Atlanta Intown - December 2018

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Sally Bethea, Kathy Dean, Grace Huseth, Mark Wallace Maguire, Asep Mawardi, Isadora Pennington, Clare Richie, Tim Sullivan, Megan Volpert

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The

On the Cover

Java Speaks: Resilience in the wake of fire and fury

As we were going to press for the December issue, a warrant had been issued for the arrest of a suspect accused of burning down Java Monkey Coffee House in Decatur on Nov. 11. For many years, Java Monkey was a home-away-from-home for me as I honed my poetry and performance. To see it in ruins was devastating.

The Church Street coffee spot has been a staple in Decatur for more than 25 years, and I lost count of how many Sunday nights I spent there at the poetry open mic, Java Monkey Speaks. I became so involved that I wound up co-editing five “Java Monkey Speaks” anthologies with founding host Kodac Harrison. I attended countless other nights there for special events, meetings, interviews and hosting the poetry stage during the Decatur Book Festival.

The poetry community put Java Monkey on the cultural map and the open mic was a going concern on its tiny stage for 17 years. After Kodac retired, award-winning poet Theresa Davis took over as host and she has done a magnificent job of continuing to foster a sense of community. The open mic has, literally, been open to everyone – from seasoned writers and performers to those who just needed to get something off their chest that day. The work performed there was funny, profane, political, heartbreaking and inspiring.

According to the current owner of Java Monkey, the suspect who set fire to the building late on a Sunday after the open mic had concluded was a disgruntled former employee. I wonder if this angry, vengeful person realizes just how damaging his actions were not only to the livelihood of the owners and other employees, but to the community as a whole?

Watching people walk to the stage and express their burgeoning sexuality or gender identity, how they deal with racism, exploring the power of first love, and displaying far more political acumen than our current crop of politicians was humbling and awe-inspiring. An act of rage may have taken their stage, but it cannot silence their voices. Theresa Davis made sure of that.

A couple of days after the fire, Theresa had partnered with 7 Stages and Java Lords in Little Five Points to provide a home for the open mic, now rechristened Java Speaks. There was no break in the open mic, just a new location. And the crowds that have shown up to listen and perform are testament to the resilience of the poetry and spoken word community in Atlanta.

If you have never been to a poetry open mic, do yourself a favor in the coming weeks and head to 7 Stages on a Sunday night. Sign-up begins at 7:30 p.m. and readings at 8 p.m. It will be the best holiday gift you can give yourself.

The Neighborhood News & Features

The Gulch

Massive Downtown project gets greenlight, but legal challenge promised

By Collin Kelley

The Atlanta City Council narrowly voted to approve the deal and Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms quickly signed the legislation into law, but the redevelopment of The Gulch could still face a legal challenge by opponents.

After nearly seven hours of public comment, the Atlanta City Council voted in favor of a deal to redevelop the Downtown property just before midnight on Nov. 5 after a meeting that had initially started at 1 p.m.

Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms appeared in the council chambers just after the vote to thank the body for a “monumental win” for the city. Los Angelesbased CIM Group will build a $5 billion mixed-used development of offices, hotels, retail and homes on the 40-acre warren of parking lots and railroad tracks adjacent to Mercedes Benz Stadium.

The redevelopment deal will require $1.9 billion in public subsidy, which grew loud condemnation from many residents over the months of hearings and meetings. While the city promoted “Greenlight the Gulch,” opponents started a “Red Light the Gulch” campaign.

Councilmember J.P. Matzigkeit praised the deal and said it was the “best shot Atlanta has had in the past 50 years to revitalize The Gulch and Downtown. The rewards outweigh the risk.”

Bottoms signed the legislation approved by the city council at a signing ceremony on Nov. 14.

“The Gulch redevelopment deal, the largest in state history, charts a new course for how city development is optimized for public good,” Bottoms said in a statement. “As I sign this historic legislation into law—joined by members of City Council—we also inscribe affordable housing, workforce training, minority and female-owned business participation, and public safety investments into our city’s future.”

The city continues to tout the deal made with CIM Group, which includes $28 million for the citywide affordable housing fund, a required minimum of 200 affordable housing units at The Gulch site, $2 million in workforce training, $12 million into a citywide economic development fund and $12 million for a new fire station.

Details of the deal struck with CIM Group include the issuance of $40 million in Tax Allocation District bonds, which will allow CIM to tap into $625 million in tax revenue generated from the project. The city council also approved the creation of an “Enterprize Zone,” which will give CIM a whopping $1.25 billion in sales tax revenue collected from the project.

City Council President Felicia Moore said in a statement: “I encourage the committees of purview to begin now, devising a strategy for monitoring the progress of the development along with its adherence to the requirements as stated within the agreements.”

Meanwhile, a group of opponents who coalesced under “Red Light The Gulch,” has started a GoFundMe page to mount a legal case against the city to put the brakes on the project. At press time, the group had raised more than $10,000 of a $30,000 goal. The group says the deal will actually short the schools and public services leaving taxpayers holding the bag for more than a billion dollars.

In a Facebook post announcing the legal fund, Red Light the Gulch said the deal approved by the city council has legal vulnerabilities, including the sales tax promised to CIM Group, which the group claims is unconstitutional.

Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and members of the City Council at The Gulch legislation signing ceremony.

Places in Peril

Endangered list includes Madison Theatre and Rhodes Center

The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation has released its 2019 list of 10 Places in Peril in the state.

“This is the Trust’s fourteenth annual Places in Peril list,” said Mark C. McDonald, president and CEO of the Trust. “We hope the list will continue to bring preservation solutions to Georgia’s imperiled historic resources by highlighting ten representative sites.”

Places in Peril is designed to raise awareness about Georgia’s significant historic, archaeological and cultural resources, including buildings, structures, districts, archaeological sites and cultural landscapes that are threatened by demolition, neglect, lack of maintenance, inappropriate development or insensitive public policy.

Through Places in Peril, the Trust will encourage owners and individuals, organizations and communities to employ proven preservation tools, financial resources and partnerships in order to reuse, reinvest and revitalize historic properties that are in peril.

Here’s a closer look at the two local historic sites on the list:

Rhodes Center South

Designed in 1937 by noted Georgia architects Ivey and Crook, Rhodes Center was Atlanta’s first strip shopping center and one of the largest real estate developments in Atlanta during the Great Depression. Rhodes Center was originally made up of three onestory buildings that ran along the north, south

and west sides of Rhodes Hall and were faced with white Georgia marble. Only the South building, which was home to the Rhodes Theatre, remains. The building is threatened by its current state of disrepair after sitting vacant and suffering neglect for many years.

Despite a thriving market for commercial real estate in Midtown, there are no plans for its rehabilitation.

Madison Theatre

Opened in 1927, the Madison Theatre in East Atlanta was designed by local architects Daniell and Beutell in the popular Moorish Revival style. With over 600 seats, lavish furnishings and air conditioning, the theater ranked as one of the finest and most expensive neighborhood theaters in the South at the time.

As with many neighborhood theaters, the Madison helped bridge the gap between the silent and “talkie” movie eras, serving as a community cultural resource and operating as a theater until the 1960s before later being used as a church. Since the 1980s, only smaller portions of the building have been used for commercial purposes while the larger theater space has been used for storage. There is significant potential for rehabilitation, but there are no plans to bring the theater back to its original glory.

Also on this year’s list: Colquitt County Arts Center in Moultrie (Colquitt County); Glennwanis Hotel in Glennville (Tattnall County); Huston House at Butler Plantation in Darien (McIntosh County); Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace Garden in Savannah (Chatham County); Needwood Baptist Church and School in Brunswick (Glynn County); Springfield Log Cabin School in Union Point (Taliaferro County); Stark Mill Community Building in Hogansville (Troup County); and The Cedars in Washington (Wilkes County).

For more about the places on the list, visit georgiatrust.org.

Where all the lights are bright… Renderings revealed for new Downtown signage and art

ON THE AGENDA

District 3 Atlanta City Councilmember Ivory Lee Young, Jr. died Nov. 16 at the age of 56 after undergo a stem-cell transplant in his ongoing battle with cancer. A native of Butler, Alabama, Young has served on the council since January 2002. The district he represented is comprised of several communities on the Westside, including English Avenue, Washington Park and Vine City. An avid Atlanta Falcons fan, he helped oversee the completion of the new MercedesBenz Stadium, also located in District 3.

Atlanta Streets Alive is planning a 10-mile “Cross-City” route connecting the Westside to Decatur on June 9, 2019 from 2 to 8 p.m. More than 100,000 people took part in September’s Atlanta Streets Alive on Peachtree as the famed thoroughfare was closed to vehicular traffic for the afternoon.

Woodruff Park in Downtown now has free WiFi thanks to a partnership with Georgia’s Own Credit Union and 100 Peachtree and funding from the Southwest Airlines Heart of the Community grant. Park patrons will now be able to enjoy connectivity that operates at the fastest available speed, 100 Mbps.

The Morehouse School of Medicine has broken ground on a $50 million, 7.2-acre mixed-use campus development. Plans for Phase 1 include approximately 200 units of market rate multi-family housing, a 25,000 square foot medical office building, a 9,000 square foot wellness center, 2,500 square feet of retail space on the corner of Lee Street and Westview Drive.

The City of Atlanta and Atlanta Housing have announced a new partnership to develop 550 permanent supportive housing units through the HUD-funded initiative HomeFirst.

Renderings of new lighted signage and public art designed to give Downtown a Times Square vibe were revealed this week.

