When a building has a completion date of 2012, I think it's pretty well assumed that this is just basically a concept someone has in their head. Maybe Simon, the owners of Phipps Mall, and Hanover have a future concept of a mixed use building with condos, a hotel and a upscale mall on the bottom. That would be pretty unique.

The Florida Mall in Orlando is a nice boutique, upscale mall that had a hotel connected to it. It was called The Florida Mall Hotel and it had a special entrance to the mall. I would imagine the one at Phipps to be more successful.

and with the St. Regis it'll have 2

Well the hotel will have to be rated by AAA before we can claim annything as 5 star.

The Florida Mall in Orlando is a nice boutique, upscale mall that had a hotel connected to it. It was called The Florida Mall Hotel and it had a special entrance to the mall. I would imagine the one at Phipps to be more successful.

The J.W.Marriott on Lenox Rd in Buckhead is connected to Lenox Mall by a walkway, but regarding a hotel/condo tower above Phipps, it would be pretty innovative to have an elevator that only brings hotel guests and condo residents directly into Phipps Mall.

^^Does that mean there will be no need for street level retail?

No, it only means that these condos and the hotel would have a very unique feature. A large percentage of people staying in Buckhead hotels are there to shop and this would be a bonus attraction.

The DRI for twleve 14th st. has been completed. It looks as if the project will be 59 stories with a build out date for summer 2009.

Here are the specs:

452 high rise condo units
153 room hotel
360,000 sqft office space
17,000 sqft retail
6,500 sqft restaurant

It will incorporate 2 acres of land between W.Ptree, 14th St and Spring.
The project is slated for one phase.

is that fewer floors than we initially thought?

^^ Not really. Remember the floors fluctuated from 60 to 50 or something to 59. It's good enough for me. Too bad none of these developers have any interests in Downtown anymore.

The DRI for twleve 14th st. has been completed. It looks as if the project will be 59 stories with a build out date for summer 2009.

Here are the specs:

452 high rise condo units
153 room hotel
360,000 sqft office space
17,000 sqft retail
6,500 sqft restaurant

It will incorporate 2 acres of land between W.Ptree, 14th St and Spring.
The project is slated for one phase.

Can anyone post more info on this project? I don't recall reading any info about it. Is there a rendering?

there was a small picture of the building model at some meeting, but no rendering yet. Supposed to be around 750 ft i think, so 4th tallest in Atlanta. 59 stories. 14th street between W Peachtree and Spring street, so right across from the Atlantic Center

Thanks nakedyak.

Does anyone know if there are plans to connect Fowler Street in Atlantic Station to Deering Street? It would be a great addition of connectivity between AS and Brookwood and would keep people from needing to cross over the connector at 17th Street, go through Pershing Point and then back across the connector to get to Brookwood.

The easiest way might be to make use of the spur line that use to connect to the Atlantic Steel mill since is has automobile access to Deering and already crosses the the ramps to the connector. The only question would be if the bridge is wide enough for at least two lanes of traffic.

The other option would be to build a bridge over or tunnel under the railline that seperates AS from Deering Road. Due to the topography of the area, I think a tunnel would be better but that might not be easy since the rail lines are active.

I can give you some answers Aubie.......
I used to live 25th just north of the interchange on the west side of Peachtree.

The neighborhoods on each side of I-75 ( Loring Heights & Brookwood) were able to get some pretty strong guidlines as to access into Atlantic Station from the north. If traffic access from Derring and Fowler does hapen it will not have a crossing as the rail traffic on that line is far above the federal limit for a grade crossing.

Although it is not set in stone the rail spur bridge is being held for transit purposes, and frankly I think that is smart.

Atlantic Station does not need better traffic access. It needs a fixed guidway tranist link to MARTA and to future transit systems.

I'd certainly prefer to see the bridge used for transit. I agree that a grade crossing is out. Regardless of federal limits, I think grade crossings are in general a bad thing except for very limited use spur lines. Since Deering already crosses 75, they could just put the connection on the otherside of the Deering/75 bridge by tunneling Fowler under the tracks. The difference in elevation of Deering and of the tracks would also make a grade crossing difficult but a tunnel easier. The biggest issue I see is that they would need to make the tunnel pedestrian friendly, which tends to be a very difficult task, even with a short tunnel (or more accurately, underpass).

I disagree that AS has all the traffic access it needs. One of the biggest problems in Atlanta is the anti-grid, lets put all our eggs in one basket type of infrastructure design we have. That's not just with roads but also with our power system (which is why you end up with huge power towers in the middle of Mills Street) and sewers.

