A vote on giving landmark status to the H.M. Patterson & Son building was postponed in an Atlanta Urban Design Commission meeting Wednesday.
AUDC Executive Director Doug Young recommended the commission take up a resolution extending the amount of time before a vote so staff could continue to "engage with the property owner" towards a solution. The 90-year-old mortuary — which is listed as one of Atlanta's most endangered historic places by the Atlanta Preservation Center — is owned by Houston-based Service Corporation International.
If the funeral home were awarded the landmark status, approval would have to be issued before anyone could make certain updates, such as changing the exterior appearance, erecting a new structure, or demolishing or moving all or part of the building. The vote was also deferred at the previous two AUDC meetings.
During this week’s meeting, Young clarified that interim control measures which protect the property during the designation process would remain in place during an extension. An SCI representative said he was in favor of the resolution.
The resolution passed unamiously.
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H.M. Patterson & Son's Midtown location, known as Spring Hill Chapel, opened in 1928 — well before that area was populated by skyscrapers or MARTA. Today the white structure sits on a hill with a sprawling lawn and garden on the bustling corner of Spring and 10th streets.
The potential "landmark buildings and sites" status comes at an important time, as indications point towards new plans for the property. The city has indicated that the property is for sale, and SCI previously commissioned Beck Group to create a concept for a mixed-use office, residential and hotel complex on the site.
Public AUDC meetings are held on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month at 4 p.m. at City Hall, 55 Trinity Avenue SW. It’s not clear when this topic will next be on the agenda.
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