Urban Planning
{ Monday, April 2nd, 2012 }
Atlanta BeltLine Blog
I’ve been really impressed with the Atlanta BeltLine’s blog. The BeltLine is, obviously, a massive undertaking with hundreds, if not thousands of moving parts. Their blog, which is pretty much updated daily, is fantastic. It goes far beyond the “who, what, where and why” and delves deeply in to the details that make the project so exciting. For those of you who think you’re beyond Atlanta BeltLine 101 and ready for Atlanta BeltLine 2.0, I recommend bookmarking their blog. A few of their posts over the last week or so, just to give you an idea of what’s to come:
Update On Eastside Trail Pedestrian Bridge Crossing Over Ralph McGill Boulevard
Artists’ Walk For Art On The BeltLine
How Do I Get There? Accessing The Atlanta BeltLine Hiking Trail In The Southwest
Not sure what the BeltLine is? Make sure to check out Atlanta BeltLine 101, or, take the free tour!
{ Thursday, March 22nd, 2012 }
New Townhomes In Inman Park
- In the foreground, the Atlanta BeltLine Northeast Trial. In the background, a 4.2 acre tract of land slated for 66 townhomes.
Editor’s Note: These townhomes are actually located in Old Fourth Ward, not Inman Park as previously reported. For more information, including a clarification and full correction, click here.
It appears that the long discussed new construction townhome project is underway in Inman Park:
A little over a year ago, Paul Donsky wrote a piece for East Atlanta Patch that detailed the project, tenatively known as Highland Park. In the article, some pretty significant details were revealed:
Minerva, an Atlanta development company, plans to build 66 townhouse units on a 4.8-acre tract along the BeltLine at Highland Avenue, where Inman Park meets the Old Fourth Ward.
Earlier this week, a reliable source revealed to me the identity of the builder involved in the project: none other than Atlanta mega-builder/developer John Wieland. No word yet if the 2,200 square foot, $300K+ townhomes that were discussed last January are still being pursued, or if market conditions have altered the project.
This community will be a signficiant addition to the Atlanta BeltLine’s Northeast Corridor. The construction of the BeltLine’s Eastside Trail is well underway, as is the first stage of demolition of the artist formerly known as City Hall East. Market momentum in the area is palpable. Inventory is low, especially if you’re looking for new construction in this price point. All good signs.
Is there enough momentum and market confidence to build, finance and sell 66 new construction townhomes?
Only time will tell.
{ Wednesday, December 7th, 2011 }
Josh Lindenbaum, Curbed Atlanta
If you haven’t visited Curbed Atlanta yet, you should do so immediately. Once you’ve spent a minute or two taking it in, you should bookmark it. Return and read often- you’ll be smarter for it.
Clearly, I like this website. So I was absolutely thrilled that its Editor, Josh Lindenbaum, took a few minutes to share some advice for the mayor, Atlanta dining tips, and real estate crystal ball reading…
Q. Crystal ball time- ten years from now, the most dramatically changed neighborhood in Atlanta will be…
A. Poncey-Highland / Old 4th Ward. Between The Beltline (and the private investment that’s already tracking it there) and the Atlanta Steetcar, huge transformation is under way.
Q. Mayor for the day- what’s on the agenda?
A. Expend significant political capital pressing for T-SPLOST to be passed. Buy 50% of the surface parking lots in the Midtown-downtown corridor and redevelop them into parks ringed with space for pocket retail and food/beverage businesses. Find some money to jump start local entrepreneurship in the downtown corridor, with Underground Atlanta converted into a new art & (local) restaurant district as the focal point. Convene a meeting with leaders from around the state and make a killer-app presentation illustrating in clear terms, once and for all, that what is good for Atlanta is truly good for the entire state.
