Atlanta City Hall
Why it's listed
Atlanta City Hall is an eleven-story office tower rising above a four-story rectangular base on Mitchell Street S.W. Completed in 1930 to designs by architect G. Lloyd Preacher, it is built of reinforced concrete and covered in cream-colored terra cotta, with olive green ornamental terra cotta spandrels set between uninterrupted piers. Pointed arches, pinnacles and strong vertical lines mark it as Gothic Revival. Inside, the grand entrance lobby combines bronze and marble, and oak-beamed ceilings remain in the mayor's office and council chambers. Granite, marble, terra cotta and brick all came from Georgia, a notable point for a Depression-era project. The site, a former private home and girls' high school, lies a block from the earlier city hall. The building has housed the mayor's office, council meetings and public services since February 1930, and it was recognized for its architecture and its long role in city government.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it is a fine example of Gothic Revival design for a government building, with pointed arches, vertical emphasis, pinnacles and a two-type terra cotta exterior. It is also a work of architect G. Lloyd Preacher and was built entirely of Georgia materials during the Depression. Its governmental significance rests on serving continuously as city hall since 1930.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 83000227, listed July 13, 1983. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 68 Mitchell St. SW, Atlanta |
|---|---|
| County | Fulton County |
| Listed | July 13, 1983 |
| Reference number | 83000227 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1900- (specific date 1930) |
| Architect / builder | G. Lloyd Preacher, Architect; National Construction Co., contractors |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Politics/Government, Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied and still used as city hall; original first-floor interior remains intact, with later office modernization, fireproofing, air conditioning and terra cotta repair. |
| Acreage | 1.8 |
| Coordinates | 33.74900, -84.39028 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For a publicly owned building or structure, listing mainly matters when federal funds, permits or licences are involved: projects then go through Section 106 review so effects on the property are considered. Listing also strengthens applications for preservation grants and, for leased income-producing uses, can enable the federal rehabilitation tax credit.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 83000227.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q4816038
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.