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Photo by Britton Rogers
SPOTLIGH T: GAR DE N HILLS H ISTOR IC DIST R IC T Listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1987, Garden Hills represents an early 20th century planned residential neighborhood with a mix of singlefamily homes and apartments. Developed by the Garden Hills Company from the 1920s through the 1940s, Garden Hills follows the principles of Frederick Law Olmsted and is characterized by curvilinear streets.
A PC TO ZO O AT L ANTA S UMMER C A MP During July, the Atlanta Preservation Center welcomed 20 elementary age students from the City of Refuge. Over five days, children learned and explored in and around Grant Park, visiting historic sites such as the Lion Bridge, Milledge Fountain, and Constitution Spring, and learning how to identify the ten most common birds in Georgia through bird watching in the park.
Each day, the children also visited a different section at Zoo Atlanta from the Asian Forest to the Scaly Slimy Spectacular. One highlight at Zoo Atlanta was an encounter with a Blue-Tongued Skink named Reggie. During the time at the APC, we talked about the importance of preservation and architecture in Atlanta and our community through conversation, arts, and crafts. Each camper also received a copy of professor and APC Board member Danielle Willkens’ book Architecture for Teens. ATLANTAPRESERVATIONCENTER.COM
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HIGHLIGHTS
PHOE NIX FLIES 2021: A CELEBR AT ION OF AT L ANTA’S HI STOR IC SI T ES Although it looked a little different, Phoenix Flies 2021 continued a seventeen year tradition of celebrating the city’s significant historic and cultural sites, places, and organizations through over 200 free events.
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic required adaptation and adjustments, and yet March brought a successful Phoenix Flies 2021! Events this year included a mix of in-person tours following CDC protocols and virtual programs, both pre-recorded
Photo by Britton Rogers
and live via Zoom. If you missed any of our virtual programs, you can find them on our Vimeo page anytime at vimeo.com/preserveatlanta. A special thank you to our sponsors who made this year’s Phoenix Flies a success! Planning is already underway for Phoenix Flies 2022, set to kick off Saturday, March 5, 2022! If you or your organization is interested in participating, please contact our Event Coordinator at jessie@preserveatlanta.com.
Photo by Britton Rogers
E ART H D AY CELEBR ATION AT HI STOR IC ST. M A R K A ME CHU R CH This Spring, the Atlanta Preservation Center proudly participated in “Connect to Protect: Restoring Wildlife in small places, one small planting at a time” at St. Mark AME Church in the historic English Avenue neighborhood. Long-term preservation is planned for this historic space. The APC is partnering
with Pastor Winston Taylor, Mother Mamie Moore, Professor Danielle Willkens and students from the Georgia Tech School of Architecture, Department of City Planning, Landmark Preservation, and Kronberg Urbanists + Architects to recognize, celebrate and preserve this significant historic and cultural site.
T WO ATL ANTA PA RK S: IC ONS OF R E SI LI E NC Y The Atlanta Preservation Center is a proud recipient of a grant from the Society of Architectural Historians’ American Architecture and Landscape Field Trip Program for a project entitled “Two Atlanta Parks: Icons of Resiliency.”
right movement while also melding aspects of STEAM education through the ongoing research of the School of Architecture at Georgia Institute of Technology into documentation and heritage BIM (Building Information Modeling) of these sites using 3D scanning, drones, and projective preservation planning.
This grant will fund a project consisting of site visits at the L.P. Grant Mansion and Washington Park. Students will explore the The APC is especially grateful for various sites related to Atlanta’s role in the civil this opportunity and support from 2 | SUMMER 2021
SAH. We look forward to sharing more on this important project to cultivate project-based learning and curiosity within the next generation of building and landscape stewards.
M E M OR IAL D AY AT PER SHING POI N T PA R K In recognition of Memorial Day, the Atlanta Preservation Center led efforts to clean the World War One Memorial at Pershing Point Park in Midtown. The APC partnered with Shelly Cervero and Ellie Isaacs of Landmark Preservation and Adrienne Wright with the City of Atlanta Department of Parks and Recreation. Pershing Point Park forms the junction of two of Atlanta’s most traveled routes: Peachtree Street and West Peachtree Street. On September 20, 1920, the War Mothers’ Service Star Legion, a group of mothers, sisters, and wives of servicemen, dedicated the memorial, which lists the names of 130 soldiers from Fulton County who died in the First World War. The Pershing Point memorial was created in the aftermath of WWI and identifies all of the lost Fulton County soldiers, their names and branch of service etched upon its bronze plaque. This space is one of our many historic public parks and can be visited year-round at 1437 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta, Georgia.
