Historic Atlanta Mansion Opens as New Event Venue
Owners Pat and Candace Marshall Maddox transformed a 7,000-square-foot property on Ponce de Leon Avenue into an event space.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Other — General
Live Poll
Should historic local properties be preserved primarily as private event venues for the community?
Pat and Candace Marshall Maddox have officially opened a historic mansion on Ponce de Leon Avenue in Atlanta as a versatile events venue known as Moon on Ponce. The property now hosts weddings, concerts, and private parties for up to 150 guests.
Why it matters
The restoration saves a site with significant ties to Atlanta history, including the Shady Rest Inn and its former role as the 368 Ponce artistic commune. It also provides a new functional space for the owners' company, Smooth as Butter, to host local gatherings.
The 7,000-square-foot mansion can accommodate up to 150 guests for various events. The restoration required the removal of 25 dumpsters of junk from the property.
The players
Pat Maddox
He is one of the owners who restored the historic mansion and leads the company Smooth as Butter.
Candace Marshall Maddox
She co-owns the property and managed the extensive restoration process alongside her husband.
Flournoy Holmes
The property owner is a noted artist who created iconic album covers for musicians like the Allman Brothers and Carole King.
The Allman Brothers Band
This legendary American rock band has historical ties to the property through its past use as an artistic commune.
The details
The site holds deep cultural history, once serving as the 368 Ponce artistic commune and housing figures associated with the Allman Brothers Band. Owner Flournoy Holmes, who designed album covers for the Allman Brothers and Carole King, maintains ties to the location where workers even uncovered historic horseshoes during the year-long cleanup.
Timeline
The original inn was constructed circa 1920.
Downstairs renovations are expected to be complete by spring 2027.
Most Saturdays in 2027 are currently booked for events.
The events calendar is already beginning to fill with bookings for 2028.
Industry Dynamics
The venue repurposes a space once known as the 368 Ponce artistic commune, signaling a shift from historical cultural living spaces to modern, commercialized event hubs. This transformation reflects a broader trend of privatizing and professionalizing legacy Atlanta properties for the booming local events market.
Local residents and event planners can now book the mansion for private gatherings or concerts with a capacity of up to 150 people. Those interested in Saturday events should note that availability for 2027 is already limited.
The takeaway
Restoring a historic home for commercial use requires extensive debris removal and long-term planning, as evidenced by the year-long cleanup of this mansion. Prospective hosts should book well in advance to secure preferred weekend dates at high-demand local venues.
Further reading
Learn more about local cultural developments in Atlanta.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Axios.
Live Poll
Should historic local properties be preserved primarily as private event venues for the community?
