HPC Approves COA for Albemarle Hotel Work

A developer continues efforts to get started on rehabilitating a downtown Toccoa landmark.

Last week, the Toccoa Historic Preservation Commission voted to approve a Certificate of Appropriateness for more work on the historic Albemarle Hotel at the corner of Alexander and Tugalo streets.

The original proposal put before the HPC last week by Alden Parker asked for permission to install windows on the first and second floors.

However, Parker went through more details of the project with the assistance of a preservation planner for the Georgia Mountains Regional Commission who works with historic buildings.

Following that presentation, the HPC approved a revised COA for the project.

The terms of that new COA were as follows:

1. Restoration or replacement of windows on the first and second floor; matching historic windows on the front of the building wherever possible
2. Using wooden French doors along the veranda that match the current openings present in the building
3. Restoring other historic windows in the restaurant area and the front office
4. Restoring fire stairs based on fire and safety codes
5. Replacing windows on the back of the building on the first and second floor with modern replacements

Parker said approving all of this will allow him to really get a start on the building.

“I have a lot of stuff still to present to you all, but this will get us started,” said Parker. “We are ready to go.”

The HPC approved the modified Certificate of Appropriateness unanimously.