Brittain, Dr. Marion Luther, Sr., House
Why it's listed
Built in 1911 on West Peachtree Street in Atlanta, this two-story frame house was constructed for Dr. Marion Luther Brittain, Sr., at a cost of $4,500, with George H. Bray as general contractor. Its entrance facade is dominated by a monumental temple front with four Corinthian columns, along with a dentiled entablature, scroll-cut modillions and a central balcony, all original. The house was divided into four apartments in 1922, which added two upper porches, and it became a doctor's office in 1991. Brittain was Fulton County school superintendent, then state school superintendent from 1910 to 1922, during which many county school systems were consolidated. In 1922 he became president of Georgia Tech, a post he held until 1944. The house is valued both as a well-preserved example of Neoclassical Revival design and for its link to Brittain's influence on Georgia education. It is one of few early residences surviving along a street that has become largely commercial.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is a good example of Neoclassical Revival architecture, retaining its monumental four-column temple front and original details. It is also tied to Brittain, a leading Georgia educator who served as state school superintendent and later as president of Georgia Tech. It is one of few early twentieth-century residences left along West Peachtree Street.
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 93000999, listed September 23, 1993. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 1109 W. Peachtree St., Atlanta |
|---|---|
| County | Fulton County |
| Listed | September 23, 1993 |
| Reference number | 93000999 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1911-1922 |
| Architect / builder | Architect unknown; George H. Bray was the general contractor |
| Architectural style | Classical Revival/Neoclassical Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Education, Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Converted to a doctor's office in 1991; the first floor has been modified for medical offices and the building is used as a clinic. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 33.78788, -84.38737 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary for a privately owned home: it does not by itself restrict what an owner may do with their own money, and it does not require public access. Restrictions come from local landmark or historic-district ordinances, which are separate (how they differ).
Owner-occupied houses are not eligible for the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit, which applies to income-producing buildings, but many states offer credits for homeowners. Listing also opens the door to preservation easements and to buying a plaque. Start with what listing means for homeowners, renovating a listed house and selling one.
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 93000999.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.