Ford Factory Lofts’ original red brick facade which dates back to 1914 is currently getting whitewashed.
Scott Morris posted the above photograph to the Atlanta Preservation Alliance Facebook group over the weekend showing the in-progress paint job (Reddit’s MisterSeabass appears to have take the photo.)
“The Ford Factory Lofts are not designated by Atlanta as historic, nor is the building in a local historic district,” Charles Lawrence, the page’s admin, posted in response to the photo.
“Therefore, there is no design review for exterior painting (or anything else, like replacing windows). Further, five years after receiving historic tax credits, an owner may do as they wish with a tax credit project building, even tear it down.”
While the new color is not being well received by the group, the update to the building—once home to a Ford Motor Company Assembly Plant, at 699 Ponce de Leon Avenue—is part of an ongoing multi-million dollar renovation.
Ownership is giving the building a new look in conjunction with the recently-debuted Kroger-anchored 725 Ponce development which is connected to Ford Factory Lofts by its parking lot and entrance off Ponce de Leon.
The Shopping Center Group is leading the remerchandising effort which includes the soon-to-open Rina and Ponce Dental Group.
Its white paint job is one of the last “upgrades” of the renovation.
Why do people think that painting brick is a good idea? It’s ugly and now they’ll have to paint it every 5 years
I believe the Ford Factory Assembly plant IS a historic place.. At least according to the National Register of Historic Places, https://npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/AssetDetail?assetID=900cfa77-730e-4da9-847b-519f197ea085
Pretty sure that’s a historic building …
In a historic neighborhood
This looks hideous and instead of blending in by standing out in this great diverse neighborhood, it looks like it should be on HGTV.
Atlanta preservationist get upset if the lawn gets mowed.