Q. One day to eat your way through Atlanta- where are you going, and what are you ordering?
A. Jalapeno & bacon biscuit at Empire State South. Handmade marshmallow at Cacao. The Duck Mi sandwich at Muss & Turners. A cappuccino at Octane. Wild boar prosciutto at Star Provisions. Eggplant fries at Rathbun’s. Frisee Aux Lardons salad at Bistro Niko. Something with foie gras at Bacchanalia. Vegetable plate at Restaurant Eugene. Pommes frites at Leon’s Full Service. A salad selection from Metro Fresh. Pizza Diavola at Antico. Slice of Red Velvet cake from Piece of Cake. French press of Dancing Goats coffee from Batdorf Bronson. If I didn’t keel over, all to be followed by 48 straight hours of water and exercise.
Q. Favorite neighborhoods?
A. Virginia Highland, Candler Park, Garden Hills.
Q. What’s Curbed Atlanta, and why is it a “must read”?
A. Curbed Atlanta is an electronic magazine that combines information and commentary about Atlanta real estate, neighborhoods, architecture and the trends (economic, demographic, social) that affect these subjects areas on a macro scale. Taken together and presented in our editorial voice, we believe the site provides an easily-digested snapshot of Atlanta that’s a valuable resource folks working in the Atlanta real estate industries, as well as any businessperson operating in the Atlanta area. We also strive to be an essential daily read for generally curious Atlantans.
{ Tuesday, November 1st, 2011 }
Gene Kansas, Sidewalk Radio
If you live in Atlanta and you’re interested in art, architecture, design, development, city planning or preservation, then you should be making an appointment to listen to Sidewalk Radio every month. Each episode is guided by host Gene Kansas‘ passion for culture and community, covering a wide range of topics like the impact of the beverage community on Atlanta to the architecture of MARTA stations. But before you decide to catch up on Sidewalk Radio on am1690, take a minute to meet the host with the most…
Q. Favorite Atlanta neighborhood?
A. Ansley Park is a perennial favorite, I fell in love with it the moment I moved here 16 years ago. I love that it is in the “middle of it all”, bordered by the arts district on one side and Piedmont Park on the other, but intentionally designed to feel like you’re “away from it all”. I also love its rich history and because it makes me feel like I’m in New Orleans with the gorgeous oak-lined streets.
Q. The most underrated thing about Atlanta is…
A. Well, as we all know, Atlanta is a very self-promoting town. Finding something underrated and unknown here can be a challenge. I’d have to say that despite being a transient type of city, we’re actually really high up there when it comes to appreciating community.
Q. A fairy godmother puts you in charge of Underground Atlanta and gives you carte blanche to do whatever you’d like with it. Thoughts?
A. Hmmmmm…good question. If I had control of Underground Atlanta I’d promote the Zero Mile Post (the literal spot that marks where the city started) to a much higher degree. It’s an important part of our reason for being. Otherwise, I really try to stay away from there. Is that wrong?!
Q. You’re asked to create the essential Sidewalk Radio Atlanta weekend. What’s on the agenda?
A. Sidewalk Radio explores art, architecture, design, development, city planning and preservation so it would have to be a long weekend, but I think I’d try to spend the whole time on Peachtree. To quote urban planner and Sidewalk Radio guest David Green, “Peachtree Street is the cultural heart of Atlanta”, so an anthropological adventure along that famed corridor seems right on time. The agenda would include a show at the Fox Theatre, a drink at the Georgian Terrace, a burger at The Vortex, a visit to the High Museum, a pop-in at Perkins+Will to thank them for being our sponsor (shameless plug!), a Southern Cola hand crafted by Greg Best at Holeman & Finch, chips and salsa at Jalisco, a visit with Elton John to see his private art collection, and of course an all expense paid shopping spree at Lenox and Phipps.
Q. What is Sidewalk Radio, and why should everyone tune in?
A. Sidewalk Radio is a monthly radio show on AM 1690 “The Voice of the Arts” that features local experts and their insights about Atlanta’s creative and cultural community. The show is very conversational and informative with nods to our developmental history, to dynamic places and movements in a state of flux, and to our hopefully illustrious future. If you like cool, creative, interesting things and you love Atlanta, then I hope and think you’ll really dig Sidewalk Radio. Did I mention you can listen anytime on iTunes?! November’s upcoming show explores the Atlanta restaurant world. Check it out and enjoy!
