Financial consultant Roderick Tate was fascinated watching the Spire high-rise tower take shape in Midtown.

“I was living in Gwinnett and thought it would be a great place to be, particularly for the location on Peachtree Street,” he said. “But I’m a big lover of art and culture and wanted to be in Midtown.”

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Jessica McGowan / AJC

Roderick Tate sits in the living room of his one-bedroom condo in Midtown.

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Last August, Tate turned that idea into a reality when he moved into a one-bedroom unit on the 11th floor of the building. “I just loved the idea of being in town and being so centrally located, where I can walk to Publix and the restaurants on Peachtree,” he said.

The location and the view north toward Buckhead were more important than size or glitz in picking a unit.

“At nighttime, it is so beautiful to be here,” he said. “The first time I came here at night, I stepped out onto the balcony and I knew I had to buy this place.”

The 701-square-foot unit is sleek and contemporary. “It seemed so tiny on the floor plan,” said Tate, “but once I got everything in here, it didn’t seem so small. It’s worked out really well.”

Moving intown also gave Tate a chance to start over in the decorating department. “I got rid of everything I had,” he said. “I bought all new furniture to fit this space.”

What he had to work with was 10-foot ceilings, dark walnut floors, black granite counters, faux-painted walls and concrete ceilings that give the space a dash of urban loft sensibility. Just beyond the condo’s entry, he’s set up a small table for two, but spends more time sitting on one of the two black stools at the breakfast bar. The kitchen is compact, with stainless steel appliances, pale wood cabinets and brushed nickel accents.

In the living area, he worked his bookcases, green shag rug and brown suede sofa around a fireplace and the almost floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Seventh Street.

In the single bedroom, a curved ceiling painted a pale blue disguises the duct work. The queen-sized bed with a sleigh headboard, a round night stand and two small chests fill up most of the space, shaded in white and brown. A closet hides a stackable washer and dryer; a spacious bath has a garden tub, black and white granite counters and big block tiles on the floor.

Perhaps the best part of his home is what’s outside his unit. As a Spire resident, Tate enjoys use of a club room, sun deck, small theater, computer center, swimming pool, barbecue grills and fitness center.

“I canceled my gym membership when I moved in because, with what we have here, I just didn’t need it,” he said. “Between the views, the concierge service and the amenities, I can’t complain.”

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