'Pink Palace' owner plans to restore historic Buckhead mansion (2024)

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'Pink Palace' owner plans to restore historic Buckhead mansion (1)byEvelyn Andrews

The owner of a historic Buckhead mansion designed by a prominent Atlanta architect is planning to restore the house and demolish an addition. The owner also plans to subdivide the lot, but he said he may alter his plans after community pushback.

The nearly 90-year-old house, known locally as the Pink Palace because it was adorned with pink stucco, was designed by Philip Trammell Shutze, the designer of the Atlanta History Center’s Swan House and other prominent local buildings.

The owner of the mansion, Thierry Francois, plans to subdivide the lot into three lots and demolish part of the home that is not original and was added on decades after the home was built, he said.

“My goal is to reduce the size of this land so it would be more cost-effective for a family to live in,” he said.

The current subdivision plan would create a new lot in the front of the house and a new lot in the back, but after the community expressed concern a building could be built in front of the Pink Palace, Francois said he may alter his plans.

A consultant, Dianne Barfield, applied for a permit on behalf of the owner to subdivide the lot Nov. 21, and in October received a permit to demolish a portion of the home, according to city documents. The subdivision request is scheduled to go before the city’s Subdivision Review Committee on Dec. 20.

The 1929 mansion, also known as the Rhodes House, is located at 541 West Paces Ferry Road near the Governor’s Mansion.

Before it was known that the owner was planning to restore the house and not demolish anything original, the preservation community expressed alarm and concern that yet another Shutze-designed mansion could be lost to demolition, showing the concern they have for these historic properties.

Mark McDonald, president and CEO of the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation, said the city needs better preservation protections and incentives.

A review process is needed so the community can be made aware of changes owners want to make to historic property, he said.

“While the Georgia Trust is not aware of what portion of the building is going to be torn down, we think it’s unfortunate that there is not a review process for demolishing historic properties,” McDonald said. “There should be a review process so neighbors, residents and preservation groups can provide input on the plans,” he said.

McDonald also said that it is unfortunate Shutze-designed properties have been demolished in recent years, including the Maddox House, a mansion that was located on Tuxedo Road and demolished in early 2016.

James Ottley, the board chair of the Buckhead Heritage Society, said protecting historic homes like the Pink Palace should be a priority.

“Protecting significant historic buildings like this one for future generations should be a heightened priority for our area residents,” Ottley said.
Francois, who bought the house in May, said the back part of the house that he plans to demolish is a pool house and a garage addition.

“You have a lot of space in the back lot that is not being used,” he said. “[The demolition] will give the flexibility to do something in the back lot.”

He plans to have another building on the back lot. Although the application calls for subdividing the lot to create a new lot in the front, Francois said he doesn’t plan to build there.

He acknowledged that if he sold the property, the new owner could build something in front of the Pink Palace, and said he may change his application based on feedback from the community and preservationists.

“What’s important to understand is that there won’t be something built in the front. I want to make sure that I’m not going to impose something that’s going to be an eyesore on West Paces,” he said.

Francois is also planning extensive remodeling and renovations in the interior of the house to fix inappropriate or incorrectly installed changes made by former owners, such as kitchen countertops. He also found one of the original bathroom sinks in the basement and plans to reinstall it.

“The house needs help inside to bring it back to its former glory,” he said.

He also has removed its beige paint to reveal the original stucco and make the Pink Palace pink again.

  1. One of the most beautiful and unusual corners, if not the most beautiful in Buckhead/Atlanta likely to be ruined! Please do not subdivide. This is all atrocious….and a bad idea.

    Atlanta is weak…not good architects designing all the new buildings…rare if so.

  2. I grew up right smack next door to the Pink Palace from 1980 to 1993 (age 7 to 20)… I have crawled over every square inch of that home as i was best friends with the owner’s son at the time. The Pink Palace is just that – a most historical lavish and beautiful dwelling for a Prince…

    One doesn’t buy the property to make a penny off of it. How desperate are you? You buy it to LIVE the LIFE. Go somewhere else and invest your money in Alpharetta, Dunwoody, Marietta, Duluth, Conyers, wherever.. Make your real-estate investment money. Then, when you’re a big dog, you live in the Pink Palace and don’t change a thing or partition it to make money. You should already have enough money not to have to make a cheap & weak investment like that. Pathetic. So is your attempt at sugarcoating it by saying, “I want to restore it to it’s glory.” Who fed you that line if you didn’t come up with it yourself. It is condescending…

    Please don’t subdivide or demolish any part of that awesome, beautiful, historical landmark and National treasure!!!!!!!!!

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'Pink Palace' owner plans to restore historic Buckhead mansion (2024)

FAQs

'Pink Palace' owner plans to restore historic Buckhead mansion? ›

The owner of a historic Buckhead mansion designed by a prominent Atlanta architect is planning to restore the house and demolish an addition. The owner also plans to subdivide the lot, but he said he may alter his plans after community pushback.