Photo by Britton Rogers
H ISTOR IC PRESERVATION MON T H The Atlanta Preservation Center celebrated Historic Preservation Month with a virtual program in collaboration with Landmark Preservation, Friends of Historic Westview Cemetery, and Westview Cemetery to
look behind the scenes at the Gatehouse assessment and planned restoration. Learn more about the incredible work being done by watching the recorded program on our Vimeo page at vimeo.com/preserveatlanta.
The WWI Memorial before restorative cleaning. A special thank you to Shelly Cervero and Ellie Isaacs of Landmark Preservation for collaborating on this project.
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Newly added to the National Register of historic places
CLER MONT HOTEL / BON AVE NT U R E AR M S A PA RTMENTS Located in the PonceyHighland neighborhood, the Hotel Clermont is now officially listed in the National Register of Historic Places. After being closed for nearly 10 years, the Hotel Clermont reopened as a 94 room boutique hotel in the Summer of 2018 after a significant historic rehabilitation.
E A ST AT L ANTA H ISTORIC DISTR IC T Officially listed in the National Register of Historic Places in June 2021, the East Atlanta Historic district is a large, diverse neighborhood of single-family houses, apartments, commercial buildings, schools, churches, a park, and a cemetery. Included in this is the c. 1911 East Atlanta Bank, now home to Flatiron Bar. Designed with elements of Jacobethan Revival style, the East Atlanta Bank Building is the oldest documented extant building in the district’s commercial center and features a Flemish bond brick veneer. Congratulations to the East Atlanta Community Association and all who supported this preservation effort!
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Photo by Britton Rogers
In 2020, the Highland Inn, a century-old landmark, faced threats of demolition. With the recent Poncey-Highland historic designation and now under new ownership, we look forward to the plans to preserve the history, charm, and aesthetics of this historic space.
NA ME THIS HISTORIC BUILDING ! Originally known as the EnglishAmerican Building, this 1897 Downtown Atlanta skyscraper served as the second headquarters for the Atlanta Preservation Center in 1985 and is more commonly known as the:
ORMEWO OD AVE N U E BR I D GE On August 25th, the Atlanta Urban Design Commission approved the Ormewood Avenue Bridge Landmark Nomination. Next up is the Zoning Review Board (ZRB). The APC sponsored the nomination and collaborated with Landmark Preservation and the Department of City Planning in drafting the nomination application. The c. 1890s Ormewood Bridge is primed to be the first railroad structure given landmark designation in the City of Atlanta.
NEW PARTNER SHIP WITH GEORGIA AUDUBON The Atlanta Preservation Center is proud to partner with Georgia Audubon for a new tour series including a brief tour of the L.P. Grant Mansion and a larger exploration of Grant Park and the native bird species found therein.
⎕ Candler Building ⎕ Walton Building ⎕ Flatiron Building ⎕ Haas-Howell Building Find the answer on page 8!
A new birdhouse has also been installed at the APC that supports the local Brown-headed Nuthatch and Carolina Chickadee populations. Thank you to Corina Newsome from Georgia Audubon for collaborating on these efforts.
Photo by Jim West
GO O GLE ARTS & C ULT URE The Atlanta Preservation Center is proud to partner with Google Arts and Culture to celebrate the City of Atlanta and the role of preservation in our city’s historic and cultural identity. Check out the full collaborative project by going to artsandculture.google.com/project/atlanta.
Throwback
Preservation Updates
T HE H IGH L AND INN
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c. 1983 at Tim’s Homemade Ice Cream. In 1937, Virginia Highland was home to the Jersey Ice Cream Company and Wright’s Ice Cream Company. Today, the National Register listed neighborhood includes local favorites Paolo’s Gelato and Morelli’s Gourmet Ice Cream And Desserts.
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Advocacy
PR E SERVATION SPOTLIGHT : E A SE ME N TS AT L ANTA , I NC. Easements Atlanta, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, was established in 1984 as a result of a successful alliance between the City of Atlanta, Atlanta History Center, and the Atlanta Preservation Center. Headquartered at the L.P. Grant Mansion, Easements Atlanta’s mission is to accept qualified historic preservation easement donations of certified historic and cultural properties
StudioPlex/Southeastern Cotton Warehouse, c. 1908-1918
within Metropolitan Atlanta, and in turn offer perpetual stewardship and potential tax incentives for property owners. Since 1984, Easements Atlanta has permanently protected over 43 historic properties through the use of preservation and façade easements, including residential, mixed-use, government, and commercial buildings dating from the late nineteenth century through the 1940s. Several buildings once functioned as banks, mills, schools, warehouses, fraternity buildings, water towers, and smokestacks. The APC is proud to support Easements Atlanta’s perpetual stewardship of these historic resources, ensuring that Atlanta’s architectural heritage lives on for future generations to enjoy. Learn more about the work of Easements Atlanta at easementsatlanta.org.
