Retired HBO executive Gail Sermersheim found a balance between living in Florida and Atlanta by downsizing into a condo in Gallery, a high-rise on Peachtree Road in Buckhead by Novare Group. She discussed her purchase.
Q: What sparked your purchase in Gallery?
A: Since I live in Florida part of the time and travel a great deal, it ... just wasn't sensible to keep the house. I put it on the market, and it sold in three weeks (in December 2008). So it was panic time. I had to rush and get out within about a month. So I quickly moved to a rental for 18 months. And then I started looking and chose the Gallery.
Q: What was challenging about your search?
A: I've been to about 140 countries and collected a lot of things. And I also have a love for art and art glass. I had to try to find a new residence that would serve to showcase these things that I chose to save. I couldn't just put it all in storage. I had to have so much wall space.
Q: What’s on display in your condo?
A: I'm also sort of an amateur photographer. I have a whole exhibit I had done several years ago of faces from India. I have masks from Africa, some spears and swords. Some of the glass art comes from various parts of the world that I've brought back with me. I have some paintings from Vietnam and some Zulu baskets.
Q: Why did the style appeal to you?
A: It was very clean, simple. That was perfect for me to display my art. I don't need an environment that's distracting. What makes the place is the art and accessories. It was a great location, and concierge living is the only way to go, I'm convinced.
Q: How has the concierge helped you?
A: The times you need somebody to carry some stuff for you or to get it down off the shelf or out of the car. The guys are very helpful in that regard. If you want to come in and drop off your groceries, they are right there. They have cleaning delivered or your packages.
Q: Why did you stay in Buckhead?
A: Buckhead has a really nice energy. It has a nice balance between sort of the traditional South, which has a lot of wonderful aspects of politeness, and the enjoyment of life of the new Atlanta, if you would, which is very vibrant and has high energy.
Q: What is your advice for buying a condo?
A: Even though it's a high-rise, it's still your home and it has to have that welcoming feeling. You've got to feel good about the neighbors you see. I'm not going to hang out with a bunch of 25-year-olds, with basketball players or rock stars. The best part of condominium living is really the fact that there's a ready supply of people to socialize with. You get in the elevator and somebody asks if you want to have dinner.
Q: What community amenities were important to you?
A: I love having that big media room. Being a former HBOer, I still like to show movies and have parties. They have a beautiful sort of party room.
At a glance
Gail Sermersheim’s condo in Gallery, built in 2007, has two bedrooms, a den, 21/2 baths and about 2,000 square feet. Sermersheim, who worked with Debbie Shay of Harry Norman, Realtors, bought it in May.
