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Monday, May 19, 2008
Dear Atlanta, Please Don’t Tear Down Four Historic Buildings. Love, The Wren’s Nest

Posted by: Amelia // Category: Historic Preservation, Atlanta, Really? // 12:29 pm

Today’s AJC has an article about the conflict over four historic buildings in Midtown. Most troubling to a person like me is the fact that the buildings will be taken down in favor of… vacant lots.

Crum and Foster Building

Come on.

It can be a tad unnerving to be in the business of preservation when vacant lots are winning out over the institutions that shaped Atlanta (hi, Tech! Thanks!)

Now, to be fair, there are a lot of challenges involved in historic preservation.

Speaking from a Wren’s Nest perspective, lordy does it cost a lot. We’re awfully dependent on the kindness of others (volunteer at Wren’s Nest Fest!). It’s not particularly easy to maintain things that weren’t intended to last, which can be frustrating indeed. And sometimes people try to pee on your antiques.

But the largest and most consistent obstacle is also the most obvious: people like new stuff. New is exciting, and Tech specifically has done great things recently. See: Tech square, their new management building, or Lain’s favorite thing ever, the 5th street bridge.

5th Street Bridge in Midtown, Atlanta

(It goes over the highway! And is pedestrian-friendly! And pretty! Seriously, awesome. We usually drive over it in each direction in appreciation.)

Regardless, taking down these buildings is not one of those great things. Not only does this destroy the character of the area, but it does so permanently. A parking lot may be profitable in the short term, sure, but you can’t buy old buildings back, nor can you bring back charm once you’ve leveled it.

And you know what? Old things work. They’re socially and economically important. Just look at, oh I don’t know, places like Chicago.

Water Tower in Downtown Chicago

My kinda town.

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9 Comments


  1. Joe
    Comment // May 19th, 2008 // 2:36 pm

    Seriously, Amelia.


  2. Marshall
    Comment // May 20th, 2008 // 10:52 am

    Atlanta has a new town mentally 30 years and its old. We tear it down. Omni, Atlanta Stadium, Historic Westside (Hunter Street aka Martin Luther King Blvd). Heck, I do not recognize Peachtree Street North of North Ave. This is from a native that grew up here. It is in the genes of Atlanta. I am tempted to blame it on Sherman or is it too late to put it on him.


  3. David Rogers
    Comment // May 20th, 2008 // 11:01 am

    Oh man, Sherman’s been brought up…


  4. lain
    Comment // May 20th, 2008 // 1:24 pm

    Marshall, it’s really hard for me to see why there are so many developers who don’t “get it.” I’m all for progress, density, and development, but if you’re going to tear down the history in order to get there it seems not only short-sighted, but also economically detrimental.

    If you look at it on a smaller level, this neighborhood say, it’s hard to imagine West End without the Wren’s Nest or the Hammonds House or all the old Arts and Crafts homes or the strip of retail along RDA. Without those things, there’s no character, no culture, no neighborhood.

    Destroying the built environment (assuming it was done right the first time, and in this case it most certainly was) may make sense right now, but it’s devastating for community.  Seems like many who want to tear down historic buildings haven’t factored in the true opportunity cost, they’ve just thought about the immediate payoff.


  5. Jodi
    Comment // May 20th, 2008 // 1:32 pm

    now i can’t stop humming joni mitchell….paved paradise, put up a parking lot.


  6. David Rogers
    Comment // May 20th, 2008 // 3:19 pm

    More details-the Midtown Neighborhood association is discussing these projects tonight.

    768 Juniper Street (SW corner of Juniper & 5th Streets)
    Applicant: Congregation of the St. Mark Church
    Designers: Stephen H. Pyc, The Jaeger Company Landscape architects
    Scope: Demolition of three (3) existing circa 1905 residential properties located on Juniper Street for the addition of surface parking accessory to St. Mark Church.

    771 Spring Street (SE corner of Spring Street and Armistead- located to the rear of the Technology Square Barnes and Noble bookstore)
    Applicant: Tom Barranco on behalf of the Georgia Tech Foundation
    Designers: Valdis D. Zusmanis, HGOR Architects
    Scope: Demolition of Crum and Foster building designed by noted Atlanta architects Ivey & Crook in 1926 to bring sidewalk into conformity with Midtown Standard.

    The Land Use Committee has two projects on its agenda for the May 20th meeting that merit public input. Of discussion are the demolition of four historic structures; including the Crum and Foster Building by noted Atlanta architectural firm Ivey & Crook at 771 Spring St, and three residential structures at 768 and 776 Juniper and 125 5th Street, the intersection of Juniper and Fifth streets. At this time the only proposed use for these locations is surface parking. These projects address two important issues in the Blueprint Midtown II; the desire to preserve historical structures whenever possible and the desire to reduce the number of surface parking lots in the area. The Land Use Committee invites all interested residents and members of the public to attend the review and welcomes their input.


  7. David Rogers
    Comment // May 20th, 2008 // 3:20 pm

    The Board of Directors of the MNA are voting next Thursday. Tonight is presentation of the projects and public discussion.


  8. Geoff Rogers, Board Member of Midtown Neighbors' Association
    Comment // May 23rd, 2008 // 10:17 am

    On Thursday, the Midtown Neighbors’ Association (MNA) heard the applications listed above regarding the destruction of several historic buildings. In the face of significant opposition, St. Marks withdrew its application for 30 days, during which it with it meet with architects in hopes of finding a plan to keep the three historic houses. The GA Tech foundation’s application to destroy the Crum and Foster building was opposed. This is a small but significant win for historic preservation.

    The fate of these two projects does not end with the MNA recommendation. The city may still grant these applications despite our recommendation. The outcome of the these meetings is generally decided by who attends the meetings. I HIGHLY ENCOURAGE THAT ANYONE INTERESTED IN MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN HISTORIC PRESERVATION KEEP TRACK OF THE THESE APPLICATIONS AND ATTEND ALL RELEVANT MEETINGS!!! The outcome of these applications is generally decided by “Butts in the seats.” Our website is an excellent way to find out about these meetings - visit the MNA at www.midtownatlanta.org

    Thanks for the interest in these important projects!


  9. The Wren’s Nest » Life of Georgia Building Not So Lively, To Be Demolished
    Pingback // September 9th, 2008 // 11:52 am

    […] Let’s ignore, for a moment, the irony concerning the destruction of the “Life of Georgia” building.  Really, Atlanta?  Again?  Can we just keep something?  Please? […]

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