the candler hotel history · the newly renovated candler hotel exposes guests to a walk through...

THE CANDLER HOTEL HISTORY

A S A G R I G G S

C A N D L E R

The man of a�airs who originated the idea of the mammoth twentieth century structure that now bears his name, and to whose personal supervision more than to any other one factor, is due its perfection of detail, beauty of design and boldness of execution.

The Candler building, once Atlanta’s tallest building, today serves as downtown’s �nest boutique hotel. The newly renovated Candler Hotel exposes guests to a walk through history, creating curiosities and moments rich in discovery. Journey with us through a place in time where one man’s vision helped shape the city of Atlanta, and who’s narrative combined with your enrichment works to create a new story all your own.

A S A G R I G G S

C A N D L E R

The man of a�airs who originated the idea of the mammoth twentieth century structure that now bears his name, and to whose personal supervision more than to any other one factor, is due its perfection of detail, beauty of design and boldness of execution.

The Candler building, once Atlanta’s tallest building, today serves as downtown’s �nest boutique hotel. The newly renovated Candler Hotel exposes guests to a walk through history, creating curiosities and moments rich in discovery. Journey with us through a place in time where one man’s vision helped shape the city of Atlanta, and who’s narrative combined with your enrichment works to create a new story all your own.

ARCHITECT OF CANDLER BUILDINGThe man who with in�nite care worked out the intricate technical details, that each cra�sman employed in the Titanic undertaking, might, independent and alone, shape the product of his brawn to meet each exact requirement.

G E O R G E E .

M U R P H Y

ARCHITECT OF CANDLER BUILDINGThe man who with in�nite care worked out the intricate technical details, that each cra�sman employed in the Titanic undertaking, might, independent and alone, shape the product of his brawn to meet each exact requirement.

G E O R G E E .

M U R P H Y

T H E B U I L D I N G , I T S C O N C E P T I O N

A N D C O N S T R U C T I O N

Through a series of transactions, the land where the Candler building stands, on April 23, 1903, passed into the hands of the Candler Investment Company. Formerly occupied by a church that had outgrown the small structure.

The �rst important work was the demolition of the existing First Methodist church that stood for a half century where the building stands today. Li�le by li�le the old landmark disappeared, �rst the tall spire, next the roof and walls, issuing in a new vision and visionary that would forever impact Atlanta.

With the o�ce and commercial structure having been decided upon, the planning of the building was placed in the hands of architect George E. Murphy.

T H E B U I L D I N G , I T S C O N C E P T I O N

A N D C O N S T R U C T I O N

Through a series of transactions, the land where the Candler building stands, on April 23, 1903, passed into the hands of the Candler Investment Company. Formerly occupied by a church that had outgrown the small structure.

The �rst important work was the demolition of the existing First Methodist church that stood for a half century where the building stands today. Li�le by li�le the old landmark disappeared, �rst the tall spire, next the roof and walls, issuing in a new vision and visionary that would forever impact Atlanta.

With the o�ce and commercial structure having been decided upon, the planning of the building was placed in the hands of architect George E. Murphy.

In December 1903, Mr. Candler, president of the Candler Investment Company, accompanied by Mr. Murphy visited the quarries of the Atlanta Marble Company, at Ball Ground, Cherokee County, Georgia. As a result both decided that all material for the exterior of the building should be Amicalola marble, a product of the celebrated Georgia quarries. Announcement was now made as to the size and proposed magni�cence of the structure eliciting favorable and admiring comment, not only from citizens of Atlanta, but from every section of the South where the city is known, and her progress marked.

The construction of Candler Building is unique in the respect that the construction work was not let by general contract. Mr. Candler expressed his views, ideas and desires. Mr. Murphy prepared the plans and worked out the technical details, and contracts for each speci�c phase of the undertaking were separately let. The steel work to one �rm, the marble work to another, the terra co�a to another, etc.

The American Bridge Company, the contractors for the steel work, began the erection of the

mammoth skeleton of the building about July 1st, 1904. By the middle of January 1905, the steel skeleton was complete, and several days were consumed in testing and examining with utmost care, every inch of the work.

