Atlanta Galleria Now

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!

ULI Video Tribute to Don Childress for Frank Carter Award

Before taking the stage to receive his award, visionary developer Don Childress was honored with this video tribute from ULI Atlanta. Take a few minutes to watch the video below which includes Jack Guynn, retired President and CEO, Federal Reserve Bank of America; Billy Peebles, Head Master, The Lovett School; Tad Leithead, Chairman, Atlanta Regional Commission and Don Childress, Senior Managing Partner and Co-Founder, Childress Klein Properties.

 

Don Childress Receives Frank Carter Community Achievement Award

ATLANTA (Sept. 20, 2010) - Don Childress, the visionary developer behind Atlanta Galleria Office Park and Midtown's 999 Peachtree Tower, received one of ULI Atlanta's highest honors at the group's annual awards dinner last night.

ULI Atlanta bestowed its Frank Carter Community Achievement Award upon Childress. The award, named for the late Frank Carter - founder of Carter, "recognizes an individual in development or real estate related field who has made an outstanding contribution to the Atlanta community in his or her lifetime."

As part of the ceremony, ULI showed a video that featured Jack Guynn, former president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta; Billy Peeples, headmaster of Lovett School; and Tad Leithead, chairman of the Atlanta Regional Commission, talking about their relationships with Childress. 

"Don had the vision to make a major investment in Midtown when no one else was paying attention to it," said Guynn said, who served with Childress on boards of groups aimed at improving Midtown.

 Upon accepting the award, Childress said he was honored to accept an award named for Frank Carter, whom Childress described as "a fierce competitor and a real gentleman."

"Certainly, this is the highest honor I've had in my life," Childress said. He specifically discussed Atlanta Galleria in the video tribute.

"Atlanta Galleria was, arguably, our most ambitious project, although we didn't think of it that way at the time," Childress says in the video. Others had deemed as undevelopable the 85-acre pine forest in south Cobb County, he recalls. But Childress Klein figured out a way to use the property's rough terrain to its advantage by creating "stair-step" parking decks on the hill.

Former Childress Klein partner Tad Leithead told a similar story as part of the tribute.

When Childress envisioned Atlanta Galleria on the "goat hill with a steep slope" in the late 1970s, Atlanta's tallest suburban buildings were six stories. He conceived a seven-building project with office buildings of 20 stories, a hotel and boutique mall. "It was an extraordinarily visionary project," Leithead said. 

Don Childress joins a list of winners that includes several Atlanta real estate legends: Tom Cousins, John Williams, John Portman, Herman Russell, Charlie Ackerman and John and Sue Wieland.

Childress credited his colleagues at Childress Klein Properties for much of his success. "I have a great team of loyal colleagues ... that have enabled me to walk in the front of a parade they created."

Several of Childress' colleagues including Gordon Buchmiller, Connie Engel, John Decker, Chris Poholek, Mitchell Taylor and Milly Miller were in attendance to see him accept the honor. The audience gave Childress a standing ovation to acknowledge his achievement and commitment to the community.

ULI 2010 Annual Development of Excellence Awards

Don Childress, who developed Atlanta Galleria, is winning a major award from the Urban Land Institute Thursday at its 2010 annual Development of Excellence Awards dinner. Childress will receive the “Frank Carter Community Achievement Award”. The award is named for Frank Carter, one of the founders of Carter and known to many as the “Mayor of Midtown” because of his vision for and commitment to the Atlanta community. 

We talked this week with Jeff DuFresne, Executive Director of the Urban Land Institute - Atlanta District Council, about Childress, Carter and the award.

Can you talk about why Don Childress is winning this prestigious award?
Every year, we recognize an individual in the development field or real estate field who has made an outstanding contribution to Atlanta.  Don has had a huge influence on the Cumberland Galleria area and also has helped shape Midtown. The award, named for Frank Carter, is given to someone who has integrity and vision and who is mentoring the next generation of professionals.

Who are some examples of past winners?
Ron Terwilliger, Larry Gellerstedt, Sr., John Aderhold, Charlie Brown and Harold Dawson, Sr.

ULI is all about responsible use of land.  Can you talk about why Don’s development of Atlanta Galleria is noteworthy from that standpoint?
He took a really challenging topography and he built a place with green space in the middle of it. There are a lot of amenities. There are residences nearby and the arts are right here, with the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. This is a community. I live here. I work here. I play here. He created a place that will be here a long time and it is going to get better. If I were buying land, this is where I would buy.

As you mentioned, ULI is a tenant at Atlanta Galleria. Why is this a good a location for you? 

ULI relocated to the Atlanta Galleria four years ago because it is an ideal location from which to serve our 1,000-plus members.  We host over 24 educational meetings annually which can have from 20 to 500 attendees.  The Galleria has easy access, free parking and an abundance of meeting space options. 

More on the Development of Excellence Awards Dinner:

Time: Sept. 16 at 6 p.m.

Place: Grand Atrium at 200 Peachtree (across from Downtown Ritz Carlton)

To register: Call 770-951-8500 or register on site at the event.

Other award winners:

Development of Excellence Award Finalists:

• Gables Midtown
• Hotel Indigo Athens
• Luckie Marietta District
• Piedmont Park’s “Greystone”
• Southface Campus
• Two Alliance Center
• White Provisions 

Dan Sweat 2010 recipient, Mayor Shirley Franklin