Have you ever thought about how old factories can find new life? It's a pretty cool idea, isn't it? Well, in Atlanta, Georgia, there's a place called the King Plow Arts Center, and it's a perfect example of this. This wide expanse of buildings, once a busy plow factory, has been completely transformed. Today, it stands as a premier venue, truly blending a rich history with a very lively, creative spirit. You can find it right on Marietta Street, nestled in the Marietta Street Artery District of West Midtown, Atlanta, and it is, frankly, a place that really draws people in.
The King Plow Arts Center is, in a way, much more than just a collection of buildings. It is a thriving community. This historic site, which used to manufacture agricultural equipment from 1902 until 1986, now serves as a dynamic hub for commercial, performing, and visual arts. It has, you know, become a significant part of Atlanta's cultural fabric, offering a welcoming and comfortable atmosphere for everyone who steps inside.
From its humble beginnings as an antiquated factory, the King Plow Arts Center has been reimagined. It’s now a place where artists work, where shows happen, and where businesses thrive. This transformation has earned it design awards from the Atlanta Urban, which is, actually, a testament to the thoughtful rehabilitation work that preserved its unique character while giving it a modern purpose. It’s a very special spot, truly.
Table of Contents
- A Look at Its Past: History and Transformation
- A Community of Creativity: What You'll Find Inside
- Getting Around: Accessibility and Amenities
- Planning Your Visit: Location and Nearby Spots
- Frequently Asked Questions
A Look at Its Past: History and Transformation
The story of the King Plow Arts Center starts, in some respects, with the King Plow Company. This company made agricultural equipment for many, many years, from 1902 all the way up to 1986. So, you can imagine, those buildings saw a lot of industrial activity. After its manufacturing days were done, the owners had a pretty clever plan in 1990. They wanted to build affordable live/work spaces, creating a new kind of community.
This vision led to the remarkable transformation we see today. The old plow factory became an arts community, a place for commercial, performing, and visual arts. It’s really quite something, how they kept the historic feel. You’ll notice exposed brick and large windows, even skylights, which were all part of the original structure. This careful renovation really preserved its history, making it a truly unique place to visit today.
The rehabilitation work was so well done, in fact, that the King Plow Arts Center received design awards from the Atlanta Urban. This means that, you know, experts recognized the effort put into making this old factory into something new and exciting while still respecting its past. It's a great example of how old industrial spaces can be given a completely different, very useful life.
A Community of Creativity: What You'll Find Inside
Today, the King Plow Arts Center is a really busy place, a thriving community. It has loft housing, which is kind of cool, giving people a place to live right where the action is. There’s also gallery space, studios for artists, and exhibition halls where you can see all sorts of creative work. It’s a mixed-use arts facility, with live/work studios, commercial offices, and performance spaces, too. More than 60 tenants occupy the space, which is, quite frankly, a lot of different businesses and artists all together.
Actor's Express Theatre Company
One of the really exciting things about the King Plow Arts Center is that it’s home to Actor’s Express. This daring theatre company is located right in the heart of West Midtown, inside the arts center. It’s one of Atlanta’s largest commercial, performing, and visual arts centers, and Actor's Express really adds to that performing arts side. If you're coming to see a show, you'll find their space here, and it's, actually, a very popular spot for theatre lovers.
The presence of Actor's Express means there’s always something interesting happening on stage. They put on a variety of performances, bringing new stories and classic plays to life. It’s a good example of how the King Plow Arts Center provides a platform for different artistic expressions, allowing people to experience live theatre in a pretty unique setting. This company, you know, really contributes to the vibrant cultural scene.
Terminal West: Music and Events
Another very popular venue within the King Plow Arts Center is Terminal West. This is a 7,000-square-foot music and special events venue. It’s located in historic West Midtown, right there at the King Plow Arts Center, and it’s owned by the same group. Terminal West is known for hosting concerts, and it has, really, become one of Atlanta’s most popular spots for live music.
