Saving An Italian Baroque in Atlanta, 1923




Calhoun House, Hentz, Reid and Adler

My friend, Jennifer Boles, of The Peak of Chic, recently posted about the Calhoun House, in Atlanta- one of my all-time favorite houses - and I've owned a copy of the 1973 "Architecture of Neel Reid In Georgia" (University of Georgia Press) ever since I met Professor Carey Sutlive, while attending the old Massey Junior College, which later became the Art Institute, after moving from downtown to uptown, in Buckhead.  Carey Sutlive did the photography for this book- and he even signed my copy. 

According to this book, by Professor James Grady - Architecture, Georgia Institute of Technology, the house was originally sited on 18 acres, and was inspired by Villa Cuzzano, near Verona, Villa Gori in Sienna, and the Villa Spada in Rome.  Described in the book as "not large" at just under 10,000 square feet, it's shocking to me that the MLS on Trulia and Zillow have incorrect information posted- stating the date of construction as 1900 and using a generic description that seems to have come from a ranch house in Dunwoody...this property is a steal at 2.5 million, and could probably be purchased for less.  The 1973 book listed the then current owner as one Mr. Thornwell.  




This elevation is where the "front" entry is

You can see why I would find this property so interesting, and so desirable, and I am sure I've had more than a few dreams of myself living in it!  In the plan view, which I will show in a future post, one enters a vestibule, then the stair hall, with the drawing room to the left, off of which is a porch.  To the right is the dining room, and straight ahead is the library.  There is, oddly enough, a three car attached garage.  Upstairs, there are five bed chambers, one "maids room", and two sleeping porches- remember those?  The dining room features a baroque inspired mantel surmounted by a portrait of Michelangelo.  According to Mr. Grady, the furnishings, doors, and chandeliers were purchased in Italy by Neel Reid, and the terraced and parterred gardens designed by Phillip Shutze.  Check out the listing for this one at 3418 Pinestream Road, NW Atlanta.  From reading Jennifers' post it is apparent that this gorgeous trophy house has not been landmarked!  If this is true, then heaven forbid, it could become another victim of the demolition crews.  We all are praying that the old Calhoun-Thornwell house will be saved.  

DF*****