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Built in 1917 on the corner of Peachtree and Marietta streets, Atlanta’s first enclosed mall included three floors of shopping covered by a glass ceiling. The Peachtree Arcade, a gorgeous example of Beaux-Arts style architecture featuring marble and brass, served shoppers for decades.
Famous Atlanta architect A. Ten Eyck Brown designed the arcade as well as other Atlanta buildings such as the Fulton County Courthouse, Sweet Auburn Curb Market and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Federal Building.
The building was demolished in 1964 for the First National Bank Building of Atlanta, which was then the tallest building in the Southeast.
– Mark C. McDonald, Georgia Trust
10 comments
How I wish that I might have seen this. My Mother would take us as children to Rich’s which was magic.
in 1948 (when I was 10), My mother occasionally took me downtown (on the streetcar), and we would shop in various small shops near the Peachtree arcade. In high school, I used to take a bus to downtown, from my house near Howell mill road, to shop at rich’s. loved having lunch at the counter in Woolworth’s, across the street from rich’s. downtown Atlanta was very special to me during those days.
DEAR GLORIA.
I ENJOY READING POSTS FROM OTHERS.
PLEASE DO ME A FAVOR NEXT TIME YOU GO INTO THE FIVE POINTS MARTA STATION,
LOOK AT THE WALLS, I THINK THAT IS THE SAME MARBLE WORK FROM THE WALLS AND
CEILING OF THE OLD PEACHTREE ARCADE.
THANKS
QUENTIN ABBOTT
I remember going into the arcade on Christmas day in 1958 and taking pictures of the tree using black & white film, yes I still have those pictures.
I never go to Atlanta any longer, I was born in Atlanta in May 1943, all the buildings that I remember except the Hurt building and the Fox theater are gone
I can remember there was another business located next door to the Peachtree arcade on Whitehall street. they would clean and press your suit for $1.50, block your hat and shine your shoes.
those were the days.
What mania caused Atlanta to destroy its historic buildings in the 1960’s and ’70’s? I remember my mother taking me to the Arcade when she shopped and paid bills. I even remember shopping there myself as a young teen. I remember walking past the kimball house hotel, never went inside. I remember the S&W cafeteria on Peachtree, and a pond and fountain. Too bad those places can’t be revisited.
My Dad worked for Georgia Insurance Service in the Arcade building, I too lived off Howell Mill Road on Antone street in the ’50’s and I vividly remember going with him to his office. I also remember riding the trolley to Rich’s, Woolworth’s, and the Carnegie Library. Anyone remember “Mr. Peanut?”
Hi Ken;
I remember a man dressed as planters peanut a couple of doors from the Loews Grand Theater handing out free samples on Peachtree
street.
I don’t know how many folks remember old Atlanta, but back in the late 1950’s we were listening to radio station WAKE 1340 am
there was a safety deposit key hidden attached to a coca cola bottle keychain worth $50,000.00 I can remember the fun that we had looking for it, ah the memories.
I can remember at five points, the peachtree arcade, wormser hats, Friedman’s Jewelers, Jacob’s Pharmacy, The First National Bank, Muses Clothing Store. I am truly sorry but all of it is gone now. All that I have left is my wonderful Memories of old Atlanta.