News Archives

Zombie Apocalypse? Atlanta Says Bring It On

October 20, 2011 by Thom Abbott

Zombie Apocalypse Atlanta As a blogger, I’m NEVER, repeat, NEVER at a loss for topics. Sure, I’m a real estate broker and you want real estate information and or listings, right? But, it’s important to KNOW about where you want to live, not just about WHAT you want to live in.

One of my long list of topics is the exploding “Hollywood Goes Atlanta and Georgia” topic. Movies are happening everywhere here. Why? Well, a number of reasons, but let’s just say that we have some cheap labor. (I’ll write about that in a later post.)

But, the country is taking note of Atlanta….Zombie’s and all! The Walking Dead is filmed South of Atlanta and just started its second season. (The first season was filmed more in Atlanta proper and used the old Bell Quarry just west of Downtown as a main scene.)

Atlanta’s zombies have even made it to the New York Times, so I’ll let you read even more about it.

Documentary on Atlanta Architect, Developer John Portman

October 19, 2011 by Thom Abbott

I think pretty much every major city in the U.S. can find at least one individual that made a remarkable difference on their city. It might be for taking the city from the brink of nothing to a cultural center, or from a sleepy cow town to a metropolis.

In Atlanta, one of the most notable people that had a profound impact on the development of Downtown Atlanta, and on architecture world wide, was John Portman.

Now, people will have an opportunity to learn more about this legendary architect and developer in a new documentary by two-time Emmy winning producer Ben Loeterman, titled, “John Portman: A Life of Building”. The film made its international film festival debut at Architecture Film Festival Rotterdam (The Netherlands) October 8, followed by a repeat showing on October 9.

The documentary will make its United States film festival debut at the Architecture and Design Film Festival in New York October 21, with a second showing October 22. Additionally, the film has been selected for screenings at A Design Film Festival in Singapore in November 2011 and at the Architecture and Design Film Festival in Chicago in 2012. After that, I’m not sure where you may be able to see the film, but this trailer is certainly a GREAT teaser for what the film is like.

To give you an example of his “mark” on Downtown Atlanta, the picture has red dots on some of the buildings he designed and built.

Atlanta Georgia John Portman Buildings

Home Depot Founder Arthur Blank Sells Buckhead Mansion

October 8, 2011 by Thom Abbott

Arthur Blank Buckhead Mansion She was a beauty! But I guess she has some pretty proud new owners!

As reported in the AJC, and according the the FMLS Sold Report, the home sold for about $3.8 million. The listing showed an original list price of $4.9 million. And as the AJC story says, Blank paid about that for the home when he purchased it in 1993 for $3.3 million.

I’m going to guess the original description on the listing service was scaled back…as it is pretty lackluster for a multi-million dollar home.

I might add that Mr. Blank is building an impressive home (we don’t call them mansions in Montana) south of Livingston, Montana in Paradise Valley. Mr. Blank also purchased a neighborhood drive-in restaurant, called The Pop Stand, because he liked the food. (Be sure to click on the link…that is one amazing website for a little drive-in restaurant in Montana!)

This picture is courtesy of Dorsey Alston REALTORS that had the home listed.

Midtown Sidewalk Money Stops Falling Through the Cracks

October 5, 2011 by Thom Abbott

Every city operates in a different way. And Atlanta is…well…no different. If you have ever walked through Historic Midtown Atlanta, you’ve probably noticed some sidewalks that made it less than easy to walk, or push a stroller.

In the City of Atlanta, property owners, not the City, are responsible for the maintenance and repair of their sidewalks. Yep. Pretty amazing way to run things, but that’s how it’s done here in the ATL.

And when you have paid the city for those needed repairs, the City itself has a hard time getting the money? What? Well, it seems money went into the City’s General Fund, and then the General did not like to release it to the people (department) it really belongs to…Public Works. Ah, welcome to city government at its finest.

On Monday, the City Council approved legislation to expand the city’s Sidewalk Trust Fund which will direct monies in the right direction. Ya think?

Under the new ordinance — which was introduced Sept. 19 by one of Midtown’s representatives Councilman Kwanza Hall, one of Midtown’s council representatives introduced the new ordinance September 19 so that revenue that the city collects from private property owners for sidewalk repairs will go directly to the Sidewalk Trust Fund.

Hall said, “As soon as I learned that our Sidewalk Trust Fund could benefit from this legislative solution, I was delighted to sponsor the ordinance. Over time, monies accumulated in the fund will allow us to be more proactive when it comes to sidewalk repairs and improvements.”

