DEL.ICIO.USCommunity Spotlight High rises
Vertical living: Dramatic upside
For the AJC
Thursday, October 23, 2008
High-rise living isn’t just about the views.
The concept does conjure up images of glamorous people on windswept terraces that overlook panoramic cityscapes. But living in a glass and concrete structure that soars into the sky is also about convenience, security — and luxury.
Photos by Christopher Oquendo / Special
Dr. Arnie Rubenstein and his wife, Judy, take in the view from their balcony at the Mansion on Peachtree. ‘I think this is going to become a much more common lifestyle in Atlanta. … As the area continues its dramatic growth, I think high-rise living will double or triple over the next 15 years.’ Arnie Rubenstein says.
The Rubensteins inspect the progress in the construction of their home at the Mansion. They currently live in another high rise on Peachtree Street.
Jeff and Rachel Allen moved into the Horizon at Wildwood in May. ‘We fell in love with the floor plans and the amenities and everything they had to offer, but it was the view that sold us,’ he says.
Resident activities are a plus at the Horizon at Wildwood for the Allens. ‘We have the great view and the great amenities,’ Rachel Allen says. ‘But the residents are the icing on the cake.’
Tiffany Brown says the Reynolds in Midtown is her ‘dream place to live.’ Things she likes about it include the pool area and the high-rise’s proximity to the Fox Theatre and shops.
Getting there: The Mansion on Peachtree
Take I-85 north to Exit 29 (Ga. 400). Take Exit 2 (Lenox Road) and turn right. At second light, turn right onto Peachtree Road. Turn left into Atlanta Financial Center, North Tower, for valet parking for sales center.
Getting there: Horizon at Wildwood
Take I-75 north to Exit 260 (Windy Hill Road/Smyrna). Turn right and go approximately one-half mile to Windy Ridge Parkway. Turn left and Horizon at Wildwood will be immediately on your left.
Getting there: The Reynolds
Take I-75/85 north to Exit 249B (Pine Street) and turn right onto Pine Street. Turn left on Peachtree Street, then right on Linden Street for complimentary parking.
Atlanta home development stories
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“You can make whatever type of life you want in a high rise,” said Dr. Arnie Rubenstein, who has lived in a high rise for years. “Some are like Buicks and some are like Cadillacs. … None of my friends who have moved into a high rise have been sorry.”
We spent some time with Rubenstein and several other people who love their lives in the clouds. Here’s what we learned:
View from the 34th floor in Buckhead
About a year from now, Rubenstein and his wife, Judy, will be moving into their new home at the Mansion on Peachtree. The doctor is a huge fan of what he refers to as “vertical living.”
He thinks it only makes sense to build up instead of out.
“Atlanta is a major growth area, and with growth comes land issues,” he said. “Vertical living can take the same amount of land and put many more people on it. The growth of the city and metropolitan area causes unbearable commuting traffic and makes city living much more desirable. “
Where they’re moving: Rubenstein saw the Mansion going up. “Designed by renowned architect Robert A.M. Stern, it’s not just a glass-and-steel-type building. It’s modern, but with a traditional design. It’s really timeless.” He and Judy are moving from a 200-unit high rise farther south on Peachtree. In the Mansion, their home will be one of only 35 units in the building, which houses Rosewood Hotel and the 29 Spa on its lower levels.
Why it works: The Rubensteins have lived in high rises for the past 12 years. “When we became empty nesters, we decided to go into high-rise living,” Rubenstein said. “The advantage is that you’re able to get things done that are difficult for you to do by yourself. If there’s an electrical issue, you call downstairs and someone comes to take care of it. Valet services and help with heavy packages or moving furniture, all these things can be taken care of at nominal fees. Add security to that, and it’s a wonderful combination.”
Their new home: The Rubensteins’ new home will have a 360-degree view of the city and two terraces. They’ll be building out the space that surrounds the large spine of the building to hold all the infrastructure. “We have high ceilings, large windows, a lot of volume and light. We have an elevator that goes right down to the spa and to the health club. The current restaurants are wonderful, and Craft, a renowned restaurant out of New York, will be opening soon.”
Predictions for the future: “I think this is going to become a much more common lifestyle in Atlanta. The city, whether you like it or not, is becoming a very, very major city. When I first moved here, there were 600,000 people in the metro area and now there are 5.5 million. As the area continues its dramatic growth, I think high-rise living will double or triple over the next 15 years.”
The Mansion on Peachtree
Address: 3376 Peachtree Road, Atlanta
County: Fulton
Information: 404-816-4800, The Mansion on Peachtree
Price range: $2.5-$12.5 million
Year built: 2008
Standard features: Fully secured private garages with roller shutter doors; access to hotel services for an additional fee; independent entrance with valet parking.
Amenities: Indoor 25-meter, climate-controlled lap pool; 4,500-square-foot fitness center; six event rooms with audio/visual and catering services available; 24-hour concierge; butler service; overnight laundry and dry cleaning service; 24-hour room service; private in-home chef dinners and special event catering; 15,000-square-foot 29 Spa with 14 private treatment rooms, saunas, and massage and meditation areas.
Number of units: 45 residences on floors 16 to 42; three-story garden villas
Square footage: 2,500–10,500
Association fee: $7.12 per square foot; covers exterior building maintenance, home security and key control; hotel services such as concierge, bellman/valet, 24-hour doorman, parking, signing privileges for restaurants, spa and retail; and access to pool, spa and fitness room.
Broker: Tivoli Realty Services, Inc.