I'm not surprised that the adjacent neighborhoods would be opposed. That's pretty typical "I'm in the city but want to pretend to be in the suburbs" thinking that happens in Atlanta. I'm not sure what their opposition would be. It's unlikely that many more people would use Deering to get to AS from Northside since there is a better entrance just over the hill. It would mainly be traffic from Peachtree. So if they're worried about traffic backing up on Deering back towards Peachtree, I can see that. Given that the area is currently poorly lit and apparently a crime magnet (as evidenced by the goofy fake camera someone stuck on a telephone pole with a sign "this area under surveillance"), a connection that cleans up the area would be a good thing. Fear of the unknown seems like the main problem here.

Looking at the area, I'm curious as to how the bridge could be used for transit if that's to be part of a line up to Cobb County. I can see how a train could come down from Cobb and into AS but then using that bridge they'd end up going north towards Lindberg when most of the riders on that line would want to go south. Since a new MARTA bridge across the interstate isn't likely, I guess they could join up on the tracks to Lindberg but then crossover to the southbound tracks. It would make for a weird ride but sure would beat driving.

I would think it would be funny if the neighborhoods opposed any street connection and then transit went in and they couldn't get to it because it is on the otherside of the tracks.

Lisa R. Schoolcraft
Staff Writer
Two local developers are proposing a mixed-use project along the Beltline, where Amsterdam Walk in Midtown now stands.

Jack Halpern, president of Halpern Enterprises Inc., and Beltline developer Wayne Mason plan to combine adjoining properties for the project, which will include at least 135,000 square feet of retail space and an undetermined number of residential units.

"Our company, for the last 22 years has owned property on Amsterdam Avenue that we redeveloped from warehouses," Halpern said. "We're proud of the way we redeveloped that property."

This year, by chance, Halpern said he realized his 8.2-acre Amsterdam Walk abutted 4.18 acres of Mason's Beltline project, a 22-mile transit and greenspace loop expected to foster $20 billion in economic development over the next 25 years.

By joining the two properties "we could create a development on a larger scale and higher quality that anything we would be able to do separately," Halpern said.

The site will be large enough to accommodate "a number of housing types and a variety of price points" but no condominium or residential developer has been chosen yet, both Halpern and Mason said.

"We're not trying to build a high-rise," Mason said. "But something to fit into the neighborhood."

Architects Smith Dalia are working on the site plan, Mason said.

The overall development will be "north of $100 million," he said.

Halpern said the retail development will be done in phases and should accommodate the tenants in place. That includes a new restaurant, Amsterdam Cafe, that is set to open at the end of January, he said.

"We're envisioning four different building sites," Halpern said.

The project, which has no name, must get rezoning approval before any work begins, the developers

Nice to see cooperation between developers. It's so frustrating when you can't move between to adjacent developments (be it residential, commerical or mixed) because of a huge ditch, wall or other obstacle.

Nice to see cooperation between developers. It's so frustrating when you can't move between to adjacent developments (be it residential, commerical or mixed) because of a huge ditch, wall or other obstacle.



By WALTER WOODS
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 01/19/06
Allen Plaza, the downtown office complex named for Atlanta's civil rights era mayor, is expanding into new high-rise homes overlooking the Georgia Aquarium.

Barry Real Estate Cos., the developer behind Allen Plaza, and Post Properties, the local apartment landlord, are teaming up to buy 3.5 acres of downtown real estate south of Allen Plaza on Centennial Olympic Park Drive.

The partnership plans to build two residential towers, one with condos, the other with apartments, as well as retail and possibly a hotel across the street from Centennial Olympic Park, the aquarium and the new World of Coca-Cola, which is under construction and set to open next year.

The residential towers could have as many as 450 total units and be open by 2009.

Allen Plaza, named for Ivan Allen Jr., the Atlanta mayor who took down the "white" and "colored" signs at City Hall, is home to the new Southern Co. headquarters building, which officially opens next month.

Accountants Ernst & Young will move into a second building at the project in May 2007.

The aquarium and World of Coca-Cola have sparked an explosion of new development in Atlanta's downtown, including condos, offices and hotels. In the three years since Coca-Cola announced it would donate the aquarium property near Centennial Olympic Park, more than 30 acres of downtown property have been developed or slated for new projects, said A.J. Robinson, president of Central Atlanta Progress, a downtown business group.

The Allen Plaza expansion will be Post's first venture in Atlanta's central business district.

Tom Senkbeil, chief investment officer for Post Properties, cited the "vibrancy" that now surrounds Centennial Olympic Park for attracting Post's first investment in downtown living.

"The infrastructure improvements that have occurred and are planned to occur have created an atmos*phere for high-quality housing," Senkbeil said. He dated the beginning of the shift to the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, which sparked the park's creation and began attracting new investment downtown.

