Atlanta's first 'smart neighborhood' debuts on Westside, starting in high $300Ks

Perhaps the technology doesn’t exist to make all computer-assisted conveniences happen—“Alexa, fetch me the newspaper!”—but the recent popularization of so-called “smart homes” might make it seem like we're close.

Atlanta-based builder PulteGroup has unveiled the city’s first “smart neighborhood,” a community of 46 “enhanced townhomes” that allow homeowners to use their voices or smartphones to do everyday tasks around the house.

“Okay, Google; open the garage door and turn on the kitchen lights.”

“Alexa, lock the front door. Turn on the A/C.”

These are realistic phrases that residents of Pulte’s Altus and the Quarter, now pre-selling on the Westside, can say to their homes.

Developed in partnership with Georgia Power, the residences aim to help foster sustainable living habits, with energy-efficient building features such as “improved insulation, advanced heating and cooling systems, LED lighting, and higher efficiency electric heat pump water heaters,” according to Pulte officials.

Each unit is also outfitted with rooftop solar installations and in-home battery energy storage.

Townhomes are starting in the high $300,000s.

Altus at the Quarter offers four floorplans, ranging from nearly 2,100 square feet to more than 2,700 square feet, with two or three bedrooms, either two and a half or three and a half bathrooms, and two-car garages.

Amenities include a community park, a “resort-style” pool, and a few small dog parks.

The community, at 2108 Bolton Drive, is sited in what some are calling the “Upper Westside,” near Scofflaw Brewing.

Pulte