H ISTORIC BUILDING L AN G U A GE: M ODERNE- ST Y LE A R CHITE C T U R E
Wigwam Building c. 1940s. Photo by Britton Rogers
This building’s flat roof, metal casement windows, cubic shape, stucco in pastel colors and unornamented exterior are characteristic of the Moderne-style architecture, distinguishing it from the cottages and Queen Anne–style houses typically found in the Old Fourth Ward. Designed by Vincent Daly and constructed by architects Cornelius King and Sons, the Wigwam Condos are
Spotswood Hall, c. 1913
permanently protected by a preservation easement held by Easements Atlanta, Inc.
BELL BUILDING Plans are underway to adaptively repurpose the c. 1907/1922 Bell Buildings in Downtown Atlanta into the new headquarters of the National Institute for Student Success. Listed on the Atlanta Preservation Center’s Endangered Places List in 2014, the APC helped lead community efforts to prevent demolition and advocate for the historic building’s thoughtful reuse. 6 | SUMMER 2021
The APC appreciates and supports Georgia State University’s plans to preserve and repurpose the historic Bell Building. Most recently, the APC has collaborated with Professor Danielle Willkens and Georgia Tech School of Architecture students Kaila Andino and Asha McDonald on documenting this historic site. Visit that project at sites.gatech.edu/discover.
NATIONAL BO OK BINDERY An amended agreement signals a significant preservation win for Buckhead and the National Book Bindery of Georgia Building. An updated agreement between the developer, Peachtree Hills Civic Association, and the Atlanta Preservation Center specifies not only preserving but also maintaining the primary section of the book bindery as a stand-alone building. The agreement additionally ensures that
the exterior façade will not be changed “in any manner that is inconsistent with the historical character.” Since placing this site on the Atlanta Preservation Center’s Endangered Places List in 2009, the APC has continued to advocate for the building’s preservation and thoughtful reuse. The APC appreciates Kolter Group, Branch Properties, and PHCA working together with the APC on this effort.
Photo by Scott Atlanta
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Advocacy
NEIGHBORHO OD A D VO C A C Y AND COLL ABOR ATION In 2020, the Atlanta Preservation Center reconvened the APC’s Landmark and
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Historic Districts Group, a collection of neighborhood leaders from Atlanta’s 13 locally designated neighborhood districts. The Historic Districts Group collaborates on neighborhood and city level preservation issues such as code enforcement, supporting and strengthening the role of the Urban Design Commission, Zoning and CDP updates, and more.
Photo by Josh Green, Urbanize Atlanta
This summer, Inman Park neighbors contacted the APC and asked for timely help regarding the demolition of this contributing building in the Inman Park Historic District. The APC promptly contacted City of Atlanta officials and a stop-work order was issued at the site the next business day. The APC looks forward to continuing to work with the Inman Park Neighborhood Association, the property owners, and the Department of City Planning on this building’s reconstruction.
R U F US M . R O SE HO USE Real estate investment firm UC Asset has purchased the historic Rufus M. Rose House on Peachtree Street with plans to fully restore the 120-year-old mansion. The Atlanta Preservation Center is looking forward to seeing this part of our city’s story both return and welcome future generations to Atlanta. The APC leased the Rufus Rose house as its headquarters from 1999-2001 prior to purchasing and restoring the L.P. Grant Mansion.
CO M MUNIT Y MEETINGS: AU D C TO ZR B The Atlanta Preservation Center continues to be a strong advocate for historic preservation and thoughtful growth in the City of Atlanta. This year, the APC has attended public meetings for the Comprehensive Development Plan Update, Atlanta Urban Design Commission, Zoning Review Board, Board of Zoning Adjustment, Neighborhood Planning Units, and more. 8 | SUMMER 2021
PRESERVATION PROGRESS
R ESTOR AT ION C ONTINUES AT T HE 1 8 56 L .P. GR ANT M ANSION With remote working and fewer public events, the last year has provided an opportunity for the Atlanta Preservation Center to address needed repairs, restoration, and deferred maintenance to the L.P. Grant Mansion. The APC worked with Landmark Preservation, LLC. to restore the drawing-
Photo by Britton Rogers
room windows and in-kind repairs to the original stucco using a compatible material in color, texture, and composition. A special thank you to Pellerin Real Estate and Urbantec Development Partners, LLC. for supporting the recent window restoration efforts. Members are invited to an upcoming members-only in-person event in September for a behind-the-scenes view of the ongoing restoration of the L.P Grant Mansion. Please be on the lookout for an email invitation.