Post has established a strong presence in Atlanta's intown rental market, particularly in Midtown. Senkbeil said those developments "are performing very well."

The company entered the for-sale residential business in 2004 and has acknowledged plans to build condo units at two new projects near Phipps Plaza in Buckhead.

Part of the Allen Plaza expansion site is owned by one-time Atlanta developer Larry Gellerstedt, who put some of his area property up for sale when he joined developer Cousins Properties last year. Gellerstedt planned a 50-story condo tower at the site

Got to read today's AJC!

Hey y'all,
There's a large crane and other heavy equipment now parked on the 855 Peachtree site (Backstreet property). This morning there were also some workers milling around. Seems like only a matter of time before demolition begins.

Staff report
Published on: 02/02/06
Birmingham developer Daniel Corp. plans to build a 36-story tower with 443 condominiums and 38,000 square feet of retail at Peachtree and 11th streets, according to plans filed with the Atlanta Regional Commission.

Daniel and Atlanta retail developer Selig Enterprises said in November they planned to buy the 2-acre Midtown site next to the Federal Reserve Bank from the estate of Michael C. Carlos, the late business leader and philanthropist.

Daniel and Selig expect to open the $58.7 million project by 2008.

The two companies previously teamed to build Plaza Midtown, a Spring Street retail and condominium complex opening this winter.

Staff report
Published on: 02/02/06
Birmingham developer Daniel Corp. plans to build a 36-story tower with 443 condominiums and 38,000 square feet of retail at Peachtree and 11th streets, according to plans filed with the Atlanta Regional Commission.

Daniel and Atlanta retail developer Selig Enterprises said in November they planned to buy the 2-acre Midtown site next to the Federal Reserve Bank from the estate of Michael C. Carlos, the late business leader and philanthropist.

Daniel and Selig expect to open the $58.7 million project by 2008.

The two companies previously teamed to build Plaza Midtown, a Spring Street retail and condominium complex opening this winter.
The ARC now has the preliminary DRI for this project at this link.
1010 Peachtree (http://www.atlreg.com/qualitygrowth/D993_PR_1010PEACHTREE.PDF)

So what is going on with the novare towers in midtown. the ones that i think were 43/35 stories each.

one of them has just been proposed, there was some news about it on ssp. i'm too lazy to find it right now

I'd criticize the above response, but I'm too tired now

"For instance, Related is going through the zoning processes now on an approximately 4-million-sq.-ft., mixed-use development in Atlanta's Buckhead area and is looking at a development site in downtown Jacksonville for a mixed-use project with luxury high-rise condos.
"We think Atlanta has a tremendous future growth potential, so it was a place we felt we wanted to be in a large way - not just doing a building, but sort of re-creating what we've done here in South Florida," he said. "That's what our attempt is - to establish a Related Company of Georgia or Atlanta."

But Perez still sees his home base of South Florida as
http://southeast.construction.com/features/archive/0602_Cover.asp

"We think Atlanta has a tremendous future growth potential, so it was a place we felt we wanted to be in a large way - not just doing a building, but sort of re-creating what we've done here in South Florida," he said. "That's what our attempt is - to establish a Related Company of Georgia or Atlanta."

Mr Perez needs to get out of South Florida more often if Atlanta's potential just appeared on his radar screen!! :)

Mr Perez needs to get out of South Florida more often if Atlanta's potential just appeared on his radar screen!! :)
I totally agree!

The AJC is reporting that Cousins will build 2 towers on the 615 Peachtree site. A 30 story residential tower will actually face Ponce de Leon while a mixed use tower of undetermined height will face Peachtree. The development will curve around the 1913-era Ponce Apartments building. Demolition of the 12-story 1959 building will occur this spring after Wachovia moves out.

Here's the link to the story.
http://www.ajc.com/business/content/business/stories/0208bizcousins.html

Here's a rundown of everything gowing up in Atlanta.

Buckhead

Under Construction
Terminus - 33 stories, office
Realm - 29 stories, condos
Gallery - 27 stories, condos
Ovation - 19 stories, condos

Proposed/Planned
3344 Peachtree - 47 stories, office/condo
The Mansion on Peachtree - 42 stories, hotel/condo
3630 Peachtree - 40 stories, office/condo
3690 Peachtree - 30 stories, condos
St Regis Buckhead - 26 stories, hotel/condo
Phipps Tower - 20 stories, office
Two Alliance Center - 20 stories, office
Buckhead Place - 16 stories, condos
Lenbrook Square - 24 stories, senior condos
The Brookwood - 19 stories,condos
The Mayflower - 16 stories, condos
The Aramore Tower - 14 stories, 118 condos

