sandy Springs, Roswell, Alpharetta) – Red Line southbound toward the city; several stations have park-and-ride lots.

Shopping and Dining in Perimeter Center

Perimeter Mall and Surrounding Retail

Perimeter Mall is the district’s main retail anchor and one of the largest malls in the Atlanta region. You’ll find:

• National department stores and chains
• A large mix of mid-range to upscale retailers
• Indoor and outdoor restaurant options
• Seasonal events and extended hours around holidays

Around the mall, Ashford Dunwoody Road and Hammond Drive are lined with:

• Big-box stores
• Grocery options
• Fitness centers
• Casual and sit-down restaurants

For Atlantans, Perimeter Center competes with Buckhead, Cumberland, and Lenox/Phipps as a go-to shopping and dining area—but with easier MARTA access and more suburban-style parking.

Dining Options: From Quick Bites to Business Dinners

You’ll find a wide range of cuisines and price points, including:

• Fast-casual chains for quick lunches during the workday
• Steakhouses and higher-end spots that cater to business travelers and corporate dinners
• International options along Ashford Dunwoody, Hammond, and Roswell Road

Because of the large office population, weekday lunch and happy hour can be busy. Dinner crowds are steadier but often lighter outside of holidays and big shopping days.

Working in Perimeter Center

Perimeter Center is one of metro Atlanta’s largest employment hubs outside of Downtown and Midtown. Many national and regional companies maintain regional headquarters or major offices here.

Common work settings include:

• High-rise offices like Three Ravinia, One & Two Perimeter Center East
• Landmark buildings such as the Concourse Corporate Center “King and Queen” towers near I‑285 and GA‑400
• Medical office buildings around Peachtree Dunwoody Road

For Atlanta commuters, Perimeter Center offers:

• Transit-friendly commuting via MARTA Red Line
• Walkable access between some offices, hotels, and restaurants
• Corporate campuses with on-site dining and services

If you’re job hunting in the area, many roles are in:

• Finance and banking
• Healthcare administration and clinical services
• Information technology and software
• Consulting and professional services
• Retail and hospitality management

Living in or Near Perimeter Center

Housing Types You’ll See

Perimeter Center has evolved from a pure office-and-mall area into a mixed-use neighborhood. Around the core, you’ll find:

• Mid-rise and high-rise apartments within walking distance of MARTA
• Condominiums and townhomes near Ashford Dunwoody, Hammond, and Peachtree Dunwoody
• Traditional single-family neighborhoods in nearby Dunwoody, Brookhaven, and Sandy Springs

Many renters and homeowners choose Perimeter Center for:

• Short commutes to local offices and hospitals
• Easier access to Buckhead and Midtown than farther-out suburbs
• Walkable or short-drive access to shopping, gyms, and restaurants

Noise, Traffic, and Lifestyle Considerations

Living near a major activity center comes with trade-offs:

Pros

• Walkability to MARTA, shops, and dining
• Plenty of services (grocery, gyms, banks, healthcare) close by
• Strong daytime activity and employment base

Cons

• Road noise near I‑285 and GA‑400
• Heavy traffic during rush hours and holidays
• Some areas feel more commercial than neighborhood-like

If you want a quieter feel but still easy access, many locals look at nearby communities such as:

• Single-family streets in Dunwoody Village
• Neighborhoods off Mount Vernon Highway
• Parts of North Brookhaven and Sandy Springs just beyond the office core

Healthcare and Medical Services in the Perimeter Center Area

The Perimeter Center district includes one of Atlanta’s most important medical corridors, clustered near MARTA’s Medical Center Station and Peachtree Dunwoody Road.

Major facilities include:

• Northside Hospital Atlanta
  • 1000 Johnson Ferry Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30342
• Emory Saint Joseph’s Hospital
  • 5665 Peachtree Dunwoody Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30342
• Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite
  • 1001 Johnson Ferry Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30342

Around these hospitals are numerous:

• Specialist practices
• Imaging centers
• Outpatient clinics
• Medical office buildings

For Atlantans, this means many specialty appointments and procedures are scheduled in or near Perimeter Center, especially for:

• Obstetrics and women’s health
• Orthopedics
• Cardiology
• Pediatrics

If you have an appointment in this area, plan for:

• Extra travel time during rush hours
• Parking in hospital decks or nearby garages
• The option to use Medical Center MARTA Station if you prefer to avoid driving

Hotels and Stay Options Around Perimeter Center

Because of the high volume of business travelers and medical visitors, Perimeter Center has many hotels, typically located:

• Around Perimeter Mall
• Along Ashford Dunwoody Road and Peachtree Dunwoody Road
• Near Sandy Springs Station and the Concourse complex

People staying here often choose Perimeter Center because:

• It offers direct MARTA access to Buckhead, Midtown, and Downtown events or meetings
• Room prices are often lower than central Atlanta hotel rates
• There’s easy access to restaurants, shopping, and quick services without needing to go into the city core

If you’re visiting Atlanta for a concert, conference, or game, Perimeter Center can be a practical base—just budget extra time to ride MARTA or drive to central-city venues.

Parks, Recreation, and Things To Do Nearby

Perimeter Center itself is heavily commercial, but there are green spaces and recreational options nearby:

• Perimeter-area pocket parks and walking paths – Many office campuses include landscaped walking trails and small outdoor seating areas.
• Dunwoody’s parks – Short drives take you to parks like Brook Run Park, with trails, playgrounds, and dog parks.
• Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area – Access points in Sandy Springs and Dunwoody are a reasonable drive for hiking, paddle sports, and nature walks.

Inside Perimeter Center, typical leisure activities include:

• Shopping and dining around the mall
• Fitness centers, yoga studios, and group workout classes
• Movie theaters and casual evening spots (depending on current tenants and openings)

The vibe is more “urban-suburban commercial” than nightlife-heavy. Many locals who live or stay in Perimeter Center head to Buckhead, Midtown, or the Battery Atlanta for late-night entertainment.

Tips for Navigating Perimeter Center Like a Local

A few practical pointers can make Perimeter Center easier to handle:

• Use MARTA when possible 🚆

  • For commutes or downtown visits, Red Line service is often more predictable than driving I‑285 or GA‑400 at peak times.

• Avoid “peak exits” when you can

  • Exits like Ashford Dunwoody Road and Peachtree Dunwoody Road back up quickly. If your destination allows, alternate routes via Hammond Drive or local streets may help.

• Plan ahead for medical visits

  • Build in extra time for parking decks, check-in, and elevator waits, especially during morning appointment slots.

• Leverage mixed-use developments

  • Newer apartment and office projects often include on-site retail and restaurants, making it easier to walk for everyday errands.

• Check event and holiday timing

  • Around major holidays, especially November–December, Perimeter Mall and surrounding roads can be much busier than usual.

Is Perimeter Center Right for You?

For someone living in or visiting Atlanta, Perimeter Center is:

• A major job center, especially in corporate and medical fields
• A convenient, transit-accessible hub for shopping and services
• A practical place to stay if you need quick highway access or hospital proximity
• An increasingly livable district for those who want an urban-suburban blend

Whether you’re commuting to an office, planning a medical appointment, booking a hotel, or choosing a neighborhood, understanding how Perimeter Center Atlanta is laid out—and how it connects to the rest of the city—helps you make smoother, more informed decisions about how to get around and where to spend your time.