After the Atlanta City Council relaxed restrictions on signage for the Downtown area, Central Atlanta Progress and Atlanta Downtown Improvement District touted the creation of what’s being called the Atlanta Arts & Entertainment District (AAED).

The geography of the district is bounded to the west by Northside Drive; to the north by Ivan Allen Jr. Boulevard; to the east by Interstate 75/85 and Courtland Street; and to the south by Trinity Avenue. The AAED includes existing destinations like Mercedes-Benz Stadium, State Farm Arena, Centennial Park and the recently approved Gulch development.

Beginning in 2019, expect to see digital media, public art, nontraditional advertising and dynamic installations in the district, including 101 Marietta, 79 Marietta’s parking facility, Embassy Suites at Centennial Olympic Park, Peachtree Center and The Westin Peachtree Plaza.

The renderings depict large projected art and advertising wrapping some buildings, large LED signage and more. The city will have to sign off on final designs, so the renderings provided to the media are subject to change.

“This effort presents us a tremendous opportunity to bring activity and light to signature corridors and nodes of activity in Downtown Atlanta,” said Jennifer Ball, CAP/ADID Vice President of Planning and Economic Development. “Bringing this program to life has been a true collaborative effort between ADID, the volunteers who serve on the District’s Advisory Council, Downtown property owners and the media industry.”

Tech Solution

Wristband pilot program to aid homeless population

By Clare S. Richie

On any given night in Atlanta, there are more than 3,000 homeless people, at least 80 percent of whom are African American. As the city grapples with affordable housing, economic inequality and gentrification, Mini City is poised to launch its second pilot program to deploy new technology in an effort to eradicate homelessness.

“Mini City is a tech start up rooted in compassion,” co-founder and CEO India Hayes said.

Hayes and Anita Jones began the social enterprise after participating in Goodie Nation’s 2016 cohort that addressed the question, ‘How can we hack gentrification to make it more economically inclusive?’

Based on their volunteer experience, Hayes and Jones developed their solution around the needs of the homeless because they are “super impacted by any change in the city.” The co-founders listened to program directors and caseworkers, like Salvation Army’s former grants manger Melinda Allen and Area Commander Janeane Schmidt, who described why the lack of identification and vital records was a tremendous barrier to self-sufficiency.

“Homeless people don’t have access to basic needs – shelter, food – and one of the primary reasons is lack of an ID,” Mini City Consultant and PhD candidate at Georgia Tech Sourabh Jha said.

Without two forms of identification you can’t open a bank account, enroll in school, own a home, rent an apartment or access basic services like Medicaid or SNAP (commonly known as food stamps). But the process of obtaining an ID, which includes application and filing fees, transportation requests and a mailing address, is not feasible for those who lack stable housing. Addressing this need would become the core service of Mini City’s first pilot.

“With these vital records, consumers [homeless citizens] are able to go from agency to agency and really connect with housing, healthcare and employment,” Allen shared.

Working primarily with the Salvation Army, the social enterprise provided more than 300 Near Field Communication Enabled wristbands, which are similar to Fitbits, developed in partnership with tech sponsor Tagstand. The wristband was like a key to unlock free services.

“I have gotten assistance with my state ID and my birth certificate. The workers and volunteers – everyone was wonderful. It gives me hope,” Jeanette shared about her experience with Mini City after attending a vital records fair hosted by Salvation Army. Those served by the program describe acquiring the ID as a first step toward moving into an apartment or starting a job.

And while the early years demonstrated that the tech start up was fulfilling a need, they realized their web-based approach, available only on their laptops and phones, was not practical as they sought to expand their reach.

“We had to be there and it was very time consuming,” Hayes said. So, Mini City went back to the drawing board for a more accessible and scalable approach.

The second pilot, expected to launch in early 2019, will feature an on-site resource tablet application based at shelters, food banks, churches and other organizations. Services will remain free to the homeless, but participating providers will be assessed a discounted subscription fee. Caseworkers with high caseloads are embracing this technology as a tool that can help them be more effective.

On the tablet, each homeless user will be able to check on the status of any form of identification they applied for with Mini City, search for nearby resources like food and shelter, book shelter beds or medical appointments with partnered providers, store resumes and more.

“This is more sustainable, more mobile and moving toward our final model of a smart city – smart panels throughout city,” Jha said. The possiblities are endless as Mini City continues to innovate technology for social good.

To learn more, visit minicityatl.com.

Courtesy Face Front Productions

Mini City Co-Founders India Hayes, Anita Jones and Amber McCain pose during a Mini City Vital Record’s Fair with Mercer Corporation employee volunteers.

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Light Up the House

By Grace Huseth

Homes around Atlanta may be decked out with twinkle lights, towering Christmas trees and snowman inflatables, but many homes in the city are lighting candles – and it’s not always for decorative reasons. When utility bills get higher in the winter, lights are sometimes the first to go. But an Intown based nonprofit is on a mission to make the season bright, one home at a time.

Midtown Assistance Center, headquartered in the basement of Atlanta First United Methodist Church, provides emergency assistance to low-income working residents to help prevent homelessness and hunger during periods of crisis by offering help with rent and utilities, a food pantry and clothes closet.

The organization serves clients who are already hardworking hourly employees with positions at restaurants and retail stores or are security officers and parking lot attendants. Many live in the 30314 and 30315 zip codes where maintaining standard of living on a minimum wage job is tough during the year, let alone during the colder months when electric and gas bills skyrocket. When the holidays come around, the happiest time of the year is often the most stressful and frugal.

“I’m always surprised by hearing how hard our clients have been working and how much they have overcome,” said program manager Keira Dandridge. “They say they have used all of their pension, asked friends and family for money, have taken on a second job or are driving for Uber and Lyft. We really are the last resort and we try to point them in the right direction or brainstorm as a team.”

This year MAC came up with the idea to light up homes not only with holiday cheer, but with light. Light Up the House is an initiative to focus on supplying the basics rather than a holiday bash and give the gift of warmth in the form of paying utility bills.

“Light Up the House goes beyond that one day,” Dandridge said. “We get calls that families have had the lights out for two weeks. The families are still running, but in the dark with candles and flash lights. We are asking donors to light up the house, not only with gifts, but with heat, utilities and food.”

Dandridge said just one bill paid by an anonymous angel can make a difference. MAC encourages donors and organizations to pay utility bills in increments of $50, $100, $150, as the average utility bill runs about $162.

Christmas vacation isn’t a relaxing break for individuals who work at schools or universities. When schools close, facility positions such as cafeteria workers and janitors are not getting paid and many experience up to a month without income. Meanwhile, their kids may enjoy a break from homework and test tests, but not from school. For low-income families, school is a sanctuary where there are lights, heat and free or reduced lunch.

“The reality is that some kids go home from school and after school programs only to enter into cold, dark homes. They may be getting presents, but if you don’t have lights, you are going to play with your toys in the dark,” Dandridge said.

MAC will continue to host an annual holiday gift drive, but with more focus on the necessities this holiday season. The gift drive is one of the biggest campaigns each year, giving approximately 80 families and close to 200 children gifts to open Christmas morning. The organization asks clients to create a gift wish list leading up to the holidays to get a variety of donations for children up to age 18. Parents of teens are grateful for a chance to brainstorm gift ideas for older children, but again, the basics are always in the forefront of their mind.

“I’m always heartbroken by how many parents list underwear and socks or a new jacket and real necessities as the only things they can even think of to ask for,” said MAC partnerships director Ciara Rowley.

While the holidays are a main focus, the center works with those in need all year long with a host of volunteers.

“We have amazing volunteers. We have some retired social workers and school psychologists as well as folks who want to be neighborly or live out their faith,” Rowley said. “When people come in, they are welcomed by volunteers at the door and sit down one-onone to tell their story. Volunteers are always eager to help as much as they can and advocate for clients.”

Volunteers have been known to help clients with job hunting and application processes to find more stable, higher paying full time employment as well as build relationships with landlords to advocate for clients. When clients are in need of more than MAC can provide, staff refer clients to partner organizations and calls other programs throughout the city to inquire about assistance and requirements for eligibility.

“The average person who is experiencing these hardships is choosing whether they are going to eat, have lights or to go to the doctor. This is every day for most of our clients,” Dandridge said. “Even if it’s only one time assistance, it’s all they need to maintain long term self-sufficiency.”

For more information and to make a donation, visit midtownassistancectr.org.

Thankful, but honest, this holiday season

I’m writing this month’s column over Thanksgiving weekend and like most of you, I’m thinking about what I’m thankful for. We’re in Florida with some of Kristen’s extended family so I’m very thankful we can all be together. But if I’m being completely honest there are some drawbacks, starting with the nap I just failed to take. It’s a great house, plenty of space and a comfy sofa that is roughly the size of a school bus. But it features a living room with a vaulted ceiling that amplifies mundane conversations to yodeling contest levels of sound.

Thankfully, it is a rental house though so we can freely indulge in critiquing it, which has become one of our favorite vacation pastimes. Sometimes it’s dull knives or malfunctioning ice makers that liven up the conversations. This house will be remembered for its off-limits owner’s areas. Typically we muse over what could possibly be in the one tiny closet that the owners have decided to shield from the renters. Is it where they keep stacks of cash and the really good board games?

