Lawrenceville Real Estate

Lawrenceville

Lawrenceville is the county seat of Gwinnett County, located about 30 miles northeast of downtown Atlanta and only a short drive from Tucker along the same general corridor. From SRA Signature Realty's office in Tucker, reaching Lawrenceville generally means heading northeast on Lawrenceville Highway (U.S. 29), which runs directly between the two communities, or taking Georgia Highway 120 for a more direct route into the historic downtown.

Gwinnett County's Oldest City

Lawrenceville was incorporated on December 15, 1821, making it the oldest incorporated city in Gwinnett County, and was named for Commodore James Lawrence, a U.S. Navy officer remembered for his order "Don't give up the ship" during the War of 1812. As the county seat, the city grew around its courthouse square, and the current Gwinnett County Courthouse building on the square, completed in 1885, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Georgia Gwinnett College later brought a new chapter to the city's history, opening in 2006 as an open-admission four-year college on a 250 acre campus, growing from its first class of 118 students into one of the University System of Georgia's fastest-growing institutions.

The Square, the Lawn, and Rhodes Jordan Park

Downtown Lawrenceville's historic square remains the visual center of the city, anchored by the 1885 courthouse. A block away, the Lawrenceville Lawn has become a newer gathering spot, with an amphitheater, green space, and a dog park hosting concerts, movie nights, and festivals throughout the year. Just east of downtown, 162 acre Rhodes Jordan Park adds a fishing lake, a 1.9 mile paved trail, ball fields, tennis and pickleball courts, and picnic pavilions, giving Lawrenceville a substantial public park directly adjacent to its historic core.

From Historic Storefronts to Newer Neighborhoods

Homes closest to Lawrenceville's square include older houses on tree-lined streets that reflect the city's nineteenth and early twentieth century roots as a courthouse town, while the surrounding area, annexed and developed over the following decades, includes a much wider range of subdivisions built as Gwinnett County grew into one of the region's largest counties. That mix gives buyers a choice between a walkable historic core and quieter residential streets a short drive from downtown.

The Aurora Theatre and Downtown Dining

Aurora Theatre, founded in 1996 in Duluth, relocated to downtown Lawrenceville in 2007 and has since grown into one of the region's most recognized professional theatres, eventually becoming the anchor tenant of the Lawrenceville Arts Center on the square. That center, a roughly 59,500 square foot facility approved by the city in 2019, added a 500 seat proscenium theatre along with a smaller cabaret theatre, rehearsal space, and gallery areas to downtown Lawrenceville's cultural offerings. Restaurants and shops fill the storefronts around the square and the Lawn, giving residents a downtown that combines historic architecture with live performances, dining, and regular public events.

• Catch a show at Aurora Theatre inside the Lawrenceville Arts Center


• Walk or bike the trail at 162 acre Rhodes Jordan Park


• Spend an evening at a concert or movie night on the Lawrenceville Lawn


• Tour the 1885 Gwinnett County Courthouse on the historic square


• Browse the restaurants and shops surrounding downtown's square

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Lawrenceville the county seat of Gwinnett County?

Yes. Lawrenceville has served as the Gwinnett County seat since its incorporation on December 15, 1821, making it the oldest incorporated city in the county.

Who was Lawrenceville named after?

The city was named for Commodore James Lawrence, a U.S. Navy officer known for his War of 1812 order "Don't give up the ship."

What is there to do in downtown Lawrenceville?

Downtown centers on the historic square and the 1885 courthouse, with Aurora Theatre, the Lawrenceville Lawn's concerts and events, and a range of restaurants and shops within walking distance.

Is there a large park near downtown Lawrenceville?

Rhodes Jordan Park, at 162 acres, sits just east of the square and includes a fishing lake, a paved trail, ball fields, and tennis and pickleball courts.

Is Georgia Gwinnett College located in Lawrenceville?

Yes. Georgia Gwinnett College opened in 2006 on a 250 acre campus in Lawrenceville and has grown into one of the University System of Georgia's fastest-growing four-year colleges.

How far is Lawrenceville from downtown Atlanta?

Lawrenceville is roughly 30 miles northeast of downtown Atlanta, though it sits much closer to Tucker along Lawrenceville Highway (U.S. 29).

What does the Lawrenceville Arts Center include?

The roughly 59,500 square foot Lawrenceville Arts Center houses Aurora Theatre's 500 seat proscenium theatre along with a smaller cabaret theatre, rehearsal space, and gallery areas on the historic square.