{ Monday, August 1st, 2011 }
Terry Kearns, Architecture Tourist
Terry Kearns is the author of Architecture Tourist, one of my favorite blogs. It was fitting that we recently met one another while touring a home, and serendipitous considering that I’ve wanted to feature Terry on A Is For Atlanta for quite some time. If you’re interested in Atlanta architecture, history or neighborhoods, Architecture Tourist is not just a must-read, it is the must-read. I’m really not sure how else to put it. Fortunately for me, Terry was generous enough to field a few questions from me recently- I hope you enjoy as much as I did…
Q. You’ve got three hours to meander through any neighborhood in Atlanta. Which one are you choosing, and why?
A. I’d choose the Dekalb Avenue east from Krog. It’s not an obvious place to look. Start at Krog Street Bridge and head east, turn anywhere into Inman Park, just anywhere. Make sure to check the “war” streets just west of Moreland: Battery and Degress. After you cross Moreland, cruise the “lady” streets in Candler Park: left on Josephine, right on Euclid right on Elmira. In Lake Claire you’ll see the huge continental divide mural at the Arizona Avenue underpass. Then turn left at Connecticut and tour the “state” streets: Connecticut, New York, Arizona, and Delaware. Then cruise “Southerland Hill.” Turn left on Southerland Place just east of the Lake Claire swimming pool to see Southerland, Oxford, and Gordon. Finally, tour the “garden” streets. Cross East Lake and turn left at Drexel. Make sure to see Melrose and Emerson, home to Ryan Gainey’s Garden of Poetry and Prose. Go home via Oak Grove, Kirkwood, Edgewood, Reynoldstown, and Cabbagetown…but that’s another meander.
Q. What are the essential “must sees” for Architecture Tourists in Atlanta?
A. How about downtown’s public lobbies? Whatever your tastes these lobbies impress. The Grant Building lobby is straightforward and reserved. The former C&S Bank is Atlanta’s Pantheon. The Healey Building has a gothic ribbed rotunda. The Hurt Building’s main entrance is an elegant rotunda that softens this huge building. The Candler Building lobby is small and perfect and ennobling. Visit the Victorian portrait gallery at the Ritz. At 191 Peachtree see the colossal Helena Hernmarck tapestry “Urn” and ride the escalator down to see Ray King’s “Atlantis.” The Peachtree Plaza’s lobby conveys the sense of the colossal hotel almost floating overhead. The Regency’s groundbreaking lobby remains spectacular and cozy. The Marriot Marquis’s lobby is a multi-level playground that my eye can never fully take in. When it’s busy – think Dragon Con – it’s one the best people watching places in Atlanta. Finally, the Sun Trust Tower’s elevator lobby is a pyramid in a square in a circle in a square with breathtaking clarity.
Q. Hidden Atlanta gems?
A. There are so many. I enjoy small scale public or public facing places: Oglethorpe Hill, The Villa Apartments, the former Scottish Rite Hospital in Oak Grove, the Cator Wolford Gardens on Ponce, the Little Chapel at Glen Memorial. Allow me to add the renovated Hinman Building at Georgia Tech though it’s not open to the public. It may be the most exciting indoor space in Atlanta.
Q. If you were given an unlimited budget, unquestioned power and the edict: “make Atlanta more beautiful”, what would you do?
A. Beautiful things continue to enrich us. It may be physical beauty; it may be functional beauty. But I’m rather an anti-planner and would be a terrible Tsar. So I’d abolish the position and retire with a big pension. Then I’ve volunteer to help folks enjoy these places and to find ways to preserve them as best we can.
Q. What is Architecture Tourist, and why is it awesome?
A. The most awesome thing about Architecture Tourist Blog is meeting people. Blog posts connect people. Once in a while we meet in person. What a pleasure.
Photo Credit: Architecture Tourist