Downtown

Under Construction
Twelve Centennial I - 39 stories, 517 condos
45 Allen Plaza - 26 stories, hotel/condo
55 Allen Plaza - 14 stories, office
Twelve Centennial Hotel - 16 stories
The Reynolds - 15 stories, condos
GSU Dorms - 15 stories

Proposed/Planned
50 Allen Plaza - 37 stories, office
Twelve Centennial II - 39 stories, 517 condos
Post Condo Tower @ Allen Plaza - unknown height
Post Apartment Tower @ Allen Plaza - unknown height
Atlantis Tower - 29 stories, condos
Days Inn property condos I - 15-20 stories
Days Inn property condos II - 15-20 stories
Americas Mart expansion - 18 stories, exhibit space

Midtown

Under Construction
Two Peachtree Point - 18 stories, office
One Market Street - 17 stories, office

Proposed/Planned
Twelve 14th Street - 59 stories, office/hotel/condo
Trilogy I - 43 stories, condos
Trilogy II - 30 stories, condos
Trilogy III - unknown height
1010 Peachtree - 36 stories, 443 condos
Holder 14th street office tower - 29 stories
615 Peachtree - office/condo, height unknown
Ponce tower @ 615 Peachtree - 30 stories, condos
166 16th street - 29 stories, condos
Aqua - 24 stories, condos
Luxe - 22 stories, condos
Onyx - 15 stories, condos

Bryan Long
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. and Barry Real Estate Companies Inc. have come to terms on a deal to develop a W Hotel in downtown's Allen Plaza complex.

Atlanta Business Chronicle first reported in August that Starwood (NYSE: HOT) had signed a letter of intent with Barry.

At the time, however, Starwood hadn't settled on a single location. It also was looking at Atlantic Station as a possible site for its hip W brand. The hotelier chose the downtown site near the end of 2005, leaving Atlantic Station to hunt for other hotel options.

Financing for the project will be complete in about a month to 45 days. The architect is Jon Pickard of Pickard Chilton.

Starwood plans to build a 257-room W Hotel, its urban boutique hotel, along with 75 luxury condominiums

In Gwinnett County, GDOT has just begun its largest project ever... a rebuild of the I-85/316 interchange. I realize it has little to do with skyscrapers, buildings, or development... but does anyone have images or a link to renderings of the project? The GDOT and ARC websites have nothing.

I'm sorta curious how these will look when completed 3 years from now:
"13 bridges, including a new “flyover” bridge for SR 316 eastbound traffic to exit at Pleasant Hill Road without getting onto I-85. Another flyover bridge for SR 316 eastbound traffic to merge onto I-85 southbound will be constructed"
and
"An additional 11 miles of new collector-distributor lanes will be constructed from Pleasant Hill to connect with existing Collector Distributor Lanes at Old Peachtree Road"

from:
http://www.dot.state.ga.us/dot/communications/gdotnews/documents/pdf/pressrelease/stb-9-15-05.pdf
and
http://www.dot.state.ga.us/specialsubjects/roadconstruction/documents/pdf/d1-2-10-06.pdf

Here's a rundown of everything gowing up in Atlanta.

Buckhead

Under Construction
Terminus - 33 stories, office
Realm - 29 stories, condos
Gallery - 27 stories, condos
Ovation - 19 stories, condos

Proposed/Planned
3344 Peachtree - 47 stories, office/condo
The Mansion on Peachtree - 42 stories, hotel/condo
3630 Peachtree - 40 stories, office/condo
3690 Peachtree - 30 stories, condos
St Regis Buckhead - 26 stories, hotel/condo
Phipps Tower - 20 stories, office
Two Alliance Center - 20 stories, office
Buckhead Place - 16 stories, condos
Lenbrook Square - 24 stories, senior condos
The Brookwood - 19 stories,condos
The Mayflower - 16 stories, condos
The Aramore Tower - 14 stories, 118 condos

Downtown

Under Construction
Twelve Centennial I - 39 stories, 517 condos
45 Allen Plaza - 26 stories, hotel/condo
55 Allen Plaza - 14 stories, office
Twelve Centennial Hotel - 16 stories
The Reynolds - 15 stories, condos
GSU Dorms - 15 stories

Proposed/Planned
50 Allen Plaza - 37 stories, office
Twelve Centennial II - 39 stories, 517 condos
Post Condo Tower @ Allen Plaza - unknown height
Post Apartment Tower @ Allen Plaza - unknown height
Atlantis Tower - 29 stories, condos
Days Inn property condos I - 15-20 stories
Days Inn property condos II - 15-20 stories
Americas Mart expansion - 18 stories, exhibit space

Midtown

Under Construction
Two Peachtree Point - 18 stories, office
One Market Street - 17 stories, office

Proposed/Planned
Twelve 14th Street - 59 stories, office/hotel/condo
Trilogy I - 43 stories, condos
Trilogy II - 30 stories, condos
Trilogy III - unknown height
1010 Peachtree - 36 stories, 443 condos
Holder 14th street office tower - 29 stories
615 Peachtree - office/condo, height unknown
Ponce tower @ 615 Peachtree - 30 stories, condos
166 16th street - 29 stories, condos
Aqua - 24 stories, condos
Luxe - 22 stories, condos
Onyx - 15 stories, condos

There already needs to be quite a few changes to this list.

