DEL.ICIO.USThe Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 06/08/08
From its hilltop position, the antebellum mansion Barrington Hall looks down on much of historic Roswell.
After more than 150 years, city officials are considering whether it should have some friendly competition.
 Bob Andres/AP | ||
| A mixed-use development, including a four to five-story boutique hotel, has been proposed for a site near historic Roswell Square on a spot across Atlanta Street from the 1843 plantation house Barrington Hall. | ||
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| An artist's rendering of the hotel that would be the anchor of the project, four stories at street level. | ||
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A development proposal would place condos, retail, townhomes and a boutique hotel across Atlanta Street, on one corner of the historic town square.
If approved, the highest building in the project would rise to within 10 feet of the top of Barrington Hall. The 1842 Greek Revival Temple house is considered by many the most significant of the city's historic homes.
For that reason, the proportion and height of the hotel project buildings have become a focus of the city's review.
The City Council on Monday will decide if $70 million in new construction can rejuvenate the small central square, without overwhelming its historic character.
Many other communities in Atlanta have faced a similar challenge. Marietta has struggled for years to enliven its historic square.
Large redevelopment plans have drawn criticism. In 2000, many city residents were outraged by a proposed 12-story building featuring offices, shops and condos.
The old courthouse square in Decatur is considered a model by many urban planners, but there too, some recent development proposals have been criticized as out of scale. Emory Village, a small commercial district in Atlanta's historic Druid Hills neighborhood, was the scene of a development battle last year.
In Roswell, the process has been more negotiation than fight. The site is in an area where the city is encouraging mixed-use redevelopment.
Bradley Barnett, president of the Marietta-based Talmar Companies, has assured city officials his project will be a good neighbor. He recently agreed to scale back the height of the tallest structure, and graduate building heights near the square.
With the exception of Barrington Hall, the square is surrounded by one- or two-story buildings, including the 1854 commissary for workers at the Roswell Manufacturing Co. mills.
"We didn't want to dwarf Barrington Hall and some of the other structures around the square," Barnett said. "We want to try to weave ourselves into the fabric of the community. That's what we're trying to do."
His proposal would place four major buildings at the southeast corner of the town square, anchored by a hotel that would be four stories at street level.
The project also includes a 7,000-square-foot restaurant, 14,400 square feet of retail and 31,100 square feet of corporate office space, topped by 30 condos. Eleven high-end townhouses would bring up the rear of the 4-acre site, overlooking Vickery Creek and state parkland.
Advocates say the project will draw more pedestrians, shoppers and tourists to the historic district, perhaps reclaiming it from cut-through suburban traffic.
Although sharp critics have not emerged, some in Roswell worry the size of the development could dominate the square.
The project is the first major redevelopment proposed for the square. Its tallest building, the condo structure, would rise 48 feet above Atlanta Street, about eight feet lower than Barrington Hall.
"The history goes back to the founding of the city," said City Councilman Rich Dippolito. "That's why this particular corner is so important. It's important this is done well."
Support with concern
After six months of negotiations, the developer has received support from two bodies that advise the City Council, the Historic Preservation Commission and Planning Commission.
Richard Hallberg, chairman of the Historic Preservation Commission, supports the project, but worries it may be too much. "I feel the designers can be more creative, and come up with a plan that will be less imposing in mass and scale and height," he said.
Opinions of fellow merchants are varied around the square. "I'm all for it," said Karin Trexler, manager of Wedding Angels, a bridal boutique on the square's north side. "[But] they have to keep it in keeping with everyone else around here."
The development would replace several existing buildings on Atlanta Street, none of which are historically significant, including Founders Square, home to several restaurants and shops.
Michael Field, owner of Wildflour, a bakery and sandwich shop in a building that would be razed for the project, thinks four stories on Atlanta Street is reasonable. He has several years remaining on his lease. If he has to move elsewhere, so be it, he said.
Proposed for the corner of Mill and Atlanta streets, the 85-room hotel would include an attached spa and a high-end restaurant. It would be marketed for special events, such as weddings or corporate retreats, Barnett said. The project design includes an open, public marketplace fronting Atlanta Street, which would soften the impact of the retail, office and condo building facing Barrington Hall. Some public parking will be made available in the 452-space garage.
Barnett said he expects to close on the property, contingent on city approvals, within the next several months. Construction could begin in spring 2009.
Lew Oliver, a Roswell-based designer, is handling the project. The design will emphasize the city's history, Oliver said, by recalling the shape and texture of the old mill buildings.
"Everyone realizes the scale of this building is bigger than anything in the area," he said. "It's not bigger than the old mills. We really do want this town revitalized. We're going to save history here."
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