On December 20, 1905, the corner-stone, containing a Bible, copies of the regular issues of the several Atlanta daily newspapers, and other appropriate souvenirs, was placed in position with simple but impressive ceremony.

In December 1903, Mr. Candler, president of the Candler Investment Company, accompanied by Mr. Murphy visited the quarries of the Atlanta Marble Company, at Ball Ground, Cherokee County, Georgia. As a result both decided that all material for the exterior of the building should be Amicalola marble, a product of the celebrated Georgia quarries. Announcement was now made as to the size and proposed magni�cence of the structure eliciting favorable and admiring comment, not only from citizens of Atlanta, but from every section of the South where the city is known, and her progress marked.

The construction of Candler Building is unique in the respect that the construction work was not let by general contract. Mr. Candler expressed his views, ideas and desires. Mr. Murphy prepared the plans and worked out the technical details, and contracts for each speci�c phase of the undertaking were separately let. The steel work to one �rm, the marble work to another, the terra co�a to another, etc.

The American Bridge Company, the contractors for the steel work, began the erection of the

mammoth skeleton of the building about July 1st, 1904. By the middle of January 1905, the steel skeleton was complete, and several days were consumed in testing and examining with utmost care, every inch of the work.

On December 20, 1905, the corner-stone, containing a Bible, copies of the regular issues of the several Atlanta daily newspapers, and other appropriate souvenirs, was placed in position with simple but impressive ceremony.

A R T I S T R Y

Under the able direction of Mr. F. B. Miles, artist and designer, sculptors from Florence, aesthetics from France, England, and from the land of the canny Scot, began the decorative work, and it ranks second to none in beauty and embellishment.

On the facade, between the �rst and second stories, are numerous elaborately carved panels illustrating the liberal arts and sciences. Beginning at the southeast corner of the building, on North Pryor Street, and moving north toward Houston Street feature sculptures, from a bust of Michael Angelo. Art, from Raphael. Literature and Drama, from a bust of Shakespeare, music, from Wagner, and ornate panels representing Natural History and Agriculture. The panel on the Houston Street corner represents Military Glory, and was posed by Admiral George Dewey, the hero of Manila Bay.

A R T I S T R Y

Under the able direction of Mr. F. B. Miles, artist and designer, sculptors from Florence, aesthetics from France, England, and from the land of the canny Scot, began the decorative work, and it ranks second to none in beauty and embellishment.

On the facade, between the �rst and second stories, are numerous elaborately carved panels illustrating the liberal arts and sciences. Beginning at the southeast corner of the building, on North Pryor Street, and moving north toward Houston Street feature sculptures, from a bust of Michael Angelo. Art, from Raphael. Literature and Drama, from a bust of Shakespeare, music, from Wagner, and ornate panels representing Natural History and Agriculture. The panel on the Houston Street corner represents Military Glory, and was posed by Admiral George Dewey, the hero of Manila Bay.

On the Houston Street facade, the panels represent the pioneer life of the early se�lers. From one peers the face of Father Marque�e, the intrepid priest-explorer, and from the other, the well-known features of Col. William F. Cody, known the world over as “Bu�alo Bill.”The Peachtree facade, beginning at Houston Street, represent Statesmanship and Philosophy, from a bust of Benjamin Franklin. The power of Steam, from a bust of Ericsson, agriculture, from Cyrus McCormick, the inventor of the self-binding reaper. Music, from

Beethoven, art, from a bust of Abby, literature, from Sco�, sculpture, from a bust of Ward, and Astronomy, from Herschel.

On the interior, busts of Samuel C. Candler and Martha B. Candler, the father and mother of Asa Candler who encouraged the founding and construction of this magni�cent building, together with many other famous and celebrated sons of Georgia, including Eli Whitney, inventor of the co�on gin.

