The Candler Building: Atlanta’s 1916 Skyscraper Icon

The Candler Building is one of downtown Atlanta’s most recognizable historic skyscrapers. Completed in 1916, this Beaux-Arts landmark at 127 Peachtree Street NE stands as a physical reminder of early 20th-century Atlanta—when the city was racing upward and defining its skyline.

For anyone interested in architecture, Atlanta history, or heritage walking trails, the Candler Building is a must-see stop.

Where the Candler Building Fits in Atlanta’s Story

The Candler Building was commissioned by Asa Griggs Candler, the Coca-Cola magnate and former mayor of Atlanta. At the time of its construction, it was one of the tallest buildings in the city, symbolizing Atlanta’s ambitions as a modern Southern metropolis.

The building sits:

• On the east side of Peachtree Street NE
• Just off Park Place NE
• Across from Woodruff Park
• A short walk from Five Points MARTA Station

Today, it contributes to Atlanta’s broader architecture and heritage trails, alongside landmarks like:

• The Flatiron Building (1897)
• The Healey Building
• The Rhodes-Haverty Building
• The original Coca-Cola sites in downtown

If you’re touring downtown on foot, the Candler Building easily fits into a half-day exploration of early skyscraper design in Atlanta.

Architectural Style and Design Details

Beaux-Arts in the Atlanta Skyline

The Candler Building is a classic example of Beaux-Arts architecture, a style that blends:

• Formal symmetry
• Rich ornamentation
• Classical motifs like columns, cornices, and sculptural details

For Atlanta locals and visitors used to more modern glass towers, the Candler’s exterior immediately stands out with its ornate façade and strong vertical lines.

Key exterior features to look for:

• White terra-cotta cladding with detailed carving
• Tall, narrow windows emphasizing verticality
• An elaborate cornice at the top of the building
• Sculptural embellishments and decorative panels along Peachtree Street

The Lobby and Interior Character

While the building has been adapted over time, much of its historic character has been preserved and restored, especially in the lobby area. When accessible, you’ll typically see:

• Marble floors and walls
• Ornate plasterwork
• Classical details around doors, elevators, and ceilings

The interior captures the feel of an early-1900s prestige office building—the kind of space designed to impress clients and signal power and stability.

Quick Facts at a Glance

Below is a simple summary to help you place the Candler Building in context:

The Candler Building on an Atlanta Architecture & Heritage Trail

If you’re planning an architecture and heritage trail in downtown Atlanta, the Candler Building is a natural anchor point. It works well in a route that explores the evolution of Atlanta’s built environment from low-rise 19th-century blocks to early and mid-20th century skyscrapers.

A Sample Walking Route Including the Candler Building

You can design a loop that starts or ends at the Candler Building:

1. Start at Woodruff Park

   • Good central meeting spot with open space and views of several historic buildings.

2. Candler Building (1916) – 127 Peachtree St NE

   • Walk around the exterior and note the height compared to nearby early structures.
   • Look closely at the ornamentation along Peachtree Street.

3. Flatiron Building (1897) – Peachtree St & Broad St SW

   • One of Atlanta’s earliest skyscrapers, with a distinctive triangular footprint.

4. Healey Building – Forsyth St & Poplar St NW

   • Another early 20th-century office building with impressive interior arcade spaces.

5. Rhodes-Haverty Building – Peachtree St NW

   • Tall, narrow, and richly detailed—an example of how Atlanta’s skyline continued to grow in the 1920s.

6. Return toward Five Points and Woodruff Park

   • From here you can see how modern glass towers layer over the historic fabric.

This kind of route lets you see how buildings like the Candler served as a bridge between older brick commercial blocks and today’s high-rises.

Getting There: Transit, Parking, and Wayfinding

By MARTA

The Candler Building is especially convenient if you prefer public transit.

• Train:
  Use any MARTA rail line that stops at Five Points Station.
  From Five Points:

  • Exit toward Peachtree Street
  • Walk north along Peachtree for a few minutes
  • The Candler Building will be on your right as you approach Woodruff Park

• Buses:
  Several MARTA bus routes serve downtown and stop within a short walk of the building, particularly along Peachtree Street, Edgewood Avenue, and Auburn Avenue.

