The Background
This is the eighth in a series of articles published by The Atlanta Journal in 1898 featuring illustrations and floor plans of residences designed by Atlanta architects.
Here, the Journal highlighted a “model cottage” owned by W.D. Grant and designed by Bruce & Morgan. Grant was one of Atlanta’s wealthiest citizens, having amassed a fortune in railroad building before becoming a local real estate tycoon.1
He was also a longtime client of Bruce & Morgan, and the firm designed multiple projects for Grant’s family and companies, starting with a block of stores in 18822 and culminating in 1899 with one of Atlanta’s first skyscrapers — the 10-story Grant Building3 — which still stands.
The 2-story cottage shown here was much more modest in scope, but one of 7 apparently identical residences that Grant commissioned the firm to design for various locations around the city, presumably as rental properties.
The home’s appearance was a simple but attractive expression of the Colonial style, with classical columns, dentilled cornices, a stringcourse between the floors, and a hip roof topped with dormer windows and decorative finials.
The floor plan was based on a simple 4-square grid and managed to pack in a reception hall, parlor, dining room, kitchen, 3 bedrooms, one full bath on the second floor, and a half-bath on the ground floor.
A few interesting aspects of the plan are the front and back stairs separated by a shared wall, the lavatory tucked beneath the back stairs — also seen in the plan for the James F. Meegan Residence — and the built-in seating and shelves in the reception hall.
The design fits in well with Bruce & Morgan’s other work: never especially exciting or innovative, but consistently thoughtful and competently executed, particularly given the partners’ lack of formal training.
Based on the location details provided in the article, none of the 7 cottages from this plan survives.
Journal Model Houses; One of Captain Grant’s Cottages
The accompanying illustration and plans show the exterior appearance and reveal the interior arrangement of a model cottage, which is one of a number recently constructed by Captain W.D. Grant. The plans were drawn by Bruce & Morgan. The cost to construct and fit out with mantels, tiling, plumbing, etc., was $3,500.
Captain Grant built five of the cottages on Piedmont avenue, one on Currier street, and now has another in process of erection on Courtland near Pine.
The exterior presents a well proportioned and substantial building, which is nevertheless attractive in its architectural effect.
The first floor has a spacious veranda connected by a vestibule with the reception hall.
The second story has four bed chambers, dressing rooms, closets and a bath room.
The fixtures, as well as the architectural style, are of the most improved plain. The plumbing is of the best, while the handsome mantels, tiling and stained glass windows add much to the beauty of the residence. The house provided with both gas and electric lights.
The plans will be received with favor by those who are contemplating building houses.4
References
- “Funeral of Captain Grant To Occur This Afternoon”. The Atlanta Constitution, November 8, 1901, p. 5. ↩︎
- “Architecture.” The Atlanta Constitution, September 23, 1882, p. 9. ↩︎
- “Georgia Marble in the Prudential”. The Atlanta Journal, May 10, 1899, p. 10. ↩︎
- “Journal Model Houses; One of Captain Grant’s Cottages”. The Atlanta Journal, April 23, 1898, p. 4. ↩︎