But in addition to several locked closets, this house also has a locked food pantry. Our Honey Nut Cheerios and Larabars are sharing shelf space with all the pre-requisite tchotchkes like seahorses and little home-spun placards that remind you this is the beach. I wonder if the laid-back charm carries through to the locked bedroom suite and the locked two-car garage. For all we know, the owners themselves have tangentially joined us for the holiday.

I might knock on a few doors and see if they appear so I can ask them why our bathroom is three times larger than it needs to be yet there isn’t anywhere to hang a towel. While I’m at it, I might question the choice of shag carpeting in our bedroom. Hasn’t their daughter ever eaten too many Flaming Hot Cheetos on the ride there? Light brown shag and Flaming Hot Cheeto Red make for an awfully challenging cleaning project. I had planned on a relatively lazy weekend so I’ll have to just think about how badly I want to recoup our security deposit.

Of course I’m thankful for my immediate family. I’m thrilled that Elliott is enjoying middle school. He’s made lots of new friends and while I’m nostalgic for the days when he called me Daddy, I suppose he could call me worse things than “bruh.”

Margo continues to be the funniest person I’ve ever met, but more and more her best material seems to be at my expense. And I’m particularly thankful that Kristen wasn’t too mad about me dropping the apple pie while unloading the car. It was from Costco and roughly the size of a spare tire so as luck would have it, the remaining half was still plenty.

I’m thankful for continued good health. That’s not to say these Thanksgiving family football games aren’t getting a little dicey. I think we collectively escaped with a bruised tailbone (Mary J.) and some mildly bruised egos (most everybody else), but that’s a net win because I’m not even sure where the Urgent Care Center is around here. Plus, a great book idea hit me during the game. Elliott and his cousin Owen will co-author a memoir entitled “I Was Wide Open: Missed Opportunities on The Gridiron.”

Not to be outdone, my brother-in-law Tom mentioned he was thinking of starting an Instagram account to document the various places his daughter Emma leaves her socks like the kitchen counter, the grill... He better jump on this because my kids could dominate in this medium. Our Sock-Stagram account will make Insta-Millions because as I’m learning, that’s how people earn money these days. You better believe I will be thankful for that! We’ll be hosting Christmas so we can put the windfall towards making sure everything is perfect. And if it’s not, that’s ok too. I can always retreat to my owner’s closet.

Pet Pick

Sheldon is a 4-year-old Westie Mix who is a social butterfly and makes friends everywhere he goes. At 23 pounds, he is easy to carry with you and would love to go to the coffee shop, the doggie bakery, and anywhere else pups can go. Sheldon has never met another dog he did not like, and he does well with children. He is mellow, but he will also play once he is comfortable and with people he knows. To adopt Sheldon, visit PAWSAtlanta. org or the shelter 5287 Covington Highway in Decatur.

All photos by Asep Mwardi

Lighting of Atlantic Station

Major expansion, renovation underway at Atlantic Station

Amajor expansion and renovation of Atlantic Station, the mixed-use retail, office and residential development in West Midtown, has begun.

Barricades are up as demolition begins to make way for a slate of new buildings and tenants, as well as a reimagining of the greenspace called Central Park.

Three brand new buildings, including a new Hobnob Neighborhood Tavern and two new 3,000 square-foot retail buildings for retail and restaurant space that will also house the newly renovated concierge facility and a private event space overlooking the park. Central Park will be expanded to almost double its current size and include a new interactive water feature, shade canopies, and a giant LED video screen for the summer movie series.

Hines, the international real estate and investment group that operates Atlantic Station, said in a media statement that the changes being made over the next 18 months will fulfill the project’s overall vision.

The news comes on the heels of recent announcements about the in-progress construction of: two new office buildings, Atlantic Yards and T3 West Midtown; a new Embassy Suites Hotel; a 300+ unit apartment building by AMLI; and the remodeling of numerous retail spaces and new retail (Forever 21, Bowlero, an expanded H&M) and restaurant tenants (Naan Stop, Poke Bar, Pho 24 and Gyu-Kaku).

Also, earlier this month, Peachtree Hotel Group announced it had purchased a site along 17th Street in Atlantic Station where it plans to build a new hotel.

Norfolk Southern to move corporate HQ to Midtown

Rail transportation giant Norfolk Southern plans to move its headquarters from its namesake Norfolk, VA to Midtown Atlanta.

According to a report in the Atlanta Business Chronicle, Norfolk Southern will build a new tower at 650 West Peachtree St. that includes 1.3 million square feet of office space and about 12,000 square feet for ground floor retail space. The railroad company is working on the project Cousins Properties, which has filed development plans with the state.

A fact sheet provided by Invest Atlanta, the city’s economic development arm, indicates the tower will cost $575 million and bring 850 new jobs.

The departure of Norfolk Southern from Virginia is likely to be costly for the corporation. According to a report in Virginia Business Magazine, the company many have to pay back millions in subsides it received to remain in the Norfolk/Hampton Roads area.

– Collin Kelley Atlantic Station’s Central Park will get a significant expansion to make room for more events, including a large digital screen for the annual summer movie screenings.

New York-based Marx Realty has announced plans to modernize the 1920’s era Art Deco building at 207 Peachtree Street in Downtown that was once home to Regenstein’s Department Store.

The $10.5 million overhaul is expected to keep the building’s design elements while creating a new 48,000 square-foot office and retail space within. The structure will be known as The Department Building.

The renovated building will feature 18foot high, terra cotta barrel vaulted ceilings, fluted columns, and original wood floors. A new rooftop deck will offer views up and down Peachtree Street and the distant Stone Mountain. The redesign is being managed by local design firm ASD | SKY.

Marx Realty also announced that marketing and leasing for The Department Building is being managed by a JLL team led by Jeff Belamy and Liz Koteles.

“The Department Building will appeal to users in the 5,000 – 30,000 square feet range seeking efficient, creative office space in a unique environment with immediate access to MARTA and significant surrounding amenities” according to Jeff Bellamy, Managing Director with JLL.

The Art Deco building at 207 Peachtree will get a big makeover both inside and out, including a rooftop deck with impressive views up and down Peachtree Street and even Stone Mountain to the east.

Make Yourself at Home

New Homes in Atlanta’s Hottest Neighborhoods

Come home to a place that’s right where you want to be, where it’s never been easier to make space for life and the things that matter most to you. Well-crafted and uniquely designed with you in mind, new homes from The Providence Group are nestled in some of Atlanta’s most sought-after neighborhoods and focused on just one thing - your life, your way.

December 6, 2018 from 6-9 p.m.

BUSINESS BRIEFS

Internet retail giant Amazon has decided to split its new headquarters – dubbed HQ2 – between two cities: Long Island City, NY and Crystal City, VA. Atlanta was one of 20 finalists named by Amazon for HQ2 and The Gulch, the Downtown property set for a multibillion dollar redevelopment, was touted as the prime location. The Wall Street Journal reported that other cities on the finalist list might get “major” Amazon sites, likely to be distribution hubs for the retailer.

Hard Rock International – the company behind Hard Rock Cafe – has announced it will open a new hotel concept, Reverb by Hard Rock, next door to MercedesBenz Stadium. The hotel, which will be managed by Atlanta based companies Bolton Atlanta and Hotel Equities, is slated to open in February 2020, according to a media release. The 200-room hotel, which will be located in Castleberry Hill district, will have 200 rooms, rooftop bar and a co-working space called MEET.

The Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) has given its Development of Excellence award to La France Walk, a residential community in the Edgewood neighborhood. The community features varied housing options and price points to encourage greater diversity and walkability. Constellations — a restored workspace in the Sweet Auburn district that honors the building’s history and the civil rights legacy of the neighborhood — was recognized for Exceptional Merit for Innovations in Adaptive Reuse. ARC also presented its Great Place Award to The Aerotropolis Area, a dynamic part of the Atlanta region that includes communities around Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

Custom apparel company INDOCHINO has opened a new 1,300 square foot showroom at the Shops Around Lenox in Buckhead. Customers are designated their own “Style Guide” who walks them through designing their one-of-a-kind suits, shirts, blazers, chinos and overcoats. Garments are made to their precise measurements and shipped directly to their door within three weeks. For more information, visit indochino.com.

Perspire Sauna Studio is now open at 322 Pharr Road in Buckhead offering the city’s first infrared sauna experience. The radiant heat is designed to penetrate deeply into joints, muscles and tissues, speeding oxygen flow and increasing circulation. For more information, visit perspiresaunastudio.com.

Lenox Square in Buckhead has new and reopened retail shops including Casper Sleep Shop, offering mattresses and bedding; whimsical cosmetic brand Winky Lux; coffee pop-up The Daily Dose; and bath and body shop L’Occitane

Women’s fashion label Amour Vert is now open at Ponce City Market in Old Fourth Ward. Dedicated to environmentally-minded offerings and signature fabrics, the new location is the first shop outside of California. For more, visit amourvert.com.

Decatur’s Finest. Where jewelry and fine art are expressions of beauty. Our Jewelry Artists create unforgettable art jewelry that will answer your finest shopping needs: beauty, unique design, and artistic craftsmanship!

JLL’s retail group has been awarded the exclusive leasing assignment for The Shops Buckhead Atlanta, the six-block collection of shops and restaurants in the heart of the district. Coleman Morris, JLL’s director of retail agency leasing, leads the team, which also includes Vice President Molly Morgan and Retail Advisor Kimberly Arturo. The team is tasked with executing developer OliverMcMillan’s vision for the destination’s 300,000 square feet of street-level retail.