1 - We figured out that The Brookwood replaces The Mayflower proposal.

2 - The Brookwood is now under construction

3 - Hanover Co released info about their proposal at Phipps which will be two 32-story residential towers.

4 - Add Einstiens, Novare's 400 unit residential tower planned at West Peachtree & 14th (across W Peachtree street from Twelve 14th)

5 - Add the Peabody hotel at Atlantic station

6 - plus two more rumored Novare towers planned at Atlantic station (one 40 stories and one 30 plus stories)

Hanover Phase I
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y108/pincfx/Hanover202.jpg

Does anyone have a map with all these Atlanta developments placed on it?

Lisa R. Schoolcraft
Staff Writer
Trader Joe's has leased stores in Midtown and Sandy Springs, the first of up to a dozen locations the specialty food retailer may open in metro Atlanta.
Trader Joe's Co. Inc., where shoppers can find such items as hormone-free chicken or blue cheese-stuffed olives, has signed on for 12,000-square-foot stores at Midtown Promenade shopping center, 931 Monroe Drive, and Sandy Springs Plaza, 6299 Roswell Road, according to several people close to the lease negotiations.

The California-based company also is negotiating leases on two other stores, in Buckhead and East Cobb, and may consider a total of 10 to 12 stores in metro Atlanta, those sources said.

Trader Joe's spokeswoman Alison Mochizuki declined to confirm the leases, but said the company will enter the market by year end.

New York City media was abuzz in January when Trader Joe's announced it was opening a store at Union Square, its first urban site in that state, in early spring.

"They (Trader Joe's) almost have a cult-like following," said Ray Uttenhove, executive vice president and managing principal of Staubach Retail in Atlanta.

Based in Monrovia, Calif., Trader Joe's has 250 stores in 19 states, mainly in the Northeast and West.

Trader Joe's move into Atlanta is the farthest south for the store, known for its loud-Hawaiian-shirt-clad staff and shop interiors that look like the inside of a ship, with cedar plank walls and nautical decor. Trader Joe's has stores as far south as Newport News, Va. Trader Joe's appeals to the lifestyle of its customers, who tend to be affluent and educated.

Midtown, Sandy Springs, Buckhead and East Cobb are logical locations for Trader Joe's because those residents, Uttenhove said, "would be their target customer."

Trader Joe's entrance comes as another specialty food retailer is expanding in metro Atlanta.

Greensboro, N.C.-based The Fresh Market Inc. opened a 24,000-square-foot Buckhead location Feb. 22 at 2099 Peachtree St., its fourth in the market. Fresh Market also has stores in Dunwoody, Marietta and Alpharetta.

driving on 285 today...and there is a ton of things going on in buckhead. i really need to take some time off work and get down to atlanta again with my camera and check everything out.

Style - 285 doesn't go through Buckhead...

when you take GA-400 down. i didnt feel like showing a map of my journey. ;)

i drove around that area for a short bit to check it out.

Style - 285 doesn't go through Buckhead...

I'm not sure Augusta isn't inside Buckhead's boundries... they're almost as crazy as when Midtown tried to claim Lenox and the Georgia Dome.

From The Story:

The official boundaries of Buckhead were first adopted in 1982 by the Buckhead Business Association, in 1988 by the Buckhead Coalition, in 1990 by the Georgia House of Representatives, and in 1991 by the Atlanta Regional Commission. [...] the fact that the eastern side of Northside and I-75, Howell Mill and I-75 and Collier Road and I-75 all were points within Buckhead. West Buckhead to be sure, but still Buckhead. Even more shocking was to discover that Buckhead’s boundaries follow Peachtree Creek all the way to the Cobb County line and Chattahoochee River (at Standing Peachtree Park) and follow the river north to the Atlanta city limits.

all is forgiven, was just curious is all.

aubie - to coin a Mojo Nixon song, buckhead is everywhere!

all is forgiven, was just curious is all.

aubie - to coin a Mojo Nixon song, buckhead is everywhere!
...and Don Henley Must Die

Does anyone have any info at all on the proposed Atlanta Tower?

http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=103093

That was a proposal made back in the mid 90s. No one took it seriously and it was never built. Just some developer trying to call attention to himself.

