Atlanta Development News

[jmancuso]

discuss...

[Yankee BOY]

I like all the projects in ATL, its becoming a very modern city, with the addition of the symphony tower.

[teshadoh]

Nifty idea jmancuso, I guess we can shoot the shit concerning Atlanta & so?

Well, when I think of something I'll drop by again...

[SkyHigh529]

did you hear about the new Krispy Kreme they're building in Atlanta, man I can't wait....

[starbuc jupiter]

I like all the projects in ATL, its becoming a very modern city, with the addition of the symphony tower.


Atlatna has been a modern city for a while, symphony tower is not the first contempoary building in the city. It is the first tall one in that cluster to have a very cutting edge style. That is what makes it really special.

[SkyHigh529]

^I think Symphony Tower and Symphony Center will be a catalyst in new, unique, urban development for Atlanta. Especially near the Midtown and areas between downtown and Midtown neighborhoods.

[micropundit]

The pre- constructon site work,ie soil testing,etc,is proceeding on the Cousins Tower proposed location. Look for construction to begin by June. The World of Coca ~Cola is scheduled to break ground in June as well.

[nakedyak]

I'm pretty excited about this, I think it will have a huge impact on Atlanta

http://www.georgiaaquarium.org/

[SkyHigh529]

^It will indeed, along with WoC (even though its corporate), the childrens museum, CNN, and the park, that area is turning in to quite the place. If only they could bring in some theaters and more restaurants and condos.

[AubieTurtle]

The aquarium area is in despirate need of balancing. Too many daytime uses are being mashed together. Theaters and restaurants would help, but only if they are located in such a way that they are easy to be to from each other. If you have to hike eight blocks past closed museums, it's going to kill the any chance of the area having life at night.

[micropundit]

^The Legacy Partners projects will provide some of these elements: 30,00 sq ft of restaurant/retail on Marietta street;16,000 sq ft of restaurant/retail and 700+ parking spaces in the building across from the Georgia Aquarium on Lucky street;and, an expansion of the Embassy Suites hotel.

[nakedyak]

why don't the just put in like 20 or 30 strip clubs? i'm sure that would spice things up...





;-)

[Its not about me]

The Atlanta Business Chronicle reported in their print edition an announcement by Walton Communities for a retail/condo development in Vinings. The development is proposing three condo buildings - one five-story and two 20 story towers. The site will also add five or six restaurants. The site is located near the Riverwood office building.

They haven't updated their online edition, yet.

[micropundit]

On February 11th,Georgia State University broke ground on their 2,000 bed development on the old downtown Boomershine Ford site at Piedmont and John Wesley Dobbs.
The project ,a series of mid-rise buildings,is scheduled for completion in 2007.

[johnatl]

micro - Just a small correction - it's the Baudry Ford site. Boomershine is over by Centennial Hill. Are there any renders out there? I've been waiting for this for a while now.

[AubieTurtle]

Well, the Boomershine building is coming down next month so they can build the Ernst & Young Atlanta HQ building. Ciara shot a music video on the roof Wednesday night. It was annoying (though maybe my building will be in the background of the video) so I'll be glad when they tear it down. No one makes music videos on top of a glass office tower filled with accountants.

[Yankee BOY]

what video was she shooting? prolly "OH" featuring ludacris

[teshadoh]

Never heard of her, but fortunately I'm pretty sure I'm not missing anything :)

[starbuc jupiter]

ditto

[UPWARDATLANTA]

I like all the projects in ATL, its becoming a very modern city, with the addition of the symphony tower.

Gee Thanks.
Would you believe that just a few months ago we still used horse and buggy, and outhouse's.

Are you for real??????

[DallasTexan]

Are you for real? Am I for real?

Is this all just one big charade?

[teshadoh]

Just a little update from my lunchtime walk - the Southern Company building is up to 7 floors, the mega fish tank looks like a bizarro Ikea (BLUE!) & they aren't doing much at the Peacthree Portal site like I thought they were earlier. Just cleaning up I suppose. Lastly I emailed the developers of the proposed Memorial / Boulevard condo building, they said it's still in 'design' phase.

Anyways, just thought I would share b/c I care a lot.

[DallasTexan]

Um, why did you go outside? Portman designed Peachtree Center so you'd never have to step out into the dangerous city ever again!

[teshadoh]

Oh that was simple, I jumped into my Portman space bubble & hopped on the moving sidewalk that circles around the complex at the 10th floor. I then dropped by the cafe for a sip of Tang & an oxygen tablet.

[Yankee BOY]

hmmm ya.

[AubieTurtle]

Never heard of her, but fortunately I'm pretty sure I'm not missing anything :)

"My Goodies, My Goodies, My Goodies
Not my goodies!"

It's on Q100 a lot...

[teshadoh]

^ Nope, sorry doesn't do anything for me - I asked my wife, since she listens to Q100 in her car.

Is it anything like the milkshake song?

Anyways - here is another development news alert: sorry, not really - just went to the beltline hearing & nothing really new to report. Except we should have a clear idea what is going to be built in one year, that is how long they will determine the proper route & transit usage. This includes the C Loop as well.

[starbuc jupiter]

i was at the presentation last night as well. It bothers me that there seems to be a need to ask everyone on the planet, including my ariedale terrier, my Aunt Helen (in ohio,she's 92), and kindergatners in Buford, ....................................what they want built.

[TexasBoi]

^ Nope, sorry doesn't do anything for me - I asked my wife, since she listens to Q100 in her car.

Is it anything like the milkshake song?

.

Dont worry. You're not missing anything lol

[teshadoh]

i was at the presentation last night as well. It bothers me that there seems to be a need to ask everyone on the planet, including my ariedale terrier, my Aunt Helen (in ohio,she's 92), and kindergatners in Buford, ....................................what they want built.

I know - people didn't seem to pick up on the idea that the plan is still under proposal & review. No one should jump on the board now that it won't be like the system in Baltimore, or it will be like it in Portland or even more bizarrely they will build an elevated track over Ponce de Leon like the El in Chicago. Also they don't know if they will build any new MARTA stations or redevelop the Hulsey rail yard.

Of course I would love specific information, but there really wasn't any need to ask questions - because there are still no answers. But I did ask a question - mine was the last, in regard to if they understand 'WHY' they are building it - for commuting, for tourist destination travel, or to develop a system to promote an urbane development pattern.

Sorry I didn't get to meet you, I did meet some folks at the progressive transit group - I might attend this Sunday at Java-ology since it's near my house.

Lastly - another slight update, there are renderings available of the new GSU dorm at Piedmont Avenue in downtown. I think it's a matter now of someone finding them online, but the rendering shows about 4 5 to 10 story buildings wrapping around the block along the street.

[james2390]

This is cute, it's like a little ATL chat.

Is there any news regarding the Tower Place 400 replacement over in Buckhead?

[Buck]

Yeah, it's been redesigned with condos and it's taller. Someone saw a rendering on TV and said it's nice and tiered.

[starbuc jupiter]

TheBrad

I have come to think "the why" question is the Pink Elephant in the room. Why now? Because this is good transit infustructre that makes seanse and it does not go to those counties that believe MARTA will bring them crime and decay. They are welcome to come ride it.

I am going to try to go to that meeting.

[SkyHigh529]

I think we should just build a MARTA rail line right through Gnett on a DOT right-of-way, and make it big and obnoxious but not put any stop off's there. Just to piss off the suburbanites.

[SkyHigh529]

^man, I wish that were possible....

[james2390]

Yeah, it's been redesigned with condos and it's taller. Someone saw a rendering on TV and said it's nice and tiered.
It sounds nice. It would be nice if it were a tower kind of like what Atlanta produced in the late 80s/early 90s, design-wise.

[Yankee BOY]

did anyone watch on travel channel last night "once & future city Atlanta" it talks about atl past and future and how ATL will become the world city of the south and how the airport is the key to ATL's success in becoming a world city.

[Buck]

I wish I'd known about that. I'll check and see if they're showing it again soon.

[Yankee BOY]

They are playing it again today and tomorrow check TRAVEL CHANNEL GUIDE on DISCOVERY.COM they are playing it again today and tomorrow, the next city they are gonna do is San francisco.

[Buck]

Just checked and it's coming on tomorrow (Sunday, the 20th) at 1 pm.

[james2390]

network: Travel Channel
series: The Once and Future City: Atlanta

episode: The Once and Future City: Atlanta
rating: g | cc


... The Once and Future City: Atlanta The Once and Future City: Atlanta. Explores how the threads of history, popular culture, architecture, and social development ...

airing: — Feb 18 2005 @ 09:00 PM
— Feb 19 2005 @ 12:00 AM
— Feb 20 2005 @ 01:00 PM

Sounds really interesting!

[micropundit]

It was an interesting program for the most part but it really didn't get into the future as much as I would have liked.

[starbuc jupiter]

It was a nice view of Atlanta. The fact that the NHL is on strike only made the three minuets of video on the thrashers a little drull.

It focused on a few things, in an almost agenda like way. I happen to like John Portman and most of his buildings. He really changed the way businesses intereact and did alot for this city. But to here the host you would think that he built every building in town.

There was no mention of the other business districts, Peidmont Park, or the enormus impact that Georgia Tech and Emory have on the city.

One thing I have to remind my self of is that this is the Travel Channel, thus it must be about things for visitors.

[Nick in Atlanta]

did anyone watch on travel channel last night "once & future city Atlanta" it talks about atl past and future and how ATL will become the world city of the south and how the airport is the key to ATL's success in becoming a world city.

My Tivo recorded it for me without me even asking it to. Usually it is so far off my interests when it makes a recording.

The show was all right. Parts were dated, but others were recently taped. It had a lot of stuff on Tara and Gone With The Wind which was tedious. Portman was on a lot. In general I find that Travel Channel shows are pretty light and often focus on strange subjects.

