Assignment 3: Grace Lynis

Repurposed Buildings Find New Life and Meaning Across the Georgia Landscape

The strip is the Campbellton Road between Barge Road and Fairburn Road on what frequently referred to as GA 154/166. This was the old Ben Hill section of Fulton county, which has since 1975 become part of Atlanta, in unincorporated Fulton County.

Campbellton Road links Atlanta with Douglasville and Douglas County and is an alternative east west route connecting Fulton and Douglas counties. Prior to the construction of I-20, this was a primary connecting roadway between the two bordering counties.

The three building images captured below were chosen specifically because of they are all repurposed structures that once made up a vital part of this vibrant local business district.

Picture 1

Church #1 repurposed from an old car dealership showroom. Northside of Campbellton Road, circa 1960.

Picture 2

Hair Salon repurposed from a chain restaurant. Southside of Campbellton Road, circa 1970, diagonally across the the street from Picture 1.

Picture 3

Church #2 repurposed from a funeral home and adjacent to the hair salon. Southside of Campbellton Road, circa 1960.

Not captured but directly adjacent to the repurposed funeral home is an empty bank building. By examining the original structures it can be surmised that this the businesses in this district catered to the daily needs of the local community. Other repurposed buildings in this one block area provide supporting evidence of the business districts past. Of special interest to this particular field study is a repurposed grocery store that now houses another house of worship.

Picture 4

Renaissance Walk Condominium, Auburn Avenue, Atlanta, GA, circa 1940 and 2005.

Located in the historic Auburn Avenue business corridor in downtown Atlanta, the fourth image is a wonderful example of repurposing commercial structural facades by incorporating them into new residential construction.