The Galloway School in Buckhead’s Chastain Park neighborhood moved forward with the demolition of the campus’ historic Gresham Building on Thursday, Aug. 8, to make way for a new facility.
The razing of the 113-year-old building that sits atop a hill bordered by Chastain Park surprised area residents and school alumni who have been fighting for months to preserve the structure. They said the school has not received final approval from the city for its plans to expand and renovate the campus.
The city issued the Galloway School a demolition permit last month. A school spokesperson said the timeline is at the discretion of the construction company that’s doing the demolition and there wasn’t a specific date set for the actual building to come down.
The city’s Zoning Review Board is scheduled to hear the Galloway School’s argument to rezone the campus property at 6 p.m. today, including plans to tear down the Gresham Building. The ZRB vote then goes to the Atlanta City Council for final approval.
“We just thought it would be highly irregular for them to try to demolish it until they got the final zoning approval for their new building,” said Bruce Johnson, a Galloway School alumni who lives near Chastain Park.
“We really thought we had more time,” he said. “They acted in bad faith.”
Residents have sent letters to ZRB members urging them to deny approval of the Galloway School’s rezoning request. They also are organizing to attend tonight’s meeting, Johnson said.
“We don’t think they should be rewarded for bad behavior,” he said.
David Y. Mitchell, executive director of the Atlanta Preservation Center, said the loss of the building is “deeply troubling.”
“Historic buildings are both flexible and adaptable, and they have proven — over generations — that they can be modified to serve a community’s needs, offering education without demolition,” he said. “The loss of a National Register listed building is deeply troubling and should serve as another example to embrace the benefits of historic preservation.”
The school announced last year its “Galloway Forward” capital campaign to revamp the campus, including demolishing the Gresham Building to make way for a new, modern facility. To build its vision, the school has applied to be rezoned into a special interest district.
The city granted Galloway School its first demolition permit this spring, but ongoing debates between residents and the school slowed the process. A second demolition permit was issued July 30, according to online records.
A complaint was filed July 31 for a stop work order. A city inspector reported Aug. 2 there was no violation.
The Galloway School said in a written statement the decision to demolish the building today was made out of safety concerns.
The Galloway School Chastain campus has undergone significant changes with the planned demolition of the Gresham Building, a necessary step to prepare for new construction that aligns with our vision for a modern, safe, and conducive learning environment. The demolition permit was secured in the spring of 2024. The process is expected to be complete in early September.
The decision to demolish Gresham has been made after careful consideration of the building’s current condition and the urgent need for safety. The structure is no longer safe for use by students, faculty, or staff. It is crucial that we prioritize the safety and well-being of our campus community. In honor of the history of the Gresham building, we have taken the steps to preserve iconic elements on the building. These pieces will be incorporated in the next phase of the project.
While this may mark the end of an era for Gresham, it also represents an exciting new chapter for The Galloway School. The forthcoming construction is designed to enhance the educational experience and provide state-of-the-art facilities that will benefit current and future students.
While the campus is changing, the Galloway community remains focused on the 2024-25 school year with our tenets of self discovery, joyful learning and cultural competence.
