Atlanta Galleria Now

A Slice of the Caribbean Coming to Cobb Parkway

Come spring, workers in the Atlanta Galleria will have another lunch option in the area. Pollo Tropical, a Miami-based quick-service restaurant chain that features Caribbean-style dishes such as grilled chicken, mojo pork and guava barbecue ribs, will open a freestanding restaurant at the Akers Mill Shopping Center on Cobb Parkway, just across Akers Mills Road from the Galleria.

The chain once had three restaurants in the Atlanta area in the 1990s, but all of the sites had closed by 1996, according to the Atlanta Business Chronicle. A restaurant consultant told the paper that the menu was likely ahead of its time for the area.

“Atlanta was the first big market [Pollo Tropical] jumped to, and people had not developed the palate [for ethnic food] they have today,” said Harold Shumacher, the president of the restaurant consulting firm The Shumacher Group, according to the Business Chronicle.

The chain returned to the Atlanta area in August when it opened a location on Duluth Highway in Lawrenceville.

The menu includes sandwiches, wraps, salads, soups, family meals and kids’ meals. The chain also caters. 

 

Cobb Galleria Centre to get a facelift

A renovation project that includes improvements to the massive John A. Williams Ballroom and a wireless network upgrade is underway at the Cobb Galleria Centre. Galleria officials say the renovations, which are slated for completion by June 2012, “will help to maintain the venue’s status as a leader in the [convention] industry.”

The 25,000-square-foot ballroom – as well as common areas and restrooms – will receive new carpeting, wall coverings, lighting fixtures and paint. “The John A. Williams Ballroom plays host to some of Atlanta’s most prestigious social events and corporate meetings,” said Michele Swann, general manager and CEO of the facility, in a statement. “We’re proud to make these renovations that will keep the Cobb Galleria Centre looking even better than the day it opened.”

Other improvements include an improved chiller for the facility’s HVAC system, new paint and flooring for the Center Court area, and an expansion of the center’s wireless network to 225 megabytes, which will increase public Internet capacity at the site by 10 times. A new digital reader board system also will be installed throughout the centre.

The Cobb Galleria Centre features 144,000 square feet of exhibition space, 24,000 square feet of registration space, 20 meeting rooms and four executive boardrooms.

(Photo courtesy of CobbGalleria.com)

Eldaly Breban Wins Galleria Photo Contest

The Atlanta Galleria Office Park is proud to announce that Eldaly Breban won our just-completed online photo contest. Her winning entry, titled “Reflections of Fall,” perfectly captures the eye-popping colors that make our property such a beautiful setting every autumn.

Eldaly was kind enough to answer some of our questions, so that we can all get to know the woman behind the iPad-winning lens. Congratulations, Eldaly!

Can you talk about your connection to Atlanta Galleria? 

I live in Cobb County and drive by the Atlanta Galleria almost daily. I think it is a gorgeous campus with the right combination of buildings and beautiful landscape.

I have a good friend who works for [tenant] LCG Associates who I have visited at the Galleria in the past. Also, my company just changed dental benefits, and I had to choose a new dentist. Out of hundreds listed 15 miles from my house, I chose Dr. James C McSwiney just because his office is at the Galleria. The location had everything to do with it.

What about the particular scene that you photographed inspired you?

We had a gorgeous autumn season in Atlanta this year, and the Atlanta Galleria was sporting some beautiful landscapes during that season. What I loved about "Reflections of Fall" are the vibrant fall colors in the background that also reflect against the building. Very beautiful. 

Is photography a hobby for you? If so, how did you get interested in it and what do you most like to photograph?  

Yes, definitely! I am not a professional by any means, but I definitely enjoy taking pictures. I travel a lot for work and visit some beautiful places. I decided to invest in a good camera a couple of years ago, and started photographing things that inspire me when I visit these places. 

My photographs can be either very traditional or very eclectic. I love taking pictures of doors and window frames, especially those that you find in Europe. People think that's a bit odd but I find them interesting!

