Peachtree Center Added to the Georgia Register of Historic Places
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources approved the Atlanta complex Peachtree Center on August 25th, 2017 to be added to the Georgia Register of Historic Places as the Peachtree Center Historic District.
Thirty individual projects and over 60 years of architectural design and development led by John Portman & Associates define Atlanta’s urban core, also known as Peachtree Center. The Center is made up of three wholesale marts, known collectively as the AmericasMarts, three hotels: Hyatt Regency Atlanta, Westin Peachtree Plaza, and Atlanta Marriott Marquis, eight office buildings, including SunTrust Plaza, three parking garages, numerous restaurants, a retail mall. As a living entity, Peachtree Center has evolved to meet the needs of the people of Atlanta, its visitors, and the larger Southeast Region of Georgia.
This first project, the Atlanta Furniture Mart opened in 1961. The continued growth of Peachtree Center coincided with Portman’s membership in and eventual leadership of Central Atlanta Progress (CAP, 1969-1971). Central Atlanta Progress nominated the district.
John Portman’s architect-as-developer philosophy has not only exerted a critical influence on downtown Atlanta, but on the world. Through his continued focus on extending the lessons learned from Peachtree Center to local, regional, and international projects, he has developed numerous new strategies of social engagement, economic development, and architectural practice.
For photographs and additional information on these resources: http://georgiashpo.org/upcomingreviewboard
Image credits: 1. Clyde May 2. Wray Studios 3. Clyde Jones 4. J. Jones 5. Copyright ca. 1978-1980, rights holder unknown. Image provided courtesy The Portman Archives, LLC6. Kinka Wong