Explore the rich history of The Candler, acknowledged as one of the most emblematic historic hotels in Atlanta. From its origins with Coca-Cola to its breathtaking Beaux-Arts architecture, uncover a genuine landmark and understand why it is a must-visit location.
What if a hotel could be more than just a place to sleep? What if, beyond the comfortable bed and modern amenities, it offered a journey back in time? In a world of cookie-cutter accommodations, a truly great historic hotel is a time machine, a living museum where every hallway and grand staircase has a story to tell. And in Atlanta, a city defined by its constant forward momentum, The Candler Hotel stands as a magnificent portal to a more gilded and glamorous past.
To stay here is to do more than visit Atlanta; it’s to inhabit a piece of its soul. The story of this building is the story of the city itself—one of ambition, innovation, and an enduring appreciation for beauty. While there are several historic hotels Atlanta is proud of, The Candler offers a narrative so unique, so deeply woven into the fabric of American culture, that it stands in a class of its own.
Forget a simple history lesson. These are the five core stories that transformed a business tycoon’s monument into one of the most fascinating historic hotels Atlanta has to offer, and why knowing them will change the way you experience your stay.
Story 1: The Vision of a Titan – Asa Candler’s Coca-Cola Empire
To understand The Candler Hotel, you must first understand the man who willed it into existence: Asa Griggs Candler. Born in 1851, Candler was a man of formidable energy and business acumen. He began as a drugstore clerk and, through a series of savvy investments, became a wealthy pharmaceutical manufacturer. But his most fateful transaction occurred in 1888 when he purchased the formula for a sweet, carbonated beverage called Coca-Cola from its inventor, John S. Pemberton.
While Pemberton invented the drink, it was Candler who invented the brand. With relentless marketing genius, he transformed Coca-Cola from a local soda fountain curiosity into a national phenomenon. By the turn of the 20th century, the Coca-Cola Company was making him fabulously wealthy, and like the great tycoons of his era, Candler sought a way to solidify his legacy in steel and stone.
He envisioned a building that would not only serve as a prestigious office space but would stand as an undeniable monument to his success and a gift to his beloved city of Atlanta. He wanted the most beautiful, most opulent building in the South. Construction began in 1904, and upon its completion in 1906, the 17-story Candler Building was a marvel.
It was built entirely without corporate debt, paid for in cash from the immense profits flowing from Coca-Cola. The very marble in the walls and the bronze on the doors are a direct result of the world’s thirst for his product. This powerful origin story is the foundation of its status as one of the most significant historic hotels Atlanta has.
Story 2: Forging a Skyline – The Candler Building as an Atlanta First
In the early 1900s, the concept of the skyscraper was still new and thrilling. These towering structures were symbols of a city’s ambition and modernity. When The Candler Building was completed, it was the tallest building in Atlanta, a title it held for over two decades. It dramatically reshaped the city’s skyline and announced to the world that Atlanta was a serious center of commerce.
Imagine the sight for an Atlantan in 1906. In a city still rebuilding and redefining itself decades after the Civil War, this gleaming tower of marble and terracotta would have been an awe-inspiring vision of the future. It housed the Central Bank and Trust, where Asa Candler himself served as president. Its upper floors were filled with the offices of prominent doctors, lawyers, and business leaders. It was the most prestigious business address in the city.
The engineering itself was a marvel. Built around a steel frame—a revolutionary technique at the time—it was designed to be completely fireproof, a major selling point in an era when city-wide fires were a recent and terrifying memory. Its construction marked a pivotal moment in Atlanta’s urban development. Long before it became recognized as one of the leading historic hotels in Atlanta, it stood as a sign of progress and a key element of the modern downtown we witness today.
Story 3: A Masterpiece in Marble and Terracotta – Decoding the Beaux-Arts Design
Asa Candler didn’t just want a tall building; he wanted a work of art. He hired the acclaimed architectural firm Murphy & Stewart to design his monument in the Beaux-Arts style. But what does that mean?
Beaux-Arts, which flourished during the Gilded Age in America, is all about grandeur. It’s a style that draws heavily on classical Greek and Roman principles, blended with French opulence. Think symmetry, elaborate ornamentation, and a theatrical sense of drama. The Candler Building is a textbook example, and understanding its language reveals a new layer of beauty.
- The Exquisite Exterior: The façade is a breathtaking display of carved details. Look closely and you’ll find the faces of historical figures, from philosophers to generals, alongside lions symbolizing strength and eagles representing the nation. This wasn’t random decoration; it was a deliberate statement about the building’s importance and its connection to the grand traditions of Western civilization.
- The Cathedral of Commerce: The true masterpiece is the lobby. From the moment you step inside, you are transported. The floors, walls, and pillars are clad in cool, white Amicalola marble, mined from Georgia’s quarries. The centerpiece is the magnificent grand staircase, which flows down into the lobby with a sense of regal drama. Its bronze balustrade is a work of art in itself, featuring an incredibly detailed, twisting design. Every element was designed to impress, to create a “cathedral of commerce” that would leave visitors speechless. It is this preserved grandeur that makes it stand out among other historic hotels Atlanta has to offer.
Story 4: The Meticulous Rebirth of One of the Grandest Historic Hotels in Atlanta
For nearly a century, The Candler Building served its purpose as an office tower. However, as time progressed, the signs of its age started to become apparent, leading to an uncertain future. This is where the second chapter of its story begins—its transformation into a luxury hotel. In 2017, a massive, multi-million-dollar restoration project began.
This was not a simple renovation. It was a painstaking act of historical preservation. The goal was to adapt the building for modern luxury travelers without erasing its soul. A team of skilled artisans and preservationists worked to:
- Restore the Lobby: The precious Georgia marble was carefully and professionally cleaned to restore its original luster. The intricate plasterwork on the ceilings, long hidden or damaged, was meticulously repaired by hand.
- Preserve Original Fixtures: The original bronze mailbox in the lobby was kept and restored. The grand staircase was treated with the reverence of a museum piece.
- Adapt the Spaces: The challenge was to convert early 20th-century office layouts into 265 spacious and functional hotel rooms and suites. This required ingenious architectural solutions to incorporate modern bathrooms and technology while respecting the building’s original footprint and large windows.
This careful restoration, completed in 2019, ensured that the building’s next chapter would be as glorious as its first. It is this commitment to authenticity that secures its position among the truly remarkable historic hotels that Atlanta has to offer.
Resource: To learn more about Atlanta’s architectural gems, visit the Atlanta Preservation Center, which offers tours and resources dedicated to the city’s historic buildings.
Story 5: Living in History – What It Feels Like to Stay at The Candler Today
Knowing these stories completely transforms a guest’s experience. When you stay at The Candler Hotel today, you are an active participant in its long and storied legacy.
That morning coffee in the lobby? You’re having it in the same space where the deals that shaped modern Atlanta were made. The photo you take on the grand staircase? You’re standing on the same steps that titans of industry and historical figures once climbed. When you look out your window onto Peachtree Street, you are seeing the city from the same vantage point that people did over a century ago, a perspective from one of the most revered historic hotels in Atlanta.
The hotel staff are well-versed in this history and are often eager to share details and point out hidden features. It cultivates an environment that promotes curiosity. This is the ultimate gift of a great historic hotel: it provides not just shelter, but context. It connects you to the spirit of a place in a way no new building ever could. It represents a connection to the past, a plush and comfortable time machine that allows you to, for a limited time, reside within the story. Among all the wonderful historic hotels Atlanta has, The Candler offers one of the most compelling and complete stories you will ever find.
Ready to write your own chapter in this building’s incredible story? Book your historic stay at The Candler Hotel Atlanta today.