The former Trust Co. of Georgia building in Piedmont Heights – that futuristic circular structure visible from I-85 – is coming up before the Atlanta Urban Design Commission for possible landmark nomination.
It’s the first item of business on the Design Commission agenda for 4 p.m., Wednesday, at City Hall. The building at 2160 Monroe Drive NE was constructed in the early 1960s, housed a SunTrust branch until 2000, and is now the Cirque restaurant. Earlier this year, there was a proposal to demolish and replace it with a self-storage facility.
A Design Commission staff report calls the building “iconic” and says it meets landmark criteria. It was designed by renowned Atlanta architect Henri Jova, whose other projects included Colony Square, the Carter Center and Underground Atlanta. It also represents an important historical trend – the rise of automobile-oriented, suburban-style development.
“Given its visibility from the interstate and surrounding surface streets, the building is widely known to the general public,” the report says. “As with other iconic or highly visible buildings or structures in the city, this building becomes a part of a resident’s mental map of the city.”
Under the city’s Historic Preservation Ordinance, the landmark designation process includes review by the Neighborhood Planning Unit, Zoning Review Board, Zoning Committee of City Council, and the full Council, and action by the mayor.
About the Author
