The Midtown Archive

The Piedmont Avenue bridge over Clear Creek was widened in 1964, not coincidentally the same year as the opening of Ansley Mall.

“Piedmont ‘Funnel’ widened.  A joyous sight for Piedmont Avenue motorists is this new bridge near the intersection of Piedmont and Monroe Drive.  The new bridge is at least twice as wide as the old one…”

(AJC)

I’ve always found it interesting how a few of Midtown’s streets were allowed to develop east of Piedmont Avenue.  In place of a cul-de-sac, you run right into the park. 11th Street’s home to one of Midtown’s grande dame apartment buildings (now condos), the 1913 Wilburn House.  Next door you’ll find this funky 1970s (?) apartment oddity.  Atlanta’s failing infrastructure sometimes reveals gems like the original Belgian pavers that hide underneath the current paving.  Stone’s so much more durable - why not expose all of it and be done?

On Piedmont Avenue, I wish I knew what this house looked like with its original porch.  Without one it seems so off.  I will say it has some killer terra cotta details, which I wasn’t able to get close to because I didn’t want to look like a prowler.  The reconstruction of the house next to the Shellmont Inn at 6th Street is coming along, but it doesn’t look like much of anything has survived beside bricks, doors, and some mantles.  While it looks like the porch is being rebuilt in its original configuration, the gable is being modified for seemingly no reason, as you can tell from the picture I took a few weeks ago.  I’m kicking myself for not getting a real “before” pic.  It also had some neat medallions set into the gable that probably won’t return.  Last is this alley off 7th street that’s got some great stone walls going on; I’m especially fond of how the garage is a part of it.