In the beginning the show kind of made Atlanta look pretty "redneck." Later it made it look more cosmopolitan.

[texasboy]

In the beginning the show kind of made Atlanta look pretty "redneck." Later it made it look more cosmopolitan.

lol. I think I caught some of that this morning. I didn't get to see the whole thing, but I did see the cook off at Stone Mountain, which was very redneck, and just the Olympics part.

[Buckley]

Why 'New Urbanism' Isn't for Everyone
By ROBERT JOHNSON

ALE BORDERS is shopping for a home in Orlando, Fla., and he's unabashedly enthusiastic about joining the area's suburban sprawl.

Not that the father of five hasn't been enlightened about life in so-called new urban neighborhoods, which tout pedestrian-friendly, close-knit mixes of houses, apartments, parks and stores. Many of the houses feature large front porches and have rear alleys that lead to detached garages. All this is supposed to hark back to a simpler time - and a better one.

But that holds no appeal at all for Mr. Borders, 30, a self-employed salesman of business promotional items who recently fled the winters of Boston.

"We want to spread out and do our thing," he said. "We want a big backyard and a swimming pool." New urbanism's sales pitch that residents can walk to the market or doctor's office isn't for him. "Walk everywhere with five kids? I don't think so," he added.

Although new urban communities are relatively hot sellers in some areas, new urbanism in its purest form remains essentially an idealistic model that does not appeal to the vast majority of buyers.

Building industry estimates put the share of such homes at up to 10 percent of all new homes sold annually, depending on how these communities are defined. (Some planned communities contain new urban sections interspersed with standard suburban tracts.)

This reality falls short of the predictions of some green-minded land planners that new urbanism would transform suburban sprawl into more compact, livable communities. Suburbia, where the internal-combustion engine is king and the garage its castle, is seen by many land planners as a gas-wasting, fume-choked mess where the desolation is broken only by patches of high-maintenance grass and ornamental plants.

In the view of new urbanists, a better vision was unveiled in 1981 on North Florida's Gulf Coast in then-sparsely populated Walton County, with the 80-acre community called Seaside by the developer Robert Davis and the husband-and-wife architects Andres Duany and Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk. Lauded by architectural critics, it has since evolved into a vacation spot with few full-time residents. Some real estate industry consultants say that's partly because vacationers, especially at the beach, are happy to walk a bit more than normal.

But when it comes to the mass market, and the hard facts of full-time living, most home buyers still aren't willing to part with their auto-oriented lifestyle.

Lewis Goodkin, a real estate researcher in Miami who advises developers across the Sunbelt, endorses new urbanism in theory but doubts that it will work as well in practice. "We're seeing that there's a limit to how much walking a lot of people are willing to do," he said. "Most aren't going to trudge through the rain, or even heat and humidity, to the grocery store and lug back a heavy bag."

What's more, there's little evidence that the vast majority of American drivers are ready to give up their cars, says Gopal Ahluwalia, an economist at the National Association of Home Builders in Washington, whose members include advocates of both new urban communities and car-happy subdivisions. "While new urban communities look good and have some wonderful features, they're more popular with architects and designers than they are with potential buyers," he said.

The association's research shows that less than 20 percent of consumers want to live in an urban setting. "Most are trying to get away from urban density," Mr. Ahluwalia said, "and getting away means the suburbs with big lots, plenty of room between houses and cul-de-sacs to reduce traffic."

The barriers to changing the view of the suburbs have not deterred Charles Brewer, an Internet entrepreneur who has become a developer. "I have thought of most developers as destroyers; I really don't like what they have done," said Mr. Brewer, who founded Mindspring Enterprises, an Internet service provider, and then merged it with Earthlink in a $1.7 billion stock swap. Mr. Brewer, 46, has invested $8 million in starting a 28-acre new urban community called Glenwood Park in a formerly commercial area near downtown Atlanta.

Like other critics of traditional suburban design, he dislikes dead-end streets because they "breed congestion and inhibit a sociable atmosphere," just as he dislikes garages that face streets at the end of long driveways. They just add pavement and put "all the emphasis on cars," said Mr. Brewer, who rides a bicycle on the short commute to his Atlanta office.

In his mind, the better alternative would be Glenwood Park's mix of retail space on the ground floor of four-story or five-story buildings that have apartments located above, flanked by town houses and a few nearby single-family dwellings; about 400 living units in all. The homes are selling well, he says, and the community will be fully occupied sometime in 2006. Prices range from $150,000 to $700,000. The kind of buyer outlook that these developers are counting on is epitomized by Shirley Johnson, 55, of Okeechobee, who recently retired from the bail bonds business and bought a town house in Orlando's Avalon Park, a new urban community. "It has a real neighborhood feel to it: a small bank, little delis and a farmers' market open every Saturday with fresh fruits and vegetables," said Mrs. Johnson, who is buying the home for herself and her husband, Daniel.

Moving from a semirural area where she had to drive almost everywhere, Mrs. Johnson says she's looking forward to strolling, meeting her neighbors and enjoying the convenience of not having to drive for much of her shopping and other personal business. "And it's real cute," she said of her $210,000 home and the Avalon Park environment. Still, she's keeping her options open: her town house has a two-car garage and Mrs. Johnson isn't selling her 2002 Jaguar.

The reluctance of Avalon Park residents to give up their cars underscores the limits of new urbanism. As their numbers grow and more are built away from urban cores, they're becoming suburbanized.

"The American dream house is typically located about an 8- to 10-minute drive from schools and places where we do errands, but not many people want the bank or the grocery store practically in their backyards," said Gail Rocca, an Orlando real estate agent at HomeJoy Real Estate, retained by Mr. Borders.

Sherry McMurtrie, an agent for Re/Max Properties in Orlando, said that clients shopping for homes inquire about new urban neighborhoods far more often than they actually locate in one. They often opt for typical suburbia because they want a lot big enough for a swimming pool, and for privacy. Clients relocating from the Northeast sometimes tell her, "I don't want a 'sugar house," a home where a neighbor can reach from her own window to theirs to borrow a cup of sugar.

[scguy]

And the article is right. Urban living is not for everyone. It isnt right for me, at least not right now at this point in my life, although I do love urban developments and have lived in some of the most urban places in the USA. I guess I'm an exception though because I live on 4 acres in exurban Greenville (might as well be called the sticks), and have a large greenhouse, gardens, and tons of animals. It is different for those who really dont USE the land they occupy. Some of those developments you see with acre lots and nothing but grass on them is such a waste. And why can't you have a pool in an intown, urban neighboorhood? Just because it is urban doesnt mean the homes have to be stacked on top of each other.

[Buckley]

Admittedly I live in a more suburban locale myself- 65 year-old house on 1/2 acre relatiely close to downtown. New Urbansim, as I see it a place like Glenwood, could be rather appealing. The idea that you could potentially forgoe a car in day to day living would be great. The aspect of urban living that is not appealing to me would be living in a high rise- taking an elevator up to floor 'X' everytime I come and go just isn't for me. I'd feel like I was living in a box.

That being said, I support urban development and density wholeheartedly, but personally I am more comfortable in an established tree lined neighborhood/older suburb than I am in a high rise or a warehouse turned into loft setting.

[Nick in Atlanta]

lol. I think I caught some of that this morning. I didn't get to see the whole thing, but I did see the cook off at Stone Mountain, which was very redneck, and just the Olympics part.

Yeah, that was the "redneck" part all right. Bunch of goobers cooking up some ribs below the Confederate Generals carving at Stone Mountain. When they showed that part I started cringeing!

The Olympic material was interesting. I knew there were problems with public transport during the Olympics, because I took a train that was so crowded I thought it would tip over on a couple of turns. But, I didn't realize that there were scoring problems during the Olympics. I can see how that would really tick off the International Olympic Committee, although how can you blame that on the host city. That could happen anywhere.

[starbuc jupiter]

Yeah, that was the "redneck" part all right. Bunch of goobers cooking up some ribs below the Confederate Generals carving at Stone Mountain. When they showed that part I started cringeing!

The Olympic material was interesting. I knew there were problems with public transport during the Olympics, because I took a train that was so crowded I thought it would tip over on a couple of turns. But, I didn't realize that there were scoring problems during the Olympics. I can see how that would really tick off the International Olympic Committee, although how can you blame that on the host city. That could happen anywhere.

The scoring problems that are always brought up would have happened reguardless. It was 1996 and communications technology had been making advances in leaps and bounds. IBM, ACOG, and the IOC got in over their heads in using the latest gadgets, it caught up with them.

Transit problems were exagerated, Yeah trains were crowded but we knew that was going to happen. ACOG was expecting more visitors to rent cars but because of new international drivers license regulations thousands of rental cars that had been planned for were not used. This really was not such a bad thing, they would have gotten lost anyway. The freeways were empty becasue about 30% of the locals left town.

[starbuc jupiter]

Admittedly I live in a more suburban locale myself- 65 year-old house on 1/2 acre relatiely close to downtown. New Urbansim, as I see it a place like Glenwood, could be rather appealing. The idea that you could potentially forgoe a car in day to day living would be great. The aspect of urban living that is not appealing to me would be living in a high rise- taking an elevator up to floor 'X' everytime I come and go just isn't for me. I'd feel like I was living in a box.

That being said, I support urban development and density wholeheartedly, but personally I am more comfortable in an established tree lined neighborhood/older suburb than I am in a high rise or a warehouse turned into loft setting.

Buckley, This is perfectly fine, there is no reason that you should not be able to have a home like this where you do. If you drive 50 or 60 miles each way in a Hummer just to go to work. If you don't even know where the nearest Marta train station is and if you dispose of your garbage by burning it in your neighbors driveway, then you might be a little questionable. Since your on this website I am going to bet you just like having a yard.

