There is one house in Atlanta that I have coveted ever since I was a child. Located on Peachtree Battle Avenue, the Evans-Cucich house is one of the very few Art Deco houses in Atlanta. Before I even knew what Art Deco was, I could tell that this house was unique. It certainly didn't look like the other the 1920s and 30s-era homes in my neighborhood. Built in 1935 and designed by Atlanta architect A.F.N. Everett, the limestone house has a rather dark past. The original owner of the home, Hiram Evans, was an Imperial Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan. Many of us who are native Atlantans grew up hearing rumors that a tunnel was built underneath Peachtree Battle connecting the Evans house to a fellow Klansman's house across the street. Then, sometime in the 1980s, I believe, the house was purchased by a man by the name of Cucich. I remember driving by the house in the 1980s and 90s and thinking "Someday, that house will be mine."
Fast forward to a few months ago. My friend Clary Bosbyshell (she and her mother Margaret are the talented design duo behind Margaux Interiors) emailed me late one night to ask me about a house with which she was fascinated. She wrote that she walked by it often, that it was the most interesting looking house, and that it looked like it had been foreclosed on. Before I even opened the attachment with a photo of the house, I knew that it was my house! A flurry of emails went back and forth. Clary, who also grew up in Atlanta, had long been intrigued by the house as well. We both did a little research on it and discussed the rumor of the underground tunnel. When Clary found out that the house was about to go on the market, she orchestrated a tour of the house with an agent. One dreary afternoon in March, Clary, Margaret, and I showed up with cameras in hand to see and document the interiors of the house.
What is sad is that the house is really in a state of disrepair. The limestone exterior still looks decent, but the inside...well...let's just say that it needs a lot of work. There are rotten floorboards, holes in ceilings, and a general foul odor. I even wonder about the condition of the flat roof. I'm not sure what happened to the previous homeowners nor if and how long the house has been vacant, so I suppose that I shouldn't belabor the condition of the interiors. But, I did take a lot of photos of the house for my own records. I wanted to share a few of them with you today. There are some interesting Art Deco architectural details both in the interior and the exterior of the house. You can tell that once it had been a most dazzling house. Fortunately for the house and for those of us who love it, the Evans-Cucich house is on the National Register of Historic Places. This is a godsend because it can't be torn down to make way for some horror of a new home. It's shocking how few Atlantans seem to have any respect for old homes anymore. I just hope that the new homeowners, whoever they might be, will restore and gently modernize it in a way that is suitable for both the home and the neighborhood. And no bad Art Deco flourishes, please!
And about that tunnel? We went down in the basement and found a padlocked door that we couldn't open. We wondered if it led to the tunnel, but I just don't know. Others who have inspected the house say that they found no tunnel. I guess that the rumor and mystery will remain for the next generation of Atlantans.
Apologies for the dark photos. It was dark both inside the house and outside as well, so taking decent photos was a bit of challenge!
Architectural detail shots of the limestone exterior
The entryway with Deco-style molding and detail.
The guest room had an interesting ceiling with those stepped insets. (Wish that I knew what the proper architectural term for this ceiling is!)
The home's original stair railing and newel post.
A Deco shaped doorway.
The kitchen's original refrigerator.
I'm assuming that the blue lavatory and toilet are original? What a great shade of blue.
There was an upstairs balcony that had been painted with a tropical mural by the most recent homeowner.
A Deco style telephone niche.
The Butler's Pantry.
The rear of the house.
The National Register plaque in front of the house.
All photographs copyright of The Peak of Chic/ Jennifer Boles
The details are just wonderful. If you don't want to take it on, I hope someone with deep pockets and very good taste gets it. It made me think of the Hollywood producer, Joel Silver who has rescued and restored numerous Wright houses. Maybe we could get him into Deco!
ReplyDeleteA good friend of mine has been through the house several times and thought about buying it. It has been bought by the Heery brothers and will be renovated and sold. Thanks for photos. It is a very interesting house.
ReplyDeleteWhat a crying shame! I've loved looking at this house ever since I first saw it nearly twenty years ago and I drive past it most days. I had no idea!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous house! But sadly, being on the National Register offers absolutely no protection from alteration or demolition. Sometimes local regulations require a review before issuing permits for demolition or construction for National Register properties or other landmarks, but the designation does not automatically offer protection.
ReplyDeleteBeing from the south, now loving & living in LA, CA., I have seen and wondered about this home when visiting Atlanta. What a treat to know about it's background. I too heard tales about the tunnel.hmmm so the tales continue. xxpeggybraswelldesign.com
ReplyDeletetruly it is shocking that the house is so shabby inside. It would seem as you say-someone with good taste and deep pockets would snatch it up in a heartbeat-and never let it go. It's a pity too-that there is such careless disregard for old houses. thanks for a glimpse. pgt
ReplyDeleteFantastic post!
