Renovate an Existing Decatur Building
Decatur Metro | December 30, 2009 | 11:45 amNot sure what made me think of this, but I’m going to go with it.
Back during the battle over 315 West Ponce, when we agonized for weeks over a potential “Building A” that would sit along the West Ponce sidewalk, I proposed a compromise of allowing a restaurant on the first floor of the existing 315 office building and allowing them to use the existing exterior walkway as an outdoor patio. My thinking went that this would help rejuvenate the space a bit without having to squeeze a new building into the current pocket park. Of course, the parking issue would rear its ugly head, but if any lot on that street could accommodate restaurant parking, it’s that one.
Anyway, having had this idea resurface in my head this morning, I wondered what other ideas about renovating an existing Decatur building(s) might be out there floating in the ether.
The only “rule” in this thought experiment is that you can’t “build” any new, freestanding structures to make your dream a reality.
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I would like to see some store entrances to the building directly across from 315 on ponce de leon place (super cuts, pastries a go go etc) …or windows…or something to add a little interest or life to that stretch of street.
I dont like that “back of house” is facing the street.
Hmm…excellent point. What about a mural?
or remove the wall where the pastries a go go outdoor dining is located for additional access to the site and more outdoor seating to liven the space.
Mural and windows would make the facade look nicer, but do little to activate the street…but wouldnt hurt for sure!
Call in Banksy:
http://www.banksy.co.uk/outdoors/horizontal_1.htm
Having a Banksy in Decatur would be very nice…
Actually.. what I refer to as “urban art” is undergoing a huge resurgence. Often it does take on a ‘graffiti” type of feel. http://www.flickr.com/photos/travissmith/3756672610/in/set-72157612984699080/ Even though we believe this specific genre ‘staying power’ as an art form I am not sure that it would be well accepted by many in the community. Its an interesting idea. The city of Philadelphia started a Mural Arts Program in 1984 as a component of the Philadelphia Anti-Graffiti Network and now employs over 300 artists. More than 10,000 tourists and residents enjoy mural tours every year. In October over 5,000 people attend city-wide events such as mural dedications, lectures and gallery exhibitions. Who knows, maybe a component of the Arts master plan? Just a thought.
Yuck no. Murals are just organized graffiti.
Not really in terms of intent.
But I understand your dislike. I was just trying to come up with inexpensive solutions.
Sorry.. could not resist:
http://www.muralsyourway.com/myw5-design.cfm?pid=MMBALd1005
My dream would be to convert the existing Sharian building into a cinema/playhouse. Not sure how the current owners would feel about that though…
Yes! I share your culture-filled, rug-less vision of West Ponce.
Now let’s twice before taking the city’s oldest continually operating, family business for granted. Those don’t come around every day. In fact, what’s the second oldest business in Decatur? Is there any competition at all?
If you want an art deco theater then maybe we should just build one from scratch as part of the arts master plan. Though now I’m breaking my own rules.
I think it must be some sort of visual association for me. That place just looks like a cinema.
Could we tear down the former Little Azio spot and build a CINEMA to coordinate with Sharian? With space for Cafe Cliche of course 😉
(I love the WINK emoticon. I am addicted)
I second the motion for a cinema on West Ponce–it might revitalize the area which seems to be slumping a bit. I also second giving Cafe Cliche a spot in it! 😉 (Am trying to do the WINK emoticon but not sure I can).
I think Cafe Cliche should move into the “Tastings” space, and then that would clear the way for that entire building (the one with the former Little Azio, that is) to be used for a cinema (great suggestion, BTW, Nell)!
I think Cafe Cliche needs traffic now that Little Azio is gone which is why I was thinking that inside a theater would be great. But maybe the Fabu/real estate/yarn folks would generate some traffic. That Tastings spot never seems to do well.
The Sharian family has been in business in that same location for decades. They stayed when few businesses were left in the center of the city. Their rug cleaning business is well known throughout the southeast. Family members live in town. They walk to work. They are strong supporters of all community activities with both their presence and their dollars. The Sharians are a shining example of the kind of work, live lifestyle so many on this blog promote.
I for one enjoy seeing the beautiful rugs hanging in the Sharian showroom window. Paul and Bedros are wonderful Decatur neighbors. I’d never want to see West Ponce without Sharian Rugs !
I’m with Fifi.
I have decided to agree with DarenW on whatever he says.
Nellie,
I used to think you were pretty smart.
DarenW and I have coordinating icons. We are therefore the same.
Anyways, I always think it’s um….. interesting how people want to change Sharian building!
I think Daren must mull over these things in his sleep
Not sure what the building is called…but the condo/apartment that faces East Ponce with the Tai me up on corner next to the old Atlanta Bread Co has a small portion of the building facing Sycamore that is just the basement parking deck. It would be nice to see something other than parked cars there…maybe remove some of the parking for retail. (I’m pretending that the deck entrance could be moved somewhere else).
Good one, Land!
I’d do the same thing to the parking deck on Church between Ponce and Commerce. Decatur goes from absolutely charming to rather unwelcoming in less than a block. Retail along that stretch instead of dead space would go a long way.
I think that the condo residents and the current business owners would not like that suggestion. The businesses along Ponce and Church are allocated retail parking space on the second level of the deck. If the parking on the basement level was taken for more retail, a bit of a parking dilema would be created. The perception of no downtown Decatur parking is bad enough without adding to it.
I’d like to see the Fairview Bldg converted into a row of small affordable retail spaces with glass fronts where you would enter from Fairview Ave. I think people sitting at Taqueria del Sole or driving down Ponce would be enticed into going to these shops – and there’s parking.
The Fairview Bldg looks like the office of Lacuna Inc. from Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.
OMG, I never thought of that, but you’re totally right! Good onya.
