PALMER HOUSE AND PHELAN BUILDING
The Palmer Phelan Condominium Association commissioned LPC to conduct an exterior conditions assessment for Palmer House and Phelan Building, also known as Phelan House, located in Midtown Atlanta. The purpose of this assessment was to identify exterior building deficiencies and to make recommendations for treatment. It focused on restoring the buildings, historic materials, and character defining features to prevent continued material degradation and water intrusion. Water intrusion was the primary reason for this assessment. Where appropriate, recommendations were made for restoration of character defining elements, historic materials, and missing elements, but the primary focus was to compatibly repair the buildings’ deficiencies and eliminate water intrusion.
Both buildings consist predominantly of masonry and LPC’s exterior assessment revealed a multitude of deficiencies which included mortar deterioration, inappropriate mortar repairs, damaged/spalled bricks, terracotta, and granite, and efflorescence. Investigative removals will need to be completed to fully determine the cause of moisture intrusion and penetration at Palmer House’s basement storage area. Once the investigation is completed in the near future, LPC will likely provide applicable recommendations for sub-grade waterproofing of the area. Detailed recommendations were provided for the repair of roofing, flashing, roof decks, gutters, leader heads, and downspouts to further address the moisture intrusion deficiencies present in both buildings.
The Palmer House and Phelan Building were designated as Landmark Buildings by the City of Atlanta in 1992 and were later added to the National Register of Historic places in 2004, as examples of early twentieth century Atlanta apartment buildings. The Palmer House was constructed between 1907-08 and was designed by Atlanta architect Gottfried L. Norrman. The Phelan building was constructed in 1915 and was designed by J. Neel Reid and Philip Trammell Shutze.
Drone Imagery provided by Shamrock Plus based in Savannah, Georgia.