Whether you’re looking for a concert or a special event, Terminal West often has something going on. It’s a place where you can catch various musical acts, from local bands to touring artists. The venue itself has a cool, industrial feel, fitting right in with the historic surroundings of the arts center. So, if you like live music, this is, in a way, a place you should definitely check out.
King Plow Event Gallery & Bold Catering and Design
The King Plow Arts Center also has fantastic spaces for special events. The King Plow Event Gallery, for instance, is a beautifully renovated warehouse located in Westside, Atlanta, Georgia. This space is perfect for all sorts of gatherings, from wedding receptions to meetings and other special events. They work with Bold Catering and Design, which is, basically, an exclusive caterer and space designer.
This means that if you’re planning a big day, like a wedding, they can help you bring all your dreams to life. They have the experience and the resources to handle everything, from the food to the decor. The event gallery provides a really unique backdrop with its historic charm, making any occasion feel, quite frankly, very memorable. It’s a versatile space, and they can accommodate a lot of different needs.
Getting Around: Accessibility and Amenities
It’s important that everyone can enjoy the King Plow Arts Center, and they’ve made sure of that. Both the arts center itself and the theatre space are handicap accessible. This means that people with mobility challenges can move around easily and enjoy all the offerings. So, that's a good thing, you know, to keep in mind.
When it comes to parking, there are options available. Handicap parking is provided in the traffic circle, which is very convenient, and also in marked spaces throughout the parking lot and the parking garage. This makes it easier for visitors to find a spot and get into the buildings without too much trouble. You can find parking costs, opening hours, and a parking map for all the lots and garages at 887 West Marietta Street NW, which is, actually, pretty helpful when you're planning your visit.
The property itself has some really nice highlights, too. Besides the historic building, there’s a great tenant mix, and there's a lot of synergy amongst the tenants. This means the businesses and artists located there often work together or complement each other, creating a very collaborative atmosphere. The exposed brick with large windows and skylights really adds to the welcoming and comfortable atmosphere inside, making it a very pleasant place to spend time.
Planning Your Visit: Location and Nearby Spots
The King Plow Arts Center is located at 887 West Marietta Street NW, Atlanta, GA 30318. It’s right in West Midtown, in what’s called the vibrant Marietta Street Artery District. This area is known for its creative energy and unique businesses. It's a pretty easy place to get to, and it's well-connected within Atlanta, too.
If you're coming to the King Plow Arts Center, you might also want to explore the surrounding area. West Midtown has become a real hotspot for dining and entertainment. You can discover some of the best restaurants near the King Plow Arts Center, offering a wide range of cuisines. It’s a good idea to check for available tables for your party size and preferred time, so you can reserve your perfect spot for a meal before or after your visit to the arts center. This makes for a very complete outing, you know.
The location in West Midtown means you’re close to other attractions and neighborhoods in Atlanta. It’s a convenient spot for both locals and visitors to experience a piece of Atlanta’s history and its current creative pulse. The fact that it's been carefully renovated to preserve its history while becoming an event space for artistic communities is, quite frankly, a big part of its charm. Learn more about Atlanta's cultural venues on our site, and you can also find out more about West Midtown's attractions here.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of events can I find at the King Plow Arts Center?
You can find a really wide variety of events here. It hosts music concerts at Terminal West, theatre performances by Actor’s Express, and private special events like wedding receptions and meetings at the King Plow Event Gallery. So, there's usually something for everyone, you know, depending on your interests.
Is the King Plow Arts Center easy to get to, and is there parking?
Yes, it’s located on Marietta Street in West Midtown, Atlanta, which is a pretty central area. There’s ample parking available, including handicap accessible spaces in the traffic circle, parking lot, and parking garage. You can find maps and details for parking at 887 West Marietta Street NW, which is, actually, very convenient.
What’s the history behind the King Plow Arts Center?
The King Plow Arts Center was originally the King Plow Company factory, which manufactured agricultural equipment from 1902 until 1986. In 1990, it was transformed into an arts community and center for commercial, performing, and visual arts, preserving its historic architecture like exposed brick and large windows. It’s a very interesting story of old industry becoming new art, in a way.
