Just for fun post- a couple of amusing moments in the built environment

This McMansion subdivision is called "Cash Farms."

You might have to click on this image to see the larger one. The sign above this napper says "No Loitering."

Hotel, Motel, Quality Inn

Along the interstate there are dozens of quick-rent, budget hotels in which people can decide to stay in.  There is one, though, close to me which has closed down for the season for "renovations' but what exactly they can renovate, I'm not quite sure.  It is the generic run-of-the-mill hotel that families and overnight visitors stay in all the time.  There are the multiple buildings as well the the pool in the complex's center.  The location of this Quality Inn gives it a perk.  

The next location, the Ritz Carlton in Buckhead, is quite a difference from the Quality Inn described above.  As everyone knows the clientele of the Ritz Carlton is of quite a different tier than that of the Quality Inn.  In addition, this particular Ritz Carlton is in what is often coined the more "upper" part of Atlanta.  So it is assumed that those that stay at this hotel are very well to do with money.

The last location is very different from the previous two.  It is the Highland Inn located just off Ponce de Leon near the Virginia Highlands district of Atlanta.  It is a small inn located between various establishments as well as residences.  It has the look and feel of something one might see in a more secluded area and not in the middle of a metropolitan neighborhood.  There is also a lounge underneath that patrons can visit but it is not solely for the use of those staying there.  It has the look and feel of a bed and breakfast type lodging but in a very different locale.

Sketchbook Assignment 7, Hotels and Motels

Everyone knows the Cleremont. Atlanta, GA




The Atlanta Motor Hotel, adjacent to the I-20 onramp, Moreland Ave, Atlanta, GA

Sketchbook Assignment 5, the Store: "Some Others"

The Sears distribution warehouse and store, Ponce de Leon Ave, Atlanta, GA

The outside and in of Belly General Store, Virginia-Highland, Atlanta, GA

Sketchbook Assignment 9, Multifamily dwellings

Two eras of apartments in Atlanta: The Ponce Apartments on the left and a mid-century building on the right.






The Biltmore, West Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA





Decatur, GA

















Decatur, GA

Decatur, GA

Decatur, GA

The Saint Charles, Virginia Highlands, Atlanta, GA

Sketchbook Assignment 2, Roads, Highways, and Parking Facilities: "Asphalt"

Parking garage or the Lincoln Memorial? My favorite building in Atlanta built for parking. Peachtree Center Ave.

Interstate 75/85 from the 10th Street overpass, Atlanta, GA

An underground parking garage, Colony Square, Atlanta, GA

Overestimated demand, Mableton, GA

Interstate 20 becomes shelter for tailgaters at a Falcons game, Atlanta, GA

Sketchbook Assignment 4, Restaurants

A duck of a restaurant: The Vortex, Little 5 Points, Atlanta, GA

An island in a sea of asphalt, Supreme Fish Delight, East Atlanta, GA

Sketchbook Assignment 1, Downtown: "Downtowns"

Downtown Blue Ridge, GA

A skyline of Atlanta icons: SunTrust, The Equitable, Georgia Pacific, and AT&T.

Downtown Atlanta, GA

Times Square, New York, NY

Multi-Family Dwellings - Metropolitan Parkway

Above is the Santa Fe Apartments, an affordable housing community.  Santa Fe is the adaptive reuse of the former Alamo Motor Court, a hostelry built to accommodate the tourists who came to visit the Fairgrounds at Lakewood and is distinguished by its faux-Southwestern resemblance to adobe buildings.   Though I'm pretty sure I could find other SROs around the Southwest Quadrant of Atlanta, this is as close to one I can identify on former Stewart Avenue.

This apartment building was built at the turn of the century.  It fronts the street and has no "garden" amenities.  It is a brick two story walk-up with victorian decorative elements.  As can be observed, air conditioning is now provided via window units.  There are no driveways or parking associated with this building.

Above and below are photos of a circa 1920s apartment complex.  The buildings are arranged around a central courtyard.  This is used for both parking and "recreation" area.  The central area is for general use, nothing marks specific spaces or patios for the residents, however, residents can be seen with lawn chairs outside on pleasant days.  The exterior is stucco.  There is little exterior decoration, horizontal painted bands notwithstanding.  The complex is obviously designed to accommodate a larger residency than that provided by the late 19th century brick building photoed above.

Homes of Dresden

In my neighborhood there can now be found three distinct types of homes.  The first, my own home, is the most prominent.  Built during the 1960s, it very much looks the era.  All the homes around my own also have the same look.  They are small-ish homes and many are split level.  In addition, they have what many of the newer homes in the newer communities today lack: a yard.  It allows each homeowner to give their own sense of ownership via their lawns.  Some are well kept with flowers while others lack the upkeep.  

Up the street, they have been constructing "city-built" townhouses.  Basically they are clustered townhouses that give the impression of a close city surrounding even though they sit by themselves near no other homes or businesses.  This community is located right off of 85 and can be spotted from the road.  It is offsetting because of the other side of the road are the houses in the same vein as my own.  It gives the distinct impression of two different eras.

However, this distinction is nothing compared to the new "McMansions" being built near the Brookhaven community (outside of Buckhead).  These homes were built on the land of smaller homes such as mine.  Upon buying a home, the new owners would demolish the house in order to build their own home.  It is very offputting to see a regular home stand next to one of the monsters.  Although the trend has slowed down of late (I assume for economic reasons), these constructions are still taking place.  Pictured is one of the new homes next to an older house.

Cruisin' Buford Highway

On Buford Highway one can find just about anything.  I took a trip down this road with the notion of this being a strip.  And it is.  The first thing I noticed was a number of different car repair shops.  They are numerous and regularly spotted.  The picture posted was of a strip of three different shops but the thing is none are in business.  It was an afternoon weekday when the shot was taken and yet all the buildings were closed.  

In addition to the repair shops there were also a number of car dealerships.  But unlike the huge major company dealerships , these were smaller lots and consisted of used cars.  In fact, the one major dealership that I remember on the road was recently demolished and all that remains is rubble where it once stood.  And because of the cultural significance that Buford Highway has the dealerships seemed to attract a particular group.  The signs, all of which were in English, also had another language that would attract the clientele they wished to take.

The Buford Highwas very much resembled the photos of a strip that many of us are familiar with.  Long stretch of road that is blanketed on both sides by various businesses.  You can find just about anything desired as well as chose from any fast food restaurant imaginable.  It truly is a strip.