Lady Celeste

State Farm's regional HQ is almost complete in Perimeter Center. Looking to take public transportation to work? You have direct access to the Dunwoody MARTA Station. An solid addition to the Perimeter Center skyline. All photos above courtesy of Micheal Kahn, Curbed Atlanta.

More details have come out regarding the "park" over GA 400 in the Buckhead Business District. Well, it looks as if the total cap over GA 400 is no longer on the table. I think this is a missed opportunity for something grand. If one thing stands out, it's the inclusion of the Related Group and Regents Partners proposals that are very visible in pictures #1 and #5. The Regents' proposal looks as tall as the 635' tall 3344 Peachtree tower. I also like the pedestrian bridge over Peachtree Boulevard and over that massive interchange between Lenox Road and GA 400. Apparently this "park" is made to tie into Path 400. While this will be a wonderful addition, I hope the Buckhead CID seriously considers totally capping GA 400. Read more here: http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news/2016/09/07/designs-unveiled-for-buckheads-park-over-georgia.html

Mill Creek to start construction on 400 unit apartment building in Buckhead Village Mill Creek will start construction on its apartment tower next to the Shops at Buckhead Atlanta in the Buckhead Village. This is yet another addition to the plethora of apartment/condo buildings going up in and around the Buckhead Business District.

There seems to be some behind the scenes movement on the proposed 45-story Yoo on Peachtree (1138 Peachtree) residential tower. The developers filed permits with the CoA for Transfer of Development Rights and a temporary sales vendor permit. This should mean that the 42-story SLS Hotel and Residences tower should not be far behind.

I totally agree Martinman. Many say it a lot, but the significance of Tech's move across the Downtown Connector can not be overstated. Not only is it the buildings and added residents that the move brought but the concentration of startups, fintech and technology companies that have followed. There were no directives, no forums,,,nothing to market the area as a tech hub. It happened organically. This area is turning into something really special.

JPX starts development of the lot that will be home to the future apartment tower at the corner of Peachtree and 3rd Street in Midtown. The future.... The site as of August 26th.... The site as of August 29th...... This building will be a great addition to the SoMo neighborhood. As architecturally interesting it is on top, the street presence is where it shines. A restaurant right across the street from the venerable Fox Theater will definitely be a hit.

NCR adding Innovation Lab to its new Midtown HQ With its new $213 million, 494,000 sq ft headquarters under construction, NCR has added yet another feather to the hat. The new complex will feature a research and development hub. This hub will focus on cross-function research, innovation, and design thinking. NCR stated that the lab intends to work and collaborate with Georgia Tech and other companies, including start-ups and customers, on innovation. This innovation lab will join a growing collection of innovation labs near Georgia Tech's Technology Square in Midtown.

More information has come out about the ambitious five tower project proposed in Sandy Springs steps from the Sandy Springs MARTA Station. As is stand right now, the project, to be located at 1117 Perimeter Center West, will cost an estimated $1 Billion. From the article in the Reporter: Westmoreland and Forrest said the developers will agree to make the project’s occupancy permits conditional on building a working MARTA connection. In plain English, that means that if the MARTA tunnel doesn’t work, the developers can’t rent or sell space to anyone. The developers also committed to delaying three of the five towers until several major Ga. 400-related road improvements are completed. Those huge projects, slated for completion in 2020, include: rebuilding the Ga. 400/I-285 interchange; adding separate entrance/exit ramps on 400; turning the 400/Abernathy Road interchange into a diverging diamond; and widening the Mount Vernon Highway bridge. In the meantime, the developers would build one residential tower and one office tower. The proposal next heads to the Sandy Springs Planning Commission in October, Westmoreland said Above is a rendering of a commercial streetfront within the 1117 Perimeter Center West redevelopment. Above is an illustration of the upgrade courtyard, including an ice skating rink. Above is an illustration from the rezoning application for 1117 Perimeter Center West. Read more here: http://www.reporternewspapers.net/2016/08/22/5-skyscraper-project-comes-new-traffic-transit-promises/

Above: Three Alliance Center under construction. There is an article in the ABC reporting on the lack of available office space in the Buckhead submarket. The amount that exist is becoming pricier by the day. What happened to Regents' plan for that 625' mixed use tower next to 3344 Peachtree? Three Alliance Center was the only large spec office tower in the Buckhead submarket. Its space is mostly spoken for. Maybe this will get Regents to dust off its plans. There have been several new large office towers built or currently under construction in the Midtown, Buckhead and Perimeter Centre districts but with the exception of Three Alliance Center, all of them have been built for a tenant. (State Farm, Cox Communications HQ, NCR HQ, etc.). It seems like this development cycle has been strictly focused on residential...which is good because we have fought so hard to turn the city center into a 24 hour place. I think the time is right for a new 45+ story office tower,

