They took down the Stop Work Order. I'll bet demolition will continue on Wednesday, January 2. See "Permit? I Thought YOU Got the Permit" from December 29, 2102.
The order said: "NO PERMIT + PLANS NO PRE CONSTRUCTION MEETING" 12-28-12, Friday
There is no demolition permit for 109 Seventh Street, the address of the J. A. McCord Apartment.
But there is a permit issued 2012-12-17 for 867 PEACHTREE, the address of the Starbucks next door that fronts Peachtree. Maybe the lots have been bundled already, if that's the term. You can see the permit online: Record BB-201202081 Commercial Demolition 867 PEACHTREE, summarized:
DEMOLISH COMMERCIAL BUILDING DEMOLISH AND REMOVE (2) BUILDINGS FROM SITE ALL COMPONENTS (THREE STORY BRICK W/BASEMENT-EXISTING 6-UNIT APARTMENT BUILDING)-RESIDENTIAL
Stop work orders are common. In my neighborhood a contractor can go to court for leaving too many dirt clods on the street. They keep their eye peeled for little white pickups with a city logo. But I think the contractors on this demolition are too experienced to make this mistake.
This demolition has been going on for 10 days.
The sign was there from the beginning, December 18. I mean from the beginning of the end.
Georgia Tech has bought (or were gifted, I'm not sure how it worked) and renovated the Historic Academy of Medicine at Georgia Tech and offers it as an event facility. That is a very fine thing for architecture tourists and for everyone else.
In 1968 all I knew is that it was a classy building with a front yard on West Peachtree. I lived across the street from the Academy of Medicine (1941) my senior year at Tech. I saw it every single day. I hadn't the slightest idea what they did in there or what it looked like inside.
I was fortunate to attend the grand re-opening on December 15, 2011 and took a few pictures.
This is a per-renovation picture.
Event planning staff and volunteers from Tech showed us around.
I think the "sparkling clarity" is back. Don't you? Who managed the restoration? I hope to find out.
The clerestory windows from outside. "...square tower containing coffered semicircular skylights."
I don't know my terms. Aren't these Acroteria?
The entrance hall / foyer / rotunda is uncanny. It feels colossal yet cozy, grand but comfortable, elaborate but reserved. To me a great place can impress without making me feel small.
A little panorama from the rotunda. Eyes up yet again.
The auditorium is to the east, nice place for a wedding.
Columns in antis frame the stage.
From the stage looking towards the rotunda.
Detail of the mirrored sconces and wallpaper in the auditorium. Do you suppose Shutze designed these?
I'm looking across the rotunda towards the north wing and north entrance. There is a library down there, a good place for the bridesmaids to hang out, also a parlor for the bride.
The north entrance from the outside. It rocks.
I'm standing in the library, looking across the hall into the parlor.
Panorama of the library with its fine furnishings. Not a spec of dust.
The stair is in the north wing too. It delighted every glance.
It's just a few steps from the rotunda yet seems part of an immense space.
It's u-shaped with curves galore.
Downstairs is a bit more modest with meeting rooms. Ample space for the groom's party and more. Look in the mirror.
The south wing is a large hall, suitable for the wedding reception and dance. It has this bodacious highly-modeled painting. My other pictures didn't come out very well.
Do you recognize the artist? We don't know.
How about a few outside pictures.
The portico overlooks the only lawn on West Peachtree.
Severe detailing.
Right now you can see the Cavalia tent framed by Midtown highrises.
The north side has a sunken patio for the reception spillover.
It's enclosed with a view of the midtown skyline.
The north entrance again, the parlor is on the right, the library on the left.
The entrance to the rusticated terrace level has plenty of charm.
The auditorium bumps out of the east facade.
The back door with the transom would enter the stage.
Stairs and a ramp lead to the sunken patio.
Now that I've convinced you, I hope you'll invite me to the wedding.
This is the view from the Bank of America drive-window at the Emory University.
It's Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church. To me it's the most pleasing Philip Shutze public building. It also serves as Emory's largest auditorium and it contains Shutze's "Little Chapel" (more in post script).
I don't mind the teller line when I can peruse the proportions and details.
When the leaves fall I get a better view.
It's been home to many graduations, church services, concerts, weddings, and funerals. I think it's the centerpiece of Druid Hills and the standout building at Emory.
What a pleasure to see this uplifting and humane building while waiting for the teller or for the light to change, or eating pizza at Everybody's.
Thanks, Terry
P.S. Folks just don't know about the little chapel. From the Glenn website:
"The chapel is almost an exact replica, on a smaller scale, of the interior of St. Stephen Walbrook, an Anglican church in London that is considered to be one of Sir Christopher Wren’s masterpieces."