What is your job and can you tell us a bit about your life outside of work (family, hobbies, etc.)?

I work for Delta Air Lines in sales. I’m based in Atlanta. I have a wonderful family and all of them live in Atlanta. We are very close.

They were the ones who pushed for me to enter the contest and who campaigned for me. A special shout-out to Abner and Courtney Breban, my brother and sister-in-law, who made it a personal challenge to help me win the iPad.

I also have a one-year-old Shih Tzu called Dixie Joy who is like a child to me! Also, I LOVE to cook and bake and often think that I should go to culinary school and become a chef or the Next Food Network Star! 

What will you use your new iPad for?  

The main reason my family and friends wanted me to win this iPad is because I am also going to school to finish my MBA, and they know that having an iPad will give me some flexibility to work online from pretty much everywhere. My school has an iPad app, which will come in very handy. I also can't wait to load the cookie app by Martha Stewart!

Cobb economy in 2012 will look awfully familiar, local economist says

When it comes to the Cobb County and metro Atlanta economies, next year is poised to look a lot like this year. That’s the forecast of Don Sabbarese, an economist who teaches at Kennesaw State University and is the director of the school’s Econometric Center. 

“What we saw in 2011 is what we’ll see in 2012: slow growth,” he said.

According to the most recent statistics available on the Georgia Department of Labor’s website, Cobb County had an unemployment rate of 9.1 percent in October 2011. The county’s rate declined from 9.4 percent in September and 9.6 percent in October 2010.

Cobb is performing better than some other jurisdictions in the state. For example, the unemployment rate for the 10-county area served by the Atlanta Regional Commission - which includes Cobb – had a 9.8 percent unemployment rate. The rates for the state of Georgia and the United States were 10.2 percent and 9 percent, respectively.

Cobb County and the metro Atlanta area have experienced some job growth recently in the education and health service sectors, as well as the manufacturing, professional business services and hospitality segments, Sabbarese noted. In fact, the Georgia Purchasing Managers Index (PMI), a measure of the state’s manufacturing activity that is calculated by the Econometric Center, reached 52.4 percent in November, its first increase in three months. A number above 50 indicates that manufacturing activity is increasing, while a number below 50 indicates it is decreasing.

It’s All About Real Estate

Sabbarese notes that the construction sector continues to lack job growth and says that until the real estate market improves and construction starts pick back up, the economies in Cobb and the rest of Georgia won’t return to their pre-recession job levels.

And while the job loss in the government sector may slow, local governments will continue to be burdened by the housing crisis, as depressed housing prices will keep tax revenues down.

The “construction and financial [sectors] are going to struggle,” he said. “It’s going to take a long time to improve.”

 

Atlanta Galleria Tenant ULI to Host Emerging Trends Outlook Friday

For those interested in how Atlanta's commercial real estate market is expected to perform in 2012, Atlanta Galleria tenant The Urban Land Institute (ULI) has got you covered. Tomorrow, ULI Atlanta will host the “Real Estate Outlook 2012 – What’s Next for Atlanta” panel discussion at the Omni Hotel in downtown Atlanta, next to the CNN Center. The session will start at 7:30 a.m. and last three hours.

Panelists will include Dean Schwanke, executive director of the ULI Center for Capital Markets and Real Estate; Doug Sams, commercial real estate reporter for  Atlanta Business Chronicle; Will Yowell, vice chairman of CB Richard Ellis’ Investment Properties Institutional Group; Lance Patterson, president of Patterson Real Estate Advisory Group; David Hudson, senior vice president at Bank of America; and Kris Miller, president of Ackerman & Co.

The event also will feature a presentation on the forecast for Atlanta contained in the recently released “Emerging Trends in Real Estate 2012” report, which was produced by ULI and PricewaterhouseCoopers and is based on surveys of and interviews with nearly 1,000 real estate experts. The report gives Atlanta less-than-glowing reviews, saying that investment prospects for commercial real estate properties in the city are “fair” (the other options are “generally good” and “generally poor”) and that development prospects are “generally poor.”

