LOGO
                                                                     EXHIBIT 5.1
 
                                                                   July 29, 1996
 
ATRIA COMMUNITIES, INC.
Providian Center
515 West Market Street
Louisville, KY 40202
 
Ladies and Gentlemen:
 
  We have acted as legal counsel in connection with the preparation of a
Registration Statement on Form S-1 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(the "Registration Statement"), covering an aggregate of 5,750,000 shares
(including 750,000 shares subject to an over-allotment option granted to the
Underwriters) of Common Stock, par value $.10 per share (the "Common Stock"),
of Atria Communities, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), which are
being offered by the Company.
 
  We have examined and are familiar with the Restated Certificate of
Incorporation and Restated By-Laws of the Company, and the various corporate
records and proceedings relating to the organization of the Company and the
proposed issuance of the Common Stock. We have also examined such other
documents and proceedings as we have considered necessary for the purpose of
this opinion.
 
  Based on the foregoing, it is our opinion that the Common Stock has been duly
authorized and, when issued and paid for in accordance with the terms of the
Registration Statement, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.
 
  We hereby consent to the filing of this Opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement, and with such state securities administrators as may
require such opinion of counsel for the registration of the Common Stock, and
to the reference to this firm under the heading "Legal Matters" in the
Prospectus. In giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we are within
the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Rules and Regulations of the
Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder.
 
                                Very truly yours,
 
                            /s/ Greenebaum Doll & McDonald PLLC