Healey Building and Fairlie–Poplar Historic District, Atlanta

Often dubbed “The Queen of Atlanta”, the Healey Building was completed in 1914 and it was the last major high-rise erected in the city before World War I, marking the peak of Atlanta’s early skyscraper era. Its architectural and historical significance was formally recognized when it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1977, followed by local landmark status in 1987.

Designed in the Chicago School tradition, the Healey Building reflects the ambition and confidence of early-20th-century Atlanta, when steel-frame construction was reshaping the city’s skyline. In 2001, its upper floors were converted into residential condominiums, while the lower levels continued to house galleries, shops, and restaurants, allowing the building to remain an active part of downtown life while preserving its historic character.

The Healey Building also serves as a visual anchor for the Fairlie–Poplar Historic District, a compact and architecturally rich area within Atlanta’s central business district. Named after Fairlie Street, which runs northeast, and Poplar Street, which runs southeast, the district is distinguished by its small blocks and streets laid out at roughly a 40-degree diagonal, setting it apart from the surrounding grid.

Buildings throughout Fairlie–Poplar date mainly from the late 19th and early 20th centuries and showcase a wide range of architectural styles, including Chicago, Renaissance Revival, Neoclassical, Commercial, Art Deco, Georgian Revival, and Victorian. Together, they illustrate the shift from load-bearing masonry construction to steel and concrete framing, making the district—and the Healey Building at its center—a rewarding area to explore for anyone interested in Atlanta’s architectural evolution.