ATLANTA | Development Thread VI

[shivtim]

"One of the outstanding buildings in Atlanta" - City Builder magazine, 1932

Source: Atlanta History Center

[testarossa50]

I asked this before but I don't think it was answered. What are they planning there once this building is torn down?

I tend to fall on the side of saving such a structure but I don't feel like I know enough about this situation to make a good judgement.

[MdtwnATL]

Originally Posted by atlwarrior

It looks awful, and with all the zoining requirements how could it possible be re-use. Just because its old it does not mean it need to be save.

*Blank Stare*

[joecool]

Originally Posted by atlwarrior

It looks awful, and with all the zoining requirements how could it possible be re-use. Just because its old it does not mean it need to be save.

*face to palm*

[Atlanta3000]

Originally Posted by shivtim

"One of the outstanding buildings in Atlanta" - City Builder magazine, 1932

Source: Atlanta History Center

Shivtim your pictorial failed to capture the elements that make this grand old gem a keeper. Note the architectural elements used to cover the parking garage flanking her right side...true craftsmanship and so forward thinking considering the car was just coming out in the early nineteen hundreds. O - lest I not forget the skywalk. Nothing says urbanism like a skywalk...a la Portman.

Source: Common Sense


I know you crazy preservationist urbanites love a zero lot line (waste not, want not), but don't you think they went a little aggressive on the side walk width? Not exactly handicap friendly and I am sure the arborist from Trees Atlanta are frowning as well.

[shivtim]

LOL. I'll just let your post speak for itself.

[Atlanta3000]

Originally Posted by shivtim

LOL. I'll just let your post speak for itself.

You are to kind shitim.

However, I think the broader group could benefit from you pontificating on the historical aspects of this building's grandiose parking garage and skywalk cleverly concealed in period detail. Note - this building has 4 sides, not just the 2 shown by you. Spread the love!!!

[shivtim]

Georgia State just announced the name of their new(ish) stadium (previously Turner Field):
"Parker H. Petit Field at Georgia State Stadium"

[Street Advocate]

Originally Posted by shivtim

Georgia State just announced the name of their new(ish) stadium (previously Turner Field):
"Parker H. Petit Field at Georgia State Stadium"

Gotta love the skyline views of our in-town college football stadiums.

[Omaharocks]

Originally Posted by atlwarrior

It looks awful, and with all the zoining requirements how could it possible be re-use. Just because its old it does not mean it need to be save.

I just can't help myself...what the hell are you doing on an urban development board if you're this myopic about saving a historic building in the core of the city?

[Street Advocate]

Considering the Proton Therapy Center laying dormant for years and going to be underutilized space for the rest of eternity even after construction is complete, Emory needs to put some renderings up before any further discussion, yet alone action, comes along when it comes to demolition. Emory hasn't been the best neighbor at its Midtown campus.

Furthermore, Emory owns the entire southern half of the block- they should be able to re-purpose the existing building while also building out whatever they need on the rest of the block. That should include getting rid of that garbage parking deck and put in something that could support both sites/potentially lead to future demo of the two parking decks Emory owns both eastern corners of West Peachtree and Pine. Not to mention they own more parking lots on the southeastern and southwestern blocks of the intersection of West Peachtree and Linden in addition to surface parking along Pine and Peachtree.

I get that two of the walls on that building are terrible looking but the other two walls are something that other cities would kill for. Sure, maybe the sidewalks should be larger or trees buffering from the street, but that's an issue with the street, not the building.

As it stands currently, we know little of what Emory is proposing. If this building is torn down, that entire block may become a total waste of space. Considering we know Emory has a substantial amount of underutilized space directly adjacent in the area, we should not encourage or allow demolition.

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by shivtim

"One of the outstanding buildings in Atlanta" - City Builder magazine, 1932

Excellent, shivtim!

[Martinman]

Originally Posted by testarossa50

I asked this before but I don't think it was answered. What are they planning there once this building is torn down?

I tend to fall on the side of saving such a structure but I don't feel like I know enough about this situation to make a good judgement.

I can't find anything on it but I do know that several years ago, Emory was planning a big expansion of the Midtown campus with a new building on that site.

Originally Posted by shivtim

"One of the outstanding buildings in Atlanta" - City Builder magazine, 1932

Source: Atlanta History Center

If that building were restored and updated we could be 100% certain that it would be more inviting and interesting than whatever Emory will eventually build.