ReplyDeleteHow fun for you to finally have the chance to wander the hallways of your house! I love all of the details, thank you for sharing these photos.
ReplyDeleteI hope a loving owner steps in soon!
I can just imagine it in its heyday- a painting by Tamara de Lempicka over the mantel, women in Balenciaga gowns, Veuve Cliquot and cigarettes for everyone, tout de suite. Do let us know what transpires and thanks for the eye candy.
ReplyDeleteThe gueat room ceiling is a "tray ceiling," very popular in the 20s & 30s, & labor intensive today if you use real lath & plaster, but you could use a bit of sheet rock & a talented carpenter with a good eye.
ReplyDeleteThis house is a living museuem it is just wonderful--
ReplyDeleteA little history, which comes from long ago and wherein details may be fuzzy. First, the Cucich's if I remember correctly retailed high end flooring for Atlanta which put them in the Buckhead strata. Steve Cucich, who lived in the Peachtree Battle house, was a very elegant gent who at one time was house manager for the Woodruff Arts Center. When I was in high school I used to usher for the symphony and Steve would always gather us together and give us instructions before we began. Back then he was dressed in Black Tie as were many of the patrons. He was very elegant and we thought him super sophisticated. Later he was in PR for showbiz types. Coincidentally, he passed away on April 11, 2011.
ReplyDeleteAlso, the Stephen Cucich Agency listed this house as its business address, 306 Peachtree Battle Ave. It sold in January 2011 for 1.2 million bucks.
ReplyDeleteAnon- Thank you for letting me know what the proper ceiling term is!
ReplyDeleteHGB- Thank you for shedding light on Mr. Cucich, although it is sad to hear that he recently passed away. It sounds like he was a very kind and sophisticated man. Interesting that it sold in January and was then foreclosed on a few months later.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful home! No wonder you have loved it since childhood. I hope that someone with the same appreciation will restore it back to its old glory.
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Claudia
What a great post PoC. Not only is this a fascinating house, but my favorite posts are always private snaps - even when the quality is less than perfect. xColette
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for this blog entry! It's so interesting to see how many people have been fascinated by this house. If I won the lottery, it would be mine!
ReplyDeleteI moved to Peachtree Hills and made Peachtree Battle part of my walking route, partially because I wanted to stroll by this house and take in the details. I always hoped that one day I would meet the owner and be able to ask him about the architect. One day my timing was perfect and Stephen Cucich, looking very dapper, was puling out of his driveway. I approached his car, and he probably thought I was crazy at first, but humored me even though he was on his way to a lunch date, and told me a little about the history of the house. He was the nicest man; gave me his card and it turned out we had a lot of friends in common. We agreed to get together at a later date and my husband and I were invited to come by for a glass of wine. We didn't get to see much of the house, but we talked for several hours. He had many fascinating stories and when I told him I was working on a documentary about Johnny Mercer, he pulled out a picture of Johnny's wife, Ginger, from an event he had been involved in.
When I saw that the house was for sale, I was afraid that something happened to Stephen, so I did a google search and found that he had passed away. It's sad that they couldn't keep up the house, but that often happens when people get older. At least they didn't "modernize" it and get rid of the deco details. Looks like there is lots of potential for the right owner. When I told Stephen that I called his house "The Bank", he told me that other neighbors called it "the post office". LOL! R.I.P., Mr. Cucich!
Amy- What a great story! Mr. Cucich must have been such a nice- and interesting- man!
ReplyDeleteI live in Columbia, SC and was visiting family this past weekend in Atlanta. I went for a run, got lost and found myself in front of this amazing house. There is something compelling about this home that pulls you in. Thanks so much for the interior photos. Please save this house Atlanta and restore it to it's proper splendor.
ReplyDeleteAnon- Nice to hear that you too find the house amazing! The new owners are currently renovating it. I'm anxious to see what it looks like after it's complete.
ReplyDeleteI went to grammar school and high school with Steve Cucich! He was a very quiet kid who was somewhat ignored in school. His family, at that time, lived on P'tree-Dunwoody Rd., not far from me on Loridans Dr. He had an older brother named 'Fortune', which I was always fascinated by that name. I am glad to know what he accomplished in his life and wish I had known him better in school. By the way, he would be the same age as I am, had he lived, and I am 67. So he actually died relatively young for all he accomplished. RIP Steve.
ReplyDeleteAnon, thank you for this information. His house really was beautiful.
Deletei too love this house-i grew up in atlanta and traveled the area from '53 to '78 before moving to New York. everytime i come home i go see this house. my mother used to refer to it as the prison, or the 'box'. it reminds me of the great Ennis Brown house in Los Angeles designed by FLWright. i cherish all of my fave Atlanta homes and hope this one is preserved in the future
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