Southeastern Capital Companies and Coro Realty are in the process of stabilizing and restoring the historic DuPre Excelsior Mill on North Avenue.
“We knew from the beginning we were going to restore the building,” Robert Fransen, managing partner at Coro Realty, said in a press statement Tuesday.
“We spent considerable time and energy to ensure we could do it correctly and with the support of historic preservation groups and the city. We are now ready to move forward with rebuilding the east wall and completing The Mill’s adaptive reuse.”
A joint venture partnership between Southeastern Capital Companies and Coro Realty acquired the former 118-year-old Excelsior Mill in July 2016, leading the extensive renovation efforts into The Mill offices.
In late-December 2019, excavation work on the site in accordance with the structural engineers’ specifications caused a wall to crumble.
Further inspection of the accident revealed extensive damage to the interior of that section of the wall sustained over the years, according to the release.
Construction crews have now reinforced the remaining wall to limit further damage.
Under the guidance of structural engineers, construction crews have begun removing the loose stones and segments of the wall on the north and south sides, in preparation for the restoration of the east wall.
The partnership will seek permits from the City of Atlanta in the coming weeks to begin the restoration.
There is currently no timeline as to when the work will be completed and is pending the permitting process.
The partnership is working closely with the Atlanta Urban Design Commission and the Atlanta Department of City Planning on the restoration.
Smith Dalia Architects is heading the adaptation of the building, combining contemporary and historical narratives.
The Mill first appears on the 1901 fire protection map for the city of Atlanta, but it likely predates the map.
Originally an excelsior mill, the property is best known as the former music venue, The Masquerade, which has since relocated to Underground Atlanta.
“The Atlanta Preservation Center has advocated for the Excelsior Mill’s protection for years, and we are very grateful for Southeastern Capital Companies and Coro Realty’s dedication to the stewardship of this building,” David Y. Mitchell, director of operations with the Atlanta Preservation Center, said in the release.
“This project has produced unique challenges, and the sincere focus of all parties involved exhibits the courage and commitment we need for preservation.”
7 Responses
I thought it would collapse 30 years ago.
Do you suppose decades of thunderous 130dB bass vibrating the whole place could have had some effect on the structure? It probably fell over from exhaustion.
I cannot believe this was an accident. Any structural engineer worth his credentials would know how to do the construction to save this historic structure.
I’m always suspicious when historically protected structures collapse accidentally.
Also, “In 1978, the Mill housed a pizzeria and barrio”. What is a barrio in this context? In Spanish the word means a neighborhood or district, not a type of business.
Snafu my ass, they just didn’t want to preserve it. If they could’ve done it to the rest of the building I’m sure they would have.
Don’t suppose restoration might’ve been a little too costly compared to new construction…?
The Mellow Mushroom started renovation of the Excelsior Mill in 1978 and opened in 1980. I was the person directing the renovation. It saddened me when the Masquerade took it over and pretty much covered up a lot of the work we did. I was paid about $5 an hour base salary. The owners of the Mellow Mushroom provided me with labor when needed. Arkhora Architects led by Tony Smith did the design. I lived on the premises for two years and was protected by a beautiful yellow German Shepard named Symba. It was a rough area in those days. It heartened me to see it being renovated again. The part of the building that collapsed was the most interesting part with all the machinery used to shred the wood excelsior. The exterior of that building was never as strong as the main building. The walls were always a bit crumbly. We installed a new roof with trusses built from lumber already on site or salvaged from the old roof. It was a labor of love because as always it’s the owners that make the money.