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Welcome to your mid-century modern lake community
About Lake Capri Estates
Lake Capri Estates is a lake community in Rockdale County, Georgia, approximately 4 miles northwest of Conyers and 19 miles east of downtown Atlanta. The mid-century modern neighborhood is built around three man-made lakes: Capri, Sorrento, and Capistrano, and borders the Yellow River. Lake Capri is guided by a very active, strong, and politically influential Homeowners Association, which, along with its community-minded residents, has helped maintain the beauty of this neighborhood over the years. Among other things, the HOA maintains the lakes, dams, clubhouse, and beach at Lake Capri.
There are many interesting things to see and do near Lake Capri. Here are some links to several of the many unique, natural, and historic attractions within a few miles of our neighborhood.
Our History
Lake Capri was originally known as Gaines Lake and was used for fishing. In 1963, Suburban Investments began to develop the area as Lake Capri Estates. Interstate 20 had just been completed out to Conyers. Rockdale County, with a population of approximately 17,000, was transitioning from a rural to a suburban area. At that time, Rockbridge Road ended at Lake Capri, and the only way to get to Conyers from the neighborhood was to take Lake Capri Road to Covington Highway. In 1963 and 1964, there were no water lines from Conyers to Lake Capri, and water was supplied by DeKalb County instead. Residents’ addresses were originally in Lithonia, Georgia.
Two of the first houses built here belonged to twin sisters and their husbands, Dot and Roy Thompson, and Evelyn and Lewis Perkerson. The clubhouse was built in 1964 to be used as a sales office and stands on the site of the old Gaines Lake “bait shop”. The developer established Restrictive Covenants, and one key restriction was the minimum square footage requirement for any home built. The goal was not to let it become a “fishing” community mixed with residential, which is how Norris Lake and probably others like Hi Roc Shores were developed.
Lake Capri quickly attracted a diverse mix of affluent individuals, including Delta Pilots and engineers, Coca-Cola executives, builders, real estate brokers, doctors, and lawyers. The neighborhood has also been home to some notable individuals: singer WEE WEE, who performed at the Olympic Games, Reverend Jim Bakker (who lived here with his brother after his stint in prison), and the brother of Senator William Proxmire. Lake Capri Estates has remained remarkably stable through the decades, with many of the homes still owned by the original residents. In recent years, younger families and creative individuals have moved in, attracted by the natural beauty, unique mid-century houses, and strong sense of community.