Shepherd Center buys Buckhead corner for future expansion project

By John Ruch

The Shepherd Center has purchased commercial properties at 28th Street and Peachtree Road in Buckhead for a major expansion geared at housing families of patients at the rehabilitation hospital.

The hospital announced Nov. 16 it has a deal to buy the property for $20 million. The property currently includes the restaurants Uncle Julio’s and Ted’s Montana Grill. The hospital says those businesses will remain for now, with construction at least two years away. The hospital said its specific plan is still in the works, but aims to nearly double its current 84-unit residential inventory on the site. The project also would include “clinical and/or administrative” hospital space and possibly retail space for businesses oriented to serving visiting families.

Home & Real Estate

Holiday Open House

Intown home tours offer decorating tips, seasonal cheer

By Collin Kelley

If you’re looking for decorating inspiration or just like the idea of wandering through some beautifully decked out homes, Intown has an array of tours on tap this month.

Peachtree Garden Club

Christmas Home Tour

The 2017 tour will feature four distinctive Buckhead homes (located on Habersham Road, Andrews Drive and Cherokee Road) on Dec. 6 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tickets are $30 at peachtreegardenclub.org.

Grant Park Candlelight Tour of Homes

The 38th annual Grant Park Candlelight Tour of Homes will be held from 6 to 10 p.m. each day on Dec. 8 – 9. This year’s tour includes a Saturday VIP Walking Tour of Oakland Cemetery and a Sunday Eventide Brewing VIP Holiday Experience. There will also be a festive trolley to take visitors from stop to stop. An artist’s market, holiday concert, Children’s Christmas Pageant, and visit with Santa are also on tap for the weekend. Tickets are $20 in advance ($25 after Dec. 8) at CandlelightTourofHomes.com

Home for the Holidays

The home tour began in mid-November and continues through Dec. 9, benefitting Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. This year’s show house at 4540 Jett Road is a new, 8,232-square-foot Buckhead estate on a 1.5-acre lot. Inspired by the site, the English country abode has been decorated by some of the city’s most noted interior designers. The home is open for tours Thursdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m. Tickets are $30. For more information, visit atlantaholidayhome.com.

Avondale Estates Tour of Homes & Holiday Market

The Avondale Estates Tour of Homes and Holiday Market will be held on Dec. 9 from 3 to 8 p.m. (the market is open noon to 6 p.m. at the Avondale Community Club). The 26h annual tour spans over 70 years beginning with a bungalow built in the early 40s and renovated through the years, two 50s brick cottages that have been bumped up and out, two Mid-century ranches with interesting renovations and a two-story Craftsman built in 2016. For more information, visit avondaletourofhomes.com.

Atlanta History Center Homes

The Buckhead campus is hosting its annual Candlelight Nights on Dec. 14 and 21 this year with opportunities to tour the opulent Swan House, Smith Family Farm and the Wood Family Cabin. There will also be a holiday market, visits with Santa Claus, stories, food and drink. For more details, visit atlantahistorycenter.com.

The Swan House at Atlanta History Center

1170 Ogilvie Drive | Listed for $415,000

314 Melrose Avenue | Listed for $849,000

657 Yorkshire Road | Listed for $725,000

2800 Howell Mill Road | Listed for $1,499,000

219 Lindbergh Drive | Listed for $1,045,000

317 Alberta Terrace | Listed for $1,199,000

875 West Paces Ferry | Listed for $2,295,000

1183 Bellaire Drive | Listed for $1,295,000

Thrive Homes has announced it will build a new townhome development, Emerson on Krog, near the corner of Edgewood Avenue and Krog Street. The first phase of the community will have 16 townhomes priced from $1 million. According to Curbed Atlanta, the site of the development is the former Jenkins Metal and Supply Company, located just south of Krog Street Market and just steps from the Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail.

▼Brightstar has announced that J5, a luxury condominium community, is slated to open spring of 2019 in Midtown. Located at the corner of Juniper and Fifth, the six-story development will feature 150 homes starting in the low $600s with large terraces, rooftop lounge, pool, gated parking and security. For more information, visit ownJ5.com.

Minerva Homes has begun work on transforming the former Druid Hills United Methodist Church campus into a condo and townhome development called 1200 Ponce. The former sanctuary and school building will be repurposed and complemented by new construction, which will feature flats and townhomes priced from $500,000 to more than $1 million, according to Curbed Atlanta.

Engel & Völkers Buckhead Atlanta earned multiple industry accolades at the 2018 Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association OBIE Awards, receiving six awards including five honoring its marketing of Rockhaven Homes developments Eastland Gates, Park Chase and Brownstones at Cosmopolitan. Engel & Völkers has also announced Shirley Gary as the highest ranked real estate advisor worldwide based on units closed. Gary is ranked number two in sales volume, posting over $260 million in sales volume in 2017, and number five in commission income.

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REAL ESTATE BRIEFS

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Harry Norman, Realtors associates have been designated Christie’s International Real Estate Luxury Specialists by Christie’s Education. More than 250 agents from the invitation-only Christie’s International Real Estate network, including Harry Norman associates Amy Bubes, Ashley Webb, Sam Lenaeus, Butch Whitfield, Sara Harper, Marcia Weinhoff, Madeline Sater, Erin Yabroudy, Alex Page, Anthony Acosta and Cindy Parks, met at Christie’s flagship auction house in New York in September for the conference.

Homebuilder and developer Taylor Morrison, has announced a new townhomes community, Townsend at Brookhaven. The gated community will feature 47 open-concept floor plans and boutique amenities, including a fire pit and a pool with a cabana. The community is 2.5 miles from the shopping and dining destination Town Brookhaven. For more information, visit taylormorrison.com.

Atlanta-based apartment investment and development firm Cortland has announced the appointment of Bruce Cohen as senior managing partner of Investments and Strategic Initiatives. Cohen, a Cortland board member for the last four years and an advisor for the past six months, will report directly to Cortland CEO Steven DeFrancis.

GPG Properties, the recently launched investment arm of the Glick Family Porfolio, has closed on Core at Lindbergh Station, a 358-unit contemporary apartment complex on Morosgo Drive in Buckhead. The seller was AVR Realty Co. and the purchase price was $84 million. “Core at Lindbergh Station is the last of the three apartment communities we had planned to purchase outside of New York City this year,” says Jason Glick, Managing Partner, GPG Properties. “Our goal was to diversify and build the Glick family portfolio with large multifamily assets in high-growth areas.”

Our multi-specialty practice has provided primary care and dermatology services to adult patients for nearly two decades. Our physicians, Dr. Mark Koralewski, Dr. Jeffrey Rollins and Dr. Mack Rachal are board-certified and extensively experienced, and are committed to serving you with the highest quality of care in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. We accept most insurance plans, are welcoming new patients and offer a convenient location within walking distance of the Arts Center Marta Station and close to major downtown employers.

Broadstone Yards, the new West Midtown apartment development, has welcomed its first residents. Located at 1084 Howell Mill Road, the development is comprised of three mid-rise buildings with 251 luxury studio, one- and two-bedroom units with direct pedestrian access to Westside Provisions District. For more information, visit broadstoneyards.com

Sustainability

Nature: The Ultimate Holiday Gift

On Thanksgiving, I had a new guest at my house: my granddog, Randy, who needed a home for a few days while his dad traveled to California to spend the holiday with my other son and his wife. Although still a puppy, Randy is big with a SaintBernard-like face and a long, lean body. Like most dogs, his passions are eating, sleeping and taking walks.

When I pick up his leash, and say the magic word, “walky,” Randy reacts with uncontrollable spasms of joy and excitement. The great outdoors! New smells, sights, sounds and, best of all, squirrels. On this Thanksgiving morning, a glorious day in the city, Randy and I walked the streets and parks of my neighborhood.

The autumn colors were astonishing: bright yellow ginkgos, trees that are largely invisible until they change color and drop a buttery carpet of leaves on the ground; maples, sporting cinnamon red-hot leaves, like the tree in my front yard, to dark reds, yellows and oranges; and poplars, wearing pale yellows and browns, the kitten-faced leaves of my childhood.

I’m forever in wonder of nature: the never-straight lines of tree branches, streams and flower stems. While the tall buildings of Midtown Atlanta serve as an impressive back-drop, I’m spellbound by the blue heron that Randy and I discover feeding in a small pond; by the falling leaves that, wind-propelled, spiral downward in a rain of color; and by the birdsong that surrounds us.

These are just a few of the natural gifts that can be found right outside our front doors, the rich diversity of the world around us. Humans have done nothing to earn or deserve this wealth; it predates us. Perhaps that is why we too often take nature for granted.

Author Terry Tempest Williams says that our public lands make each one of us “land-rich”, that these places are our inheritance. She is hopeful when she writes: “This is what we can promise the future: a legacy of care. That we will be good stewards and not take too much or give back too little, that we will recognize wild nature for what it is, in all its magnificent and complex history.”

Sixty years ago, William O. Douglas, the longest-serving justice on the U.S. Supreme Court and a prolific outdoor writer, wrote: “Those who visit

ABOVE THE WATER LINE

By Sally Bethea

Bethea

executive director

Hart [a mountain in southern Oregon] next century will know that we were faithful life tenants, that we did not entirely despoil the earth which we left them. We will make the tradition of conservation as much a part of their inheritance as the land itself.”

Will we be able to say the same – that we were faithful life tenants of the natural world around us? That we protected ourselves and future generations from what has been called the extinction of experience?