That sucks.

They'll build that one when that strange guy wanted to build some very tall condo towers at Lake Lanier. That was one of the strangest real estate ideas I've ever seen.

By JULIE B. HAIRSTON
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 03/10/06

Miami's premier condo developer is diving into the Atlanta market with a very big splash.

Related Group, owned by Jorge M. Perez, is planning a mammoth development near Lenox Square mall in Buckhead. The 19.5-acre project, called Cityplace at Buckhead, will include almost 5 million square feet of residential space and 95,000 square feet of retail between East Paces Ferry and Roxboro roads.


The development is expected to include eight to nine 40-story towers and at least one 20-story tower, a large fitness club and spa, and a series of pocket parks, according to the site plan presented to neighborhood leaders.

Related Senior Vice President Bob Dorfman said costs and prices for the project have not yet been established, but Related projects are known for their luxury-class characteristics. Dorfman hinted that Cityplace will expand Atlanta's emerging market for elite high-rise living.

"We've been looking at the Atlanta market for quite some time," Dorfman said. "And the location lends itself to creating a new urban center with great architecture, with great interior design and art. ... We just think Atlanta is ready for our style of building."

Cityplace will join other new developments such as the St. Regis and the Mansion to compete for affluent Buckhead buyers looking for urban convenience and chic amenities.

Related, which Perez founded in 1979, is one of the nation's top multi-family developers. The company reported sales of more than $2.1 billion in 2004.

Buckhead neighborhood leaders have met with Related officials for preliminary talks about Cityplace. Although they still harbor some concerns, they have warmed to the mostly residential character of the project and designs that will obscure parking decks with landscaping and amenities on top.

"What we are about now is sitting down at the table and working out the best development possible," said Sally Silver, chairwoman of the development and transportation committee for Neighborhood Planning Unit B, the city's grass-roots advisory panel for local land use decisions.

Related has an option to buy the land from Noble Properties for an undisclosed sum.

Dorfman said Related will wait until the required regulatory decisions are made to set a timetable for Cityplace but added that the company is eager to begin.

"Once we get through the process, we would expect to start on a phase of development as soon as possible," Dorfman said.

"We're very excited about this project. We'd like to get started tomorrow if we could."

Though Cityplace would be Related's first Atlanta project, the company partnered with Cobb County-based Cousins Properties in 2004 to develop 50 Biscayne, a luxury high-rise in downtown Miami that will open late this year.

One of Cityplace's future competitors said Related's arrival in the Atlanta market signals a new level of sophistication among metro home buyers. Scott Leventhal, president of Tivoli Properties and developer of Aqua in Midtown, said he has studied Related projects' design in South Florida for ideas and inspiration, which he has incorporated into Aqua.

"This is really the future for Atlanta. It will be luxury," Leventhal said.

Jim Borders, president of Novare Group, developer of Metropolis, Spire, Realm, Gallery and Twelve, declined to comment on Related's entry into the market.

It's right next to the Lenox MARTA station. With all this growth in that area, it seems silly that it is also next to the city line.

By JULIE B. HAIRSTON
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 03/16/06
Developer John Wieland has purchased three parcels on Peachtree Street from the Woodruff Arts Center with plans to build condominiums with street-level retail space and a 15,000-square-foot art gallery.

The property, now occupied by office buildings, is across the street from the Woodruff Arts Center. Although the price Wieland paid for the property was not disclosed, a prepared statement from the arts center said it exceeded the minimum offer specified by the center's real estate task force.


The statement quotes John Wieland Homes and Neighborhoods' namesake founder calling the deal "the most exciting development my company has ever undertaken."

Wieland plans to build a "world class luxury condominium" on the property.

Shelton G. Stanfill, president and CEO of the Woodruff Arts Center, praised Wieland's commitment to continuing Midtown Atlanta's push to create a pedestrian-friendly community in the arts center area.

"John Wieland's plans show his appreciation for the urban boulevard life of Peachtree Street and his determination to respect the Midtown Blueprint goal of protecting the future stability of the neighborhoods that surround the Woodruff," Stanfill said in the center's prepared statement.

The gallery to be included in the development will be programmed by the High Museum of Art, which has an option to buy the space for $1 at the end of 10 years.

Wieland was selected from among 12 qualified developers invited to bid on the property by the center's real estate task force, which was formed by the Woodruff's Board of Trustees.

The Wieland project will join a growing number of luxury condominium projects recently announced for intown Atlanta.

<___<
Say, I was just milling around on Google Earth, and looking at the area around Garnett MARTA station, and I thought: what's with all the surface parking? Surely that can't stay there forever? I mean, with all of these developments in Midtown, Buckhead and in-between...what's the future of south Downtown?