On the Houston Street facade, the panels represent the pioneer life of the early se�lers. From one peers the face of Father Marque�e, the intrepid priest-explorer, and from the other, the well-known features of Col. William F. Cody, known the world over as “Bu�alo Bill.”The Peachtree facade, beginning at Houston Street, represent Statesmanship and Philosophy, from a bust of Benjamin Franklin. The power of Steam, from a bust of Ericsson, agriculture, from Cyrus McCormick, the inventor of the self-binding reaper. Music, from

Beethoven, art, from a bust of Abby, literature, from Sco�, sculpture, from a bust of Ward, and Astronomy, from Herschel.

On the interior, busts of Samuel C. Candler and Martha B. Candler, the father and mother of Asa Candler who encouraged the founding and construction of this magni�cent building, together with many other famous and celebrated sons of Georgia, including Eli Whitney, inventor of the co�on gin.

The spacious room on the north front of the building, with entrances from North Pryor, Houston and Peachtree Streets, was originally occupied by the Central Bank and Trust Corporation, one of the South’s most important �nancial institutions. This location was chosen on account of its commanding and central position, looking to the rapid growth of the city’s commercial district in this direction. The Candler Building was soon to be in the center of Atlanta’s business life.

The spacious banking room contains 3750 square feet of space, and was especially designed for the convenience of the bank and its customers. The �xtures are entirely of Georgia marble, of exquisite color and grain, bronze and brass; its furniture is of steel and mahogany, the whole presenting a very handsome appearance.

The vaults are constructed entirely of �re and burglar proof material, and have the additional protection of a complete system of burglar alarms and a night watchman. The safety deposit

vaults are located in the rooms underneath the Bank, with no outside entrance. They are constructed of armor plate steel, and equipped with all modern conveniences as a depository of securities and valuables belonging to customers of the Bank. These safety deposits range in size from �ve inches in width, two and one-half inches in depth, and twenty-two inches in length, up to sizes large enough to accommodate papers and securities of the largest corporations. The vault is also arranged for the safe keeping of bulky valuables, such as silverware, etc.

T H E C E N T R A L B A N K A N D T R U S T C O R P O R A T I O N

The spacious room on the north front of the building, with entrances from North Pryor, Houston and Peachtree Streets, was originally occupied by the Central Bank and Trust Corporation, one of the South’s most important �nancial institutions. This location was chosen on account of its commanding and central position, looking to the rapid growth of the city’s commercial district in this direction. The Candler Building was soon to be in the center of Atlanta’s business life.

The spacious banking room contains 3750 square feet of space, and was especially designed for the convenience of the bank and its customers. The �xtures are entirely of Georgia marble, of exquisite color and grain, bronze and brass; its furniture is of steel and mahogany, the whole presenting a very handsome appearance.

The vaults are constructed entirely of �re and burglar proof material, and have the additional protection of a complete system of burglar alarms and a night watchman. The safety deposit

vaults are located in the rooms underneath the Bank, with no outside entrance. They are constructed of armor plate steel, and equipped with all modern conveniences as a depository of securities and valuables belonging to customers of the Bank. These safety deposits range in size from �ve inches in width, two and one-half inches in depth, and twenty-two inches in length, up to sizes large enough to accommodate papers and securities of the largest corporations. The vault is also arranged for the safe keeping of bulky valuables, such as silverware, etc.

T H E C E N T R A L B A N K A N D T R U S T C O R P O R A T I O N

E L E V A T O R S

No portion of the equipment of the modern o�ce building is of greater importance than the Elevator system. Having this fact strongly in mind, many of the �nest o�ce buildings in the country were visited, and a special investigation of the elevators made, before a decision was reached as to the type of elevator to be used.

The building is equipped with six Passenger Elevators, and one Freight and Safe Li�ing Elevator, all of the Inverted Plunger Geared Hydraulic Type, manufactured by the Otis Elevator Company.

The Safety and Controlling Devices are of the highest grade throughout; each car being supported by a Steel Safety Frame to which the Cables and Safety Devices are a�ached; this arrangement relieves the car of all strain.

The most complete system of operating valves is in use, giving perfect control of the movement and speed of car; should this operating mechanism become deranged from any cause, the operator can bring the car to a stop at any point by means of the Emergency Brake with which each car is provided, and which is entirely independent of the regular operating device.