[Nick in Atlanta]

They didn't mention the scam that Billy Payne (Head of ACOG) pulled on the International Olympic Committee regarding the average temperature in Atlanta in August. :) :) But, during the Athens Olympics I heard the commentators saying that it was extremely hot there (and I assume humid,) too.

[Its not about me]

I noticed yesterday that they are starting to erect the tower crane for Realm.

[gwiATLeman]

There seems to be some sort of construction activity going on at an empty lot on West Pchtree near atlantic center. Anybody know whats going on there?

[Its not about me]

Here are some web pages for another condo in Buckhead - "The View at Chastain". It's located on Roswell Road, north of its intersection with Piedmont.

http://www.the-view.net/
http://www.the-view.net/progress.htm

[UPWARDATLANTA]

Atl is going crazy.

[starbuc jupiter]

There seems to be some sort of construction activity going on at an empty lot on West Pchtree near atlantic center. Anybody know whats going on there?

This is a guess.......... but it may have something to to with logisticts at the symphony site

I would hope that a surface parking lot would not be approved.

[louisianacharm]

i dont know who's building more condos, dallas or atlanta

[UPWARDATLANTA]

I would really have to say between the two- it is Atlanta at this point.

[TexasBoi]

I would really have to say between the two- it is Atlanta at this point.

I would say it's a tie right now.

[UPWARDATLANTA]

What ever you say.

[UPWARDATLANTA]

http://images.ibsys.com/atl/images/weather/auto/towercam1_640x480.jpg

[starbuc jupiter]

I was just in Dallas last week and I have to say they are both "Condo Crazy"

I will say that the quality of some of the new projects in Dallas impressed me.
The townhomes and brownstones in the area between downtown and Turtle Creek were very nice.

On a side note, the Nasher Sculpture Center (Renzo Piano, Arch.) is a must see. It was really a wonderfull collection and a faboulous building in which it is set out to be enjoyed.

[nakedyak]

There seems to be some sort of construction activity going on at an empty lot on West Pchtree near atlantic center. Anybody know whats going on there?

I was wondering that too, I'll post some pictures of it in a few days so you guys can get a good idea of what it looks like.

[UPWARDATLANTA]

http://www.gellerstedtgroup.com/devart.jpg

Gellerstedt's 55 Story in Block 3.

[starbuc jupiter]

The crane at 905 Juniper is being assembeled today. It is right outside my window so I can't miss it.

[teshadoh]

Arby's H.Q. moving to Atlanta
Company's largest franchisee, RTM Restaurant Group, is here
Mary Jane Credeur
Staff Writer

The parent company of the Arby's restaurant chain wants "something different, something better" for its headquarters.

Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based Arby's LLC intends to move its headquarters to Atlanta as part of its parent company's bid to acquire the largest Arby's franchisee in the country, Atlanta-based RTM Restaurant Group Inc....

http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/stories/2005/03/14/story1.html (you have to register dumbass)

It only is fitting that this nation's number one purveyor of fine roast beef sandwiches would choose the nation's chronologically challenged culinary capital, Atlanta - home of Popeye's & the frachise deserving Miss Anne's Snack Shop. Let us proud noble Atlantan's toast a dripping cheezy roast beef sandwich in salute of our great city!

http://markstroup.com/pittsburghsigns/archives/90.jpg

[p-snack]

the nation's chronologically challenged culinary capital, Atlanta -

that is definately wrong!
it was true 15 years ago

did I miss a joke or something?

[AubieTurtle]

How dare anyone diss the home of Hooters and Waffle House!

:)

[nakedyak]

here are some that I took the on the 11th and 12th, here's the whole thread (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=191367), but here are some that pertain to Atlanta development:

http://people.cedarville.edu/Student/s1434779/1180_Peachtree.jpg

http://people.cedarville.edu/Student/s1434779/1180_Peachtree_3.jpg

http://people.cedarville.edu/Student/s1434779/Construction_2.jpg

http://people.cedarville.edu/Student/s1434779/construction_1.jpg

http://people.cedarville.edu/Student/s1434779/new_building_2.jpg

[teshadoh]

Cool update, it's great there are so many photographers out there providing us all regular updates of city activities. Thanks :)

As for Arby's (or as someone from Boston calls it - 'Ahby's'), it is actually a good win for the metro (not neccessarily the city). Hopefully it will mean more beef & cheddar for the city :)

[micropundit]

[ the city). Hopefully it will mean more beef & cheddar for the city :)[/QUOTE]

And, as we all know, it's all about the cheddar.

[Nick in Atlanta]

@nakedyak: Using some hi-tech photo enhancing program that came with Internet Explorer, I managed after some trial and error to actually crop your picture. I hope you don't mind. I just cut off the left side of the photo so that the rainbow and the amazing golden color on the Bank of America building are emphasized. I normally don't like photo enhancement programs like PhotoShop, especially when people start messing around with colors and lighting and much more, but I think that cropping a photo isn't too bad, IMHO.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v414/Nick_in_Atlanta/BankofAmericawithrainbow3.bmp

Wow, Photobucket really made the photo small. Anyway, you get the idea of what I was talking about above.

[Nick in Atlanta]

Arby's H.Q. moving to Atlanta
Company's largest franchisee, RTM Restaurant Group, is here
Mary Jane Credeur
Staff Writer

The parent company of the Arby's restaurant chain wants "something different, something better" for its headquarters.

Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based Arby's LLC intends to move its headquarters to Atlanta as part of its parent company's bid to acquire the largest Arby's franchisee in the country, Atlanta-based RTM Restaurant Group Inc....

http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/stories/2005/03/14/story1.html (you have to register dumbass)

It only is fitting that this nation's number one purveyor of fine roast beef sandwiches would choose the nation's chronologically challenged culinary capital, Atlanta - home of Popeye's & the frachise deserving Miss Anne's Snack Shop. Let us proud noble Atlantan's toast a dripping cheezy roast beef sandwich in salute of our great city!

http://markstroup.com/pittsburghsigns/archives/90.jpg

I just hope that they bring back their old advertising jingle. "America's Roast Beef, Yes Sir!"

Actually, I have to admit that when they had their three Beef & Cheddars for $5, that I often made a detour into Arby's!

[nakedyak]

@nakedyak: Using some hi-tech photo enhancing program that came with Internet Explorer, I managed after some trial and error to actually crop your picture. I hope you don't mind. I just cut off the left side of the photo so that the rainbow and the amazing golden color on the Bank of America building are emphasized. I normally don't like photo enhancement programs like PhotoShop, especially when people start messing around with colors and lighting and much more, but I think that cropping a photo isn't too bad, IMHO.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v414/Nick_in_Atlanta/BankofAmericawithrainbow3.bmp

Wow, Photobucket really made the photo small. Anyway, you get the idea of what I was talking about above.

i didn't take that picture, but i'm sure whoever did will be very appreciative of your cropping job

[Nick in Atlanta]

I will crop 'til I drop!

[scottnielsen]

that's fine with me, i took the picture. thanks scott

[micropundit]

entry deleted

[micropundit]

Monday, March 28, 2005
Downtown to get new "restaurant row" and retail near Aquarium
The developer is currently talking with restaurateurs about creating a "restaurant row" with five to seven eateries in Marietta Place fronting Marietta Street, said project manager Zach Schaumburg. The majority of the restaurants will be locally owned operations to give visitors a "taste of Atlanta," he said. "The restaurant row concept came out of basically trying to address the demand for restaurants, both for the downtown daytime employee base, the growing number of residents and then just the greatly anticipated number of tourists that are headed our direction once the aquarium and World of Coke are opened," Schaumburg said......The company also plans to add six levels to an existing three-story parking deck, which was used by Nike during the Olympics, on the corner of Marietta, Thurmond and Luckie streets.
The expansion, which Schaumburg said should be complete by next summer, will add 500 parking spaces, 108 hotel suites and 22,000 square feet of retail, both Atlanta boutiques and national chains. Legacy also plans to add ground floor retail in Centennial Park West condos. Atlanta Business Chronicle

[micropundit]

Glenwood Park has landed its first retail tenants.


The mixed-use development two miles east of downtown Atlanta has signed a Latin restaurant and a coffeehouse to leases. The restaurant, Babalu, and coffeehouse, Perk, will open June 1 in buildings overlooking Glenwood Park's Brasfield Square, the community's town center.

Perk will be run by the people who operate Joe's East Atlanta Coffee Shop, while Babalu is owned by Atlanta restaurateur Hilton Joseph.

Glenwood Park is a 28-acre mixed-use project off Interstate 20 at Glenwood Avenue and Bill Kennedy Way. Construction began on the first single-family homes, townhouses and retail at Glenwood Park in 2004. When completed, Glenwood Park will have 325 to 360 residences, 20,000 square feet of office condominiums and 50,000 square feet of retail, as well as parks and green spaces. Green Street Properties is the primary developer.

[Nick in Atlanta]

There seems to be some sort of construction activity going on at an empty lot on West Pchtree near atlantic center. Anybody know whats going on there?

Do you mean Atlantic Station? If not, wasn't there a building that was called "Atlantic Center" for a while? If you're referring to that, maybe you're talking about the construction that's going on at the Plaza Midtown area, which is on West Peachtree Street? I'm kinda reaching here!

gwiATLeman: Can you get a cross street for this construction activity on West Peachtree?

[gwiATLeman]

Do you mean Atlantic Station? If not, wasn't there a building that was called "Atlantic Center" for a while? If you're referring to that, maybe you're talking about the construction that's going on at the Plaza Midtown area, which is on West Peachtree Street? I'm kinda reaching here!

gwiATLeman: Can you get a cross street for this construction activity on West Peachtree?

