Round 1 is history, and eight Atlanta neighborhoods are marching on toward the glorious (fake) Curbed Cup trophy and bragging rights for all eternity! The tourney's first week was eventful, featuring parades of local pride, playful mudslinging and lowdown accusations of public defecation. Let's all salute Atlanta's Elite Eight for 2015 and have a quick look back at how this came to be.
^ In what was probably Round 1's greatest upset, East Lake won handily over Midtown, proving that construction cranes and retail investment don't always equate to the "best" neighborhood in every Atlantan's eyes.
East Lake is making its first Curbed Cup appearance since way back in 2011 and will move on to face powerhouse Old Fourth Ward, which absolutely trounced Buckhead this week (687 votes to 158).
Downtown rode a wave of development and redevelopment success to edge Candler Park by just 45 votes. This year marks downtown's first Curbed Cup appearance. Could this underdog be poised to make a dash for glory?
Elsewhere, Grant Park showed up in a big way to capture twice as many votes as Chamblee. Which means Grant Park will square off with reigning Curbed Cup champion (and neighbor) Reynoldstown in the Elite Eight. Not even salacious allegations of behavior unbecoming a lady could hold back R-town in its victory over Decatur.
^ In a rumble of two past Curbed Cup champions, Kirkwood (2013 winner) squeaked by Inman Park (2012) and will advance to face scrappy, burgeoning Westside, which captured almost 60 percent of votes to dispatch Cabbagetown.
^ Last but not least, let's give a hat-tip to this tournament's No. 1 seed, West End, for capturing more Round 1 votes than any other neighborhood to beat East Atlanta. Does West End have the moxie to climb into the Curbed Cup promised land this year? All indications are "yes." As one commenter practically shouted, "The whole SW ATL is pulling for the West End. SW Beltine Neighborhoods... STAND UP!"
The competition resumes Monday. Stay tuned, ATL ...
· All Curbed Cup 2015 coverage [Curbed Atlanta]
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