The elevators are operated under a water pressure of seven hundred and ��y pounds per square inch, and to maintain this pressure a weighted accumulator is used.

The care exercised in the selection and design of the machinery, taken in connection with the careful system of operating the elevators, insures perfectly safe and satisfactory elevator service. Only operators of known experience are employed, and the plant is at all times under the charge of a thoroughly competent engineer.

S H O W R O O M S A N D O F F I C E S

The �rst and second ¢oors are �nished throughout where wood is used, in rich, blood red Santo Domingo mahogany, and the ��een ¢oors above, with wood-work of highest �nished quarter sawed oak. All ¢oors are of maple, oak and ri� sawed white pine, and the same artistic lines are found in the general contour of the rooms and apartments, and the design of the wood-work, as exists in the general sweep of the building’s vast exterior. Each room in the building is equipped with stationary marble washstands, supplied with sparkling running water, hot or cold as desired. Adjoining the cabinets are locker closets with storage facilities for top coats, hats, umbrellas, etc.

The rooms and suites are spacious, well-lighted, and suitable for every business need. During the heated months the entire building is delightfully breezy, and in the winter, snug and comfortably steam heated.

The views from the windows of the upper stories are famous, and the proper thing to pilot visitors to the city through to permit them to enjoy the panorama beneath them.

On the North Pryor and Peachtree Street fronts, are several storerooms, artistically designed and sumptuously ��ed up for general business purposes. The rooms are all occupied by leading Atlanta �rms, all assisting in enhancing the a�ractiveness of the building.

Among the tenants of special note, the United States Army, Department of the Gulf, exercising jurisdiction over all troops stationed in the southeastern States. The Department occupies the entire fourteenth ¢oor, and its lease was one of the �rst executed by the Candler Investment Company.

The fourth, sixth and eighth ¢oors of the building are especially equipped and ��ed for the accommodation of physicians, surgeons and dentists. These apartments are equipped with special waste pipes with direct connection with street sewers, and extra electrical connection plugs ��ed into the base-boards, that lighting facilities or electrical apparatus, may be added to or changed at will. These suites also have direct special connection with air compressors located in the basement. In short, nothing that will contribute to the convenience of the exponent of medicine in any of its branches has been overlooked in equipping these suites.

E L E V A T O R S

No portion of the equipment of the modern o�ce building is of greater importance than the Elevator system. Having this fact strongly in mind, many of the �nest o�ce buildings in the country were visited, and a special investigation of the elevators made, before a decision was reached as to the type of elevator to be used.

The building is equipped with six Passenger Elevators, and one Freight and Safe Li�ing Elevator, all of the Inverted Plunger Geared Hydraulic Type, manufactured by the Otis Elevator Company.

The Safety and Controlling Devices are of the highest grade throughout; each car being supported by a Steel Safety Frame to which the Cables and Safety Devices are a�ached; this arrangement relieves the car of all strain.

The most complete system of operating valves is in use, giving perfect control of the movement and speed of car; should this operating mechanism become deranged from any cause, the operator can bring the car to a stop at any point by means of the Emergency Brake with which each car is provided, and which is entirely independent of the regular operating device.

The elevators are operated under a water pressure of seven hundred and ��y pounds per square inch, and to maintain this pressure a weighted accumulator is used.

The care exercised in the selection and design of the machinery, taken in connection with the careful system of operating the elevators, insures perfectly safe and satisfactory elevator service. Only operators of known experience are employed, and the plant is at all times under the charge of a thoroughly competent engineer.

S H O W R O O M S A N D O F F I C E S

The �rst and second ¢oors are �nished throughout where wood is used, in rich, blood red Santo Domingo mahogany, and the ��een ¢oors above, with wood-work of highest �nished quarter sawed oak. All ¢oors are of maple, oak and ri� sawed white pine, and the same artistic lines are found in the general contour of the rooms and apartments, and the design of the wood-work, as exists in the general sweep of the building’s vast exterior. Each room in the building is equipped with stationary marble washstands, supplied with sparkling running water, hot or cold as desired. Adjoining the cabinets are locker closets with storage facilities for top coats, hats, umbrellas, etc.