Who owns the Pink Palace in Atlanta? ›

One of Buckhead's most famous homes is the "Pink Palace." The mansion at 541 West Paces Ferry Road is historic and often used as a show home. It was built in 1926 by famed architects Neel Reid, Hal Hentz and Philip Shutze. It is currently owned by Thierry Francois, a businessman who bought it as a "personal home."

What is the most expensive house in Buckhead Atlanta? ›

In a landmark real estate transaction, Buckhead real estate broker Ben Hirsh has sold 3391 Tuxedo Road in Atlanta for $19.8 million. The all-cash purchase closed on March 12, 2024 in a private transaction in which Hirsh represented the seller.

What is considered Buckhead in Atlanta? ›

The official scope of Buckhead includes the community as defined by the Atlanta Regional Commission, which is that portion of north Atlanta bounded by the city limits / DeKalb County line on the east; the city limits line on the north; the city limits / Cobb County line on the west; and the Peachtree Creek from the ...

What is Buckhead, Atlanta known for? ›

With its upscale neighborhoods and multi-million dollar mansions, the Buckhead section of Atlanta is one of the most affluent communities in town, and home to some of the best art galleries, restaurants and nightlife.

Who was the original owner of Pink Palace? ›

It's a story that began with the Pink Palace Mansion, originally designed to be the dream home of wealthy entrepreneur Clarence Saunders, founder of the Piggly Wiggly grocery chain. The Mansion's distinctive pink marble façade led to the nickname of Saunders “Pink Palace”.

Who owns the Pink house now? ›

The Balish family kept the mansion running as a restaurant, and their daughter, Donna Moeckel, is the current owner of the Olde Pink House. Today, the Olde Pink House is one of Savannah's most popular, can't-miss restaurants — in fact, it's practically impossible to get a table without a reservation!

What stars live in Buckhead Atlanta? ›

Cardi B and Offset are two of the most-talked about celebrities who call Atlanta home. In December 2019, the couple purchased a Buckhead mansion with the help of Dorsey Alston Realtors. Here's a skyview shot of the home that reportedly includes five bedrooms and seven bathrooms.

Where do billionaires live in Atlanta? ›

Morningside-Lenox Park

Located northeast of downtown Atlanta is Morningside-Lenox Park, an area well-known for wealth and affluence. This highly-rated district is home to beautiful historic architecture, a walkable layout, and close proximity to lots of high-end retailers and local entertainment.

What is the richest zip code in Buckhead? ›

However, according to Forbes magazine, (30327) is the ninth-wealthiest zip code in the nation, with a household income in excess of $341,000.

What percentage of Buckhead is white? ›

Buckhead Demographics

White: 67.79% Two or more races: 18.01% Black or African American: 8.58% Asian: 4.42%

What is the safest part of Atlanta to live? ›

North Buckhead is the safest place to live in Atlanta. It boasts one of the lowest crime rates in Atlanta, with 1,773 crimes per 100,000 residents, significantly below the national average. The violent crime rate stands at 295 per 100,000 residents, while property crime is recorded at 1,478 per 100,000 residents.

What part of Buckhead is best to live in? ›

Peachtree Hills | Trendy Buckhead Neighborhood Great For Young Adults. Peachtree Hills is an affordable Buckhead neighborhood and is a great place for young adults, families, and retirees. It's known for its close community and has a variety of architectural styles ranging from bungalows to craftsmen.

What is the ethnicity of Buckhead Atlanta? ›

Population & Diversity

In 2022, there were 7.6 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (152 people) in Buckhead, GA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 20 Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 7 White (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

What is the average age in Buckhead? ›

Buckhead's population skews a bit older than the city as a whole. The median age is 37.9, while the rest of Atlanta's is 34. By generation, the biggest single demographic bracket is millennials at 34.1% of the population. That's followed by Generation X at 19.8% and Baby Boomers at 18.1%.

Are Bankhead and Buckhead the same place? ›

The Bankhead area is a high minority populated area with a median income of roughly $32,000. The Buckhead area has a majority white population with an average median income of about $63,000.

Who owns the Pink Trap house in Atlanta? ›

Fans flocked to the Pink Trap House is droves. Soon, the old house will be turned into dust and rubble — only memories, selfies from the fans who took photos in front of it, will remain. “My plan eventually is to tear it down,” said Matt Rohrig of Cartel Properties, which owns the house.

Who owned the Pink mansion? ›

Jayne Mansfield's Pink Palace was a mansion bought and refurbished with pink paint and fixtures by American actress Jayne Mansfield in 1957. The mansion was demolished in 2002.

Who owns Pink Pony Atlanta? ›

Dennis Williams, the CFO of Trop Inc., the company that owns the Pink Pony, said the club remains open and the bankruptcy filing allows Trop Inc. to “reorganize our structure.”

Who owned the Crystal Palace in Atlanta? ›

Leading black businessman Alonzo Herndon, who owned several successful barbershops in the city, catered to white customers only. His barbershop at 66 Peachtree Street in downtown Atlanta, known as the Crystal Palace, was the most luxurious barbershop in town.

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