The Georgian Terrace Hotel, Pt. 1

My first visit to the Georgian Terrace Hotel was in 2007; I didn’t stay there, but did tour the property. I managed to take a few pictures WITH A FLASH; I still shutter at the thought (pun intended). Obviously, when I returned this year I had to spend the night and get some decent photos! The descriptive historical marker in front of the hotel remained the same:

Built by Atlanta native, Joseph Gatins and designed by New York architect, W.L. Stoddard, the Terrace opened October 2, 1911. over the years, most of Atlanta’s famous visitors have chosen the Georgian Terrace Hotel as their temporary home on Peachtree Street. The Terrace served as headquarters for the Metropolitan Opera when it visited Atlanta each Spring in the early 1900’s. The great opera singer, Enrico Caruso stayed here in 1913 and sent a gracious thank you from London complimenting the excellent food and accommodations. Clark Gable, Vivien Leigh, and most of the “Gone with the Wind” cast stayed here when the film premiered in Atlanta in December 1939. The Terrace served as host to Presidents Warren Harding and Calvin Coolidge. Arthur Murray once operated one of his early dancing schools here while he was attending Georgia Tech. Over the years “The Grand Old Lady of Peachtree” becmae known as oe of the great hotels of the Southeast because of its elaborate ballroom, the Terrace Outdoor Cafe, marble lobby, and elegant furnishing.



Despite the signage claiming that Vivien stayed at the Georgian, that is not completely true. Since she and beau Laurence Olivier weren’t married yet (and Leigh was still married to her first husband), they had been booked separate rooms at the Georgian to avoid a scandal. This was not acceptable to the lovers, so they stayed at a private residence instead.

Walt Disney also stayed here in 1946 when “Song of the South” premiered across the street at the Fox Theatre. The hotel’s website gives very little information about the history of the hotel or its renovations. In 1991, a 19-story wing was added, followed by renovations in 2000 and 2009. The outside looked very much the same from my 2007 visit.



The classic and modern elements work surprisingly well together…



including this incredible spiral tower, guaranteed to induce vertigo!



The lobby desk:



While there were no staff in these photos (many which were taken at 5am!), I can assure you that everyone that worked there was incredibly kind and helpful. Below is the plaque outside the ballroom where the gala party for the “Gone with the Wind” premiere was held:



You could almost feel the ghosts of the attendees.





Come back for more photos of the Georgian Terrace!

See more Georgian Terrace Hotel photos at my main website.