My dream renovation is the small building at the corner of Ponce and Clairemont, with the large glass windows. (100 w ponce, I think.)
What an amazing restaurant space that would be. Right on the corner, high interior visibility, high sidewalk traffic, an amazing potential patio space (between this ‘outbuilding’ and the large office building.) I don’t know if has enough space for a kitchen – and the necessary venting, delivery, trash, etc., but if those operational logistics could be mastered, this could be a showpiece location.
Good news George. I’ve heard this same desire stated by some very influential “city” folk. Now we just need someone to pony up the money and a chef.
what is that building for??
good idea!
I’ve always loved that mod tiled building on Church with the “tunnel” that goes into that parking area. Just south of the BOA parking lot. It’s been closed up for years…I think maybe it was a salon last. It’s a really unique building that would make some great office space with retail on the bottom.
OK…blue sky thinking…..redo it as a hotel in the same grain as the The Standard – Downtown LA.. http://www.standardhotels.com/los-angeles/
How about the row at College and S Candler where the fire was? My vote would be to tear the whole thing down and start over. It’s very unattractive gateway to the city coming from Avondale.
Masonic Temple!
Masonic Temple!
Masonic Temple!
Masonic Temple!
Out goes the non-descript arbitration office, or whatever it is. In goes a destination restaurant with 20 foot ceilings(now hidden behind 8-foot drop in ceilings).
Out goes the really creepy masonic meeting space, in goes a good community theatre/performance space.
Out goes the real estate broker/regular business folks (we can get them a good deal in the old Decatur Federal/Wachovia building), in go subsidized artist/writing studios.
Whose money am I spending, by the way?
roof decks to any number of restaurants/businesses on the square! maybe 6 Feet Under would open up an outpost on the square if there was potential for roof deck:) or, some great late night Brickstore star gazing… and talk about a great 4th of July fireworks viewing spot!
I’d also add a few stories to the SunTrust Bank at the corner of Ponce and Commerce (as was initially hoped for, but economics didn’t support), putting it more in scale with the other Ponce buildings on that block. We can add the movie theater there, or maybe even some event space rental. We got married in Decatur, loved using the Courthouse for our reception site, but were surprised how few large venues there were in the area (Courthouse was pretty tight for our reception size).
Roof deck on the Square? Have none of you people been to Eddie’s Attic?
i should have said MANY rooftop decks!!
I know this violates the one “rule”, but I would like to see retail, or most anything other than condos, in the lot next to Eddie’s Attic. I still don’t understand how condos got approved for that spot.
And that glass building on the square with the bird chirping noises needs to be renovated — to get rid of the bird noises!
Also, I think at least one of the bars and restaurants on the square needs to add a rooftop deck. Imagine being able to look over all the festivals, etc. on the square from one of the rooftops. I am surprised no one has done that yet.
Is that going to be purely condos, or condos with retail on the first level?
The lot next to Eddies is approved for condos with ground floor retail.
Great!!.. thats what I had figured but needed it verified.. knowing how things have gone the last 10 or more years. Its a concept that is difficult to improve on.
MoonCat, Just give them time about the rooftop deck, someone will do it and it will be a Grand Slam.
At Edisto Beach, we have a general consencensus to renovate the old Big H in Oakhurst! Anything is good, but a grocery is best. The other idea is to turn the really cool stone building behind The Grange into a B&B with an event space.
That stone building is adjacent to Peavine Creek, why not do an urban stream restoration with tables and walk that go along the Peavine. Even better, unpipe the Peavine that goes under Ponce de Leon and make a bridge and extend the walk over to Northern Ave.
I just love getting off subject a little. We moved here in 1978. I do believe that, for the last 30 years, the house at East Ponce and Commerce (Across from UFMC) had been undergoing some kind of ‘renovation’. One year its unpainted windows, the next year a few doors, maybe a bit of paint the next year, then we see the cycle seemingly repeated. Can anyone tell me what the real story is here?
While we are at it, how about the big white house on Sycamore next to Avondale MARTA? I want that house but it too seems to have been under renovation since 1989 (which actually may mean I could buy it someday!). Any juice on that one?
Nellie, check out the comments in this thread.
http://www.decaturmetro.com/2008/11/15/is-old-courthouse-staircase-haunted/
The only reason I know the answer to this is because the same question was asked during my Decatur 101 class…also I think it may have come up in a recent Free-For-All Friday discusssion.
From what recall, the owner of that house is a very interesting character and “remodeling” his house is a part of his “therapy”. Even so, it’s received countless violation notices over the years and the city is well aware of this ever-evolving structure.
My dream is to take the open lot next to Dairy Queen and open up an old school movie theater/performance space. We would have 3 or 4 screens with 2 being commercial hits and 2 being artsy…we would have theme weeks and special showings…something to challenge the community with films…discussion groups and one of the theaters would be set up and big enough to hold live performances. During the late morning it could also be a coffee shop.
I just think Decatur is prime for an intelligent movie theater.
Billy, I would love to see that too..(my earlier post about converting the Sharian bldg was based purely on the Art Deco aesthetics) but I believe that space is slated for apartments, though I may be behind the news on that.
Brian, I think everyone’s best bet might be Emory Village…
http://www.decaturmetro.com/2009/05/14/pondering-an-emory-village-movie-theater/
slightly off subject, but speaking of renovations, two City of Decatur homes are going to be featured on HGTV’s new show Curb Appeal The Block, premiering tomorrow. Lots of familiar faces will be featured from Oakhurst and WP.
oops, to clarify, the new season of the show premieres tomorrow, the two Decatur homes will be featured on one of the weekly shows to come…
Move our good Oakhurst friends at One Step at a Time down one store and turn its corner space into a restaurant with an outdoor patio opening up out on Harmony Park.
Where would the real estate agent move?