PEDS , a pedestrian advocacy group has been working with the city on the issue and was in support of Hall’s legislation. “This is an important and much-needed first step toward enabling Public Works to address the estimated $152 million backlog of broken and uneven sidewalks in the city of Atlanta,” said Sally Flocks, President.

Midtown Atlanta is already a great, walkable neighborhood. It looks like walking might be just a bit easier in the future.

If You SEE Something, SAY Something

October 3, 2011 by Thom Abbott

If You See Something Say Something Atlanta Police Department One of the strong points of any neighborhood is the actual people that live there. And when they work together, for whatever reason, things can get done. One such thing is the concept of community policing.

If You SEE Something, SAY Something is an Atlanta Police Department initative that is targeted at citizens and employees of the City of Atlanta to be the eyes and ears of the APD. The more involved the citizens are in their own community, the less likely a crime will go unnoticed. The idea behind If You SEE Something, SAY Something is making criminals feel THEY are not safe in a neighborhood.

You should never put yourself in danger, but the idea is to teach everyone to be a good witness and report in detail as much as you possibily can. Just take note of:

What drew your attention to the activity?
Who did you see?
What were they wearing?
What was their location?
How were they involved?

Basically, the Who, What, When, Where and How of the incident.

If you see something suspicious, report it. Let the APD determine if it’s a problem. They would rather be called by a concerned citizen and it turn out to be nothing versus ignore what you see and it turns into a crime. If You SEE Something, SAY Something.

The program is for all city empolyees and citizens while they are at work or at home. Being observant of your surroundings at all times is just good personal safety, no matter where you are.

Midtown Atlanta is covered by Zone 5 of the APD, as well as two additional private security forces, Midtown Blue and the Midtown Ponce Security Alliance (MPSA). Additionally, MARTA has its own police force. You can reach each of them at the following numbers:

APD Zone 5 — 404/658-7054/7830 as well as dialing 911
Midtown Blue — 404/817-0500
MPSA — They only offer their patrol hotline to paid members, but you can report activity to info@midtownponce.org
MARTA Police — 404/848-4911

Take a moment, and program these numbers into your cell phone. Don’t live in Midtown Atlanta, but visit the area often? Be an alert citizen and have these numbers available.

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Thom Abbott Midtown Atlanta For More Information on how we can best serve your Midtown Atlanta Real Estate needs, please fill out the online contact form or call us at 770.713.1505.

We specialize in Condominium homes in Midtown Atlanta and other In Town areas of Atlanta. If you are planning to Buy or Sell real estate, let us help you explore all the possibilities available to you and help you find just the right home you will LOVE!

For a Quick Look at Midtown Atlanta Condominiums:

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Midtown Atlanta Mid Rise Condominiums

Perhaps you are interested in Historic Midtown? Take a look at Homes For Sale In Historic Midtown Atlanta

Atlanta Legoland Amongst Phipps Plaza Fashion

September 27, 2011 by Thom Abbott

STORY UPDATE:

I brought this to you back in February of this year. In a story from 11Alive News, Mayor Kasim Reed was to have attended the ground breaking today (September 27) at Phipps Plaza. (I missed this story or I would have been there!) LegoLand Discovery Center is sure to be a hit! I wonder if I’m to big to go?

If you’ve ever shopped Atlanta, you know that the two premiere places to shop are Lenox Square and its neighbor across Peachtree, Phipps Plaza.

Well, in 2012, Phipps is going to be home to a pretty cool children’s attraction…the Atlanta Legoland Discovery Center.

Merlin Entertainments, the London-based company that owns the concept, will build a $12 million, 32,000 sq ft plus attraction on the 3rd floor of the famed Buckhead shopping “destination.” (Heavens, you would NEVER call Phipps a “center!)

The Atlanta Journal Constitution quoted William Pate, President of the Atlanta Convention & Visitor Bureau; “Atlanta has become one of the country’s most popular family travel destinations, and the new Legoland Discovery Center will provide another great experience for visitors.”

The article further describes what the attraction will include:

4D Cinema
Lego Rides ( hmmmm….)
Exhibits?

A visit to the Dallas Legoland site lists rides and attractions such as Lego Factory, Miniland and Lego Racers. (I’m liking the sound of this…)

Atlanta Legoland Discovery Center

So, does Legoland sound like a fit amongst the posh stores like Nordstrom, Gucci and Giorgio Armani? I guess Merlin does. We’ll have to wait till 2012 to find out!

Atlanta Legoland Discovery Center

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