March 8 promises a night of golden splendor for NC students enjoying prom at The Foundry at Puritan Mill. Located in West Midtown of Atlanta, The Foundry bears roots dating back to an industrial history in 1921 under the Puritan Chemical Company. Blending Atlanta’s rich history with modern compositions, The Foundry acts as a venue for diverse events — including weddings, social gatherings, corporate conventions and, quite relevantly, proms.
Providing a rustic yet elegant air, The Foundry spans 12,000 square feet, starring a vast interior customizable to the respective function. To enhance the charming atmosphere, brick walls frame the interior, polished concrete floors lay underfoot and original pine beams and skylights provide a swoon-worthy view above the bustle of any event. The golden glory of NC’s prom theme perfectly suits the grandeur of The Foundry, ensuring a stunning night for all prom attendees.
With over a quarter-acre of space, The Foundry holds the capacity for 1,200 people — approximately equal to the population of NC’s junior and senior classes combined. This space adequately allows for a large population to enjoy the venue’s main room and outdoor Urban Garden comfortably while allowing for various set-ups, including stages, tables, a dance floor and necessary lighting and audio equipment.
“The venue’s simple design combined with the lighting setup will create a stunning atmosphere for the Golden Gala theme. Golden streamers, golden centerpieces and perhaps a golden balloon arch for pictures would enhance the venue beautifully. I’m excited to see how [NC] will transform the space into a gorgeous prom,” junior Aniya Burns said.
The Foundry at Puritan Mill reaches beyond pure beauty, remaining an accessible location for its attendees. The venue offers over 300 parking spots — permitting an abundance of guests to conveniently park but prompting large groups such as those attending NC’s prom to carpool or arrange drop-off services. Additionally, The Foundry provides wheel-chair inclusive features, including accessible parking, a ramp entrance located at the building’s side entrance, and wheel-chair-friendly bathrooms. Thus, individuals of diverse abilities may easily enjoy their event at The Foundry.
“[The prom committee] tries to pick a venue based on availability and sizes that will accommodate [NC’s] large student body. [The Foundry] is different from last year’s [venue at the Georgia Aquarium] — it’s more of a ballroom atmosphere where it’s a blank slate and the decorations are the biggest deal. It’s an open environment where everybody will be able to see each other. I’m excited to see that ‘life moment’ come to fruition for kids — it’s not something that can happen again in life,” NC prom committee sponsor Tara Sisino said.
To ensure a flawless experience for all guests, The Foundry provides a night-of event manager, security personnel and valet services. The number of the respective staff workers varies in relation to the population of events. For example, renting the venue includes two back-of-house personnel and one security personnel for a population of 250 guests, but an additional security member must join for every additional 250 people at a rate separate from the original rental fee. The same applies to Event Managers, but additional workers must join for every additional 300 guests, rather than 250. Putting security and supervision at the forefront of The Foundry’s events allows attendees to relax safely and savor their time within the charming venue.
The Foundry at Puritan Mill offers a unique atmosphere, unifying historical elegance with modern functionality. Forging a venue complimentary to NC’s dreams of a Golden Gala prom, The Foundry promises to deliver an unforgettable experience to its attendees.
