ATLarts

By Moose

November 15, 2007 8:19 AM | Link to this

TEAR THE SUCKER DOWN! What an eyesore.

An old house isn’t necessarily a historic piece of Atlanta. Who even know this was designated a historic landmark before they read the story?

By Jef

November 15, 2007 8:21 AM | Link to this

Level it. It is the perfect place for a Starbucks.

By alohavampire

November 15, 2007 8:45 AM | Link to this

4 million dollars seems reasonable for the structure and the land when you consider what a 1000 square foot condo sells for in that neighborhood.

Someone will buy it. That person should simply refurb the place and live there. Forget about trying to update it to commercial code.

I’ve always liked the place. Yeah it’s strange looking but that’s the charm. Besides, I always wanted a bomb-proof crib. Too bad I don’t have the cash stashed under my mattress.

By Jeffrey

November 15, 2007 8:54 AM | Link to this

The article mentions “lack of parking” - there are parking decks all over the place around there. That’s like saying the High Museum doesn’t have parking. And it is right next door to a MARTA station.

We really have to start looking at the bigger picture, not just at what can be squeezed onto the property.

By Kimberly A. Davis - Historic College Park

November 15, 2007 8:58 AM | Link to this

Being an Atlanta native…. I would love to see it restored and used for something wonderful….it’s in such a great location…. I remember it as a small girl…..I always thought it would be such an incredible place to live! Right in the heart of all the places I love….. It would be a great residence as well…. great price for the location. Can’t you see a wonderful wedding there? Or a Christmas party!

Kimberly A. Davis

By Save Atlanta

November 15, 2007 9:04 AM | Link to this

Moose and Jef- you’re a—holes. Go back to whatever suck-asz Yankee city you came from and knock stuff down up there. Have some respect for the few quaint old things left in Midtown (and I’m not referring to your boyfirends, either).

By scout

November 15, 2007 9:06 AM | Link to this

This beloved landmark of Atlanta that has long been associated with the Atlanta College of Art, (many graduates had their first studios there for the past 50 years or more) is a no brainer for the City of Atlanta (% for the arts fund perhaps!), SCAD, or The Woodruff Foundation to snap up and open its doors to the public. Visitors and locals alike would welcome a central and highly visible location to house the TIX BOOTH, have SHUTTLES to LOCAL ARTS VENUES, And a real time VIDEO SCREEN OF this VERY ARTS BLOG where they can give us feedback on their cultural experiences.

By rhett

November 15, 2007 9:21 AM | Link to this

Moose and Jeff, please stay in the suburbs or country pig farm where you came from. The reason why Atlanta has no civic identity is because city leaders allow the demolition of our most historic buildings. Atlanta needs wake up and learn the term “adaptive reuse”. This building could become a great place for an artist in residence program.

By c

November 15, 2007 9:23 AM | Link to this

i think it could still serve some source of atlanta pride. whether it serve as a local restaurant, b&b, or museum….atlanta needs to keep it. knocking it down to make way for yet more of the plastic society cookie cutter society that we are making would be unorignal. what next put a parking lot at rhodes hall for equifax? or a condo complex in place of the swan house? to sum it up, we are southern and should have a sense of pride in our past. if you want a city with no historical sites go to vegas.

By JB

November 15, 2007 9:48 AM | Link to this

Just find a couple more queers to remodel it. Then the ajc will do another front page photo layout to make us sick while having our coffee.

By JL

November 15, 2007 10:23 AM | Link to this

Read up on the history of The Castle a bit and then make your decision. The potential uses of such as interesting home are endless - and keeping a part of our history is well worth the renovation expense. JB - If someone had not recognized the value and beauty of the older homes and buildings in Midtown and many other older Atlanta neighborhoods, very little would be there other than drug dealers, hookers, and strip clubs. How about giving the gay community a little credit where credit is due.

By Moose

November 15, 2007 10:36 AM | Link to this

Love the pig farm comment. I’m looking out my office at the Castle right now and I live in Midtown. It’s an eyesore! TEAR IT DOWN!

By Alexis

November 15, 2007 10:38 AM | Link to this

It’s an interesting structure, and were it not situated in an area full of homosexuals I would consider making it a home for my family. However, given that it does sit in midtown, which has long been the place of choice for evil, disgusting homosexuals to dwell and perform their sick acts, I would not want to expose my children to that filth. Homosexuals ruin lives, they ruin cities, they ruin the world. We need to remove this filth from our midst.

By SJ

November 15, 2007 11:11 AM | Link to this

Wow, Sounds like Alexis is a litte bit homophobic, probably a closet case. They always seem to be the most homophobic out of everyone. That house is awesome even if there are a lot of gay people living around it.