Nevermind. :ohno: They're done with construction and its a brand spanking new parking lot. Atlantic center,which always has been its official name, is what was known as the IBM building.

[gwiATLeman]

Monday, March 28, 2005
Downtown to get new "restaurant row" and retail near Aquarium
The developer is currently talking with restaurateurs about creating a "restaurant row" with five to seven eateries in Marietta Place fronting

Marietta place restaraunts
http://www.legacyproperty.com/images/marietta.place/2.gif

Park Pavillion (parking deck)
http://www.legacyproperty.com/images/park.pavillion/1.jpg

Map of area w/ other proposals
http://www.legacyproperty.com/images/legacy.at.cop/2.gif

[starbuc jupiter]

Nevermind. :ohno: They're done with construction and its a brand spanking new parking lot. Atlantic center,which always has been its official name, is what was known as the IBM building.


this is very disapointing.
I was under the impression that there would be no new surface parking in midtown.

Nick, the cross street is 15th. Basically it is accross the street from Art Center MARTA Station.

[micropundit]

ATLANTIC STATION® Redevelopment Announces Latest Retail/Entertainment Leases


ATLANTA—March 29, 2005—The ATLANTIC STATION® redevelopment, a 138-acre mixed-use community in Midtown Atlanta, announces its latest retail and restaurant leases. Recently signed are:

Ritz Camera

The 2,103-square-foot store will occupy a single level at the corner of Atlantic Drive and West Promenade, across from Publix in the heart of ATLANTIC STATION’s® shopping and business district. Ritz Camera is the leader in the photo-retailing industry and has been a family-run business since the early 1900s.

Strip Steaks & Sushi

The 6,500-square-foot free-standing store will be located in front of the Regal Cinema Theater building on 19th Street, on the north end of the park across from Rosa Mexicano. The restaurant is the seventh designed by Tom Catherall in Atlanta, following in the footsteps of local hot spots Twist, Prime, Noche, Goldfish, Shout and Peri-Peri.

The GAP

The 6,940-square-foot store will occupy a single level at the corner of 18th Street and Atlantic Drive on the opposite end of the same building as the previously announced Banana Republic. GAP is a leading international specialty retailer offering clothing, accessories and personal care products. GAP, Inc. reported a nine percent increase in sales over past years and has 1,376 locations in the United States.

These tenants join a growing list of retailers, restaurants and entertainment venues coming to the community. Retail construction is underway at this thriving new community that is already home to more than 100 residents and approximately 300 SouthTrust Bank Corporation employees.

[starbuc jupiter]

Signing The Gap should casue a wave of retailers to follow. By having both a Banana Republic and a Gap the company is showing it plans to make a statement.

[Nick in Atlanta]

The above info is an update of the previous thread:

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=186497

[teshadoh]

So.... was that snow this morning?

Ok - that was off topic, here is something that is on topic....... I know someone that will be opening up a new restaraunt on Memorial DR near Boulevard. And..... Lowes is open at Edgewood - speaking of which, I did my nerdly duty by emailing Lowes to inform them that their location on Moreland isn't 'Midtown' as they call the store. In fact it's no where near Midtown & is closer to Downtown.

[AubieTurtle]

Get use to the silliness of calling everything Midtown. For over a century the dividing line between Midtown and Downtown has been North Avenue. But because Midtown is a hot name right now, lots of businesses South of North are calling themselves Midtown. To the suburbanites who think Lenox Mall is downtown and the Fox is in Buckhead, it makes no difference. They only know that the Midtown brand is hot and retailers are picking up on there.

I heard an ad on the radio this week for a Buckhead club advertising "Midtown has come to Buckhead". If that doesn't say Buckhead is no longer to top dog and Midtown is, I don't know what does.

Expect more Midtown expansion silliness. When I first moved to Atlanta and was looking for an apartment, I actually saw one south of I-20 that claimed it was in Buckhead, because at the time Buckhead was the hot name.

So for Edgewood to be called Midtown, well, it's just part of the stupid branding name game that believes if you call a turd a rose, everyone will sniff it and think it smells sweet. The really annoying thing is that these areas that are being called Midtown have their own identities and positives that are being lost in the whole generic branding of everything with the current hot name.

[teshadoh]

And what is ironic is - I used to work at Atlanta Gas & Light when it was located where the Edgewood shopping center is. Some people called it 'Downtown' then.

So years later my old work place has been torn down & replaced by a shoppping center that is considered 'Midtown'.

[Nick in Atlanta]

When I worked south of Hartsfield-Jackson and commuted from my apartment just north of the Perimeter, people used to joke that I lived on the rich north side of town. They say everything north of I-20 as being wealthy. Both inside the Perimeter and outside. Gwinnett, Fulton, and Cobb were all the same.

[SkyHigh529]

To the suburbanites who think Lenox Mall is downtown and the Fox is in Buckhead, it makes no difference. They only know that the Midtown brand is hot and retailers are picking up on there.
The other day I was driving to Buckhead with some of my friends from the burbs, and when we exited off I-85 to Lenox Rd my friends girlfriend said qoute hunny, we're finally getting to spend a fun Friday night downtown together unqoute... I about had a heart attack as I tried to explain to the moron that Lenox Rd was as far from downtown as Alpharetta is from the projects... she still didn't understand. :bash:

[james2390]

Crappy photos I took yesterday at the airport.:)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v357/Dumbricepatty/DSCI0001.jpg

[scottnielsen]

have you guys seen any artisit drawings of the world of coke yet? thanks

[Nick in Atlanta]

have you guys seen any artisit drawings of the world of coke yet? thanks

Actually, today's AJC Horizon section has a very small rendering of the New World of Coke building. But, I think I've seen other renderings of it, but I can't remember where.

[Nick in Atlanta]

Crappy photos I took yesterday at the airport.:)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v357/Dumbricepatty/DSCI0001.jpg

That's an American MD-80 (or very similar type) or a Fokker 100, parked in front of the Fuel Farm.

[louisianacharm]

Actually, today's AJC Horizon section has a very small rendering of the New World of Coke building. But, I think I've seen other renderings of it, but I can't remember where.


http://img.coxnewsweb.com/B/03/32/33/image_733323.jpg

[scottnielsen]

thanks for the pics

[Nick in Atlanta]

http://img.coxnewsweb.com/B/03/32/33/image_733323.jpg

I would think that this has got to be an interim design, just because it is so small in the rendering and you can't really make out any of its features. I would expect that Coke hasn't released a realistic rendering of the New Coke Museum. That's just my opinion though. :)

[SkyHigh529]

Well, it already looks better than the old one.

[SkyHigh529]

Crappy photos I took yesterday at the airport.:)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v357/Dumbricepatty/DSCI0001.jpg
Welcome back to the Atl, James! :)

[AubieTurtle]

I think that rendering is old. Last I heard the giant coke bottle was out of the design. Also it appears that the size has been reduced a couple of times.

They're breaking ground soon so a final design should be released.

[jason21atl]

I hope that it looks different than that one.........what a sore thumb that would be immediately across from the Aquarium (which I think in absolutely fantastic).

[james2390]

Welcome back to the Atl, James! :)
Thanks, I love it here. :drool:

[Nick in Atlanta]

I think that rendering is old. Last I heard the giant coke bottle was out of the design. Also it appears that the size has been reduced a couple of times.

They're breaking ground soon so a final design should be released.

What do you think Coke will do with the old Coke Museum and the area around it, although I don't know if they own it or not?

[jason21atl]

What do you think Coke will do with the old Coke Museum and the area around it, although I don't know if they own it or not?

I had heard some rumbling about that space being used for the potential NASCAR museum that Atlanta was bidding for. Not sure how close to the truth that is or what would happen if Atlanta lost the bid.

[SkyHigh529]

What do you think Coke will do with the old Coke Museum and the area around it, although I don't know if they own it or not?
I can tell you what I'd wish they'd do, which is build a nice signature tower.

[nakedyak]

I can tell you what I'd wish they'd do, which is build a nice signature tower.

maybe 800 or 900 ft tall too

[james2390]

Build a tower like the old Tower Place 400 design there.:D

[gwiATLeman]

I had heard some rumbling about that space being used for the potential NASCAR museum that Atlanta was bidding for. Not sure how close to the truth that is or what would happen if Atlanta lost the bid.

The story was in the AJC not long ago and they have several potential locations for the Nascar museum. That may have been one of them but most of them, I think all but one, were around Centennial Park. I think theyre still in the process of deciding on the best site that will be a part of the final proposal.

[SkyHigh529]

maybe 800 or 900 ft tall too
I was thinking more around 15,000 to 20,000 ft, so that away we'd have the worlds tallest building and no oil barron in Dubai would ever top it! :)

[SkyHigh529]

Thanks, I love it here. :drool:
lol. I thought you really did like it here, whats up with the barfing face?

Edit: james, don't respond to my dumbness.

[texasboy]

whats up with the barfing face?

it's drool

[SkyHigh529]

oh, edit..... i'm an idiot! lol

[james2390]

LOL, smart one.

[SkyHigh529]

^It still looks like barf to me!

[james2390]

Blue barf is a rarity, lol.

[(four0four)]

Blue barf is a rarity, lol.

Have you never been to New Orleans? :)

[james2390]

Eww, well it's not a rarity in New Orleans then, I guess.:D

[james2390]

I thought this was interesting.
http://www.jonathanhollada.com/places/11.jpg

[Atlman1]

Awesome picture james2390! Atlanta lights up so well!

[james2390]

Agreed. That looks like the old C&S on the left of the pic, but I don't think it's the correct location. Does anyone else know what that tower is?

