est. 1939

You can’t fake patina. And even if you could, why would you?

preserving history for the future

The Blair Building is a striking example of Art Deco design and a testament to Decatur's commercial and architectural heritage. Built in 1939, this Streamline Moderne architectural gem is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the Blair-Rutland Building (October 2002) and is one of only two surviving Art Deco buildings in Decatur. Its facade is adorned with intricate geometric patterns, while the curved corners evoke the streamlined aesthetic of the era. Promotional literature from the early 1940s stated that it was "one of the county's modern office buildings.... Modernistic in design and air conditioned, it is typical of what Decatur offers the business executive."

Interior view through a green-framed glass door into a bright conference room with large window, a wooden table, and chairs.
Progress photo of historic preservation of The Blair Building. Interior of a building under renovation with a green door and a second door labeled '100' in the background. The room has unfinished walls, construction materials, and tools.
A pink building with large glass block windows and multiple rectangular windows, with a clear blue sky and some clouds in the background. A leafy green tree is on the right side of the image.
A dining room with a dark wood table surrounded by chairs, a purple cabinet with a built-in bar and a vase with white orchids, large windows letting in natural light, and a light-colored wall.
A magazine cover titled 'Decatur City Lifestyle' from March 2024, featuring a pink Art Deco-style building with large glass block windows and a red convertible sports car with a woman inside, parked on the street in front of the building.

The award-winning historic preservation of The Blair Building, aided by the Historic Tax Credit, renews Decatur's social and cultural fabric. This vibrant pink landmark embodies the sleek optimism of the 1930s while offering modern functionality. Its preservation allows future generations to experience this unique architectural style firsthand, attracting visitors and locals to Church Street and the surrounding neighborhood. Inside, the redesigned interior provides creative workspaces with modern amenities while honoring the building's character. The revitalized Blair Building stands as a working example of what thoughtful preservation looks like—honoring the past while serving the present.

Pink Art Deco building labeled The Blair with a red convertible driving by in the foreground under a clear blue sky, with trees and street lamps lining the sidewalk.

thanks for the love

Led by Gene Kansas | Commercial Real Estate in concert with creative and cultural partners Howard Design Studios, Cognitive Design, Smith Hanes, Family Bros, DUST, and Studio Wythe, The Blair Building has been honored with a Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation Excellence in Rehabilitation Award (2025), and a City of Decatur Commercial Historic Rehabilitation and Historic Preservation Award (2024).

Logo of The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation featuring a detailed illustration of a historic building's dome and windows.
A stylized illustration of a church building with two smaller buildings on either side, and the text 'City of Decatur' below. The background is brown, and the buildings are in shades of beige and cream.