The Maddox House on Tuxedo Road in Buckhead will be demolished despite efforts by preservationists to work with the new owners on preserving the home. The home was designed by noted Atlanta architect Philip Shutze (The Swan House and Georgia Academy of Medicine building, among others) in 1937.
The new owners, Mr. and Mrs. Dallas Clement, had indicated they were exploring possibilities about keeping the house intact and possibly adding an addition. However, the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation received word that demolition of the house will begin today, Feb. 3, weather permitting.
“We are deeply disappointed with this decision and, of course, the decision to demolish a historic structure is irreparable,” Trust president and CEO Mark McDonald said in a statement. “The Georgia Trust believes that this is a missed opportunity to rehabilitate and transform an Atlanta cultural treasure created by Philip Shutze, one of our most noted architects, into a vibrant modern property. The preservation of the Maddox House would also have provided a service to all Georgians by preserving our cultural heritage for present and future generations. This loss comes less than a year after the destruction of historic Glenridge Hall in Sandy Springs.”
McDonald also said in the statement that he believes the loss of the Maddox House is further result of the failure of Atlanta public policy toward the preservation of significant historic resources.