[(four0four)]

^The picture was taken from the newer addition to the Georgian Terrace-I've got an interesting picture of the inside of that glass cylinder, I'll try to post it tomorrow. The Ponce is the building in the lower left corner.

[james2390]

^Cool, thanks. I was getting confused because it didn't look like it was in the right spot.:D

[(four0four)]

The Georgian Terrace sat boarded up for years before a local developer found a partner to renovate the original building and construct the addition. I can't remember his name but, he also renovated Baltimore Row near Crawford Long and The Brookwood Exchange near (cleverly enough) Brookwood.
From the roof of The Ponce
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v491/MarkPMA/GAterrace7.jpg
A view of the marble, double elliptical staitcase in the original building
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v491/MarkPMA/GAterrace6.jpg
Looking down from the top
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v491/MarkPMA/GAterrace5.jpg

[james2390]

Wow, that looks awesome!

[starbuc jupiter]

[QUOTE=(four0four)]The Georgian Terrace sat boarded up for years before a local developer found a partner to renovate the original building and construct the addition. I can't remember his name but, he also renovated Baltimore Row near Crawford Long and The Brookwood Exchange near (cleverly enough) Brookwood.

Question? I know where the Row is but where is the Brookwoood Exchange?

[(four0four)]

If you're heading north on Peachtree, its the second building on the left after Deering Road (Amtrak Station). Broodwood Exchange is light colored brick with a green tiled roof. It's interesting inside...it was a U-shaped building that was turned into a 4-sided courtyard with glass skylight - worth a look if you're in the neighborhood.

[starbuc jupiter]

Cool building I have been inside on a few occasions.

[micropundit]

300M Office-Hotel-Retail Project Gets Environmental Green Light
By Alex Finkelstein
Last updated: April 22, 2005 11:22am




ATLANTA-Barry Real Estate Co. plans to break ground April 26 on 55 Allen Plaza, the second 346,000-sf office phase of its planned $300-million, 1.8-acre Downtown office, retail, condominium and hotel complex. The 260,000-sf 30 Allen Plaza building was topped out this week. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources has conditionally approved the entire Allen Plaza project.


The state agency says the developer can go ahead with the three-building venture providing the firm first cleans up chemically hazardous portions at the site, four blocks from Centennial Olympic Park. Barry will also need to haul off tainted soil where a planned four-level underground parking structure will eventually be built, the agency says.


"We're thrilled to break ground on our second building at Allen Plaza so quickly after topping out the first tower," says Hal Barry, chairman, Barry Real Estate Cos. "This groundbreaking is a celebration of the bright future of Downtown Atlanta and the vision and momentum behind Allen Plaza.


"Our development represents a vibrant and tangible sign of progress for Downtown Atlanta."


Allen Plaza is being developed at the north end of the central business district where a Heineken billboard currently overlooks the Downtown Connector road. Allen Plaza is named for the late Atlanta Mayor Ivan Allen Jr. who guided the city through the civil rights period in the 1960s.


Southern Co.'s new headquarters will be a 14-story, 260,000-sf building Barry is building at 30 Allen Plaza. Southern has signed a 12-year, 130,000-sf lease at an estimated aggregate rent of $31.2 million, Downtown office brokers familiar with the project tell GlobeSt.com. Southern will be relocating from Richard Bowers & Co.'s 270 Peachtree St. Building where the utility company has been the anchor tenant since 1995, occupying 162,500 sf.


Barry has also signed Ernst & Young to an estimated 15-year, 135,000-sf lease at what will be the 55 Allen Plaza building. Ernst & Young will be moving from the Bank of America Tower in May 2007, as GlobeSt.com previously reported.


At a total 1.2 million sf, Allen Plaza will be metro's second largest office site next to the 55-story, 1.3-million-sf, 1,023-foot tall Bank of America Tower. Financing for the planned 250-room hotel at 45 Allen Plaza is in the preliminary stage. The total amount of retail to be developed is also being determined. At least 100 condominium units are also planned.

[SkyHigh529]

^Cool. Got any renderings?

[Its not about me]

The Atlanta Business Chronicle has an article in their print edition this week on a new 24-story retirement center condo in Buckhead. This is an expansion of Lenbrook, and is proposed for the 3700 block of Peachtree Road. This is on the northern fringes of Buckhead, near the Dekalb County line.

[Nick in Atlanta]

^Regarding Micropundit's post^

The Ernst & Young building will be breaking ground on Wednesday, April 27. As far as renderings go, I would assume it's going to look like the rendering that was on the front page of the AJC a few months ago, that showed all Barry's projects in Centennial Hill. I think I have a pic, which I'll try to post later.

[Nick in Atlanta]

The building that's supposed to break ground this Wednesday is the 14 story building on the right side of this rendering. It has some lit up lettering on the top or roof of the building that says "Ernst & Young," which will be its primary tenant.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v414/Nick_in_Atlanta/Downtown-50AllenPlaza-34flrs-ErnstYoungBldg-Hotel.jpg

[jason21atl]

^Cool. Got any renderings?

Here's a link to a website that has a few pictures of 55 Allen :

http://skyscraperpage.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=49618&papass=&sort=1

[nakedyak]

booo, i want the tall one to be built now!

[jason21atl]

booo, i want the tall one to be built now!

They may just be a little over-optimistic, but I have heard Barry say a couple times that they have several potential candidates lined up to anchor the larger tower and that it could come sooner rather than later. They may just be blowing smoke though.......

[james2390]

Wow, the metro's second largest office development? I wonder how that's going to go.

[Nick in Atlanta]

I didn't realize that Barry developed the new Southern Power HQs. I knew about his 55 Allen project, but apparently that also includes the Southern Power building, too.

Does anyone have the surrounding streets for the E & Y building? Is it going to be Alexander (Allen Blvd) on the south end, Williams on the west side, Mills Street (or where Mills Street should run) on the north side, and Spring Street on the east side? The reason I'm asking is because I assumed that that city block was going to be shared with Barry's hotel project, which I assumed would take up the eastern half of the above described block.

[gwiATLeman]

They may just be a little over-optimistic, but I have heard Barry say a couple times that they have several potential candidates lined up to anchor the larger tower and that it could come sooner rather than later. They may just be blowing smoke though.......

I know. The last story I read about it gave me the impression that it was almost a certainty to start next year.

[Nick in Atlanta]

Right now it seems that new commercial office buildings are just getting tenants from other areas of metro Atlanta. There's not much organic growth or large companies moving into town with needs for 500,000 square feet of commercial office space.

[jason21atl]

I know. The last story I read about it gave me the impression that it was almost a certainty to start next year.

I'm gonna keep my fingers crossed, this is a really fantastic development. Can you imagine driving down the connector and seeing this huge three tower project, right next to the new TWELVE Centennial Hill towers, and Gellerstedt Block 3 all right there together? That will really be amazing.

I must admit though, as much as I like this Barry development, I really liked the tower Hines had proposed when they had plans to develop the property a couple years ago. It was that huge "hunchback" tower.

Anyway, I hope this project gets built instead of some blah crap in Buckhead.

[Its not about me]

Here is an announcement for a new development, that includes almost 900 housing units, just west of the Georgia Tech campus at the corner of Ashby and Jefferson:

Atlanta Business Chronicle - 1:31 PM EDT Wednesday
MetroNexus plans residences in Atlanta
A New York developer has asked for a rezoning to build a mix of apartments, townhouses and homes near a Sprint data center in Atlanta.

MetroNexus/Core Southeast LLC plans to build 594 multifamily units, 135 townhouses, 150 flats over retail space and 10 single-family residences. The existing 206,500-square-foot Sprint data center will remain and 40,400 square feet of retail space will be introduced.

The project, "1033 Jefferson Street," is near the intersection of Ashby Street and Jefferson Streets.

Pending review by the state as a development of regional impact, the project would be finished by the end of 2008.

[gwiATLeman]

I must admit though, as much as I like this Barry development, I really liked the tower Hines had proposed when they had plans to develop the property a couple years ago. It was that huge "hunchback" tower.

Anyway, I hope this project gets built instead of some blah crap in Buckhead.


The funny thing about that is that the same architecture firm designed both buildings (Hines and Barry) as well as the symphony tower.

[starbuc jupiter]

Frankly those concepts for Centenial Hill a few years ago were very unimaginative. They may have hurt Hines in the marketing process at the time. Depending on what is availiable at any given time blandness can be a very important factor.

[micropundit]

Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola Expected to Boost Economy


April 27, 2005

The Georgia Aquarium and the new World of Coca-Cola will boost the state's economy by nearly $200 million a year, a study released this week predicts.

The study, conducted by Georgia State University professor Bruce Seaman, also estimates that the two attractions will pump an additional $255 million into state and local tax coffers over 15 years, and create as many as 3,300 jobs throughout Georgia.

Speaking with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, both Home Depot co-founder Bernie Marcus and Coke CEO Neville Isdell, expressed optimism about the economic impact the attractions would have on Atlanta. "This is going to fundamentally change Atlanta," Isdell said. "You have to go see this aquarium to believe it."

Along with the annual economic impact of $199 million his study predicts, Seaman also expects the attractions to generate $255 million in state and local taxes between 2007 and 2022.

Much of the impact will come via new jobs. The Georgia Aquarium will create 248 full-time jobs, and the new World of Coke will employ about 90 people (28 more than currently work at the existing attraction).

But other jobs will pop up, many of them "linked to the operational requirements of the venues," according to Seaman.

- "Aquarium, Coke site strong team,"
Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 4/27/05

Marcus told the newspaper that he envisions the impact of the Georgia Aquarium as similar to what happened when the National Aquarium helped transformed Baltimore, Maryland. Ove the past 25 years, Baltimore's downtown has been transformed and so, he hopes, will Downtown Atlanta.

