Thanks!  Makes me want to explore the urban south.

 

That US Court house is really, really beautiful. 

That addition to the top of their tallest is a tragedy.

 

Otherwise, great photos!

^Seriously.  What's up with that, some kind of observation deck/view restaurant?  Ick.

What in the hell did that building mate with?  By far the best example of "insensitive addition or remodel" I have ever seen.

Here's some info on that addition to the Lamar Building: For many years the tallest building in Augusta, it was bought in 1973 by among others State Senator R. Eugene Holly. Mr. Holly commissioned the penthouse addition, built by I. M. Pei between 1974 and 1975. It features Italian marble and blue plate glass, and cost $500,000. Source

 

Also: State Sen. R. Eugene Holley adds a massive cross to the top of the Lamar Building's new penthouse, his "Christmas present" to Jesus. The cross is 36 feet tall, 17 feet wide and weighs 4,700 pounds. The penthouse costs more than $2 million; Augustans call it "Holley's Folly" and the "giant toaster." B. Kelley New, the Lamar Building's interior designer and a former employee of Mr. Holley, said the misunderstood penthouse was supposed to resemble a pyramid to go along with the Egyptian influences in the building's architecture. Source

"misunderstood penthouse"  :-)  :-D  :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

 

Very attractive downtown, though, and beautiful pics.

I don't know what you guys are talking about.  That penthouse is awesome!  It would be even cooler if someone built a helicopter landing pad on top of it.

Not a fan of the addition....But yes, GREAT photos and nice place! Have not been there since 2002. Funny I didn't notice that addition.

 

Looked this up about the building...

 

 

Only a shell remained after the new building was gutted by fire in the Great Augusta Fire of March 1916 that burned 32 blocks of downtown commercial and residential buildings. It was rebuilt and opened for use in 1918 overcoming many obstacles including bankruptcy of the parent company.

 

By this time, the building was known as the Lamar Building in honor the late Joseph Rucker Lamar, Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court, who had lived in Augusta. The Lamar Building became the Southern Finance Building in 1925, after its new owners formed the Southern Finance Corporation.

 

The Lamar Building has 16-floors and conforms to the basic arrangements of early 20th century multi-storied office buildings or skyscrapers. Its steel frame, reinforced with concrete and sheathed with stone, brick, and glass, and its overall form of base, tower, and cornice derive from Louis Sullivan’s formula for tall buildings as developed by the Chicago School of Architecture. Its Baroque detailing and setbacks, however, clearly identify the building as an early 20th-century manifestation of a skyscraper.

 

It is a large, vertical column with a 2-story base and 14-story shaft with setbacks capped by an ornate cornice. The mode of finishing the cornice was altered in 1975 when the original red tile hipped roof was replaced by a contemporary penthouse designed by I. M. Pei. This addition includes a glass room perched over an apartment.

 

Since its completion in 1918, the Lamar Building has been one of the most prominent office buildings in downtown Augusta and a virtual hub of local commercial and financial activities. The building can be considered a local pioneer of modern office buildings with its fireproof characteristics, elevators, and office suites.

 

The Lamar Building is located within the boundaries of the Augusta Downtown Historic District. It is open for free tours by appointment.

Looks cozy.