Driving and Parking

Downtown Atlanta can be busy, especially on weekdays and during events. If you’re driving:

• Look for public parking decks and surface lots near:
  • Peachtree Street NE
  • Edgewood Avenue SE
  • Auburn Avenue NE
• Read posted signs carefully, as rates and time limits can vary by operator.
• If you plan to walk an architecture trail, consider choosing a parking deck near Woodruff Park or Underground Atlanta to give yourself a central base.

Walking and Biking

The area around the Candler Building is very walkable:

• Sidewalks along Peachtree are generally wide and busy, with lots of street-level activity.
• If you’re biking:
  • Watch for downtown traffic and turning vehicles
  • Use bike racks near Woodruff Park or other public fixtures where permitted

What You’ll Notice Up Close

As you stand at street level, a few details are worth focusing on:

• Vertical emphasis:
  The façade pulls your eyes upward, giving a sense of height that was especially dramatic in 1916.

• Ornamental richness:
  Look for carved details around windows, entrances, and the cornice line. These are typical of Beaux-Arts and early skyscraper design.

• Relationship to the street:
  Unlike many modern towers set back from the sidewalk, the Candler Building rises directly from the street edge, creating a strong urban wall along Peachtree.

• Contrast with newer buildings:
  Nearby glass-and-steel structures provide an immediate comparison, highlighting just how different early 20th-century skyscrapers feel.

For architecture enthusiasts, it can be helpful to photograph the building from:

• Directly across Woodruff Park (for a full-height view)
• The corner of Peachtree and Park Place NE (to capture depth and ornament)

The Candler Building in Atlanta’s Development History

The building represents several important themes in Atlanta’s growth:

• Corporate power and civic ambition:
  Asa Candler used architecture to project both business success and civic pride, a common pattern in early skyscraper building.

• Early skyscraper technology:
  Steel-frame construction, elevators, and improved fireproofing made taller office buildings possible in downtown Atlanta.

• Peachtree as a prestige address:
  By 1916, Peachtree Street was well on its way to becoming Atlanta’s signature commercial corridor. The Candler Building reinforced that identity.

Today, even though downtown’s skyline has grown dramatically taller, the Candler still reads as a landmark from a turning point period—after the small-scale 19th century but before the super-tall glass towers.

Tips for Including the Candler Building in Your Atlanta Plans

Here are some practical ways to make the most of a visit:

• Pair it with nearby history sites
  Combine the Candler with stops at:

  • Woodruff Park (for views and green space)
  • Underground Atlanta
  • Auburn Avenue and the Sweet Auburn Historic District (a short walk or quick MARTA ride away)

• Plan your time based on your interest level

  • Architecture enthusiast: 30–45 minutes to walk around the exterior, observe details, and photograph from different angles.
  • Casual visitor: 10–15 minutes as part of a larger downtown walk.

• Check building access policies
  The building’s primary function and access rules can evolve over time. If you’re specifically hoping to see interior spaces or historic lobby features, it can be helpful to:

  • Visit during weekday business hours
  • Be prepared that some areas may be restricted or reserved for tenants/guests

• Use it as an orientation point
  The Candler’s prominent location along Peachtree and its proximity to Woodruff Park make it a reliable landmark for navigating downtown on foot.

How the Candler Building Fits into Atlanta’s Heritage Trails

If you’re designing your own architecture and heritage trail in Atlanta, the Candler Building can serve as:

• A central reference point in downtown
• An example of early 20th-century skyscraper architecture
• A case study in how business history (Coca-Cola), politics (Asa Candler as mayor), and architecture intersect

You can connect it thematically with:

• Coca-Cola heritage in and around downtown
• The growth of Peachtree Street as a commercial spine
• The transition from low-rise to high-rise Atlanta

For residents, it’s also a reminder that many of Atlanta’s “background buildings” are actually significant milestones in the city’s development, even if they’re now surrounded by newer towers.

Standing at the base of the Candler Building, you’re not just looking at a pretty façade—you’re seeing one of the structures that helped define what modern Atlanta would look and feel like. For anyone exploring the city’s arts, culture, and history, it deserves a spot on your downtown walk.