Buckhead Architect and Civil Rights Legend Cecil Alexander Dies at 95

The man who helped change the Georgia state flag, helped unite communities during the Civil Rights Movement and who created some of Atlanta’s most celebrated landmarks passed away Tuesday at the age of 95.

Cecil Alexander will be remembered for his lasting architectural contributions to Atlanta, as well as his social contributions during the Civil Rights Movement. Alexander, a Jewish native of Atlanta born in 1918, often spoke up and spoke out against racism and discrimination during throughout his lifetime. 

Alexander graduated from Yale University, attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology for a year before enlisting in the Marines and serving as a dive-bomber pilot in World War II. He then earned his master’s degree from Harvard University.

He is known for the Roundhouse, the home he built on Mt. Paran Road in 1957 and lived in with his late wife, Hermione. The home was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on March 25, 2010.

Alexander’s funeral will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday at The Temple, Atlanta. A graveside service will follow at Crest Lawn Memorial Park, Atlanta. Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care is in charge of arrangements.

Buckhead Patch Editor Kiri Walton had the unique pleasure of interviewing Alexander recently about his new autobiography, “Crossing the Line.” The article will run this week.

From the obituary published in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution:

“Alexander was principal architect at the FABRAP architectural firm, and on the team responsible for Coca-Cola’s headquarters, what was the BellSouth tower and the former Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium. He also marched in Martin Luther King Jr.’s funeral procession, served on the King Center board and co-founded and co-chaired the Black/Jewish Coalition with John Lewis. He co-chaired Lewis’ first campaign for Congress as well.”

“He was one of the visionaries who helped you see what Atlanta could be,” former Atlanta Mayor and United Nations Ambassador Andrew Young said of Alexander.