Choate + Hertlein Architects

Eugene L. Surber, FAIA
1936 - 2023
We are sad to report the recent passing of Gene Surber, founder and principal emeritus of Surber, Barber, Choate & Hertlein Architects.

Gene was born May 15, 1938, in Hagerstown, Maryland. His family moved to Atlanta in 1956. He attended Tufts University and Georgia Tech, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in 1961. He was commissioned in the US Navy, where he served three years on a carrier, the USS Hornet. He then returned to Georgia Tech where he received his Bachelor of Architecture degree in 1965.

After spending some time in local design and development companies, he started his own firm, Surber Barber Architects with his partner James (Rusty) Barber in 1972. Based on organic growth, the firm evolved to become Surber, Barber, Choate & Hertlein Architects in 1988. After Gene’s retirement in 2007, he remained engaged in both the architectural and preservation communities.

With over fifty years of experience in the field of architecture, Gene was involved in a wide range of new and adaptive reuse projects including single and multi-family residences, office buildings, institutional and educational buildings, country clubs, museums, welcome centers, and worship facilities.

Gene’s dedication to the rehabilitation and preservation of historic structures and communities in Georgia has been recognized by a variety of prestigious awards, including elevation to the College of Fellows of the AIA in 1994, the 1991 AIA Atlanta Ivan Allen Senior Award recognizing community service, and the Mary Gregory Jewett award for life-time achievement in the field of preservation by the Georgia Trust in 2005. Gene also served on the Georgia Trust's Board of Trustees from 1989 to 1995. In 1992, he was voted Volunteer of the Year by the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation. In 2002 the Atlanta Preservation Center gave him the Keystone Award for his outstanding volunteer service.

Notable preservation, restoration, renovations, and new construction projects include:
• The A.M. Blank Family Foundation, Atlanta, Georgia
• Rhodes Hall, Atlanta, Georgia
• The Upson House, Athens, Georgia

• The Margaret Mitchell House Museum, Atlanta, Georgia
• Cumberland Island Visitor Center, St. Marys, Georgia
• Hull Street Complex, Athens, Georgia
• Seney Stovall Chapel, Athens, Georgia
• Academy of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
• Decatur County Courthouse, Bainbridge, Georgia
• Greene County Courthouse, Greensboro, Georgia

• Sisters Chapel - Spelman College, Atlanta, Georgia

• First Presbyterian Church, Atlanta, Georgia
• Central Presbyterian Church, Atlanta, Georgia
• All Saints’ Episcopal Church, Atlanta, Georgia
• The Country Club, Salt Lake City, Utah
• Numerous Private Residences throughout the United States

Our firm was blessed to have had Gene’s creativity and wisdom as a big part of our professional lives. For all who knew him, his passion and kind spirit will be dearly missed.

Check out this interesting article on Urbanize Atlanta about our "House in Ansley Park I" recently going up for sale!

https://urbanize.city/atlanta/post/modern-home-for-sale-architecture-ansley-park-design

Despite near-record price, celebrated Atlanta modern was offer magnet Choate-designed 2008 dwelling will be second-highest Ansley Park sale on public record, agent says

After recently completing the renovation of the historic Norfolk Southern Railway building (now known as Centennial Yards), we’re excited to hear about ongoing progress and future developments in the surrounding downtown Atlanta area.

https://urbanize.city/atlanta/post/centennial-yards-downtown-construction-development-apartments-canyon

Centennial Yards megaproject takes step toward next round of construction Meanwhile, architecture firm provides before/after perspective on what's changed to date

10 years after the implementation of our original designs for the 2 million square foot shell now known as Ponce City Market, we have continued to help with the project's ongoing adaptation.

How Ponce City Market recently adapted parking space for human uses Third-floor garage redo landed Old Fourth Ward landmark a 900-employee FanDuel lease

Our 2011 AIA Georgia Honor Award winning project designed by principal James Choate is featured in Schumacher's latest home tour. See project link below for additional details:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URaWxw7IAYU

https://sbcharch.com/project/brays-island-house/

Inside Beth Webb's Dreamy Brays Island Home Step inside Atlanta-based designer Beth Webb's Brays Island retreat that she shares with husband (and architect) Chuck Hanavich! Situated on the 8,000 acres ...

Way to go Sarah for your well-deserved SDA 2021 Lifetime Achievement Award!!!

For more information on Sarah’s achievement and other SDA news, check out the link below.
https://www.sdanational.org/news/news.asp?id=569595

Congratulations to our 2021 Lifetime Achievement Award Winner - SDA Congratulations to our 2021 Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, Sarah Wallace, FSDA, LEED Green Associate from the SDA Atlanta Chapter Here are a few excerpts from her nomination:

We are thrilled to receive an Award of Excellence by the Atlanta Urban Design Commission for our recent 101 Peachtree Lofts project. It is a pleasure to help contribute to the improvement of Atlanta and its built environment.

Choate + Hertlein Architects updated their phone number.

Choate + Hertlein Architects welcomes the support by Historic Atlanta for Grove Park Foundation's ongoing efforts to restore the Historic Grove Theatre!

We got a special tour of the former Grove Theater and the work that is doing to bring it back to life! Historic Atlanta is excited to support this effort.

In 1941, the $60,000 the newest motion picture house opened its doors with a showing of “One Night in the Tropics” with Abbott and Costello. It had room for 618 persons and was built with a “modernistic front with a late type marquee”. While the look of the building has changed over the years, recent exploration found that the neon tubing MAY still be intact under the newer walls.