By Martial

November 15, 2007 11:20 AM | Link to this

Way to go Alexis! Your kids are most certainly receiving a nice education full of love, respect and openness for the world. When is the last time you did the Craig’s list thing Alexis? May be your wife would like to know how hateful and hypocrit you are…

By mart

November 15, 2007 11:26 AM | Link to this

Way to go Alexis! Your kids are most certainly receiving a nice education full of love, respect and openness for the world. When is the last time you did the Craig’s list thing Alexis? May be your wife would like to know how hateful and hypocrit you are…

By Jesse'sGirl

November 15, 2007 11:29 AM | Link to this

I’ve always wished I could buy it and use it for music education for children and teens. Maybe a small recording studio, vocal lessons, any manner of instrumental lessons. There are so many deserving kids in Atlanta who would thrive in that kind of atmospehere. I’ve been in it several times…the acoustics are superb!

By Alexis

November 15, 2007 11:56 AM | Link to this

Excuse me, Mart, but I am a woman. I do not have a wife, I have a wonderful husband, thank you. As for Craig’s List, I have never visited that site for any reason nor do I ever intend to visit that site. It is full of poor people trying to sell or trade poor people items, or trying to obtain sexual favors. Extremely disgusting.

By Deja Vu

November 15, 2007 12:00 PM | Link to this

Didn’t we have this same Alexis-Mart exchange last week on one of these blogs? Same s—t, different day.

By Beg Your Pardon

November 15, 2007 12:12 PM | Link to this

Alexis - you’re full of it. I’m not a poor person by any means, but I just sold 3 Prada purses and a pair of Chanel shades on Craigslist because I didn’t want to just GIVE them away.

You’re a judgemental loser who thinks stupid, anonymous posts on a blog is the definition of a life.

That being said, the reason other cities have so much more culture to offer than cities of the deep South is because they don’t tear down every damn thing. Building and churches that were built in the 1800’s are STILL standing in Manhattan, Chicago, Richmond, and DC. Can’t say that for Atlanta. If the bored 30 year old millionaires and their rich bich wives don’t like something, you people cave like an old West Virginia mine shaft full of workers.

By David

November 15, 2007 12:17 PM | Link to this

Comments about tearing down the castle obviously come from someone who is not from here. The castle is part of Atlanta’s history and should be preserved. This is one of very few houses left on Peachtree. Seems like an arts organization would be a good tenet. Kudos to the Midtown Alliance for trying to save it.

By BPJ

November 15, 2007 12:19 PM | Link to this

Now folks, let’s try not to get sidetracked by the rhetoric on gays, race, or ITP/OTP. The question is what to do with the Castle, which helped galvanize the historic preservation movement here in the 80s.

It’s not the case that the building “has not been used in decades.” During the summer of 1996, it was used for a series of art-related events called “Conversations at the Castle.” There’s a book by that title, available online.

This building would seem a natural for SCAD, which had been renovating old buildings “nobody wanted” in Savannah for decades. They are currently renovating the old Peters House.

By nypeach

November 15, 2007 12:20 PM | Link to this

Save Atlanta and JB: Love your posts! I laughed so hard it almost made it worthwhile to come to work today. I may be a native New Yorker, but I am a Georgian at heart. Save the building, demolish the crumbling society around it.

By mart

November 15, 2007 12:34 PM | Link to this

Alexis might be a woman but she seems easily disgusted by all sorts of things… Poor lady! What a somber world for you…

By itsme

November 15, 2007 12:57 PM | Link to this

The Castle is not the only historic building in the Atlanta area that is threatened. Many deserve to be saved!

By alohavampire

November 15, 2007 1:20 PM | Link to this

**Alexis probably blames global warming on the AIDS quilt.

What a stupid person.**

By Jesse'sGirl

November 15, 2007 1:24 PM | Link to this

I agree that many are very deserving of preservation. However….I think we should start with the ones that aren’t in the trendier areas; or the ones that for one reason or another have yet to hit the radar of the hoity-toity-i-love-a-good-charity-fundraiser set. This place sits on prime real estate and has little curb appeal as far as its positioning is concerned. I would love to be able to get my hands on it and make it fabulous again! Now if I can just find someone to loan me $4 mill!

By Tim

November 15, 2007 1:26 PM | Link to this

How about we just let capitalism work and not have an opinion unless we have the money and vision to really do something. Opinions are cheap and useless.

By Jesse'sGirl

November 15, 2007 1:35 PM | Link to this

Then why the heck are you on a BLOG? Enjoy spreading your cheap and worthless opinions much?

By Kat

November 15, 2007 1:54 PM | Link to this

I’ve seen Alexis’s posts on other ajc blogs, and it’s always the same thing. Alexis, if you believe, as you stated on another blog, that the main message of the Bible is that we shouldn’t tolerate homosexuals, you are in for a very big, and probably unpleasant, surprise in the next life.