[Libertarian]

Let's be positive. Emory Midtown is the main reason behind why the Peachtree-Pine disaster is going away. Also, Emory redeveloped an empty and decaying apartment building across the way into a beautiful improvement. Much as we don't like the proton facility, they stuck with that project and it serves a need for the region. Emory Midtown had a couple of setbacks, for example the biomed research center they wanted to develop jointly with Ga Tech, across W. Ptree, never yet materialized. I have a feeling however that in the next ten years you'll see some impressive stuff built on their underutilized lots. My understanding is they don't think the infrastructure is in the Clifton corridor to get more health services buildout there, although that could change with development of the Lindbergh-Decatur line...
If I'm guessing what is the future of the aforementioned adjacent parcel on Linden St., I'd say an outpatient same day or next day facility similar to what they have in Gwinnett on Satellite Blvd, or maybe similar to what Northside Hospital is hatching a few blocks further up W.Ptree. Linden is a short block walk from the North Ave. station.

[daharris80]

Originally Posted by Libertarian

Much as we don't like the proton facility, they stuck with that project and it serves a need for the region.

Not to get caught up in details that may derail a certain narrative - but Emory doesn't own the Proton Therapy Center. The owner is a non-profit LLC which in turn is owned by Provident Resources Group. They're responsible for the build out and equipment costs (which are in the neighborhood of $350 million). Once opened it will be staffed by Emory and the Winship Cancer Institute and clearly its branded as "Emory." These aren't just semantics. Facilities that Emory owns and builds have a much better track record of timely construction and funding.

As far as the Life of Georgia Building - in my view historic preservation as a whole takes a hit when buildings not assigned protective status are suddenly celebrated as being important to maintain when there is a development plan. If this building is so important why has it seemingly been ignored by historic preservationists until now? It really hurts the argument that a building needs to preserved when preservationists are silent when a building stands empty and in near ruins for years and only speak up when someone wants to do something with it. I could be a little more understanding if this was a building that preservationists had identified and were seeking to have restored or maintained. I'm not aware of any such prior effort. If I'm wrong please let me know.

That City Builder magazine is really cool. Its awesome to think that we're part of a community that is at least 85 years old that are interested in the development of this city.

[PhunkyPho]

https://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news...d-project-next-to-dunwoody-ga-marta.html

[shivtim]

Originally Posted by daharris80

As far as the Life of Georgia Building - in my view historic preservation as a whole takes a hit when buildings not assigned protective status are suddenly celebrated as being important to maintain when there is a development plan. If this building is so important why has it seemingly been ignored by historic preservationists until now? It really hurts the argument that a building needs to preserved when preservationists are silent when a building stands empty and in near ruins for years and only speak up when someone wants to do something with it. I could be a little more understanding if this was a building that preservationists had identified and were seeking to have restored or maintained. I'm not aware of any such prior effort. If I'm wrong please let me know.

I get the sentiment, but you're incorrect. The preservation community in Atlanta has been very much aware of this building and has been trying to save it for at least a decade (probably longer). See this page from 2008, a time when the building was previously threatened. That petition that is circulating now is from 2008 as well.

Also, of course preservationists are going to speak up when a building is more endangered. If a building is vacant, it's not in imminent danger of being torn down. People can advocate for it to be redeveloped, but that wouldn't really have much effect. It makes sense that when you'd see the most people up in arms is when a building is about to be demolished.

[ATL_J]

Originally Posted by Libertarian

Also, Emory redeveloped an empty and decaying apartment building across the way into a beautiful improvement.

Not true. That was Perennial.

[Atlanta3000]

Originally Posted by daharris80

Not to get caught up in details that may derail a certain narrative - but Emory doesn't own the Proton Therapy Center. The owner is a non-profit LLC which in turn is owned by Provident Resources Group. They're responsible for the build out and equipment costs (which are in the neighborhood of $350 million). Once opened it will be staffed by Emory and the Winship Cancer Institute and clearly its branded as "Emory." These aren't just semantics. Facilities that Emory owns and builds have a much better track record of timely construction and funding.

As far as the Life of Georgia Building - in my view historic preservation as a whole takes a hit when buildings not assigned protective status are suddenly celebrated as being important to maintain when there is a development plan. If this building is so important why has it seemingly been ignored by historic preservationists until now? It really hurts the argument that a building needs to preserved when preservationists are silent when a building stands empty and in near ruins for years and only speak up when someone wants to do something with it. I could be a little more understanding if this was a building that preservationists had identified and were seeking to have restored or maintained. I'm not aware of any such prior effort. If I'm wrong please let me know.

That City Builder magazine is really cool. Its awesome to think that we're part of a community that is at least 85 years old that are interested in the development of this city.

Totally agree DH80. I have said this multiple times, "Just because it is old, does not make it historic." Not to mention it's an ugly f'en building to close to the sidewalk and it has a huge exposed parking garage with a damn skywalk. Normally the folks on here would have their pitch forks ready to do a coup on the Atlanta Zoning Dept, but for some strange reason they are taking up this cause and I don't get it.

I believe everyone has a right to an opinion - so long as it is not hypocrisy.

[shivtim]

^The skywalk and the parking deck are not part of the building. The sidewalk is also not part of the building.