To the average passerby, it might simply look like a gritty and borderline dilapidated building. To those who recognize its weathered neon sign that reads “The Masquerade,” this is home. It is a venue that has always been a little rough around the edges, but completely owns its unkempt facade and eroding castle-like interior. For thousands of Atlanta concertgoers, this venue is absolutely one of a kind and an essential part of Atlanta’s music scene. There is a certain sense of intimacy and energy that does not exist anywhere else but here. It has brought many big names in punk, metal, EDM and rap that do not perform anywhere else. The three stages, dubbed "heaven, hell and purgatory," respectively, have been graced by many now-superstars such as Nirvana, Nine Inch Nails, Green Day and Smashing Pumpkins. To many, the Masquerade represents an experience. From the cheap tickets to the amped up crowds, to the stage diving, to the floor boards that could potentially go out any moment, you know you’re going to have a good time at the Masquerade.
The Masquerade itself has stood the test of time when the city around it has all but moved on. Right in the middle of Old Fourth Ward, The Masquerade is but a relic of the past, surrounded by newly constructed luxury apartments and the Ponce City Market.
The building itself has been around since 1890. It began originally as an Excelsior Mill and restaurant. It has been many things in its lifetime: an old mill, a dance club and now a music venue. In 2004, the site was sold and acquired for the purpose of constructing housing properties in its place. But after many months of neighborhood protests and efforts by the Atlanta Preservation Center to raise awareness of its historical value, a deal was struck. The property was saved. Having had historical value, the building carried on in a town that had long since forgotten the 1890s. The town around it continued to experience renewal in its wake. For a while, the Masquerade was safe and quite successful. It brought in many notable acts over the years and house a plethora of big events and festivals. It seemed as though the Masquerade was here to stay.
Despite its success, rumors of the land being sold never went away. In October of 2015, the rumors were confirmed. Developer SWH Residential Partners LLC officially acquired the property for $3.3 million. Under new ownership, plans have been announced for the property to become a mixed-use project. The Atlanta venue that many Atlantans cherished became destined for displacement.
Shows continue until the end of the year, so it is unclear when the changes will take place. This is certainly very heartbreaking news to those who grew up attending shows at the Masquerade. Following an outpour of support and concern over the Masquerade, an official statement was released on their website regarding the future of the venue. "For those concerned about The Masquerade leaving Atlanta, rest assured, we aren't. We will release specifics as soon as we can. We are continuing with our booking through 2016 and all shows are going forward." For many, this is a huge loss in the Atlanta music scene. Although a new site may be established, it will be hard to replace the charm of the old Masquerade anytime soon.