Photo by Britton Rogers
Photo by Britton Rogers
Photo by Britton Rogers
Photo by Britton Rogers
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EDUCATION AND COLLABORATION
ST. M A RK A .M .E ST UDENT PR O JE C T E X HI BI T ION In June, students from Professor Danielle Willkens’ Summer Studio Course at the Georgia Tech School of Architecture exhibited final project proposals at the Grant Mansion. During the course, students explored historic English Avenue, the Land Use Framework Plan, and programming opportunities for reinvigorating the shell of St. Mark AME with schematic design proposals.
Photo by Britton Rogers
A special thank you to Danielle Willkens, Thomas Bray, Kymani Hall, Haley Kellam, Ben Mayo, Kyle McFarlin, So Min Park, Charlotte Steinichen, Abby White, Pastor Winston Taylor, and Olivia Pontiff.
R ACE, SPA CE AND A R CHI T E C T U R E This Spring, the Atlanta Preservation Center collaborated with students from the Georgia Tech School of Architecture in Professor Danielle Willkens’ course, “Race, Space, and Architecture,” to recognize and document significant historic spaces in Atlanta. Explore all of the projects at sites.gatech.edu/discover.
I N ME MOR I A M
Photo by Danielle Willkens
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The Atlanta Preservation Center honors the life and legacy of Belle Turner Lynch and Leon Rudolph Robbins, Jr., both longtime supporters of historic preservation and the Atlanta Preservation Center.
MECHAN ICS VI LLE 2 02 0: T HE PA ST, PR E SE NT, AND POSSI BLE F UT U R E OF ONE OF ATL ANTA’S OLDE ST NEIGHBOR HO OD S
Past: Whitehall and McDaniel Street, 1961 © Georgia State University Library
Present: Inside of 479 Whitehall Street: a manufacturing facility of House Parts, a fabricator of architectural reproductions
Future: A proposal for renovation of 555 Whitehall, a former US post office and current site of Rhythma Studios, by Arthima Chaisiri and Chris Geng
In September, a new exhibit will be opening at the Atlanta Preservation Center from Ventulett NEXT Generation Teaching Fellow Ryan Roark and students from the Georgia Tech School of Architecture. This exhibit features a visual history of Mechanicsville and a series of proposals for both renovation and new construction along Whitehall Street, a two-block stretch adjacent to South Downtown Atlanta and straddling the neighborhoods of Castleberry Hill and Mechanicsville. Stay tuned for upcoming exhibit details!
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NON PROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE
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ADAP TIVE REUSE | HISTOR IC D ANZIG MOT EL Non-profit City of Refuge plans to adaptively repurpose the historic Danzig Motel, one of Atlanta’s first black-owned motels, into affordable apartments. Originally built by O.T. Bell, the Danzig Motel opened on Chappell Road on Atlanta’s Westside in 1959.
Photo by City of Refuge.
This project will transform the site, which has been vacant for over 20 years, into a 31-unit apartment building that serves Westside neighborhood residents, especially those
from the Westlake and Bankhead areas. Future residential services will be connected to support services including mentorship, employment, counseling, fitness, and more. The Atlanta Preservation Center is excited to partner with and support City of Refuge on this project. Learn more about this project and opportunities to participate with City of Refuge by visiting cityofrefugeatl.org.
TO U R S A RE BA CK ! Our guided walking tours returned in July. The APC has partnered once again with our incredible volunteer guides to take Atlanta and her visitors alike on tours of Inman Park, Westview Cemetery, Grant Park, Druid Hills, Midtown, Downtown, Ponce de Leon and more.
A new special tour behind the scenes of the Abrams Building, a historic rehabilitation project, is planned for October with partner Braden Fellman. Please watch your email and APC social media for these new tour announcements. All tour registration is now completed through Eventbrite.
APC Downtown Walking Tour, 1987
Answer from page 5: Flatiron Building! The 1897 Flatiron Building is Atlanta’s oldest standing steel-framed skyscraper and pre-dates New York City’s larger Flatiron Building (c. 1901).
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