Briarcliff-Normandy Apartments
Why it's listed
Briarcliff-Normandy Apartments is a group of nine brick apartment buildings, two and three stories tall, built between 1947 and 1949 on about six acres beside Druid Hills in Atlanta. The buildings use flat roofs, steel casement windows, plain wall surfaces and colorful ceramic tile and glass block around the entrances. Red brick covers six buildings and buff brick covers three. The complex holds 85 apartments, was converted to condominiums in 1979, and has been used for housing continuously since 1949. It was listed for its architecture and its planning. It is described as an early, high-style example of International Style housing in Atlanta, departing from the traditional revival styles of earlier apartments. Its single-phase site plan, landscaping and amenities, including a nursery and playgrounds, reflect the post-war housing shortage. The architect and builder are unknown. A swimming pool added later is the only noncontributing resource.
Significance in brief: The complex is argued to be a very early, high-style example of International Style residential architecture in Atlanta, marking a shift away from traditional pre-war styles. It is also significant as a planned apartment complex built at one time with integral landscaping during the post-World War II housing shortage and building boom.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 03000136, listed March 26, 2003. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Roughly along Briarcliff Rd., Normandy Dr. and Chalmette Dr., Atlanta |
|---|---|
| County | DeKalb County |
| Listed | March 26, 2003 |
| Reference number | 03000136 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1947-1949 |
| Architect / builder | Unknown |
| Architectural style | Modern Movement/International Style |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Community Planning and Development, Landscape Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | In continuous residential use since completion in 1949; converted to condominiums in 1979 and retains its original appearance apart from added storage units in some basement garages. |
| Acreage | 6 |
| Coordinates | 33.78835, -84.34196 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 03000136.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q126726504
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.