South downtown is difficult. You have lots of government buildings, so you don't end up with a lot of pedestrian traffic except those who have business in one of the buildings and are walking from a parking deck. That's also the location of the Gateway Center, which is the new city run homeless shelter in the old city jail. It's pretty massive and doesn't really encourage investment in the area. There are some condos in the area but I wouldn't count on anything else coming anytime soon. I'd expect the gulch to be developed first and then maybe you'd get some spill over.

I had to ask...of course. Homeless shelter.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y108/pincfx/855_twr.jpg

Novare Group, one of the most active high-rise residential real estate development firms in the Southeast, has announced plans for a tri-tower project, featuring a two-story retail component on Peachtree Street. As co-creators with Wood Partners of Midtown icons Spire, Metropolis and the new TWELVE Atlantic Station, Novare is bringing a major new kind of project to the Midtown market

Project developer Conor McNally said the yet unnamed development will encompass the entire city block bordered by Peachtree, 7th, Juniper and 6th Streets and will feature three residential towers, offering approximately 1,100 total living units. Ground-breaking for the first tower is expected in May. Plans also call for leaving a historically significant apartment building by architect Neel Reid not only intact but also renovated and available as a residential option.

While the residential element is riveting in and of itself, the retail component promises to jumpstart the vision, outlined in Blueprint Midtown and restated at the Midtown Alliance Annual Meeting, for upscale shopping on Peachtree from North Avenue to 14th Street. “We have worked very closely with city planners and Midtown Alliance to make this concept a reality,” McNally said. “We hope to take retail to the next level on Peachtree.”

The first tower will stand 36 stories and include 380 residential units, about half of them two-bedroom homes. Distinguishing the project will be what McNally calls “spectacular retail,” encompassing approximately 30,000 square feet on the first two stories and rising 40 feet in height. While Spire and Metropolis both feature street-level retail, this project calls for “retail on a bigger scale than what we have done before in Midtown,” McNally noted.

Although it is too early to predict what retailers will comprise the mix, McNally said the offerings “will be adding to the critical mass of retail on Peachtree and complement the shops and services at Spire which are performing very well.”

The second and third residential towers will have a Juniper Street orientation, one at 6th Street and one at 7th Street, enhancing the residential character of other developments, including the Dakota and 905 Juniper, along the Juniper Street corridor. While plans for towers two and three continue to evolve, both are scheduled to rise 33 stories, feature approximately 350-360 living units and include additional retail space. One unique feature of the project will be a large, open-air, shared-amenities space, fully one-and-a-half acres, located atop the parking structure. Novare expects to start construction on towers two and three in 2007.

McNally cited “a good working relationship with Midtown Alliance” and respect for the Development Review Committee process in bringing this project to life. “We are bullish on the Midtown market,” he said. “First and foremost, Midtown as an area in which to live is coming into its own. It continues to become more and more vibrant. As more people live in Midtown, the environment just keeps getting better for retail. It’s an exciting time.”

Address: 855 Peachtree Street
Contractor: R.J. Griffin & Company
Architect: The Preston Partnership

^^
I ran into Terminus (from SSP) a few weeks ago and he had all the drawings for Trilogy (which is what the development is going to be named). He was quite excited about how the site plan turned out, especially the retail. He said that Novare actually took a trip to Chicago to see how things were done on Michigan Avenue so expect to see that influence on their buildings from now on.

Ver Nice! Great news, indeed! :)
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y108/pincfx/855_twr.jpg

:)

Why do some of you want so much street level retail? Hello everybody our street level retail sucks wind. Look at Metropolis and Spire. If that's what we are looking forward to, all I can say is, we should be embarass. By the way Spire isn't full of retail and if it weren't for the eateries, Metropolis would be empty, as it was for a very long time after it was built.

We want GOOD street level retail that serves the day to day needs to the people living in the area so they don't have to get in their cars. Also some destination retail is nice but should not edge out the day-to-day type retail.

But the biggest reason people want retail is because they want active uses on the street. Everyone has seen the Portman fortress model of development and what it does to street life. Active uses could be things other than retail but so far Atlantans haven't been able to figure out how to make that work. Just go look at the offices on the ground floor of the Inforum. There is two stories of windows looking out on the street. The only problem is that there is also two stories of sheetrock seperating the offices from the windows. There are plenty of other examples around town of street level windows being turned into virtual walls. So people want retail because it is in the retailers best interest to make active use of their windows to advertise what is being sold. Any types of uses as of yet have not shown that they can engage the street.

