Keith Summerour’s favorite Atlanta house: A Spanish mission in Buckhead

The noted architect is intregued by the Venetian chimney
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Photograph by Jeff Herr
Photograph by Jeff Herr

When we asked noted architect Keith Summerour to name his favorite house in Atlanta, he chose a mysterious Spanish mission–style stucco with a tile roof and no apparent front door. He had always admired this Buckhead house for its sylvan, agrarian feel—stemming vaguely from its generous lot and restrained fenestration. Turns out, the rural character makes sense, as the building was originally a barn belonging to Walter Pemberton Andrews, who owned some 35 surrounding acres in the early 20th century—according to the home’s current owner and other records. The building was converted into a residence in the 1920s by architects McKendree Tucker (a protégé of Neel Reid) and Albert Howell. Other features that intrigue Summerour are the Venetian chimney with an inverted conical cap and the side entry. The dramatic touches proved typical of Tucker and Howell, who later designed theaters across the state.

This article originally appeared in the Spring 2015 issue of Atlanta Magazine’s HOME.

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