The rooms and suites are spacious, well-lighted, and suitable for every business need. During the heated months the entire building is delightfully breezy, and in the winter, snug and comfortably steam heated.

The views from the windows of the upper stories are famous, and the proper thing to pilot visitors to the city through to permit them to enjoy the panorama beneath them.

On the North Pryor and Peachtree Street fronts, are several storerooms, artistically designed and sumptuously ��ed up for general business purposes. The rooms are all occupied by leading Atlanta �rms, all assisting in enhancing the a�ractiveness of the building.

Among the tenants of special note, the United States Army, Department of the Gulf, exercising jurisdiction over all troops stationed in the southeastern States. The Department occupies the entire fourteenth ¢oor, and its lease was one of the �rst executed by the Candler Investment Company.

The fourth, sixth and eighth ¢oors of the building are especially equipped and ��ed for the accommodation of physicians, surgeons and dentists. These apartments are equipped with special waste pipes with direct connection with street sewers, and extra electrical connection plugs ��ed into the base-boards, that lighting facilities or electrical apparatus, may be added to or changed at will. These suites also have direct special connection with air compressors located in the basement. In short, nothing that will contribute to the convenience of the exponent of medicine in any of its branches has been overlooked in equipping these suites.

T H E M A R B L E

The fame of the marbles used in the construction and decoration of Candler Building is national in its scope. It is the celebrated product of the Amicalola quarries, located in the Georgia hills, and used extensively in every State in the Union.

The exterior of the building is of snowy white, and rearing its majestic head seventeen stories above the street level, one can picture readily the e�ect from a distance of several blocks. The interior marbles, except the grand staircase, embrace all the colors of the spectrum, arranged in perfect harmony so as to bewilder and amaze the beholder when gazed upon.

Marble has been used wherever practicable. Each ¢oor has its distinct dado or wainscoting of �nely grained colored marble, each piece so matched with its neighbor that the lines ¢ow together, and grain meets grain in one unbroken surface of polished beauty.

Perhaps the most interesting feature of the marbles and construction of the great building, is the immense monoliths that adorn the Houston Street entrance to the banking rooms.

Each pillar is a solid piece of marble from the quarries at Ball Ground. These pillars are four and a-half feet in diameter at the base, and gracefully taper to four feet at the capitals; are twenty-six feet in height and weigh more than forty tons each.

I N T H E B A S E M E N T S

Towering high in the air, above the point where the tip of the old, historic church spire pierced the ine�able blue, Candler Building also sinks into subterranean depths below the street level. Two vast basements, one beneath the other, contains the power plant and equipment, etc., necessary to conduct of the modern commercial structure.

The section of the grand staircase leading from the foyer up and down, is decorated with an ornate frieze rich in design without being too lavish for symmetry and beauty. The most striking feature is the carved marble newel post at its foot, in the �rst basement. This exquisite piece of work represents the �gure of a dolphin sporting amid the curling foam of his native element, and is the perfection of grace in beauty even to the minutest detail. It re¢ects the wonderful fancy of the designer and the adeptness of the sculptor in its bold execution.

The �rst basement houses the barber shop and baths, in richness of �nish and elegance of detail, and below, in the second or sub-basement, is the machinery of the power plant, enormous, costly and intricate, which contribute to making life in this most modern of structures a genuine comfort day or night.

T H E M A R B L E

The fame of the marbles used in the construction and decoration of Candler Building is national in its scope. It is the celebrated product of the Amicalola quarries, located in the Georgia hills, and used extensively in every State in the Union.

The exterior of the building is of snowy white, and rearing its majestic head seventeen stories above the street level, one can picture readily the e�ect from a distance of several blocks. The interior marbles, except the grand staircase, embrace all the colors of the spectrum, arranged in perfect harmony so as to bewilder and amaze the beholder when gazed upon.

