The theatre was built by an organisation associated to the stonemasons, called the Shriners. The Shriners liked the Arab and Egyptian styles, although they weren't associated to or descendent from Arab countries. It was all about 1920's fashion. This mosaic at the entrance depicts some arab stuff they were fond of, including a sphynx that (non-accidentally) resembles George Washington.
The theatre has a couple of beautiful ballrooms that can be rented for parties and weddings and such. The one below is in the Egyptian style.
There are lotus flowers details everywhere, on the heating, in the wall relief decorations, and in the lighting fixtures.
The Shriner's had a men's parlor, or whatever they called it, where they would come and smoke cigars when in need of a break. In contrast to the previous ballroom, this one is in the Arabic style.
The mezzanine and theatre remain dimly lit at all times, here again with lotus flower-themed light fixtures.
This is the men's bathroom just off the main theatre. It is one of the few rooms in the building that is not carpeted, because carpet + cigar cinders = great risk of fire.
The actual theatre looks like a Disney-magical version of Agrabah. The interior is simply stunning and luxuriant.
The ceiling is painted night blue, and has little lightbulbs in it which will twinkle from time to time (using pretty novel technology for the 1920s), to make them look like real stars. Apparently, passing clouds are sometimes projected onto the ceiling too, but only before shows.
The ticket booth out front is made of brass and marble - one of the only things in the theatre which actually is what is appears. A lot of the decoration inside is actually plaster and other cheap materials made to look like their expensive counterparts.
I walked back from the Fox theatre to my apartment down Peachtree Road (or Street, or Avenue... I always forget which one). On the way down I passed the Shakeaspeare tavern - I hear you can dine here while watching a rendition of one of the Playwright's plays. To have or not to have the chicken?
Further down Peachtree, old men are painting outside another exotic-looking though somewhat shabby building.
Atlanta is cut into 4 by two interstate highways that intersect close to downtown, but he city makes a serious effort to make the viaduct over the interstate more, errr, decorative.
Closer downtown, Peachtree is one of the main streets in the business district, and consequently takes on a business-y air with modern fountains.
And not much further down the road, and a few blocks east, is my home. Which reminds me, I still owe you some pictures of the building & its surroundings.
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