Builder: City Centre Properties, LLC
Schools: Sarah Smith Elementary, Sutton Middle, North Atlanta High
View from the 12th floor in Cobb
Jeff Allen, 31, a branch manager for United Rentals, Trench Safety, and his wife, Rachel, 28, office manager for Focus Investment Banking, moved to Atlanta from Pensacola, Fla., a year ago. The Allens were living in Vinings and had no immediate plans to buy a home. They saw the signs for Horizon at Wildwood while in the area for a dental appointment and decided to stop in. “We fell in love with the floor plans, the amenities and everything they had to offer, but it was the view that sold us,” Jeff said. In May, they moved in.
What they bought: Their new home has two bedrooms and two baths and is just shy of 1,500 square feet. There’s a balcony off the living room where they enjoy a view of Buckhead, Midtown, downtown and Vinings. Between them and the city is a green belt along the Chattahoochee River where only low-rise buildings can be constructed. “It reminds us of Central Park. We see all this nature with the city rising up behind it. And at night, the view of the lights from the city is better than any view we could have from inside the city,” Jeff said.
The move to a high rise: Rachel says their home in Pensacola was on a half-acre lot with four bedrooms and two baths. The house took a whole day to clean, and a large yard required constant maintenance. Condos were appealing because someone else would take care of all that work.
The amenities they love: There are monitors in the elevators that scroll the news and upcoming events in the community. The media room, gym and pool are on the fifth floor and are controlled-access amenities for the residents and their guests. Individual access cards allow residents to go to either the common areas or their own floors. The Allens use the fitness center a couple of times a week, and they enjoy the hot tub and grill, where they entertain guests. They take the community bikes out on the trails along the river and enjoy the resident activities, such as monthly wine tastings and cooking classes. There is something generous and thoughtful about the people here,” Rachel said. “Everyone goes above and beyond. We have the great view and the great amenities, but the residents are the icing on the cake.”
Horizon at Wildwood
Address: 3300 Windy Ridge Parkway, Atlanta
County: Cobb
Information: 404-961-7160
Price range: $150,000s-$800,000s
Year built: 2007
Standard features: Floor-to-ceiling windows, 10-foot ceilings, walk-in closets, garden tubs and 13-inch floor tiles in baths, designer lighting system, choice of kitchen cabinetry, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, hardwood floors.
Amenities: concierge service; private assigned garage parking; walking distance to Chattahoochee River National Recreation area; fitness center, resident bike program; full-size swimming pool with outdoor grilling area; media room with plasma TVs, club room with catering kitchen; daily coffee service, weekend continental breakfast; monthly dance lessons, wine tastings, cooking and entertaining lessons
Number of units: 274
Square footage: 700-over 2,000 square feet; 2,100-2,700 in two-story penthouse units
Association fee: $.30 per square foot, per month
Broker: The Marketing Directors
Developer: Wood Partners
Schools: Brumby Elementary, East Cobb Middle, Wheeler High
View from the 10th floor in Midtown
“This is my dream place to live,” said Tiffany Brown, 29, an entrepreneur in nonprofit creation and owner of a two-bedroom, one-bath condo in the Reynolds. She had lived in the downtown area for about 10 years. When she was ready to make the investment in a home, she spent a lot of time shopping for something she liked in her price range. “I saw this building going up and it was my dream to live on Peachtree Street, the spine of the city,” she said, smiling. “Peachtree is the Madison Avenue of the South.”
Easy transition: When Brown bought her home a year ago, she knew the neighborhood. “I was staying two minutes away, so my grocery store was the same. I knew the area — it was an easy transition.”
The amenities: First on the list of favorite amenities is the view, and Brown can see the downtown skyline. Second is the fitness center, a great workout facility that’s open 24 hours a day and saves her the additional expense of a gym membership. Brown also loves the pool area with its Moroccan theme, as well as the building’s proximity to the Fox Theatre, restaurants and shops. She also enjoys the Dogwood restaurant, which opened downstairs.
The building and the neighbors: “I like the fact that it’s not trendy but has a classic look with a huge amount of glass. Those trendy buildings will go out of style, but this building has an old New York feel to it,” Brown said. She enjoys her neighbors, who range from empty nesters to families with 2-year-olds.
Life in a high rise: “I have to remember when I’m getting ready to leave the house to allow time to get on the elevator, come downstairs, get in my car and go through the parking levels to get out. I can’t just jump in my car and go,” she said, laughing. Carts on each parking level make quick work of bringing in groceries and dry cleaning, and the concierge can help if packages are large. The concierge can also take care of things such as letting the cleaning lady in when Brown isn’t home.
The Reynolds
Address: 565 Peachtree St., Atlanta
County: Fulton
Information: 404-817-9565, Reynolds on Peachtree
Price range: $190,000s-$500,000s
Year built: 2007
Standard features: Eleven-foot ceilings and crafted millwork, custom-style open kitchen with stainless steel appliances and gas cooking available, natural wood cabinetry and stone countertops; hardwood floors in the living areas; master baths with garden tubs with separate showers; pre-wired for high-speed Internet access; large, private balcony and maintenance-free windows that open.
Amenities: 24-hour concierge service, private lobby, covered, assigned parking in secure parking deck; outdoor swimming pool on the seventh-floor patio; fitness center; owners’ lounge and club room; garden terrace with outdoor fireplace.
Number of units: 130
Square footage: 915-1,480 sq. feet
Association fee: $.33 per square foot
Broker: The Marketing Directors
Builder: Urban Realty Partners
Schools: C.W. Hill Elementary, Walden Middle, Grady High
