Q: Can you tell me about Willie B., the gorilla who lived at Zoo Atlanta all those years?
A: Willie B. was a silverback gorilla that was one of Atlanta's most famous and cherished residents for the better part of four decades. He arrived from Africa as a baby in 1961 and was named for Atlanta Mayor William B. Hartsfield. Willie B. lived in a cage for most of his life and became the symbol for better living conditions for animals at the zoo in the 1980s, after a magazine article called the facility one of the 10 worst zoos in the country. Funds were raised and a rain forest habitat was built. It opened on May 13, 1988, allowing Willie B, who was 30 years old at the time, to venture outside for the first time since he was an infant. His lush new home also provided the perfect social setting for Willie B., who was able to monkey around. His love connections were the buzz of Atlanta for a few years and produced five children, the first of which was Kudzoo in 1994. His last child was born in 1999, which was when two giant pandas arrived at Zoo Atlanta, taking attention away from Willie B. He was 42 years old when he died in 2000, a celebrity worthy of a memorial service attended by national media and several thousand people.
Q: The King and Queen buildings were recently put up for sale. What’s the story behind those buildings on I-285?
A: Chess, anyone? These regal buildings – which look like gigantic chess pieces with the unique crowns that top the buildings – have been Atlanta landmarks since they were built near Perimeter Mall in the late 1980s. We know who wears the pants in this couple. The Queen was built first, and with 33 floors, is one floor taller than the King. Their court includes two eight-story buildings and a four-story building, a complex that was 80 percent occupied late last month. Landmarks Group developed the buildings, which have been owned by financial services giant TIAA-CREF since the beginning. And if you have $375 million, which is what industry experts have estimated will take to buy the complex, you can be the first to say "check-mate" and own a piece of Atlanta royalty.
What do you want to know about Georgia?
If you’re new in town or have questions about this special place we call home, ask us! E-mail Andy Johnston at q&a@ajc.com.
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