Morris Adjmi distills Atlanta's complex history in the complete ground-up and interior outfit of the FORTH Hotel.

In its post-Civil War evolution, Atlanta was something of a phoenix rising from the ashes. This now booming metropolis was one of the first in the Reconstruction era to embrace the ?New South? model, favoring more modern and industrialized development over an adherence to the agricultural system that had long dominated the South Eastern region of the United States. Because of its status as a railroad hub, the city became the state capital of Georgia in 1868 and has since seen a steady rate of growth and expanded cultural influence, especially during the Civil Rights Movement of the early 1960s. However, like most developed urban centers in the Western world, Atlanta experienced a level of postindustrial decline in the latter half of the 20th century. Neighborhoods like the historic Old Fourth Ward District became largely derelict. Urban renewal and eventual gentrification began in the late 1980s and today, the area is yet again a thriving commercial and residential core with an eclectic array of hospitality and retail lining main BeltLine thoroughfare. Adding to this illustrious mix is the new 16-story FORTH Hotel; a new monumental beacon for the area that pays homage to its resilience.

A keen proponent of site-responsive design elements, all while bypassing the pitfalls of kitschy reconstitution, prolific architect Morris Adjmi sought to distill this ...