$1.8M Virginia-Highland modern called the best in Atlanta

Here’s a bold statement, and the first sentence in the listing description for 1020 Bellevue Drive no less: “[This home is] considered by many to be the best modern Intown.”

Yes, that’s brave. Atlanta has emerged in recent years as a nationally recognized hotbed of envelope-pushing, contemporary home architecture—as we’ve chronicled on these pages since at least 2013—so competition for the subjective title of “best” is fierce.

That’s not to say this tastefully restrained, five-bedroom customer in Virginia-Highland isn’t cutting-edge, even at nearly (and surprisingly) five years old.

Its exceptionalness begins at the curb (is that stair-stepped Cor-Ten steel in the front yard?) The property’s primo landscaping extends to the exquisite rooftop terrace, with skyline views that shine in winter (and might partially exist in summer, too).

Inside, splashes of plant-life help to breath warmth into an otherwise arctic (but unfussy) color palette.

The highlights across these 4,083-square-feet read like a realized dream for Zen-seeking modern home enthusiasts (cue techno-infused harp music): a four-stop elevator, floating stairs, whole-house audio, koi pond, powered shades for so many giant windows, in-ground irrigation for the stylish plantings, and a kitchen of custom cabinetry and things by Miele and Sub-Zero.

This lifestyle doesn’t come cheap, and the listing price of $1,849,000 certainly isn’t.

But even walkability is a thing here, despite the so-so 68 WalkScore, with the Va-Hi commercial strip with D.B.A. Barbecue and such a block away.

• 1020 Bellevue Drive [ENGEL & VOLKERS INTOWN ATLANTA]