This Teardown Should Break Some Hearts Pt. 1

It was designed by David Smith Cuttino, Jr. (1905 -1973). Completed in 1940-41 this was one of the very first ranch houses - as we've come to know them - in Georgia.

See "Teardown Heartbreaker Pt. 2 - Floorplan and Before Pictures."

While the proposed demolition of the 82 year old Randolph-Lucas house on Peachtree makes news, it's too late for this 72 year old ranch.


1790 Lenox Road was a neighborhood landmark, low slung with an orange tint. It seemed a bit too small for its acre-plus hilltop. But I don't think every hill needs a mansion.


The Cuttino house sat proudly on the biggest yard in Lenox Park. If you could drive by and not dread mowing it, you are a better person than I am.


Those shingles had texture galore.

"He maintained the informal rustic quality of the California Ranch in his design..." - The Ranch House in Georgia.

Though it hadn't looked its very best in a while, the yard was always mowed. I thought it would always be there.


It was a terminated vista for West Sussex. It had "The Wall," nothing else like it in Atlanta.


By the time I noticed, it was too late to get decent pictures.


By some great fortune, Patrick Kennedy spotted my teardown pictures in Flickr.

"Members of our firm [New South Associates] (we are a preservation and archeology consulting company) and the State Historic Preservation Office (HPD) did an informal survey of the house a few months ago when it was on the market. We took photographs and did a drawing of the floor plan ... . I had a feeling at the time that it wouldn't make it. Its a shame..." - Patrick

Thanks to Patrick, New South Associates, Dr. Richard Cloues, and the State of Georgia I have the floor plan and some pictures to show you, but it's going to be sad.

My Ponce City Market Tour Report

I still have a crush. I've been partial to the old Sears building on Ponce since 1968. But I haven't had much hope for it. I didn't want to get too attached to a developer's plan. Know what I mean? Kind of like a daughter's boyfriend: if it doesn't work out, you'll never see him again.

But maybe, Ponce City Market isn't impossible after all. That's what I'm thinking after my tour yesterday.


Every architecture tourist will want to tour Ponce City Market. So follow them on Facebook and on Twitter @poncecitymarket, and keep your eye peeled for the next tour.

You have to see if for yourself. It's big. My little camera was so intimidated it wanted to stay in my pocket.


We signed the waiver, donned hardhats, had some snacks and beverages, and headed to the model. From there Jim Irwin led our tour. He's Vice President of Development for Jamestown Properties. He's an Atlantan, charged with getting it done, and he's in love with the place too.


We headed down the ramp. It was like walking towards a mountain.


This part is from 1926. I don't know what to tell you about inside except that there is a lot of "inside" inside. Sears operated out of here until 1989. Spaces like this will become offices and retail.


We went on the roof. I want to live on the roof.


Changed my mind, I want to live in the tower.


It's an Atlanta landmark. I never dreamed I'd get close enough to see these details.


I didn't know there were swags!


Towards the south, looking snappy in matching hardhats.


Over there: condos. They are restoring the metal windows and installing new glass, 10's of thousands of window panes.


This is where Ponce City Market meets the Atlanta BeltLine. If all goes to plan, you'll be able to ride your bike from the BeltLne right into the building and take a shower.


From the Beltline you can see the tile medallions on the Ford Factory Lofts.


We ended where we started at the new @PonceCityGoats patio for more free snacks and beverages. We needed it. We'd covered a lot of ground.

Thanks to everyone for the tour.


Thanks to tour buddies Todd @tdominey, Me @terrykearns, Chris @guerciotti Anna @PonceCityMarket.

@nfreader and @feldhaus were there too and tweeted some pictures, wish I'd met them - next time.

Thanks to Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch.