Neel Reid

Joseph Neel Reid (October 23, 1885 – February 14, 1926), also referred to as J. Neel Reid or Neel Reid, was a prominent architect in Atlanta, Georgia in the early 20th century for his firm Hentz, Reid and Adler.

Reid was born in Jacksonville, Alabama, in 1885. He moved to Macon, Georgia,with his family in 1890. After an apprenticeship with architect Curran Ellis, Reid moved to Atlanta to continue his career at the suggestion of his mentor. Reid specialized in fine residential structures but also designed the 1908 Atlanta (Amtrak station) and the Scottish Rite Children's Hospital in Oakhurst. A three story apartment building he designed on the south side of 7th St between Peachtree and Juniper is being renovated in a large construction project on that block as of 2006. Other examples of Reid's industrial designs include the Haas-Howell Building (circa 1920) in Atlanta's Fairlie-Poplar district and the Scottish Rite Convalescent Hospital for Crippled Children (Circa 1918 - now known as The Solarium at Historic Scottish Rite) in Decatur. The Henry B. Tompkins House (circa 1922) in Atlanta was designed by Reid.

In his later years, Reid lived in Mimosa Hall (built by Major John Dunwoody circa 1840) in Roswell which he bought in 1916 and extensively renovated including designing the gardens. Other Reid projects in Roswell include the front entrance of the Foster House and the design and build of the Brantley-Newton House. In Athens, Georgia, Reid's work can be seen in the James White House on Prince Avenue, circa 1923, which is the present day Delta Tau Delta fraternity house. Reid also designed the current home of the Polk County Historical Society (originally the Hawkes Children's Library circa 1921) in Cedartown, Georgia.

Reid died of brain cancer on February 14, 1926, at the age of 40 and was buried in Rose Hill Cemetery in Macon, Georgia.

Buildings designed by Reid which survive and are listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places include:

  • Alexander Hotel (St. Petersburg, Florida), 535 Central Ave. St. Petersburg FL Reid,Neel
  • Ansley Park Historic District, Ansley Park and environs Atlanta GA Reid,Neel
  • Hawkes Library, 210 S. 6th St. Griffin GA Reid,Neel
  • Scottish Rite Hospital for Crippled Children, 321 W. Hill St. Decatur GA Reid,Neel
  • One or more buildings in Whitlock Avenue Historic District, Roughly bounded by McCord St., Oakmont St., Whitlock Ave., Powder Springs Rd., Trammel St., Maxwell Ave., and Hazel St. Marietta GA Reid,Neel
  • Stuart Witham House, 2922 Andrews Dr., NW Atlanta GA Reid,Neel
  • One or more buildings in Conyers Residential Historic District, NW of the central business district, roughly along Main St., Milstead Ave., and Railroad St. Conyers GA Reid,Neil

And in conjunction with partners as Hentz, Reid and Adler:

  • St. George's Episcopal Church (Griffin, Georgia), 132 N. Tenth St., Griffin, GA, by Hentz, Reid, and Adler
  • Henry B. Tompkins House, 125 W. Wesley Rd., NW. Atlanta GA, by Hentz,Reid & Adler
  • Villa Albicini, 150 Tucker Rd., Macon GA, by Hentz,Reid & Adler
  • Hawkes Children's Library, N. College St., Cedartown GA, by Hentz,Reid & Adler
  • Robert E. Dismukes, Sr., House, 1617 Summit Dr., Columbus GA, by Hentz,Reid & Adler
  • 310 West Church Street Apartments, 420 N. Julia St., Jacksonville FL, by Hentz,Reid & Adler, which later became the Ambassador Hotel