A Tour of Atlanta's Most Iconic Architectural Landmarks

Atlanta is home to world-class cuisine, an iconic music scene, the birthplace of the civil rights movement, and a thriving artistic community. Many people are unaware of the metropolitan city's remarkable monument architecture design landmarks. Discover the architectural beauty of Atlanta's buildings, from compelling angles on museums to striking skyscrapers.

High Museum

The High Museum, located in Atlanta's northern Midtown neighborhood, is the largest in the Southeast. The museum is elevated on a hill and designed by architects Richard Meier, who won the Pritzker Architecture Prize in 1984, and Renzo Piano. The museum was built with Richard Meier's signature elements of white metal panels and glass. The architectural design is divided into four quadrants, one of which is carved out to distinguish it from the other three; the missing quadrant becomes a central, light-filled atrium inspired by the Guggenheim Museum.

Center for Human and Civil Rights

The Center for Human and Civil Rights is located in downtown Atlanta, next to the World of Coca-Cola and the Georgia Aquarium. The center, which opened in 2007, is an architectural marvel. Philip Freelon led the design team for the 42,000-square-foot structure, which also included the Smithsonian and the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Sovereign

The Sovereign skyscraper in Buckhead houses upscale dining, office space, and condominiums. Smallwood, Reynolds, Stewart, Stewart & Associates designed the building, which is the tallest in Buckhead.

King and Queen Buildings

The two regal buildings, known locally as "the King and Queen towers," are officially known as Concourse Corporate Center V and VI. The 34-story towers in Sandy Springs can be seen for miles. The tops of the buildings, which resemble the heads of chess pieces, have white lattice crowns that light up for special occasions such as St. Patrick's Day and Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Thompson, Ventulett, Stainback & Associate was the architectural firm that created the design.

Symphony Tower

The Symphony Tower, also known as the "Batman Building" by locals due to its wing-like glass faces above the building's roof, is a 41-story striking skyscraper. It was designed by Connecticut architectural firm Pickard-Chilton and is located in the Midtown district. It was the world's first high-rise office building to receive LEED-CS Pre-Certification Silver Level.

Swan House

Philip T. Shutze designed the Swan House in 1928 for Edward and Emily Inman, combining Renaissance revival styles with a classical approach. Following their deaths, the Atlanta Historical Society purchased the mansion and grounds for historical purposes in 1966. The Atlanta History Center finished restoring the house and its furnishings in 2004. The house was used to film scenes in the 2013 film The Hunger Games: Catching Fire and its 2015 sequel, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 2 as well as as the finish line of The Amazing Race's 19th season.

Westin Peachtree Plaza

For more than a decade, the Westin Peachtree Plaza was the tallest building in Atlanta, and for a brief period, the tallest hotel in the world. Developer/architect John Portman designed the 73-story skyscraper. The cylindrical-shaped hotel is made of reflective glass and has 5,600 windows. The Sun Dial Restaurant and Bar, which is a revolving restaurant on the uppermost floors, is the main attraction. Even locals make reservations at the hotel because of its panoramic views of the city, which rotates 360 degrees every 30 minutes.

Georgia-Pacific Tower

The Georgia Pacific Tower, with 52 stories classical architecture, was completed in 1982. Skidmore, Owings & Merrill designed the tower, which has a stair-like exterior that staggers down to the ground and is made of pink granite quarried in Marble Falls, Texas.

Flatiron Building

Yes, Atlanta has one as well. The Flatiron Building, completed in 1897, is Atlanta's oldest standing skyscraper. The vintage marvel is five years older than New York City's more famous (and much taller) Flatiron Building. The 11-story landmark, designed by Bradford Gilbert, has undergone renovations and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.