Marble has been used wherever practicable. Each ¢oor has its distinct dado or wainscoting of �nely grained colored marble, each piece so matched with its neighbor that the lines ¢ow together, and grain meets grain in one unbroken surface of polished beauty.

Perhaps the most interesting feature of the marbles and construction of the great building, is the immense monoliths that adorn the Houston Street entrance to the banking rooms.

Each pillar is a solid piece of marble from the quarries at Ball Ground. These pillars are four and a-half feet in diameter at the base, and gracefully taper to four feet at the capitals; are twenty-six feet in height and weigh more than forty tons each.

I N T H E B A S E M E N T S

Towering high in the air, above the point where the tip of the old, historic church spire pierced the ine�able blue, Candler Building also sinks into subterranean depths below the street level. Two vast basements, one beneath the other, contains the power plant and equipment, etc., necessary to conduct of the modern commercial structure.

The section of the grand staircase leading from the foyer up and down, is decorated with an ornate frieze rich in design without being too lavish for symmetry and beauty. The most striking feature is the carved marble newel post at its foot, in the �rst basement. This exquisite piece of work represents the �gure of a dolphin sporting amid the curling foam of his native element, and is the perfection of grace in beauty even to the minutest detail. It re¢ects the wonderful fancy of the designer and the adeptness of the sculptor in its bold execution.

The �rst basement houses the barber shop and baths, in richness of �nish and elegance of detail, and below, in the second or sub-basement, is the machinery of the power plant, enormous, costly and intricate, which contribute to making life in this most modern of structures a genuine comfort day or night.

T H E B A R B E R S H O P A N D B A T H S

In the �rst basement of Candler Building, tenants enjoy a barber shop with baths that are said to be the �nest in America.

The barber shop proper contains half a dozen chairs, presided over by an artist in the manipulation of every device for the care and comfort of man, with which the modern shop is lavishly equipped.

The equipment of the bath department ranges from the ordinary tub of porcelain, to the electric light plunge, a marvelous tonsorial development of the century.

The electric light plunge consists of a marble cabinet, some ten feet high and �ve feet square at the base featuring several incandescent electric lights. The cabinet is properly welded to form one piece. Visitors su�ering from lumbago, rheumatism or other uric acid troubles enter the cabinet, the door is closed and the lights turned on; these generate a heat, growing gradually to the incarnation of aridity. The pores are opened and pain from lumbago or rheumatism greatly alleviated.

The wonder of the establishment, however, is the plunge pool. Its sides and steps are of white marble, ¢anked on four sides by superb mirrors of French plate. Flooded with the so� radiance of innumerable electric lights, the scene is one of great beauty heightened by a superb stained glass inset let into the wall. This pool is twenty by sixteen feet, and is more than six feet in depth. In all, the engineering accommodates Turkish baths, Russian baths, shower baths, needle baths, plunge baths, and in fact every character of bath yet developed.

Another modern adjunct is an a�ractively ��ed manicure parlor, presided over by an expert female a�endant.

T H E R E F R I G E R A T I O N A N D C O L D S T O R A G E P L A N T

No modern sky-scraper can be termed complete in its mechanical equipment that is not ��ed with a refrigerating plant. The refrigerating and cold storage designed especially for the storage of furs, costly rugs, etc., during the heated months, was installed for the Candler Investment Company, by the De LaVargne Machine Company, of New York.

The air cooling a�achment forms a unique portion of the equipment of the modern commercial building, and the plant installed in Candler Building is the �rst installed in the South.

The prime purpose of the water cooling a�achment is to cool the drinking water that is piped from the basement to every ¢oor in the building. The water sourced from the Cha�ahoochee River water is piped into the building in the sub-basement, and passed through a series of four �lters and is completely puri�ed before being introduced into the refrigerating machinery. Every particle of foreign ma�er is eradicated from the ¢ow, and only the pure water reaches the drinking fountains found on each ¢oor.

As a safe guard the refrigerating plant, and air and water cooling a�achments have been installed in duplicate. Should any portion of the plant be rendered un�t for service, the duplicate machinery can be at once placed in commission and the inexhaustible supply of cooled air and water maintained.