[(four0four)]

The first Coke Museum, renovation of Underground (again)(and then again), Centennial Park, GA State, the GA Dome & Philips Arena...they all have been touted by the AJC as the spark that was going to start the long-awaited resurgence in downtown. Hopefully the big blue bathtub will do the trick.

[gwiATLeman]

The first Coke Museum, renovation of Underground (again)(and then again), Centennial Park, GA State, the GA Dome & Philips Arena...they all have been touted by the AJC as the spark that was going to start the long-awaited resurgence in downtown. Hopefully the big blue bathtub will do the trick.

Well, I don't know if you've noticed but theres been quite a few developments around Centennial park and of course more are on the way. IMO the park has been the best single thing to happen downtown but changes like this don't happen overnight.

A fish tank alone won't change downtown. But the aquarium + the park, + the Coke thing, + streetscape improvements, + better city leadership are making it a reality.

[AubieTurtle]

Resurgence doesn't happen all at once. Look at downtown now versus the 70s through the mid 90s. What would downtown be if all of those projects hadn't occurred? I doubt it would be anything like it is now.

Building an area into a nice place to be is a long and continual process. Every little bit helps.

Imagine if the Georgia Dome and Philips Arena had been built in the suburbs like they are in many other cities. What if Centennial Olympic Park was still the collection of crappy print shops and empty 1960s era construction? What if there weren't thousands of GSU students all over downtown, supporting retail and places to eat?

Every little bit helps. The aquarium alone won't turn downtown into a happening fun nice place to live, but it is a step in the right direction. Allen Plaza, WoC, new condos and retail, etc. will all contribute their part, as have the projects of the past.

(though I still think they should just bring in a bunch of trucks and fill in underground with dirt or cement and get it over with)

[starbuc jupiter]

Imagine if the Georgia Dome and Philips Arena had been built in the suburbs like they are in many other cities. What if Centennial Olympic Park was still the collection of crappy print shops and empty 1960s era construction? What if there weren't thousands of GSU students all over downtown, supporting retail and places to eat?



Very well said I was in Dallas recently, after years of putting event venues in the suburbs guess where they are building new ones because the ones in the subuarbs are so hard to get to. Downtown Dallas and Downtown Fort Worth

[(four0four)]

Resurgence doesn't happen all at once.
Well, I don't know if you've noticed but theres been quite a few developments around Centennial park and of course more are on the way
I feel like my post may have been misunderstood. For decades, each new announcements was heralded as the savior of downtown and until recently, there was a LONG time between downtown projects...more than enough for the effect of these projects to have had a larger impact. Granted, with each one, the city becomes more viable and builds on the success of the prior ones but, at a much slower rate than the announcements would lead you to believe. Obviously, a developer is going to make the most of his press release, so I'm realistic about its effect.
Does anyone honestly feel that downtown is significantly different than it was 15 years ago (with the exception of Centennial Park)? There are a few more buildings but, the general feel is the same...a convention town that rolls up after dark. I've lived downtown twice and there is very little in place to support residential life. Although the Olympics added a respectable number of residences, it's still a problem of which comes first- the people or the support. Some of the new proposals address that but, until downtown becomes more resident friendly, they can add all the new buildings/museums/tourist attractions they want but, it will still be a cold, empty convention town after dark.

[gwiATLeman]

I feel like my post may have been misunderstood. For decades, each new announcements was heralded as the savior of downtown and until recently, there was a LONG time between downtown projects...more than enough for the effect of these projects to have had a larger impact. Granted, with each one, the city becomes more viable and builds on the success of the prior ones but, at a much slower rate than the announcements would lead you to believe. Obviously, a developer is going to make the most of his press release, so I'm realistic about its effect.
Does anyone honestly feel that downtown is significantly different than it was 15 years ago (with the exception of Centennial Park)? There are a few more buildings but, the general feel is the same...a convention town that rolls up after dark. I've lived downtown twice and there is very little in place to support residential life. Although the Olympics added a respectable number of residences, it's still a problem of which comes first- the people or the support. Some of the new proposals address that but, until downtown becomes more resident friendly, they can add all the new buildings/museums/tourist attractions they want but, it will still be a cold, empty convention town after dark.

Actually I think we understood your post quite well. Yeah it was long time between projects and thats why we told you that the change happening downtown won't happen overnight.

You add qualifiers "until recently" and "except Centennial Park". Well until recently there was not enough to induce the kind of change wanted downtown and Centennial park is certainly a part of that.

There are proposals for 3000+ housing units and 300k sf of retail space downtown...that wouldn't have been imaginable 15 years ago. Actually I have no idea what downtown was like 15 years ago because I wasn't here but things are changing definately for the better.

Clearly the people come first because retail developers and businesses have been slow to serve the intown markets even in Midtown but thankfully thats changing.

Everyone is aware of the problems you list with downtown. If those problems didn't exist then it wouldnt need to be revitalized in the first place. The expectation is that the buildings, attractions,etc that are added downtown will in fact improve the livability. I mean thats kinda the whole point of this revitalization thing.

The odd thing is that now that things are finally starting to happen more rapidly you want to dismiss them.

[starbuc jupiter]

Does anyone honestly feel that downtown is significantly different than it was 15 years ago (with the exception of Centennial Park)? There are a few more buildings but, the general feel is the same...a convention town that rolls up after dark.


YES............very different!

Fifteen years ago major change was happening. The neighborhoods that now suround downtown (Midtown, Edgewood, Inman Park, Virginia-Highlands, Grant Park, etc.) were just in the beginning of their rebirth. Highrises were being built in Midtown and the eastside areas around what is now Freedom Park had just put a stop to an interstate freewway. Georgia Tech started to become a resident campus and a few years later Georgia State would follow.

They did not have have stores in these areas, not even good grocery stores. The thought of Atlantic Station or Allen Plaza was inconceviable.

So is it Different? ............Take a look around and I think you will find your answer.

[Buckley]

I guess the question becomes "what defines downtown?" Even if you have a very narrow idea there is a moderate amountof change in the past 15 years. If you include surrounding neighborhoods mentioned above, I'd say ATL has changed tremendously. Speaking as someone who spent a lot of time there in the early 90's and not again until the past year, intoen ATL has changed tremendously.

[starbuc jupiter]

You just captured My point, those areas are not Downtown they are fast growing to it and She is stantding thre waiting wit open arms

[(four0four)]

I know it's probably pointless to try again to explain my posts but, here goes..

Fifteen years ago major change was happening. The neighborhoods that now suround downtown (Midtown, Edgewood, Inman Park, Virginia-Highlands, Grant Park, etc.) were just in the beginning of their rebirth. Highrises were being built in Midtown and the eastside areas around what is now Freedom Park had just put a stop to an interstate freewway. Georgia Tech started to become a resident campus and a few years later Georgia State would follow.
Your entire post is baseless since not one of those areas are downtown. While all those neighborhoods are almost unrecognizable, downtown has witnessed only a fraction of the change. I'm not knocking downtown. I would LOVE to see it outshine any other area of the city, I just don't see it happening despite all the (as the AJC calls them) sparks that will change downtown as we know it. There have been some grand announcements in the last year or so but until that time not much has occured.

She is stantding thre waiting wit open arms
If she's THAT easy, why hasn't there been the volume of residential go in that the other neighborhoods have experienced? :)

I wouldn't expect change to happen overnight but, downtown has progressed VERY slowly compared to every other surrounding intown neighborhood despite its amenities and access.

I welcome with open arms all the fantastic proposals...it's about time! (and yes, I'm THAT easy).

[Moody]

Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola Expected to Boost Economy


April 27, 2005

The Georgia Aquarium and the new World of Coca-Cola will boost the state's economy by nearly $200 million a year, a study released this week predicts.

The study, conducted by Georgia State University professor Bruce Seaman, also estimates that the two attractions will pump an additional $255 million into state and local tax coffers over 15 years, and create as many as 3,300 jobs throughout Georgia.

Speaking with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, both Home Depot co-founder Bernie Marcus and Coke CEO Neville Isdell, expressed optimism about the economic impact the attractions would have on Atlanta. "This is going to fundamentally change Atlanta," Isdell said. "You have to go see this aquarium to believe it."

Along with the annual economic impact of $199 million his study predicts, Seaman also expects the attractions to generate $255 million in state and local taxes between 2007 and 2022.

Much of the impact will come via new jobs. The Georgia Aquarium will create 248 full-time jobs, and the new World of Coke will employ about 90 people (28 more than currently work at the existing attraction).

But other jobs will pop up, many of them "linked to the operational requirements of the venues," according to Seaman.

- "Aquarium, Coke site strong team,"
Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 4/27/05

Marcus told the newspaper that he envisions the impact of the Georgia Aquarium as similar to what happened when the National Aquarium helped transformed Baltimore, Maryland. Ove the past 25 years, Baltimore's downtown has been transformed and so, he hopes, will Downtown Atlanta.
Guys, any renderings of this project, sounds very interesting?

[Moody]

I saw they Orchestra building and its awesome..
.
.
.

[(four0four)]

Guys, any renderings of this project, sounds very interesting?
I'm not sure they've completely decided on a design for the Coke Museum but, these aquarium shots were taken a few weeks ago.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v491/MarkPMA/aquarium3.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v491/MarkPMA/aquarium.jpg

[Moody]

Thanks alot for the pic

[Nick in Atlanta]

The area around downtown, especially adjacent to Centennial Park has really shown a lot of progress in the last five years and should continue to get better and better over the next five years, at least.