I have thought about the anti-gay sentiments I’ve seen expressed on this and other blogs, and I’ve come to one conclusion. The people who are “sickened” and “disgusted” by any mention of gays must be unable to think about homosexuals without imagining what they do in privacy. When I meet anyone, gay or straight, I don’t immediately begin to imagine what they do in the privacy of their bedrooms. I honestly think people who react with such violent disgust to gays must have trouble controlling their imaginations. We all judge people, consciously or unconsciously, on a daily basis using a number of criteria. To all the “disgusted and revolted” commenters, I’d just like to know, when you meet a straight person for the first time, does your opinion of them hinge on whether you approve of what they do in bed, and with whom?

By Alexis

November 15, 2007 2:04 PM | Link to this

The Bible does infact say that homosexuals are evil, digusting and children of Satan. They are disgusting to The Lord, and he looks at them not as his children but as creatures of Hell.

Homosexuals should be abolished from this country and, if not erradicated completely, then isolated to France, or one of those other bleeding heart liberal countries that don’t love God and support our works on his behalf to end terrorism and destroy evil in this world.

As for AIDS, it is the punishment God has sent down for homosexuals, just as the War in Iraq is the punishment God has given to America for tolerating these deviants and allowing them to walk among us in society like normal people. They are not normal! They are disgusting freaks of nature and should be eliminated from our society.

By Thrash

November 15, 2007 2:12 PM | Link to this

Wrap a low/midrise condo project around it on the back sides and use the castle for the amenities portion.

By Kat

November 15, 2007 2:13 PM | Link to this

Why is the AJC allowing blatant hate speech on this blog?

By AlexisReallySucks

November 15, 2007 2:18 PM | Link to this

Alexis, you and that mindblowingly idiotic Harry Potter woman should get together and go bowling. You two would have so much in common.

By Alexis

November 15, 2007 2:20 PM | Link to this

Kat — what I say is not hate speech. What I say is that God is intolerant of homosexuals. What I say is that God is punishing America for it’s tolerance of these deviants. What I say is the righteousness of The Lord shall prevail and we will rid ourselves of these creatures. What I say is that Pastor Fred Phelps and the congregation of the Westboro Baptist Church are sending out the message, and you should listen closely. What I say is that my children will not be raised in an area teeming with homosexuals on every corner. What I say is not hate speech my dear, it is God’s Word. It is Gospel from the highest of high.

By Kat

November 15, 2007 2:28 PM | Link to this

I’m serious. If Alexis’s idiotic and bigoted comments had been directed at any other minority on earth, they’d have been filtered out.

BTW, if AIDS is really God’s punishment on homosexuals, I would think he could do a better job. Why would an all-knowing, all-powerful God choose to “curse” gays with a disease that also infects innocent children, women, blood transfusion recipients, etc.? Why couldn’t he be more specific and design a disease that really only affects gays?

By gs

November 15, 2007 2:28 PM | Link to this

The bible does in fact document King Davids love affair with Johnathan. They were both disgusting children of Satan.

By Kat

November 15, 2007 2:32 PM | Link to this

The last line of your 2:04 post is most certainly hate speech. I take comfort in knowing that the Bible also says “judge not, lest ye be judged.” Jesus must be mighty unhappy with you right now.

By nypeach

November 15, 2007 2:32 PM | Link to this

While I do not condone a homosexual lifestyle (and no one probably cares whether I condone their lifestyle or not), we all must admit that “the children” are really good at decorating. So, I say let them buy the castle, redecorate it and charge the rest of us to see their wondrous works!

By JB

November 15, 2007 2:35 PM | Link to this

Kat - I was just giving my opinion, no speach intended. BTW, what would you tell your child/grandchild when they say “why are those two men kissing”? It’s not something easy to explain to a five year old. If they wanna live that way, they should HIDE it!! Also, how appropriate was it that the title was listed “Old World Style”, then you open up the page and a couple f* are flashing at you. Nothing old world style about that to me. My grandpa would have hung em up by their toes on the town square for the buzzards to eat.

By Larry

November 15, 2007 2:37 PM | Link to this

To Beg Your Pardon - Manhattan may have churches and other building built in the 1800s still in use, but it never had anybody come through and torch it. There are many historical buildings in the South, but since the War Between the States was fought here, most of the older buildings and homes were destroyed.

By nypeach

November 15, 2007 2:39 PM | Link to this

come on y’all, let’s play nice and talk about the purty building that might get torn down.

By JB

November 15, 2007 2:42 PM | Link to this

nypeach - I’ll second that. They are good at decorating and their fingernails are never dirty. There, I said something nice.