“We’re a development town with no development,” the report quotes one interviewee as saying.

Still, there’s opportunity here for investors, the “Emerging Trends” report notes. “A classic buy-low, sell-high market, Atlanta once again may be ripe for investment,” it says. “There may be no better time than right now because real estate markets have been in the dumps.”

“Emerging Trends” paints a particularly bleak picture of the Atlanta office market. “Tenants readily take advantage of an exceedingly soft office scene, deflated by a spurt of pre-2008 projects centered in uptown Buckhead,” the report says. “The new developments attract occupancy with sweetened tenant-concession deals, robbing from existing buildings whose cash-flow outlooks tank.”

Ticket prices range from $25 to $69 and vary based on a number of factors, including whether you are a ULI member and whether you work in the public or private sector. For complete details, visit the ULI Atlanta website.

Demi Lovato Kicks Off Busy Holiday Season at Cobb Energy Centre

The holiday season is now in full swing, and we hope you're in a festive spirit and ready to spend some time out on the town. Below is a preview of December shows at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre that you and yours might want to check out. Cobb Energy Centre is a mere stone's throw from Atlanta Galleria Office Park, so don't miss out on these great shows.

Tickets for the shows can be purchased in person at the center’s box office, located at 2800 Cobb Galleria Parkway. The box office is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. Tickets also can be purchased online at Ticketmaster.com or at any Ticketmaster outlets. Keep in mind that Ticketmaster will charge service fees in addition to the prices listed below.

Demi Lovato

Tonight at 7:30 p.m.

The 19-year-old pop star has scored mega hits recently with her single “Skyscraper” and her album “Unbroken.”

Tickets range from $37.50 to $47.50. VIP packages that allow you to meet the singer and attend the pre-show sound check also are available.

Shaquille O’Neal Presents All Star Comedy Jam

Friday, Dec. 2, 8 p.m.

The former NBA star has organized a touring lineup of stand-up comedians Michael Blackson, Capone, Corey Holcomb and Gary Owen.

Tickets range from $35 to $45.

Jim Gaffigan

Saturday, Dec. 3, 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.

The comedian and actor - whose on-air credits include “Late Show with David Letterman,” “Flight of the Concords” and “Bored to Death” - performs his acclaimed stand-up act.

Tickets range from $37.75 to $47.75.

Kings of Salsa

Sunday, Dec. 4, 7 p.m.

This dance show features salsa and hip-hop routines as well as such Cuban standards as the Mambo, Rumba and Cha Cha Cha. The dancers are backed by Cuba Ashire, a nine-piece band.

Tickets range from $25 to $65.

My Fair Lady

Thursday, Dec. 8, 8 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 9, 8 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 10, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 11, 2 p.m.

Big League Productions presents this version of the classic musical, which tells the story of Eliza Doolittle as she takes speech lessons from a professor named Henry Higgins in an attempt to be perceived as a “proper lady.”

Tickets range from $25 to $65.

Alice Cooper

Tuesday, Dec. 13, 8 p.m.

Legendary heavy-metal star Alice Cooper is touring to promote his new “Welcome 2 My Nightmare” album. Cooper’s shows are known for their stagecraft and humor.

Tickets range from $37 to $47. 

Jim Brickman: A Christmas Celebration

Saturday, Dec. 17, 8 p.m.

Accompanied by singers Anne Cochran and Benjamin Utecht, and electric violinist Tracy Silverman, the renowned pianist will perform Christmas hymns, carols and other holiday songs.

Tickets range from $35 to $75.

Sean Hannity’s Holiday Concert Salute to the Troops

Sunday, Dec. 18, 7 p.m.

The conservative television and radio personality will host an evening featuring performing artists Michael W. Smith and Five for Fighting, as well as remarks by Oliver North. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Freedom Alliance Scholarship Fund.

Tickets range from $44 to $150.