Briarcliff Plaza listed on National Register of Historic Places

Briarcliff Plaza. Raisa Habersham/raisa.habersham@ajc.com

Briarcliff Plaza. Raisa Habersham/raisa.habersham@ajc.com

Briarcliff Plaza has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places, recognizing the shopping center for its architectural and historical significance.

Located at the corner of Ponce de Leon Avenue and North Highland Avenue and adjacent to the Majestic Diner, the shopping center was placed on the registry April 20, according to a news release from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.

Being on the registry does not prevent the building from being demolished, but it does qualify for federal grants for its historic preservation.

Built in 1940, the Briarcliff Plaza’s two-building complex is known for its neon lights, The Plaza Theatre and dive bar The Righteous Room. It was the first shopping center in Atlanta to dedicate off-street parking for its customers, according to the release.

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The 2.27-acre property’s automobile-centric design paved the way for larger regional shopping centers such as Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza.

Last year, the shopping plaza was added to the Georgia Register of Historic Places.

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