Preservation of Fischer Mansion

Fischer Mansion Architecture Details

In Spring of 2004, when Atlanta Unity Church announced its intention to demolish Fischer Mansion, historic preservationists and the neighboring community moved to action. A grassroots group formed, calling itself “Save the Mansion,” and immediately began soliciting support for a preservation effort.

The group quickly convinced Dekalb County to issue a moratorium on the issuance of building permits, pending a study of the property by the church, the county and preservation experts. Neighbors distributed thousands of flyers and applied to the Dekalb County Historic Preservation Commission to have the building officially designated as a historic property.

Growing Support

This application brought valuable time: until the Dekalb County Historic Preservation Commission ruled on the application, the mansion was protected. In the meantime, Save the Mansion continued to encourage supporters to contact the church, county commissioners and others who would hear their please to save the property.

Several organizations expressed interest in the leasing or purchasing on the building, bu Save the Mansion continued its efforts to attract the attention to the once-grand estate.

Stafford Steps In

These efforts extended well into 2005, when the estate caught the eye of Strafford Properties, which proposed rezoning the property to accommodate a new townhouse development with Fischer Mansion as its centerpiece.

Strafford Properties met with neighborhood groups and leaders of Save the Mansion to review plans for redevelopment. This collaborative approach resulted in saving Fischer Mansion and its surrounding grounds, preserving a priceless historic estate for future generations to enjoy.