Developing a new market takes time. It's sort of a chicken and the egg type situation. Good retail needs lots of residents nearby to become customers and residents want good retail where ever they move. Right now you see lots of the space on Peachtree filled with low volume, high margin stores such as furniture because they don't need a large number of customers. They just need a couple of buyers at a high markup. As more and more people move into the area, the mix of retail will change to service the new crowd. Remember, it wasn't too long ago that there was close to zero retail in this area.

You've got to have vision and patience.

I'm pleased that this project is committed to extensive street level retail. Eventually, there will be enough of it that the area will be a destination for those who don't live in the area. A tipping point is coming for midtown. I'm looking forward to it.

I'm not so pleased that Atlanta is building so many concrete and blue glass boxes that are merely gussied up with slight touches. Even the balconies are artless. Really, this is nothing more than an upscale commieblock. Miami and Houston are putting forth much better offerings than Atlanta. Spire, Metropolis, Atlantic Station...these buildings don't even look finished. They look really cheap.

jeesh, does novare use the same design base for ALL their buildings? All their buildings look like they came from the same mold, but got different cosmetic differences later.

Retail attracts more retail. Each store that opens draws a little more foot traffic, which draws even more retailers. Plus, the product is getting better. Even Novare will say there were mistakes made with the Metropolis retail units. As more quality retail spaces are built, better retailers will lease space.

They'll build that one when that strange guy wanted to build some very tall condo towers at Lake Lanier. That was one of the strangest real estate ideas I've ever seen.
Speaking of Strange, what about the king and queen towers out on I-285? They are super unique but look so out of place.

^^I think the King & Queen look really great, especially where they are located. The whole Perimeter Center area, but especially the K & Q look best in the early hours of the night heading north on 400 as you approach I-285.

^^
...Novare actually took a trip to Chicago to see how things were done on Michigan Avenue so expect to see that influence on their buildings from now on.

I haven't been to downtown Chicago in almost twenty years, but I used to drive down from Wisconsin with friends and we'd always walk around North Michigan Avenue, where the awesome collection of retail stores where and hopefully still are.

The Water Tower Place is on Michigan Ave., but the stores are inside. It is about six stories tall and had a lot of very cool retail.

I don't remember all the interesting stores along Michigan Ave between the John Hancock building and the river (traditional retail boundaries of downtown), but I was mostly interested in Sharper Image type stores at the time because we didn't have them in Wisconsin. There was one store called Hammacher Schlemmer (now that is a German name) which outdid Sharper Image by a longshot.

North Michigan Avenue has rivaled the great shopping streets in other US cities for at least 25 years that I know of. It will take a lot of GREAT retail, as Aubie Turtle says, before any part of Peachtree Street is in that league.

Could it be that Atlanta is entering it's "BOOM"? With all the proposed buildings and good many under construction, we are entering a period much like Miami.

^^I hope not!! Miami's boom has benefitted only a few "flippers" who buy and sell condos before the buildings have even begun construction. I'll take development that is in line with demand, that way prices can move up at a decent 5-7% a year. If you want to "flip" go to McDonalds!!

I haven't been to downtown Chicago in almost twenty years, but I used to drive down from Wisconsin with friends and we'd always walk around North Michigan Avenue, where the awesome collection of retail stores where and hopefully still are.

The Water Tower Place is on Michigan Ave., but the stores are inside. It is about six stories tall and had a lot of very cool retail.

I don't remember all the interesting stores along Michigan Ave between the John Hancock building and the river (traditional retail boundaries of downtown), but I was mostly interested in Sharper Image type stores at the time because we didn't have them in Wisconsin. There was one store called Hammacher Schlemmer (now that is a German name) which outdid Sharper Image by a longshot.

North Michigan Avenue has rivaled the great shopping streets in other US cities for at least 25 years that I know of. It will take a lot of GREAT retail, as Aubie Turtle says, before any part of Peachtree Street is in that league.


Nick - North Michigan would just blow you away today. It's everything you remember, only a couple of levels higher now. Watertower is now dwarfed by a couple of vertical malls (Chicago Place & 900 North) that are amazing design-wise. Lot's of "brands" have very impressive flagship stores. The landscaping/streetscape is gorgeous, the crowds bustling and impressive. The adjacent side streets (especially towards the lake) are filled with massive vertical condos and apartments. It has evolved IMO into Americas grandest downtown boulevard.

^^I think the King & Queen look really great, especially where they are located. The whole Perimeter Center area, but especially the K & Q look best in the early hours of the night heading north on 400 as you approach I-285.
I'm not saying they aren't eye catching. I see them several times a year from the very spot you describe. In fact they just appear out of nowhere making someone who isn't expecting them to go "wow!" I guess out of place isn't right....just not in an expected location. But wow nonetheless.