However, Downtown along Peachtree Street from the SunTrust building on the northern end to Mitchell Street on the southern end has been declining at an ever increasing pace for more than ten years. This is the business heart of Downtown Atlanta. It also used to be somewhat of an entertainment heart at the corner of Peachtree and International, but that is not really very interesting for visitors anymore, as only one "entertainment" type restaurant is still there--Hard Rock Cafe. Macys/Richs has shut down its Peachtree Street store. Buildings are losing tenants and the once considered 20-30 story commercial office building next to Georgia-Pacific's headquarters has dropped off the table.

There are some growing areas just barely off Peachtree Street in downtown, like the restaurants on Broad Street, the Fairlie-Poplar district and some older hotels have been refurbished. But, Peachtree Street in downtown needs a lot of attention paid to it or the core of downtown will get worse and worse. I support the streetcar concept and I think it's a step in the right direction, especially in downtown, but it is not going to turn around downtown's core by itself.

Maybe, Peachtree Street (in downtown) should become a pedestrian mall, much like Minneapolis's Nicollet Mall, and medium to upscale stores could be given incentives for opening stores along the outside mall.

[Francis Burdett]

Here is an announcement for a new development, that includes almost 900 housing units, just west of the Georgia Tech campus at the corner of Ashby and Jefferson:

Atlanta Business Chronicle - 1:31 PM EDT Wednesday
MetroNexus plans residences in Atlanta
A New York developer has asked for a rezoning to build a mix of apartments, townhouses and homes near a Sprint data center in Atlanta.

MetroNexus/Core Southeast LLC plans to build 594 multifamily units, 135 townhouses, 150 flats over retail space and 10 single-family residences. The existing 206,500-square-foot Sprint data center will remain and 40,400 square feet of retail space will be introduced.

The project, "1033 Jefferson Street," is near the intersection of Ashby Street and Jefferson Streets.

Pending review by the state as a development of regional impact, the project would be finished by the end of 2008.
I was a bit confused as to the location of the Ashby/Jefferson Street development. That is because Ashby Street no longer exists: it is renamed Joseph E Lowery Blvd.

If one were to google.map the location:

http://maps.google.com

and use Octane Coffee and Atlanta as the search variables

this will give you the rough location.


Pan in and the location is to the southwest of Octane.

Switch to the satellite view and you can see the present (of at least 2003/4) state of the site.

[Nick in Atlanta]

^^Here's a direct link: http://maps.google.com/maps?q=%22octane+coffee%22+atlanta&ll=33.778442,-84.410603&spn=0.007401,0.014020&hl=en Man I love Google's stuff!! Octane Coffee is A, by the way.^^

[Francis Burdett]

I for one did not know that the wooded area, bounded on the north by W Marietta Street NW and on its east by the railroad tracks, even existed. I wonder if CSX owns that acreage?

[micropundit]

http://img.coxnewsweb.com/B/00/71/27/image_1527710.jpg

Cousins Properties of Atlanta had the ribbon cutting ceremony for it's 500,000 sq ft ,31 story headquarters tower located on the corner of Peachtree road and Piedmont avenue yesterday.Treminus is the first building in a proposed mixed use development that will include another equal sized office tower ,50,000 + sq ft of retail and 2 residential towers.

[james2390]

Damn, I love it! :)

The slanted top starts a little bit low on the tower, but I still love it. It's a great addition to Buckhead.

[Nick in Atlanta]

Great to hear that ground was broken on "Terminus" yesterday, Monday May 9, 2005. The final rendering even looks like the one that Cousins released about six months ago, which I thought would be majorly altered. Here's a pic of it and it seems the same to me.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v414/Nick_in_Atlanta/Buckhead-Cousins31storycommercialofficeatPeachtreeandPiedmont1.jpg

[starbuc jupiter]

I feel alot better about this tower with the most recent rendering. The building does not "wow" me but it is a nice looking tower. My hope for that corner would be a smaller footprint and some additional height to make up the difference in square footage. This would allow for a few more trees and open ground space at street level. It is just an observation but the base of the building feels heavy. IMO

[The Mad Hatter!!]

terminus really reminds me of wachovia tower in miami,look at avatar

[micropundit]

[IMG][IMG]http://www.pbase.com/phillytrax/image/39784399.jpg

[The Mad Hatter!!]

[IMG][http://www.pbase.com/phillytrax/image/39784399.jpg[IMG]

from micropundit

[Nick in Atlanta]

By the way, nobody has mentioned that Terminus will be occupied primarily by its developer-Cousins Properties-which is moving its headquarters from suburban Cobb county to Buckhead.

[nakedyak]

so 191 is basically empty? or will be?

[Nick in Atlanta]

^Sometime in 2006, its largest tenant will be moving to the Symphony Tower, where it will become the largest tenant, and another tenant will also be leaving 191, making it 75% vacant, unless Hines, which manages it and may own the building, has a tenant that they've been hiding from everyone. I can't see any reason that they would do thiis though.

[joshgekko]

I dont know if anyone noticed, but I was riding around piemont park today and realized that they were starting to top off symphony tower. I must say, Im impressed. Granted its just the frame for the top but it looks nice.

[(four0four)]

Updated pics of the GA Aquarium:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v185/four0four/aquarium5.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v185/four0four/aquarium6.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v185/four0four/aquarium7.jpg

I dont know if anyone noticed, but I was riding around piemont park today and realized that they were starting to top off symphony tower.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v491/MarkPMA/symphonytower83.jpg
These were taken the weekend of May 8th but, they're moving fast and some of the glass on the fins has already been installed.

[nakedyak]

I dont know if anyone noticed, but I was riding around piemont park today and realized that they were starting to top off symphony tower. I must say, Im impressed. Granted its just the frame for the top but it looks nice.

i noticed that on my way to the airport the other day

[Nick in Atlanta]

@(four0four): Nice pics of the aquairium. What date did you take those?

[SkyHigh529]

Cool pics

[micropundit]

Two Residential Towers Proposed for Belt Line
The first residential buildings along the Belt Line have been proposed.

"Developer Wayne Mason wants to build two high-rise residential towers on the southern tip of Piedmont Park — a prime spot on the hoped-for transit system known as the Beltline."

According to news reports, Mason is planning two 20- to 25-story towers at Monroe Drive and 10th Street, now a gravel lot near the park. | AJC

[micropundit]

Desires Hotels will run the new boutique hotel planned for the Glenn Building at the intersection of Marietta and Spring streets in Atlanta.

Desires Hotels, a division of Miami-based Tecton Hospitality, signed a contract with Legacy Property Group to manage the 110-room The Glenn Hotel, which will open in December following a $20 million renovation designed by Atlanta firms The Johnson Studio and Blackdog Studio. The interior design will feature Georgia marble and pine floors in the hotel's common areas along with traditional Southern-inspired furnishings with a contemporary twist.

The guest rooms and suites will have plasma televisions, Herman Miller chairs, CD players with MP3 connections, European-style bedding and showers with "peek-a-boo" windows. Public areas and meeting rooms will be equipped with high-speed Internet access and WiFi.

"The customer will experience a hotel that blends Southern charm, South Beach sex appeal and New York sophistication," said Doug Carrillo, Tecton Hospitality's vice president of sales and marketing.



© 2005 American City Business Journals Inc.

In addition,there will be a 140 seat signiture restaurant designed by the Johnson Studio,Atlanta's premier restaurant designer-SHOUT,TWO:URBAN LICKS- and an european style underground bar.

[micropundit]

Tuesday, May 24, 2005
Condos in Sandy Springs
Sandy Springs project on tap - Prado to be reincarnated as mixed-use jewel

A massive, $100 million redevelopment project promises to transform a stretch of Roswell Road from a scattering of residences, offices and retailers into a vibrant live-work-and-play district during the next two years.

Jeff Fuqua of Florida-based developer Sembler Co. — in Las Vegas for the International Council of Shopping Centers' spring convention — on Monday said the company has applied to rezone a 32-acre corridor of Sandy Springs for a mixed-use project of restaurants, stores and condos.

The property includes the Prado shopping center, with retailers and such restaurants as Five Seasons Brewing and Frankie's sports bar. Apartments and offices already are on the site.

"We're looking to keep the current tenants there," said Fuqua, president of Sembler's development division.

Sembler hopes to break ground on the project toward the end of the year and is shooting for a fall 2007 opening.

The project would be the latest in a series of large-scale redevelopment projects for Sembler.

The St. Petersburg, Fla., developer tore down two BellSouth office buildings near Perimeter Mall last year to make room for a high-rise condo building and a Target-anchored retail center.

That project should open next year.

[starbuc jupiter]

Is it just my imagination or is the congestion due to construction of the multiple projects on Peachtree in Buckhead going to be outragous?

The mixed use tower anounced today by Regent Partners is not only a big project but it is being built in an already dense location. When its all done that strech of Peachtree is going to be really grand, especially if the streetcar is there, but I am glad I am not living there in the meantime.

[teshadoh]

Yes starbuc, yes - I totally agree.

[starbuc jupiter]

I live in midtown on Peachtree and between Spire, Plaza, and 905 Juniper all within a few blocks it can get a little crazy around here.

Midtown has a street grid and still has some open areas for the logistical stuff to go on. The streets in Buckhead are not as well connected and that site is going to be tight.

[teshadoh]

For your reference, please feel free to message / email me for any corrections or updates:

Downtown:
http://www.oliviadrab.com/bradblog/DowntownDevelopments.pdf
Midtown:
http://www.oliviadrab.com/bradblog/MidtownDevelopments.pdf
Buckhead:
http://www.oliviadrab.com/bradblog/BuckheadDevelopments.pdf
East Side:
http://www.oliviadrab.com/bradblog/EastsideDevelopments.pdf
West Side:
http://www.oliviadrab.com/bradblog/WestsideDevelopments.pdf

[nakedyak]

man, that guy that has been on the construction crane for the past few days is annoying

[teshadoh]

Again - please message me if you know of any other projects.

http://www.oliviadrab.com/bradblog/atlanta_projects_Buckhead.jpg
http://www.oliviadrab.com/bradblog/atlanta_projects_Midtown.jpg
http://www.oliviadrab.com/bradblog/atlanta_projects_Downtown.jpg

[micropundit]

Trammell Crow Residential plans two condominium towers along the Beltline, a proposed 23-mile loop of parks, transit and residential development encircling downtown Atlanta.

