The Chastain Arts Center & Gallery, a 114-year-old structure that once housed Black indigent residents, could soon be designated an Atlanta landmark.
Atlanta City Councilmember Amir Farokhi has introduced legislation to preserve the arts center building that was a Fulton County almshouse for Black residents from 1910 to 1968. The landmark designation would protect the building at 135 Chastain Park Ave. from demolition unless approved by the Atlanta Urban Design Commission.
Farokhi told Rough Draft protecting the original building of the Chastain Arts Center “is an easy way to preserve Atlanta’s architectural and cultural history.”
“If successful, the legislation will still allow for adjacent renovation and enhancement of the park,” he said.
Farokhi’s proposed ordinance comes two months after The Galloway School razed the campus’ historic Gresham Building despite opposition from many Chastain Park neighborhood residents, Galloway alumni and historic preservationists. The building’s listing on the National Register of Historic Places did not protect it from demolition.
The Gresham Building was built in 1911 and was originally the Fulton County Almshouse that housed poor and elderly white residents. It was built a half-mile from the almshouse for Black residents, now the arts center. Both buildings were designed by Morgan & Dillon, a noted Atlanta architectural firm.
The Gresham Building was demolished to make way for a new, larger Upper School building as part of The Galloway School’s multimillion-dollar campus renovations and expansion. The city council approved a special zoning district for the school to be able to construct the larger building and make other changes to existing buildings.
When news broke last year that The Galloway School planned to tear down the Gresham Building, the Atlanta Preservation Center and area residents started working to save the Chastain Arts Center & Gallery.
Farokhi’s proposed ordinance includes a paragraph that says, “As nearby historic structures have been recently demolished, the Atlanta Preservation Center and neighborhood residents have sought protection for this historic building.”
Atlanta Preservation Center Executive Director David Y. Mitchell said designating the Chastain Arts Center & Gallery as a landmark will preserve the historic character and cultural diversity of not just Chastain Park, but all of Atlanta. He also said he hopes the city council prioritizes historic preservation so more buildings like the Gresham Building are not lost.
“Obviously, a lot has been going on recently, and to have contributing and significant buildings be given protection is the gateway to understanding our city and identity,” Mitchell said.
“Historic preservation is a constant struggle, and any way we can grow the catalog of our historic fabric is a win for Atlanta and for the education of the past, present and future for everyone who has and will make Atlanta their home,” he said. “The Atlanta Preservation Center is grateful that [the Chastain Arts Center & Gallery] now belongs to the ages.”
The Chastain Arts Center & Gallery is currently closed for mold remediation found during upgrades to the building.