When I am stressed, a walk outside helps me relax; breathing deeply of fresh air revitalizes me. Those curving, irregular lines of nature please my eyes and my body makes a visceral connection with the moveable natural feast that surrounds me. A walk in wilderness is even more powerful. In a few days, I’ll take a long hike in north Georgia on the Benton MacKaye Trail. The leaf piles will be deep on the trail, which receives few visitors this time of year. I know that I will slow down in the woods, breathe deeply and forget the politics of men, seeking wild things instead.

Nature is the ultimate gift this – and every – holiday season. We must never fail to give it to ourselves (to leave our electronic devices and walk outside) and to offer it to those who we love through experiences with nature, be it a family walk after Thanksgiving turkey or a longer adventure away from home.

I learned from my parents the important lesson of giving my time and special experiences; they presented outings as gifts to my grandmother, rather than items for which she had no use. We would drive to the mountains and picnic by a stream in the fall and rent a pontoon boat at Callaway Gardens and view the beautiful azaleas there every spring. Right here in metro Atlanta, there are boundless opportunities to lose yourself in nature – from your own backyard and the park down the street to one of our three national parks.

You can also continue the tradition of conservation by making a gift donation in honor of a special friend or family member to one of the many nonprofit organizations that are working daily, right here in Georgia, to protect our rivers, forests, urban parks and wildlife. Most importantly, after praises have been sung, the presents opened and the holiday meal consumed, make sure to open the door and walk outside.

Sally

is the retired

of Chattahoochee Riverkeeper and current board president of Chattahoochee Parks Conservancy whose mission is to build a community of support for the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area.

One of the Southeast’s largest eco-benefits, the Captain Planet Foundation’s annual Benefit Gala will be held on Friday, Dec. 7 at the InterContinental Buckhead Atlanta, 3315 Peachtree Road, from 6 to 9:30 p.m. “Entourage” actor and UN Environment

Goodwill Ambassador Adrian Grenier will receive the Superhero for Earth Award, and environmental and civil rights activist Rev. Dr. Gerald Durley will receive the Exemplar Award. Single tickets are $750, $1,500 per couple, and corporate tables start at $5,000. For more information or tickets, visit captainplanetfoundation.org/events/gala.

Georgia Organics is in the midst of a campaign to raise $100,000 for The Farmer Fund to provide Hurricane Michael disaster relief. A national seed gift of $50,000 was made by the General Mills Foundation, while local donors and businesses have also been chipping in to the campaign. Farm Burger gave a percentage of proceeds from sales at recent Atlanta United and Falcons games and secured a match from Levy Restaurants, who manages the food at Mercedes Benz Stadium. For more information or to make a contribution, visit thefarmerfund.org.

Park Pride’s Annual Inspiration Awards is seeking nominations for “park heroes” in local neighborhoods to receive this recognition by Friday, Dec. 14 at parkpride.org/inspiration. Award winners will be recognized at Park Pride’s Parks & Greenspace Conference on March 25 at the Atlanta Botanical Garden.

◄ ElectroBike Georgia has expanded its inventory at its Brookhaven (ElectroBike) and Atlanta Beltline (The Bicycle Barn) stores to include industry-leading e-bikes from Raleigh, e-Joe, iZIP and Haibike. “Our goal is to make the ElectroBike shops the one-stop destination for anyone interested in electric bicycles,” said Eric Hunger, president of ElectroBike Georgia. Find out more at electrobikega.com or atlbikebarn.com.

Rubber ducks raced through Peavine Creek last month as part of the 6th annual Open Streets event in Emory Village. People gathered on the bridge across North Decatur Road to see which three lucky ducks would win. The event was a celebration of the successful ongoing restoration of Peavine Creek and the reemergence of the creek as a central component of the neighborhood.

Atlanta Audubon Society has been awarded a $50,000 grant from the Disney Conservation Fund (DCF) for Project Safe Flight Atlanta, which aims to reduce birdbuilding collisions. The funding will allow Atlanta Audubon to retrofit four buildings over the next two years with bird-friendly window film to will help prevent collisions. The first building that will receive window treatments is the Trees Atlanta Kendeda Center in Reynoldstown.

“I’ve been involved with the community since 1960 and I was on the very first board here at Saint Anne’s Terrace. It’s a beautiful part of town and the best part about living here is the wonderful family atmosphere in which everyone gets along.”

Adrian Grenier

Eric Hunger

News You Can Eat

Restaurants � Reviews � Events

Tasting Intown: Chai Yo Modern Thai

My wife and I absolutely love Thai food and eat it all the time. At home. We’re hard pressed to get up off the couch and go out to eat Thai in an actual restaurant. Why would you ditch your pajamas and television when the delivery options for Thai cuisine throughout the metro are so excellent? Well, we found a reason! Two reasons, actually: ingredients and service. I recommend you visit Chai Yo Modern Thai, the third and most underrated Thai offering from the Tamarind Group, which has been open near the Shops at Buckhead for about a year now.

A lot of the time when we order Thai delivery, it’s because we’re desperate for comfort. We don’t want to be bothered to cook and we need something yummy to soothe our aching hearts for whatever reason. Service at the average Thai place is usually solid, but not worth schlepping to obtain. Service at Chai Yo is worth the schlep. We were greeted with genuine warmth by a half dozen people from hostess to manager to bartender to servers. They checked our coats so the booth side of the table would be uncluttered. They were sweetly chatty and complimentary, offering us real attention rather than automated friendliness. They smiled as they passed our table, even on the way to some other table or the kitchen.

Tasting Intown

By Megan Volpert

And then we ordered—or, we tried to order. The servers can very intelligently discuss their menu, help map out a strategy for picky eaters or enormous family feasts, and give guidance on the best way to eat a certain dish or what condiments to add for more spicy or savory flair. They delight in doing it and you know what? We were glad for the pressure to be off because basically we were tiger-mothered into trying the very best things on the menu in proper sequence. We’d planned to try two appetizers and two entrees, then bring another app and entree home to shore up leftovers into a truly epic dinner the next day.

Our server helpfully swapped some items around so that we would get the best flavor and presentation in the dining room, and the best reheating situation for later. Fast forward to the next day: I unpack the leftovers to discover how awesomely thoroughly they have packaged every single little item that could’ve spilled or gotten soggy or otherwise not turned out well. Plus every box was labelled and dated, and some had smiley faces on them. The togo order was so expertly done that Chai Yo should get on Postmates or Uber Eats so their gospel can spread across this whole town. The expense of the food is very much worth it in terms of the service, but if you really can’t get off the couch, the price is still terrific given how they take care with the leftovers.

Ok, so the food itself is of course amazing. A lot of the dishes are amped up versions of stuff from the usual delivery places, except with very high-end proteins and veggies replacing the cheap stuff. I wasn’t sure $32 for a panang curry would be worth it, but I was wrong. Sous vide 12-hour braised beef cheeks in place of random chicken sinews? Yes, please! We also ate a wonderfully light and buttery garlic sea bass on a bed of crab fried rice, which was equally great cold the next day, and a Pad Thai made with glass noodles instead of the usual rice noodles that came with a heaping fistful of jumbo shrimp.

The best appetizers and desserts are the ones full of lemongrass. There’s an octopus salad with lime and chili paste in addition to the lemongrass. It wasn’t at all rubbery and the heat of it snuck up on us in comparison to the tapioca dumplings, where we started knocking the tiny sliver of pepper off the tops of these chewy delights to save our tongues. There are two soups that begin with a lemongrass base, and the lobster coconut soup was truly one of a kind. For dessert, we ordered a lemongrass Kaffir lime custard that has been haunting my dreams. To say it’s like a deconstructed Key lime pie is somewhat ungenerous. I could take a bath in that custard, so bright and smooth was it. The cocktail menu has similar flavors — lime, coconut, lemongrass — some of which arrive in unique copper mugs for a total effect that is far beyond home bar concoctions.

Chai Yo is a tremendous upgrade from the usual delivery Thai. If $15 lobster soup or $24 pad thai feel too exorbitant, remember that the quality of both service and ingredients definitely make the price tag worth it. Or look for their three-course $29 meal on Sundays. There are just some comforts a couch cannot provide.

Chai Yo Modern Thai is located at 3050 Peachtree Road, NE, #8, Atlanta, 30305. For more information, visit chaiyoatl.com.

Megan Volpert lives in Decatur, teaches in Roswell and writes books about popular culture.

Christmas Day Dining

By Collin Kelley

It wasn’t too long ago that if you wanted to eat out on Christmas Day, your only option was Waffle House. While you can still get your scattered, covered and smothered on, more and more restaurants around Intown are now opening to serve a Christmas Day meal. Find more at OpenTable.com or check with your favorite restaurant.

Nan Thai Fine Dining

Chef Nan Niyomkul will be offering up her standard dinner menu along with delectable specials for the holidays. 1350 Spring St., Midtown. Information: nanfinedining.com.

STK

Prime rib and traditional Christmas specials are on the menu for Christmas Day dinner. 1075 Peachtree St., Midtown. Information: togrp.com/venue/stk-atlanta.

Southern Art and Bourbon Bar

The Buckhead restaurant will be serving up a festive brunch on Christmas Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 3315 Peachtree Road. Information: southernart.com.

The Melting Pot

If it’s fondue you seek then check out The Melting Pot on Christmas Eve and Day as the staff serves up seasonally-inspired fondues in addition to its regular menu. 754 Peachtree St., Midtown. Information: meltingpot.com.