MARTA enters negotiations for four tower project at Midtown's Arts Center Station. Earlier this afternoon, Cousins Properties and MARTA entered into negotiations for a four tower development at Midtown's Art Center MARTA Station. The four towers would rise above the 6.2 acre site. The site sits along West Peachtree and 15th Streets. The project could incorporate residential, office, retail and possibly hotel. The project could rival the size of Lindbergh City Center (Lindbergh MARTA Station) but would be more dense. In Midtown, a project at the MARTA station could have the chance to become a showpiece. The site sits among some of city’s tallest buildings, richest cultural institutions and historic neighborhood Ansley Park. There’s already a flurry of development in the area. Take 14th Street, where North American Properties plans a major overhaul of Colony Square with top-name restaurants and potentially retailers such as an Apple store. The city’s second-tallest skyscraper is planned for 14th Street on the former Symphony Center site. Whole Foods Market is building its flagship Atlanta store at a new high-rise under construction at 14th and West Peachtree streets. Read more here: http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news/2016/08/04/marta-enters-negotiations-for-four-tower-project.html

The beauty of this announcement is not only that Midtown will get a second office tower (the cost of the second tower is a reported $213 million) but rather the number of jobs this announcement brings with it. More information has been shared and it seems like this announcement will include the addition of a potential 1600 to 1800 NEW jobs on top of the relocation of jobs to Midtown. In addition to the newly created positions, this relocation will also entail moving jobs from other parts of the country to the new Midtown Atlanta World HQ. All in all, this could bring NCR's HQ workforce to as much as 6,500 people. Also, the second tower could be taller than the tower currently under construction.

Looking from Midtown to Downtown..... The infill taking place in Midtown has been nothing short of amazing. The trained eye can spot the construction cranes and construction sites for Amli Arts Center (26-story/residential), Atlantic House (32-story/residential), Midtown Spring (38-story/residential), Post Midtown (25-story/residential), Modera Midtown (29-story/residential) and the new NCR HQ (22-story/office). If the 74-story 98 Fourteenth Street, the 45-story 1138 Peachtree and the 42-story SLS Hotel and Residences all come to fruition, then the Midtown skyline will look even more amazing.

Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport seems to be on course to break last year's record of 101.5 million passengers. In the first half of this year, HJAIA has handled 51.3 million passengers. That is up 4.5 percent so far this year. Considering the volume that the airport already handles, a 4.5 percent jump is a very healthy increase. A total of 447,677 flights took off or landed in the first half of this year. This is an increase of 3.5 percent from the same period last year. This year ATL has seen a ramping up of service by Southwest, Alaska Air and United. Also, two international heavy weights joined the line up at Hartsfield. Both Turkish Airlines and Qatar Airways launched service to Atlanta this year. With the growth in the Middle Eastern and Asian markets, I feel that the days of Hartsfield-Jackson being the world's busiest airport by passengers and/or enplanements is numbered. Beijing and Dubai are quickly gaining on ATL. All the same, it is still very nice to see that ATL is finding new and inventive ways to continue to grow in spite of the impressive numbers it already outputs.

The beauty of the photograph above is that it is taken from a construction site where there are three additional cranes. (Modera Midtown and NCR HQ).

A recap of notes from last night's Midtown DRC meeting: 98 Fourteenth Street NE Olympia Heights Management (OHM) made an initial presentation to the Development Review Committee (DRC) in April 2014 and obtained approval to move forward with site improvements for their master-planned development located at 98 Fourteenth Street, commonly referred to as the former "Symphony Site." They returned to the DRC on Tuesday, July 12th, to present plans for the first phase of the project - a 74-story tower comprised of 382 luxury residential units, 180 corporate suites, 60,370 SF of retail, and 825 structured parking spaces. When completed, the 920-foot tower would be the second tallest in the City, behind Bank of America. The project was well-received by the DRC who acknowledged its clean, modern lines, elegant proportions and timeless design. Comments from the committee focused on practical concerns such as the provision of ample stacking space for vehicles to facilitate efficient valet operations. The committee also encouraged the development team to seek out exceptional, destination-oriented restaurateurs to capitalize on the premium location and potential for unique outdoor dining within the rooftop garden directly accessed from Peachtree Street. SLS Atlanta Hotel & Residences Trillist introduced a new luxury hotel project under the SLS flag at the July DRC meeting. Located at the intersection of Crescent Avenue and 13th Street, the proposed 42-story tower would contain 213 hotel rooms, 56 condo units, and 12 levels of podium parking. The DRC commended the development team for their collaborative approach in working with adjacent property owners to create a central service area that would reduce the need for curb cuts. The committee also noted the applicant’s artful approach to activating the streetscape around the base of the project, but they stressed the need to simplify the myriad opportunities for creative engagement within the pedestrian realm. Strong elements of the design included a public terrace at the hotel entrance which creates an outdoor living room and provides a buffer between the porte cochère driveway and Crescent Avenue sidewalk. The applicant requested several variations and was asked to revise them for clarity prior to receiving a formal recommendation from the DRC. 1138 Peachtree Street Trillist also presented an update to their planned project at 1138 Peachtree Street, which complements their hotel/condo project across the street on the west side of Crescent Avenue. Together, the two projects reinforce Trillist’s vision for a unique pedestrian experience in the Crescent Street area and they create the opportunity for connections into a future Midtown Art Walk contemplated along the Peachtree Walk corridor. The proposed design features a 45-story residential tower fronting Peachtree Street (323 apartments) with three levels of retail at the base (21,500 SF). Retail/restaurant space would be accessed both from Peachtree Street and Crescent Avenue. Over 600 parking spaces would be provided in a ten-level deck located on the Crescent Avenue side of the property. The overall design has evolved in a positive direction since the previous version submitted in January 2014. In particular, the elevations are more refined, consistent with the sleek modernism of the proposed hotel project across the street. The committee was receptive to the upgraded finish materials on the exterior and recommended support for the project. 1053, 1057 and 1069 Juniper Street Metrotainment Cafés returned to the DRC to present an updated demolition and redevelopment plan for the existing vacant structures located between Einstein’s and Joe’s on Juniper. The proposed concept redevelops the frontage in order to improve valet parking operations and create a privately-owned public amenity that will add to the vitality of Midtown street life. The architecture of the structure was revised to reflect comments made by the committee at the June meeting. Namely, the material palette was refined to reduce the amount of heavy timber and add more steel, consistent with an urban aesthetic. The committee requested additional detail on the overall site plan including the parking layout and the lighting and landscape plan.

