Just across the railroad tracks and overlooking downtown Acworth, an area that is experiencing a rebirth of its own, "The Old Mill" is Acworth's newest revitalization project. At first glance by many standards the Old Mill was simply a building in ruin. Overgrown by scrub trees and vines, this shell of a burned out old mill seemed to some to be a structure simply in need of demolition. However, when first contacted about The Old Mill, the architects at Peek Design Group saw an opportunity to create a place where people could appreciate this historic structure while providing a one-of-a-kind gathering place in the community.

    Creating a structurally sound building conforming to today's building codes, while preserving the elements of the existing "mill" structure and establishing a southern "white table cloth" dining atmosphere was the greatest challenge in design of the new space. Realizing that the remaining solid brick shell was simply not capable of providing adequate structural support, Peek Design Group created a structural skeleton not only to support the new construction but to brace the existing walls and prevent further movement. This enabled the builder to keep intact the original brickwork of the existing mill while providing the structural stability to help it last for another lifetime.

    With a love for historic buildings and preservation, the architect began to envision a way to create something new from this icon from the past. The ruins of an old one-story section was found to be unsalvageable, so with that debris removed and the three-story mill shell and the original smokestack remaining, the architect created a connecting two-story structure to reunite the two and salvage the character that had been lost. After studying the design and structure of many other mills from the same period, the architect created the shape and form of the building elements to conform to the internal function of such a structure. They created dormers to bring light into otherwise dark dining spaces, second story internal windows that are reminiscent of a foreman's office overlooking a factory work-floor, and an internal tower to beacon eager diners to the entrance while providing additional windows to illuminate the internal bar and reception areas. Not forgetting that the must still function as a viable asset to the community as a fully functioning restaurant, Peek Design Group spent many hours with the Chef creating a state of the art Kitchen in the center of this new interior.

    Left abandoned after fire consumed this Mill, there were no finishes on the interior other than the brick walls that could be salvaged. With many decisions to be made, Peek Design Group and Leigh Nunnery Interiors worked closely with the owners in making material and finish selections to recreate the feel of the "Old Mill" By using heavy timbers and exposed steel framework with oversized rolling doors that would have been typical of the original construction, they were able to recreate a glimpse of the past with all the conveniences of a modern dining experience. Even the flooring, reclaimed wooden planks, reminds us of the heritage of this revitalized building.

    We expect that patrons to the "Old Mill" will be grateful for the thoughtful way this historic mill has been preserved and will be an asset to this community for years to come.