ATLANTA. Joe Patten lived in a movie palace. The longtime caretaker and advocate for The Fox in Atlanta made his home among the stunning Moorish architecture. The Fox is a performing arts venue located in Atlanta’s Midtown. Originally planned as a Shriner’s Temple, it was ultimately developed as a movie theater that opened in 1929. The principle architect was Olivier Vinour of the firm Marye, Alger and Vinour. Patten served as the technical director for the theater from 1974 to 2004, and enjoyed a lifetime rent-free lease on his 3,640-square-foot apartment. He helped restore the theater’s Moller pipe organ and was later instrumental in the movement to save The Fox from demolition. His presence on site is also credited with helping save the structure from a fast-moving fire in 1996. Patten’s understanding of historic preservation, theater, and interior design is evident. The Fox is on the National Register of Historic Places.
We just had to share this wonderful interior tour with our readers!
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