Developers of 1000 Park Avenue broke ground today on Buckhead's newest residential offering. Located next to Phipps Plaza, the 27-story luxury residential building will feature one, two and three bedroom units.

That's what I got from sources two weeks ago. That's why I said last week we could be getting a new second tallest. This will put this building at 100' taller than the neighboring One Atlantic Center. This will cap an amazing development cycle. I will also say that the likelihood of this being built is extremely high. The development team is very bullish on getting this built. I can't wait for this building to be made public tomorrow evening. Once complete, this will give Atlanta 12 buildings above 600'.

DRC scheduled agenda for Tuesday 12 July 2016: 5:00 NEW APPLICATION: 98 Fourteenth Street NE, OHM Atlanta, LLC Project Type: Initial phase of master planned development approved in April 2014 introducing a single Residential Tower comprised of 382 luxury residential units, 180 corporate suites, 60,370 SF of retail, and 825 structured parking spaces. Applicant(s): Tara Flache, [email protected] 6:15 NEW APPLICATION: SLS Atlanta Hotel & Residences, Trillist Project Type: Proposed 42-story mixed-use tower and podium at the intersection of Crescent Avenue and 13th Street. The proposed project includes 56 condominium units above a 213-key hotel. The podium rises twelve levels, supporting 400 parking spaces. The main pedestrian entrance is on Crescent Avenue. Applicant(s): Mark Valliere, [email protected] 7:00 FOLLOW-UP: 1138 Peachtree Street, Trillist Project Type: Proposed mixed-use residential tower located mid-block with the east and west sides of the property fronting Peachtree Street and Crescent Avenue. The design features a 45-story tower fronting Peachtree Street containing 323 luxury residential apartments and 21,500 SF of retail/restaurant space. Over 600 spaces are provided in a ten-level parking deck located on the Crescent Avenue side of the property.

Excellent! I really like this rendition. If done as envisioned, the remaking of Underground Atlanta could be a major catalyst for urban living in the Five Points/SODO neighborhoods. The addition of a full service grocer will be a hit for the area. My only hope is that the future development remains sensitive to the current stock of historic buildings in the area. The extensive grid and the lack of "wide" streets or boulevards could potentially make this area a walker's paradise.

Midtown's skyline is starting to fill in..... Atlanta Skyline by Georgia National Guard, on Flickr

Nevermind.......

I have heard this information as well Martinman. The decorative top was mentioned when I inquired about how a 70 story building could reach such heights. (If all goes well, these towers could be a new second tallest). One thing we do know and that is these towers, if built, will be very tall.

Thank you for the update Atlnative. Please keep us posted. When first proposed, the Medical Office Building seemed like a slap in the face to this increasing vibrant part of Midtown. The initial parking garage podium was atrocious. But now that the developers have revamped the design, I think this will be a nice addition to the neighboring Atlantic House and Midtown Spring residential towers currently under construction. The fact that the 10 story building will now also include retail and restaurant space is a definite bonus. Now if we could get something done with the Skyhouse Midtown's parking garage on Spring.

No...no no no...no insider information.I just know that a super luxury hotel was looking for a Midtown location and it is not the rumored Trump Hotel and Residences. Perhaps this particular flag decided against a Midtown location. I think it would be a great location as Buckhead is well represented with super luxury hotels (St. Regis, Mandarin Oriental, Grand Hyatt, Ritz Carlton, Intercontinental and JW Marriott). Now I'll share your picture you posted elsewhere.... Looking south over Central and Lower Midtown...

No comment about the wooing of Trump hotels. It has nothing to do with politics but rather execution of the building. I hope the condos planned for this building offers decent square footage. That will make it more plausible for families. If done properly, this project could really woo potential condo buyers who may have only considered highrises in Buckhead. At the height that this is proposed, I hope the design is flattering to the skyline. Something along the Oriental Fisherman's Wharf (done by P+W) in Shanghai would be a nice option.