Atlanta Meanderings
Often referred to as the 'Pencil Building,' this 55-story Postmodern skyscraper features prominent neo-Art Deco vertical lines and stands as part of the Bank of America Plaza complex on Peachtree Street in Atlanta.
Initially conceived in 1928 as a grand headquarters for Atlanta’s Shriners, the Fox Theatre drew inspiration from iconic structures like Spain’s Alhambra and Egypt’s Temple of Karnak.
A trip to Midtown Atlanta inspired these images. The striking architecture of the urban landscape caught my eye and curiosity. The iPhone images (I was there to see a show at the Fox Theatre, where cameras are prohibited) are still worth sharing!
We had time to wait before the show started, which allowed me to see the grandeur of the ‘pencil building’ located at the Bank of America Plaza, two blocks away.
Certainly, a single visit anywhere isn't enough time to create an all-inclusive portrait of a place, but it didn't stop me from appreciating the character and energy of my surroundings. Enjoy this glimpse of Atlanta’s unique personality.
It was my first visit to the iconic Fox Theatre. I've always loved architecture, and I was completely captivated by the Art Deco-inspired details of this Atlanta jewel. The Fox Theatre was officially designated a National Historic Landmark in May 1976 and was previously listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. According to Wikipedia, "The principal architect of the project was Olivier Vinour of the firm Marye, Alger and Vinour."
The Fox Theatre interiors are uniquely styled “vintage,” and the dark ambient lighting makes the atmosphere dramatic. I imagined all the performances that have graced its stage (musicians and bands: Rolling Stones, Prince, Aretha Franklin, Elvis Presley, Pearl Jam, B.B. King, The Grateful Dead, Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, Outkast, the B-52s, Widespread Panic, Black Crowes, to comedians: Chris Rock, Jerry Seinfeld, Jeff Foxworthy, and Eddie Murphy, plus the many Broadway productions), and the generations of visitors who have passed through its doors before me.
You don't need a camera to explore places, just a willingness to slow down, look up, and appreciate the character and stories waiting to be discovered from your perspective.
Olivier Vinour of the firm Marye, Alger, and Vinour is the principal architect of the Fox Theatre. The décor of the mezzanine Gentlemen's Lounge and the lower Ladies Lounge shows influence from Islamic design.
I created the video above, which shows a single corner detail of a 23-story mixed-use office tower at 712 W Peachtree St NW (occupant: SouthState Bank Midtown Atlanta Branch), and was designed by Portman Architects), to convey the feeling of electricity.