By Alexis

November 15, 2007 2:44 PM | Link to this

Excuse me, AlexisReallySucks, first I must say, very creative there. I am almost impressed, yet, not quite. As for Laura Mallory, I applaud her work to remove Harry Potter from the libraries of public schools. However, I would not “go bowling” with her, as I do not bowl, nor do I think she and I would fit into the same social circles. After all, her children go to public school.

Kat - The Lord has judged homosexuals to be evil, and by spreading that word, His Word, I am doing the Lord’s will. Call it whatever you like, but I will not be the one burning in hell for defending these evil people.

My point was that I would personally love to own and live in The Castle, it is a unique piece of architecture, however, it is in the middle of homosexual haven and I will not have those demented individuals trying to recruit my children to join their evilness. It just will not be done.

By Kat

November 15, 2007 2:50 PM | Link to this

I’m sure all the midtown gays are now heaving a collective sign of relief, Alexis. I’m out of here.

By BPJ

November 15, 2007 3:42 PM | Link to this

Oh well, so much for my earlier effort to keep the discussion on track. “Alexis” might be surprised to learn that there are quite a number of families (husband, wife, children, pets) living a stone’s throw from The Castle (my neighborhood being the closest). And we have some gay neighbors, who are just like other neighbors - i. e., they range from delightful to boring, friendly to indifferent, etc. (Perhaps “stone’s throw” is a poor choice of words, given the injunction that he who is without sin may cast the first stone.)

Am I the only person who thinks “Alexis” is a fictional persona, created as a parody?

By Alexis

November 15, 2007 3:47 PM | Link to this

BPJ I can assure you, I am no parody. I am sure there are non-homosexuals who live in the midtown area. I pity you, having to bring your children up in an environment laden with evil and corrupt sinners. I pray that I never have to live in an area where those types of people can be my neighbours.

By tom

November 15, 2007 6:26 PM | Link to this

I think Alexis is pulling our leg-at least I hope so. Anyway, ms. Alexis, “Were here,were queer,get used to it!” as a well known queer chant goes. Anyway, There ain’t a damn thing you can do about it. Hope your daughter turns out to be a diesel d** and your son a drag queen. Would serve you right!

By tom

November 15, 2007 6:27 PM | Link to this

I think Alexis is pulling our leg-at least I hope so. Anyway, ms. Alexis, “Were here,were queer,get used to it!” as a well known queer chant goes. Anyway, There ain’t a damn thing you can do about it. Hope your daughter turns out to be a diesel d** and your son a drag queen. Would serve you right!

By Jesse'sGirl

November 15, 2007 7:26 PM | Link to this

I have to agree with Kat. If Alexis were hurling her vitriol at the heads of blacks, Jews, Muslims, hell…even good ole fashioned red-necks, she’d be kicked off AJC blogs so fast her hood would fly off! Just a small aside….not every gay man has good taste and decorates like a pro. Just like not every Bible thumping Christian will get into heaven.

By ILL-logical

November 16, 2007 4:47 PM | Link to this

Prehaps the ASO could use it as the Conductor’s residence. The ASO ‘s conductor could have a perk that would increase their salary to the level of the leading conductors. A design competition between local designers and suppliers -similar to the annual ASO fundraiser-could furnish the place in grand style and the Four Seasons could provide services for entertaining. Just a thought.

By verge

November 18, 2007 1:30 PM | Link to this

Yes, Alexis is: A. a toatally over the top parody B. an escapee from a local mental institution C. one reason blogs are a waste of time D. another reason this blog should be moderated(?)

By Peter Stelling

November 18, 2007 4:58 PM | Link to this

This site is not a place for verbal mud-wrestling. The comments that belong with this article are being totally buried in the mire. That being said, I would like to make some pertinent observations. Years ago there was discussion and perhaps some negotiations on behalf of the Commerce Club to purchase the Castle as a mid-town clubhouse. I deeply regret this idea never came to fruition. It would make a fantastic place for Woodruff Center related events and for pre-performance dinners and post-performance parties.
I have also thought for many years that this site would be an excellent place to house the offices of the Governor’s Council on the Arts. The building is large enough that perhaps both these ideas (office space for the Georgia Council for the Arts) and public dining and reception space for both the State Council and the Woodruff) could be realized. $4 million isn’t a whole lot to come up with if the State and private foundations cooperated to make it happen. I would also think if the present condition of this building is really as bad as described, the asking price would be highly negotiable. The lot is too small to make it viable as a commercial property on the order of the skyscrapers that surround it, and the renovations would cost a lot on top of the purchase price. Beauchamp Carr, who was a pivotal figure in the “Save the Fox” campaign back in the ‘70’s is an expert at this sort of thing. I wish he would pick up the phone and discuss this with the Governor.