Fogo de Chao

The Buckhead restaurant will be open for its Churrasco Holiday Feast including a variety of vintage wines. 3101 Piedmont Road. Information: fogodechao.com.

Tuk Tuk Thai Food Loft

Special holiday dishes will be available along with the standard dinner menu at the South Buckhead restaurant. 1745 Peachtree Road. Information: tuktukatl.com.

The Palm

Located inside the Westin Buckhead hotel, the restaurant will be serving up Christmas dinner for the whole family. 3391 Peachtree Road. Information: thepalm. com.

Morton’s The Steakhouse

If you want to chow down on a big steak for your Christmas meal, head Downtown to Morton’s. 303 Peachtree Center Ave. inside SunTrust Plaza building. Information: mortons.com.

Community Smith

The Midtown restaurant will be serving a three-course menu including appetizers, entrees and dessert from noon to 8 p.m. 866 West Peachtree St. Information: communitysmithatl.com.

AG, Modern Bar and Steakhouse

Start the holiday with a sweet and savory breakfast buffet from 6:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. or wrap up Christmas with a four-course dinner with lavish dessert display inside the Ritz-Carlton. 181 Peachtree St., Downtown. Information: ritzcarlton.com.

The Café and Bar at Mandarin Oriental

Enjoy a Christmas night dinner from 5 to 10 p.m. at the Buckhead hotel for $85 per person. 3376 Peachtree Road. Information: mandarinoriental.com.

QUICK BITES

be creating seasonally driven snacks, bites and sharable plates. For more information, visit CitizenSupply.com.

The Halal Guys have opened a new location at Modera Midtown at 95 8th Street. Created as a street cart in Manhattan in 1990, the gyro wrap chain now has storefronts across the country. For more information, visit thehalalguys.com.

Every Day, a fresh food market specializing in local products, is now open at 670 Highland Ave. in Old Fourth Ward. The market, which is open daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., is located opposite Highland Walk apartments and Highland Bakery. The shop stocks wine, meats, cheeses and other necessities. You can also stop in for a quick breakfast and cup of coffee. The market is also next door to the forthcoming Field Day, which is expected to offer a “hodgepodge menu” and will have a covered, dog-friendly patio bar. For more information, visit fielddayeveryday.com.

Downtown’s Atlanta Marriott Marquis is completing renovations to its in-house restaurant, Sear, with plans to reopen the doors in late December after the Christmas holiday. The redesign will have a more “steakhouse atmosphere” and the menu will incorporate ingredients from local Georgia and Alabama farms. There will also be signature craft cocktails and a specialty bourbon bar offering more than 20 unique and local bourbon selections.

An eatery and bar called Likewise will become the centerpiece for Citizen Supply, the weekend pop-up flea market and greenhouse on the second floor of Ponce City Market. Likewise will offer craft cocktails, while Chef Jason Jimenez will

Fifth Group Restaurants has opened Ecco Buckhead at 3586 Peachtree Road near Phipps Plaza. Occupying a freestanding, 9,500 square foot building and a chef-driven European menu, the restaurant is open for dinner nightly with lunch service coming soon. This is the third location for the brand, joining the original in Midtown and an outpost at the airport. For more, visit buckhead.eccoatlanta.com.

Salad-driven restaurant Chopt is now open at 3655 Roswell Road in Buckhead joining existing locations as Ansley Mall and Toco Hills. The concept offers fresh salad-fixings, homemade dressings and flavored teas and lemonades. Get details at choptsalad.com.

Revelator Coffee has opened a new location in the lobby of the recently renovated 101 Marietta building in Downtown. For more information, visit revelatorcoffee.com.

A second location of Biltong Bar is open at The Shops Buckhead Atlanta serving up savory dried beef and other South African snacks along with handcrafted cocktails. For more, visit biltong-bar.com.

Canopy Atlanta Midtown hotel is expected to open its in-house restaurant, Xhibit Studio Kitchen & Bar, this month. The menu of locally-sourced meat and produce will create entrees that rotate often under the watch of Chef Christian Messier.

New York-based Mamoun’s Falafel will enter the Atlanta market with six locations, including the West Midtown Center development at 17th and Northside Drive. The Middle Eastern, fast-casual concept is expected to open early next year.

Docent Coffee is now open at 381 Edgewood Ave. in Old Fourth Ward, combining its existing open-roastery space with a new café open for breakfast and lunch serving fresh croissants, homemade sandwiches, soups and toasts. Docent offers monthly and yearly coffee memberships for unlimited, free regular-sized drinks (coffee, espresso, lattes, tea, etc.), as well as discounts on Docent merchandise, bags of coffee and special off-site events. Monthly memberships are $75. Yearly memberships are $800, which also includes a free docent mug and bag of coffee. For more information, visit docentcoffee.com.

Ammazza Pizzeria has opened a new location in Decatur at 314 East Howard Ave. just across from Kimball House. The menu includes antipasto, pasta, pizza, craft cocktails, beer and wine. For more information, visit ammazza.com.

The Studio

Holiday Cheer

By Collin Kelley

The holiday events calendar is huge, so we rounded up some big and small events that will appeal to different ages, interests and tastes.

(“Whose Line Is It Anyway?”) on Dec. 28-29. For tickets and information, visit dadsgarage.com.

THE ETHEL MERMAN DISCO SPECTACULAR

Dec. 6 - 22. Out Front Theatre presents its first-ever holiday production that imagines what diva Ethel Merman might have performed if she’d had her own TV Christmas special in 1979. Expect lots of disco hits. For tickets, visit outfronttheatre.com.

HOLLY, JOLLY AND GAY!

Dec. 7 - 8. The Atlanta Gay Men’s Chorus will present its 38th annual show featuring holiday classics and more at the Cathedral of St. Philip, 2744 Peachtree Road. For tickets and information, visit voicesofnote.org.

CHRISTMAS WITH THE ATLANTA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

MENORAH LIGHTING & HANUKAH CELEBRATION

Dec. 3-5. The Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta will host three days of Hanukah celebrations with music, treats, prizes and the lighting of the Menorah. Free and open to the community. MJCCA Zaban Park campus, 5342 Tilly Mill Road, Dunwoody 30338. Get information at atlantajcc.org.

SKATE THE SKY

Through Jan. 13. You can head to The Roof at Ponce City Market and ice skate with a fantastic view of the Atlanta skyline while enjoying games, food, cocktails and more. For details, visit poncecityroof.com.

INVASION: CHRISTMAS CAROL AT DAD’S GARAGE

Continues through Dec. 29, 8 p.m. Head to the Old Fourth Ward for a night of wacky holiday improve, where the script is flipped on the Dickens’ classic and anything can happen. There will be a special guest “invader” each night, including Colin Mochrie

Saturday, Dec. 8, 3 and 8 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 9, 3 and 8 p.m. The orchestra and chorus perform beloved Christmas carols and hymns, along with their special guests, the Gwinnett Young Singers and the Morehouse Glee Club. Tickets start at $20. The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, 1280 Peachtree St., Atlanta 30309. Find out more at atlantasymphony.org.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL

Dec. 12 - 24. The Alliance Theatre, which is still undergoing renovations at its Woodruff Arts Center home, will stage the Dickens’ classic at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. For tickets, visit alliancetheatre.org/Christmas.

HOLIDAYS TOGETHER

Dec. 13 and Dec. 16. The Atlanta Women’s Chorus will hold their first ever holiday show at Grace United Methodist Church, 458 Ponce de Leon Ave. Visit voicesofnote.org for more details.

ATLANTA SANTA SPEEDO RUN

Saturday, Dec. 8, 2 p.m. The 10th annual Atlanta Santa Speedo Run will benefit Bert’s Big Adventure this year. Hundreds of runners will gather at Hudson Grille in Midtown to run a mile in their Speedos and holidayinspired swimwear. Registration is open at atlantasantaspeedorun.org.

CANDLELIGHT NIGHTS

Dec. 14 - 21. The Atlanta History Center in Buckhead invites guests to step back in time and stroll wooded trails illuminated by candlelight. Santa Claus will be on hand, plus there’s an artists’ market and tours of the Swann House, Smith Family Farm and Wood Family Cabin. For information, visit atlantahistorycenter.com.

THE NUTCRACKER

Dec. 8 to 24. The Atlanta Ballet presents the holiday classic in an all-new production with lavish costumes, projection design and choreography by Yuri Possokhov. Performed at the Fox Theatre, 660 Peachtree St., Atlanta 30308. Purchase tickets and get info at atlantaballet.com.

HOLIDAY IN THE PARK AT SIX FLAGS

Through Jan. 3. Head west on I-20 to Six Flags, which will be decked out in more than a million lights and festive decorations for the holiday season. There will also be special rides, events and shows. To see the calendar and buy tickets, visit sixflags.com.

ATLANTA’S CELTIC CHRISTMAS

Dec. 15 - 16. The Rialto Center for the Arts will host the annual concert featuring Irish, Scottish, Welsh and Appalachian traditions. Tickets available at rialto.gsu.edu.

NOON YEAR’S EVE AT FERNBANK

Dec. 31, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Fernbank will host its annual family-friendly New Year’s Eve celebration for kids with music and a balloon drop of prehistoric proportions at noon. The popular event caters to youngsters who cannot always celebrate past bedtime. To purchase tickets in advance, visit fernbankmuseum.org.

DOWNTOWN COUNTDOWN

Dec. 31, 8 p.m. until 2 a.m. The annual New Year’s Eve party returns to the Southern Exchange at 200 Peachtree featuring bands, DJs, open bar, food and more. Visit downtowncountdown.net/atlanta for tickets and more information.

