For Lease Fantasies
Decatur Metro | June 15, 2011
One of the most interesting buildings in Decatur – the stone “Beautiful” building behind the Marlay – is up for lease! The owner, gave this history of the property in a comment a couple years back…
The land that the Grange and the other 2 buildings ( Stone house, and warehouse behind BEAUTIFUL gate ) sit on was developed by an elderly stone mason in the 1940′s. The house and warehouse were built first. This was his house and studio/warehouse. He built the granite building where the Grange is located later hoping to rent it out. His first tenant was a Hudson car dealership. A Studebaker dealership was across the street, and Oldsmobile dealership was where the CVS is now.
All 3 buildings used to be connected, but a fire in the early 80′s partially destroyed the roof over the nexus of the buildings – creating the interesting space behind the gate. In the late 90′s I commissioned local artist Robert Witherspoon to make a gate to secure the courtyard area for my sculpture studio. The “Beautiful” comes from a fabled gate in Jerusalem; the Gate Called Beautiful.
The building where the Grange is underwent extensive renovation in 2001. The renovation of the rest of the property has been hampered by the Federal Government declaring the property within the 100 year flood plain since that renovation. I am in the process of clearing hurdles to renovate the rest of the property to honor the historic structure, and I may need the support of the Decatur Metro community in the future.
All that said, what would you like to see open up in this unique structure?
Latest from Decaturish
They paved paradise and put up a parking lot
Hey now now, don’t it always seem to go
That you don’t know what you got ’til it’s gone
They paved paradise to put up a parking lot
Why not, they paved paradise
They put up a parking lot
Hey hey hey, paved paradise and put up a parking lot
Look closely and you’ll see that they didn’t even bother to pave. Silver car in the background is parked at least partially on the grass. What exactly is up with that?
Let’s get the Studebaker dealership back. Now that would be neat.
I hope they never pave paradise. Paradise has been paved way too often in Decatur, and even more so in the rest of our region.
My opinion is the best use for this property would be use by an artist collective live/work area. That would honor the original builder and the community. I can dream.
I think so, too!
Mixed use, of course:
DM Server Farm
Friedrich Hayek Center for Remedial Economics DM Posters Outreach Office
CSD Superintendent Search Committee Headquarters
If the flood plain is a worry, maybe they should build a bridge over troubled water.
Walmart with a Dollar General inside. Kind of like Russian Dolls.
…with an RNC campaign headquarters inside that….
About all the property is good for is a community garden. Hauntingly attractive buildings.
Don’t underestimate the greatness of that idea.
Yep but does it get enough sun? Would be so cool, too!
Would make a mighty fine brewery.
+1 pint
But where are we going to park? LOL.
Mighty fine location for DM’s office (… adjoining the above-mentioned brewery!)
An urban garden plant shop.
How about a package store? Oh, too close to the Christian church on the hill?
Roller rink!
I am amazed at the continued clamor expressed for MORE BEER JOINTS in Decatur. Really, people, aren’t there already enough of the fusty beery places to satisfy your needs?
No.
How bout use it as a single family residence?
Information center for the city of Decatur visitors…a Decatur history center….something civic…?
I’ve always thought that a single screen, art house movie theater would do really well in downtown Decatur. The Atlanta metro is really lacking in good cinema, and downtown Decatur is lacking in things to do besides eat and drink.
Athens’ Cine theatre would be a good model for an in-town film haven…
I love Cine! It’s one of my favorite places in Athens. In terms of size, it would fit perfectly in Decatur.