For three years, I have walked past the Hurt Building and admired its grandeur. I frequently ponder its history as I question how it is used today. Why do I ever see no more than a handful of individuals inside? Does Georgia State University own this property – like it does so much of the surrounding Downtown Atlanta area? Why is this building, respectively, such a fine one? Acknowledging that a price always accompanies the divine, I seek to better understand this structure’s history and the impact its presence has had on our city.
Designed with the New York City Flatiron Building in mind, the grandeur of the Hurt Building is no accident1. Its 18 magnificent floors are clad in a creamy glazed brick, verdant ornamental terracotta, and Georgia Mezzotint Marble2. The latter of which greets pedestrians and businesspeople alike as they approach from Five Points intersection. The graceful Corinthian columns, not at all intimidating or severe, have romanced me since enrolling at Georgia State.
Projecting the name of its owner, the Hurt Building represented the height of Joel Hurt’s legacy in Atlanta. According to the City of Atlanta, “Joel Hurt was one of the most dynamic business leaders in turn-of-the-century Atlanta.”1 In addition to being a trained civil engineer and a major real estate developer, Hurt co-founded the Atlanta Trust and Banking Company – later merging with SunBank and ultimately becoming Truist Bank1. Completed in 1926, The Hurt Building served as the official crown atop Hurt’s modest empire.
Beginning construction in 1913, the Hurt Building was completed in three stages. Upon completion of the first stage, the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta would move in as the buildings first tenant3. Upon completion of it’s own building in 1918, the Atlanta Fed would vacate the Hurt Building for Marietta Street – where it would stay until 19643. The third and final stage of the Hurt Building was completed in 1926, by then having already become a bustling office building for law firms, financial institutions, and various professional service firms4. In 2013, the Hurt Building was acquired by Gamma Real Estate for $33.5 million5. Presently, the building serves as a home for the Atlanta Institute of Architects, a Grady Healthcare system satellite office, online educator Herzing University, and the Georgia Innocence Project to name a few.
Works Cited
1. City Hall. (2025). Hurt Building . City of Atlanta, GA. https://www.atlantaga.gov/government/departments/city-planning/historic-preservation/property-district-information/hurt-building
2. Daneker, J. G. (1927). The Romance of Georgia Marble (p. 51). Thomsen-Ellis Company.
3. Kiddle. (2024, August 9). Hurt building facts for kids. Hurt Building Facts for Kids. https://kids.kiddle.co/Hurt_Building
4. Sudduth, V. (2012, July 27). Classical Green [PDF]. HPB Magazine. https://www.hpbmagazine.org/hurt-building-atlanta-ga/
5. Kelley, C. (2016, November 8). Historic hurt building in downtown has a new owner. Rough Draft Atlanta. https://roughdraftatlanta.com/2016/11/08/historic-hurt-building-downtown-new-owner/