By Collin Kelley

“Yayoi Kusama: Infinity Mirrors” at the High Museum of Art is already a blockbuster: 120,000 tickets were snapped up in the fall and the exhibition is sold out for its entire run, which continues through Feb. 17. The only way to see “Infinity Mirrors” now is to stand in line for 100 daily walkup tickets that will go on sale an hour before the museum opens. May the odds be ever in your favor!

For those who have tickets, you are in for a treat. While the exhibition features a broad overview of the Japanese avantgarde artist’s work, including sculptures, paintings and works on paper, the stars of the show are the six mirror rooms scattered throughout the entire second floor of the High’s Wieland Pavilion.

But like any treat, it is fleeting. Visitors will have about 30 seconds in each mirror room, and while members of the media had the opportunity to go in each room alone, ticketholders will likely be inside with two or three other people. You might have to jockey for a selfie, but you will definitely want to bring your smartphone to capture the moment because it’s over in a blink. Still, even in 30 seconds, you’re likely to be awed and moved by what Kusama has achieved with her mirror rooms.

The rooms are unassumingly small white boxes, but like the TARDIS in “Doctor Who,” it’s bigger on the inside. Infinite, even. When the attendant closes the door, the immersion is total and complete. The most effective is “Infinity Mirrored Room – Aftermath of Obliteration of Eternity,” where tubular lights suspended from the ceiling endlessly flicker in the dark giving the sensation of floating in space. I could have remained there for 30 minutes or three hours.

Similarly affecting is “Infinity Mirrored Room – The Souls of Millions of Light Years Away” where you are plunged into darkness and colored lights wink on to

create a galaxy of color.

The other four rooms take on a more whimsical tone, such as “Dots Obsession – Love Transformed into Dots” where you stand inside a giant, polkadot-covered pink ball full of smaller pink balls. Some visitors will be disappointed that no photos are allowed inside “Infinity Mirrored Room – All the Eternal Love I Have for the Pumpkins,” where you stand in a pumpkin patch of Kusama’s signature creations that are made of delicate glass easily shattered if you dropped your iPhone. Don’t worry – the gift shop is full of pumpkin motif souvenirs to take home.

The exhibition closes in a room that not only allows you to touch but to get interactive. “The Obliteration Room” is a stark white living room complete with tables, chairs, sofa, desk and television also painted white. As you enter, you’re handed a sheet of colorful round stickers and encouraged to place them wherever you want in the room. After 120,000+ people pass through, the whiteness will indeed be obliterated and what is left behind will be an explosion of Kusama’s dot obsession.

While you’re waiting your turn to get inside the mirror rooms, pay close attention the the sculptures – bizarre totems made of stuffed cotton, metal and acrylic paint – paintings and other work which offer precursors to Kusama’s mirror rooms.

Yayoi Kusama, who is 89 and still actively working in her Tokyo studio, created her first mirror room in 1965, long before the age of social media and selfies. As curator Mika Yoshitake noted in her opening remarks to the media, the mirror rooms are analog spaces in the age of virtual reality. Kusama’s prefiguring of the digital age with her infinitely Instagram-able art creates a visionary throughline for her storied career.

The High will be hosting a series of special events throughout the run of “Infinity Mirrors,” so be sure to visit high. org for all the details.

Infinity Mirrors at The High

By Mark Wallace Maguire

The body of the guitar is nicked with small dents from the embedding of nails and staples and the scrapes of soles from thousands of feet. The instrument is crafted from 100-year-old wood from one of Atlanta’s most iconic music venues – The Masquerade – and designer Tomas Holgado swears that you still smell spilled beer and smoke ingrained from thousands of concerts held there.

To discover how Holgado obtained the timber and how the guitars sound, you need to dig into the past.

The original location of The Masquerade was in the DuPre Excelsior Mill, which was built in the 1890s on North Avenue in Old Fourth Ward. For decades, The Masquerade hosted music lovers on one of its three levels – Heaven, Hell and Purgatory. Musical luminaries like Nirvana, Coldplay and Oasis performed there before they became household names.

A luthier, musician and audio engineer, Holgado spent countless hours at The Masquerade. He attended concerts as a fan and later as an employee for a company that supplied equipment to touring bands when they performed at the venue. During this time, he forged strong relationships with the management and staff.

When the mill property was sold to a development group in 2015 and The Masquerade moved to Underground Atlanta, Holgado discovered some lumber slated for the garbage. Sensing a once-in-alifetime opportunity, he asked the owners if he could have it and craft guitars from the wood. They said yes.

“I was very fortunate,” he said. “I don’t think the reaction would have been the same if I wanted to make stools or benches out of it.”

Soon, the lumber was in his Decatur studio and he began to create guitars and basses from the timber.

“The wood is 100-plus-year-old heart pine,” he said. “Also, it’s been indoors in a relatively dry environment for about 100 years, which is just heavenly for

woodworking. Not to mention, it spent 40 years in company of a huge list of incredible music acts, thousands of fans and all the wonderful cigarette-beer-rock n’ roll smells and such that come with it.”

The air, dust, oils and that unique atmosphere of the club have blended together to produce a unique sound Holgado calls “amazing.”

“The tone is definitely airier and more open sounding than a traditional

mahogany body like a Gibson Les Paul. Being so old and having been drying so long, the sustain is remarkable.”

Keeping those aforementioned scrapes and nail marks was part of the process to preserve the lineage of The Masquerade, Holgado said. And he isn’t making these guitars for display only. He wants them to be played and carry on the legacy of the club.

Thus far, he has crafted three guitars and one bass and has enough material to make four more.

Holgado doesn’t only create guitars and basses from wood at The Masquerade. An expert luthier, he has his own line, Holgado Handmade Guitars. These guitars are crafted exactly to customer specifications, take between two and three months to make and range in price from $1,500 to $2,000.

“These are my pride and joy,” he said. “As part of the process, we sit down and discuss options for your instrument — body and neck shape, lumber choices, pickups and other hardware choices and finishes and wiring.”

He also customizes existing guitars and is rolling out a new line of guitars called Holgado Hot Rods, which are bodies and necks that arrive at his shop pre-fabricated. At a lower price point — $900 to $1,200 – Holgado can mold these to fit the customer’s specifications.

And for a tune-up, set up or simple modifications, you can give him a call and set up an appointment. He said he’s happy to do the work in-house while you drink a beer and shoot the breeze.

For more information, visit holgadoguitarworks.com.

Photos by Craig Carlson

Tomas Holgado shows off some the guitars he’s created using wood salvaged from The Masquerade music venue.

Visual Arts

A Victorian Holiday at Oakland: Visitors take the Holiday Tour of Eternal Homes, which gives a “behind-the-stones” look at some of Oakland’s magnificent mausoleums with a costumed tour guide. Dec. 1. Free. oaklandcemetery.com

Abelardo Morell - After Monet: This Cuban-born photographer surveys both the intimate and the majestic in his photographs of American people, objects and landscapes at Jackson Fine Art. Closes Dec. 22. Free. jacksonfineart.com

Castleberry Hill 2nd Friday Art Stroll: Stroll and shop fascinating and diverse galleries and get a taste of what Atlanta has

to offer. Dec. 14. Free! castleberryhill.org

Class Pictures: This exhibit features figurative works from the ZMA Permanent Collection paired with the work of contemporary artists to suggest overlapping narratives about social

class, economic status and occupation. Closes Dec 21. Free. arts.kennesaw.edu/ zuckerman

Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood - A Grr-ific Exhibit: Step into Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood where Daniel and his friends help young children navigate their world, and parents guide their journey. Daily. $12.95-$18.95. childrensmuseumatlanta.org

Nests: This exhibit features a solo show of photographic works by artist Kate Breakey with selections from her Race Memory series that document the subtle differences in the organic forms of birds nests. Wednesday through Sunday. Free. brickworksgallery.com

Where Serpents Change Their Skin: Krean artists Jiha Moon’s gestural paintings, mixed media, ceramic sculpture and installation explore fluid identities and the global movement of people. Tuesday through Saturday. Free. alanaveryartcompany.com

Performing Arts

A Nice Family Christmas: In this production at North Dekalb Cultural Center a young newspaper reporter, on the brink of being fired, has been assigned a last-chance story about a typical family Christmas. Closes Dec. 16. $15-$33. stagedoorplayers.net

¡NUEVOlution!: This major exhibition explores the surprising ways that Latinos are shaping the South and the South is shaping Latinos. Closes Dec. 21. Free – $21.50. atlantahistorycenter.com

Studioplex Fourth Fridays Artwalk: During this unique art stroll you are invited to meet the many resident artists, SCAD Atlanta students and faculty, who live and work at Studioplex. Dec. 27. Free! studioplexlofts.com

Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band: Originally a hard-driving rocker in the vein of garage rockers the Rationals and Mitch Ryder, Seger developed into one of the most popular heartland rockers. Dec. 22. $69-$119. infiniteenergycenter.com

BenDeLaCreme and Jinkx Monsoon: Seattle’s own drag royals will appear as a duo with all the playful erudition and camp of their shows. Dec. 12. $30-$50. centerstage-atlanta.com

Designed for little kids, big kids, and the whole family, Second Sundays are for everyone. Visit us each month and experience new interactive, innovative family activities inspired by our collections and ever-changing exhibitions.

Second Sundays are sponsored by the Lettie Pate Evans Foundation.

