Tackling Atlanta’s most long standing preservation problem

“This is one of those rare moments when everything has come together to give us an opportunity for a positive, progressive course of action for historic preservation in the city. We are going to tackle Atlanta’s most long standing preservation problem, and we believe we are ready for it,” said Boyd Coons, executive director of Atlanta Preservation Center. 

“The Grant Mansion has been exemplary of Atlanta’s unfortunate treatment of some of its best historic resources. It has been 60 years since Margaret Mitchell herself saw the importance of the Grant Mansion, put up the money for its preservation, and was thwarted. City Historian Franklin Garrett stated over 20 years ago that this was Atlanta’s most historic building.”

Since the 1940s, mistreatment and a couple of fires have taken their toll on the buff stucco house with two-foot thick walls, 10-foot windows, nine fireplaces and a ballroom. It has become a neighborhood eyesore: the second story is gone, leaving part of the first floor open to the elements; its four porches were ripped off decades ago.

“After a period of neglect and controversial treatment, it is our hope to give this unique resource what is necessary for its return as a major representative of Atlanta’s historic past and as a home for Atlanta Preservation Center’s future,” Coons said.

The Executive Committee of our Board of Trustees realized that if we didn’t move immediately to buy the Grant Mansion, which has no protection from demolition, it would be torn down by the next owner because of its fragile condition.

“We did not want to miss the last opportunity to save Grant Mansion and have the property fall victim to the infill invasion that characterized Atlanta’s intown neighborhoods,” said Board Chairman Nowland Gwynn.

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