The $250 million project calls for a "twin tower" approach on 7.4 acres off Monroe Drive on a site formerly called the Northeast Beltline parcel 2, said Alan Dean, senior managing director of the Southeast division of Atlanta-based Trammell Crow Residential, a multifamily developer.

The 750 condos, divided between the 38-story and 39-story towers, will range in price from the $300,000s for one bedroom units to more than $1 million for penthouse suites, he said.

"We feel this will be one of, if not the, signature residential developments in Atlanta," Dean said. "This will be the first residential development along the Beltline."

The city is moving closer to creating a new tax allocation district that would provide much-needed funding for this proposed loop of trails, green space and light rail that would follow the right of way formed by a series of abandoned rail lines that encircle the city. Governmental agencies aided by private and nonprofit organizations are working on various pieces of this complex undertaking that some believe will change the face of the city.

The Atlanta Development Authority is crafting a redevelopment plan for the neighborhoods bisected by the project. This is the first step in the creation of the new tax allocation district, which could generate as much as $1.7 billion of the estimated $2 billion to $3 billion needed for the Beltline.

City officials, including Mayor Shirley Franklin, support the project as a means of creating new jobs and improving the quality of life. At the same time, many like the prospect of benefits without excessive disruption of neighborhoods. Unlike many big construction projects, it won't require condemning property to make it happen. If constructed, the Beltline will stimulate approximately $20 billion in development over the next 25 years. In addition, it will create as many as 37,000 permanent jobs, along with 48,000 temporary construction jobs, according to a study by the Atlanta Development Authority. The Trammell Crow project will use twin towers to maximize green space and open space envisioned as part of the Beltline development, Dean said.

"The Beltline is being called the emerald necklace and we feel like this will be the crown jewel along that necklace," Dean said.

The project also calls for about 20,000 square feet of retail space, he said.

Trammell Crow Residential put the land under contract June 2 from Northeast Atlanta Beltline Group LLC, an entity formed by Gwinnett County developer Wayne Mason, who owns 4.6 miles of the Beltline beginning at DeKalb Avenue and running through Piedmont Park to Interstate 85.

"We are just starting the zoning process," Dean said. "We hope to start construction as soon as we go through the zoning process, so [we hope to start construction] this

[nakedyak]

wow, i wonder how tall the 38 and 39 story towers will be?

[micropundit]

Rreef Buys Majority Interest in Tower Place
By Alex Finkelstein
Last updated: June 17, 2005 12:25pm

ATLANTA-In a deal known by almost everybody in Atlanta’s commercial real estate industry to have been in the making for the past month, the Chicago office of Rreef confirms it is buying a portion of the high-profile, three-building, 836,194-sf Tower Place in the city’s affluent Buckhead submarket. Rreef’s undisclosed client will be the majority owner; Regent Partners, the minority owner.


In a prepared statement, Timothy E. Ellsworth, managing director in Rreef’s Chicago office, says his firm is doing the joint venture deal with Tower Place developer Regent Partners for an undisclosed client at an undisclosed price. Ellsworth and Stanley Ashley of locally based Bullock Mannelly Partners Inc., who brokered the deal, couldn’t be reached by GlobeSt.com’s publication deadline.


Ellsworth says the properties involved in the transaction are Tower Place 100, a 611,514-sf, high-rise office building; Tower Walk, a 163,892-sf retail and entertainment center; and the AIU Building, a 60,788-sf mid-rise office structure. The 47-story, $500-million, condo-office-retail tower Regent Partners is developing separately at 3344 Peachtree St. in Buckhead is not part of the Rreef acquisition.

Rreef’s Ellsworth did not disclose the value of the transaction which has been speculated at between $130 million and $250 million. However, Buckhead brokers and other real estate sources in a position to know tell GlobeSt.com the estimated price of the transaction, when it closes later this summer, will be in the $200-million range or about $239 per sf, the highest per-sf-price paid in a transaction of this kind in Atlanta this year, but not the highest on record for a class A property.


Those honors go to Cousins Properties Inc. which sold its 21-story, 423,000-sf Pinnacle office building in Buckhead to New York-based TIAA-CREF on Aug. 1, 2004 for $145 million or a record $343-per-sf price, as GlobeSt.com previously reported.



Sources intimate with the Rreef-Regents Partners deal tell GlobeSt.com Rreef’s deal involved “a complicated buyout” of one of the Tower Place partners, Philadelphia-based Berwind Property Group Ltd. which owned a majority interest in Tower Place since 2002. In 1993, Regent Partners became the majority owner, sources tell GlobeSt.com.


“This was not a straight, conventional sale because the value of the office, retail and entertainment components had to appraised and evaluated separately on a per-sf basis, along with other value-based criteria,” a broker intimate with the transaction tells GlobeSt.com. “For that reason, the speculation on what the final acquisition price will be is difficult at this point.”


The deal with Regent Partners is the second major transaction Rreef is doing in the metro area in the past 60 days. In a June 14 deal, Reef Americas’ San Francisco office,, a wholly owned subsidiary of Germany-based Deutsch Bank, agreed to pay Post Properties Inc. $132.5 million, or $76,237 per unit, for the five-neighborhood, 155-acre Post Village complex in suburban Smyrna, as GlobeSt.com previously reported.


In May, Rreef Americas contracted to pay $78 million, or about $154.15 per sf, for Lakeside Commons, a two-building, 506,000-sf office campus in Atlanta’s Central





Does this mean that Regent has the funds to proceed with the $500 million 3344 Peachtree?

[micropundit]

Lisa R. Schoolcraft
Staff Writer
Novare Group plans another high-rise condominium along Peachtree Street in Midtown.

The condo project, which will be done in two phases, will take up three fourths of the block bounded by Sixth, Juniper, Seventh and Peachtree streets. Preliminary plans call for two 40-story towers with 400 units each with an open plaza between the them. Novare Group is again partnering with Robert C. "Robin" Loudermilk Jr. to build a mixed-use condo tower, Loudermilk said. Loudermilk worked with Wood Partners LLC and The Novare Group on the $75 million, 28-story, 393-unit Spire at 860 Peachtree St. Loudermilk's development company Loudermilk/Rohrig LLC owns the land Spire sits on.

Novare and Wood Partners developed the $100 million, 20-story, 498-unit Metropolis at 920 and 940 Peachtree St. in 2002.

The new project, as yet unnamed, is "on the fast track because it is similar to one [Novare Group] did in Florida," he said. Developers plan to break ground on the project by the end of the year, he said.
"We're going to leave the Starbucks, and we own the apartmnt building behind that, but we will leave that, too," Loudermilk said. The apartments, which were designed by Atlanta architect Neil Reed, will be converted to eight to 12 affordable living units, he said.

One parcel behind the apartment building is not owned by the developers "but we own everything else," he said. "We partnered with Novare to buy the rest of the block. That will be phase one of the multi-phase development."

Kim King Associates Inc. had put a bid on the Backstreet property too, but "unless you were doing 400 [condo] units you couldn't make the numbers work," said President Beau King.

Plans for 845 Peachtree call for retail space on the ground floor, then condos on top, Loudermilk said.

[starbuc jupiter]

If anyone out there in big developer world is listening--------This is the appropriate location for a pair of 40 story highrise towers. Thank you Jim Boarders and Robin Loudermilk. Thank you for being interested in what the current residents of Atlanta have said they want.

Mr Mason and Trammell Crow would be smart to take a look at the intown neighborhoods before proposing a change in zoning to a tiny piece of land along the Piedmont Park. On multiple occasions in the Beltline process it has been made very clear that the segment along the Park be low density or remain open.

I went to the NE Beltline presentation last night at which Mason and Trammell Crow made their pitch. If the stakes where not so high I would have found the dance around the subject of highrises on Piedmont Park rather funny. They adamently wanted to talk about any other parcel of land in the area. After being pressed more than a few times they brought out a very vauge site plan. Some members of the proposal team seemed a little embarassed at what they had done.

[Nick in Atlanta]

@Micropundit: How many projects can Novare have on its plate at once? They seem to have buildings under construction, proposed and in the planning stages all over the intown Atlanta.

[micropundit]

@Micropundit: How many projects can Novare have on its plate at once? They seem to have buildings under construction, proposed and in the planning stages all over the intown Atlanta.

IMHO,Novare/Wood Partners/Loudermilk LLC are trying to do what the John Williams-led Post Properties did in the 90's:make money -a ton in fact-by going where other developers would not.While there are attendant risks involved ,the reward is /has been to date higher on the order of several magnitudes. It appears that that Novare et al. is an entrepreurial venture at this point and therefore does not have the layers of management to slow things down,so they can and are being aggressive.With little or no competition,Novare has established a dominent footprint and so far,has been successful.So the answer to your question is :as many as their capital base and management allow.

Sidebar:Cousins Properties has now entered the game through their purchase of the Gellersedt Group.That lends some credence to Novare's market strategy -another competitor entering the market-and should provide a test of not only Novare's skill but the depth of the intown/urban market as well.

[Nick in Atlanta]

@Micropundit: Thanks for the very informative response!!

Regarding the Gellerstedt purchase by Cousins Properties, I have the impression that Gellerstedt is a very slow and conservative group of developers. Don't you think they'll be more likely to throw a little cold water on the new Cousins/Gellerstedt union?

[AubieTurtle]

Gellerstedt may have been lim