Unapologetic Lines: SCAD FASH Museum of Fashion + Film presents the first solo museum exhibition of fashion Illustrator Marc-Antoine Coulon. Tuesday through Sunday. Free – $10. scadfash.org

Elf the Musical: Based on the beloved holiday film, this hilarious fish-out-ofwater comedy follows Buddy the Elf in his quest to find his true identity. Dec. 7-Dec.16. $30-$62. citysprings.com

Gala Holiday Concert: An Atlanta tradition for over 20 years, this annual GSU concert brings together over 200 talented student and faculty performers from the School of Music. Dec. 2. $15$25. rialto.gsu.edu

family’s most comprehensive online guide to arts and cultural entertainment Visit AtlantaPlanIt.com for more upcoming events.

HIGH HIGH MUSEUM OF ART ATLANTA | HIGH.ORG

Generation Axe: The Generation Axe experience goes way beyond simply gathering five guitar greats on one stage to jam. Dec. 8. $39.50-$247.50. tabernacleatl.com

Irving Berlin’s White Christmas: The timeless movie is adapted for the stage in a lavish new production at The Fox Theatre Closes Dec. 2. $31-$116. foxtheatre.org

Knead: This play explores the family art of baking and breaking bread, and is written and performed by Atlanta favorite and Suzi Bass Award-winner, Mary Lynn Owen. Closes Dec. 9. $45. alliancetheatre.org

Puddles Pity Party & Friends Holiday Jubilee: “The sad clown with the golden voice,” showcases his awe-inspiring vocals and comical candor at Atlanta’s Fox Theatre. Dec.18. $16.25-$71.25. foxtheatre.org

$101.95)

Martina McBride – Joy of Christmas: This contemporary country singer rose to stardom in the late ‘90s, starting with a traditionalist approach before moving into more pop-friendly territory. Dec. 4. $39-$225. atlantasymphony.org

Miss Bennett - Christmas at Pemberley: Revisit your favorite “Pride and Prejudice” characters at Mr. and Mrs. Darcy’s grand estate, Pemberley, in this Theatrical Outfit holiday hit. Closes Dec. 23. $18-$51. theatricaloutfit.org

Power 96.1 Jingle Ball: Every year, the Jingle Ball Tour gives back to the community to celebrate the holiday season with a music concert not to be missed. Dec. 14. $54.50-$141. statefarmarena.com

Rialto Youth Jazz Orchestra Combos: Enjoy an evening concert of jazz music by the Rialto Youth Jazz Orchestra Combos, made up of high school students from throughout Atlanta. Dec. 10. Free! rialto. gsu.edu

V-103 WinterFest 2018: The People’s Station presents their annual concert, featuring Tory Lanez, Jeremih, H.E.R., DVSN, Ella Mai, Jaquees, Sevyn Streeter and Lil Duval! Dec. 15. $78.75-$157.50. statefarmarena.com

Your Happy Holiday: This is a dazzling musical event that’s sure to become your new favorite holiday tradition and features rich performances by your favorite Lyric stars. Dec. 20-Dec. 23. $33-$58. atlantalyrictheatre.com

Top Photo: The 30th annual Legendary Party to benefit the Shepherd Center raised more than $6.2 million. Attending the event were, from left, event co-chair Leslie Bryant Jackson, Shepherd Center co-founder Alana Shepherd, and event co-chairs Ruth Anthony and Gena Bryant Chalfa. (Photo by Ben Rose Photography)

Bottom Left: Dorsey Alston Realtors held its 5th annual pumpkin patch at its headquarters on West Paces Ferry Road in Buckhead. Featuring more than 700 pumpkins carefully laid out on the cobblestone courtyard in front of the building, the event benefitted the Atlanta Community Food Bank. Patti Junger helped Rebecca and Matt Junger and their son Reece pick a pumpkin.

Bottom Right: More than 300 were in attendance for the annual Empower Party benefitting the Georgia Campaign for Adolescent Power & Potential (GCAPP) held at The Fairmont on the Westside. Founder Jane Fonda spoke to the audience and welcomed guests. (Photo by Ben Rose Photography)

Goodrowe

Stone

GOLD CREEK COURT Atlanta $610,000 103 WARREN STREET NE Kirkwood $489,900

2085 DELANO DRIVE NE Kirkwood $735,000

3147 HAVENRIDGE COURT NE Brookhaven $465,000

3324 PEACHTREE ROAD NE #2018 Buckhead $434,500

2246 HOWELL MILL ROAD NW Atlanta $638,000

HOWELL MILL ROAD NW #212 Atlanta $399,900

3560 MILLER FARMS LANE Peachtree Corners $410,000 CAROLYN LAKE

COLDWELL BANKER

MORNINGSIDE - Upgrade your Intown living in this freshly painted home featuring oak hardwoods throughout, original fireplace and moldings, eat-in kitchen w/SS appliances. Back patio great for entertaining. Tons of storage in lrg unfinished bsmnt. 3Bed/2Bath $650,000

FMLS: 6099185 Joan Arkins 404.661.2500

REYNOLDSTOWN - Located just a short distance to The Beltline and Inman Park. Tons of natural light, open floor plan. Quality finishes include solid oak hardwoods, quartz countertop in kit & baths, spacious master w/huge closet. 3 Bed/2.5 Bath $550,000

FMLS: 6061162 Joan Arkins 404.661.2500

OLD FOURTH WARD - Gorgeous new construction with outdoor living space on each level that nearly doubles the amount of living space. Features roof top terrace, hardwood floors, designer kitchen, open floor plan, 2 car garage. 4Bed/3.5Bath $850,000

FMLS: 6060819 Joan Arkins 404.661.2500

CABBAGETOWN - Unbelievably spacious newer home in Cabbagetown with covered parking! Hardwoods through-out, Elfa shelving in master closets, screened back porch, private deck off upstairs master suite. 4Bed/3Bath $699,000

FMLS: 6097187 John Petrou 404.444.5323

VIRGINIA HIGHLAND - Expanded bungalow on Orme Park featuring master & guest BR on main, kit w/SS appls and stone countertops open to den and living room, finished terrace level w/office & media rm. 2 car garage. 5 Bed/4 Bath $869,000

FMLS: 6080325 Sally Westmoreland 404.354.4845

MORNINGSIDE - Renovated 1 level home on cul-desac. Features 2 car garage, kit with quartz counters, SS appls, tons of cabinets. Family rom with trey ceilings, French doors open to private deck. Walk-in closet in master. 5Bed/3Bath $849,000

FMLS: 6088468 Mike Kondalski 404.234.9379

VIRGINIA HIGHLAND - Grand 1920’s home with original architectural accents, tons of natural light, expanded kitchen. Features two legal terrace level apartments, plenty of parking, separate side entrance. Owner/agent 7Bed/5Bath $975,000

FMLS: 6101281 Ann Hudson 404.307.9902

INMAN PARK - Rare opportunity in Inman Park. 1910 home loaded with period details - hardwood floors, decorative fireplaces and original oversized windows. Main home has 3Bed/1.5Bath and cottage in back has 1Bed/1Bath. $599,000

FMLS: 6088181 Ed Woods 404.759.9680

ORMEWOOD PARK - Down to the studs renovation featuring 2nd story master addition, ample sized kit w/breakfast island, large living/dining area, spa-like master bath, spacious back deck & huge backyard. 3Bed/2Bath $464,900 FMLS: 6096167 Kathleen Sickeler 404.368.3234 Erin Fye 404.771.9822

VIRGINIA HIGHLAND - Oak Park townhome featuring fresh paint and new carpet. Master with walk-in closet, fireplace, double vanities. Guest bedroom with beautiful bay window, gracious walk-in closet and en suite bath. 2 car garage. 2Bed/2.5Bath $339,900

FMLS: 6063870 Sally Westmoreland 404.354.4845

DRUID HILLS - Well maintained home w/tons of square footage. Recent kit renovation, newer roof, newer HVAC systems, incredible insulation, fresh paint through-out. Hardwoods, sep dining rm, tile floor in sunroom with built-ins. 5Bed/3Bath $599,000

FMLS: 6104038 Sally Westmoreland 404.354.4845

LINDBERGH - Top floor western facing unit with Buckhead & Midtown views. Open floor plan, soaring ceilings, real hardwoods, beautiful kit, new carpet in BR and dream walk-in closet w/Elfa shelving. 1Bed/1.5Bath $240,000 FMLS: 6095963 Sherry Warner 404.784.8848 Sally Westmoreland 404.354.4845

EAST LAKE - Amazing new construction from Stoney Rover Homes. Situated on gorgeous fenced lot w/ beautiful open kitchen w/large island, screened porch, 2 car garage, hardwood floors, built-ins, great finishes. 2-10 Builder Warranty. 5Bed/3Bath $549,900

FMLS: 6084557 Kathleen Sickeler 404.368.3234

DECATUR - Cape Cod bungalow featuring new windows, driveway/walkway replacement, refinished hardwoods, freshly painted exterior, one car garage, stairs to finished attic space, screen porch. Walk to Westchester Elementary. 3Bed/1Bath $424,900 FMLS: 6093698 Kathleen Sickeler 404.368.3234

DECATUR - Outstanding new construction Craftsman home from Parclife Homes. Well designed spaces, gorgeous master suite, large secondary bedrooms, kitchen with breakfast area & butlers pantry, 2 car garage. 5Bed/5Bath $1,109,000

FMLS: 6096180 Kathleen Sickeler 404.368.3234