As a partner of Childress Klein Properties’ Atlanta Office Division, Connie Engel oversees the leasing and development of the Atlanta Galleria Office Park. We recently got a chance to speak with Connie about new features at the Galleria, the long-term development plans for the park and the Galleria’s enduring appeal to tenants.
Many thanks to Connie for her time and insight.
Do you have any big plans in store
for the Galleria for the fourth quarter and the first part of 2013?
Engel: Yes, we have a lot of cool things happening. We have recently installed the newest and greatest elevators in the Galleria 100 building. The program is called Destination Dispatch. Typically, you go inside an elevator and press what floor you want. But with Destination Dispatch, you tell the system what floor you want in the lobby, and it lumps the floor requests together so that you go on an elevator where everyone is going to floors near yours. That way, you’re not stopping at every floor, which can be annoying.
We also are doing a major modification for the walkway from the parking deck to the Galleria 100 lobby. The Galleria 100 is one of the oldest and most recognizable buildings in Atlanta. It was built in 1982 and with these modifications, we’re saying that Galleria 100 is still at its peak. It’s a great building and a great value.
Any long-term plans?
Engel: We still have two more building sites. Galleria 500 is the grand finale and will be a large building and a bookend to the Waverly Hotel. There is a second site for a smaller building, Galleria 555.
When will activity start on these buildings?
Engel: It’s still on the horizon. We built all the Galleria office buildings on 100 percent spec. That’s probably not going to happen again. We’ll need a tenant who will want between 150,000 to 200,000 square feet before we would start construction.
The good news is that nothing new has been built in the area since 2001, so it’s been past 10 years since something new has come to market. At some point, availability will run out, and someone will start building.
Any chance of building a residential component to the Galleria?
Engel: There has been a dramatic increase in residential being built in the area. However, we have never been able to make the numbers for a residential component work.
What makes the Galleria unique and appealing to tenants?
Engel: Its charm is that in Atlanta there are many beautiful standalone, Class-A office buildings. You can walk in them and see beautiful art and architecture. But what you get here is a giant park with all these people. Because of the density, we are able to do a lot of fun things, such as have Food Truck Tuesdays, barbecues and ice cream celebrations, as well as activities such as the Bloodmobiles. We provide an environment where people want to be and where they enjoy themselves.
We have free parking and easy ingress and egress into the park. It’s beautiful and every day you will see people enjoying lunch or just coming outside to take a break under the trees or on the grass. People enjoy walking the grounds.
I say that people enjoy working at the Galleria so much that they don’t want to leave even after switching jobs. I’m not kidding. I know several people who left jobs at the Galleria for other jobs with other tenants at the Galleria. A friend of mine had three different jobs and never left the Galleria. Honestly! People like being here, and it’s a comment on the quality of our tenants. I can understand that feeling: I’ve been at the Galleria for 27 years!
Where do you go for private time and meals in the area in and around the Galleria?
Engel: I go to the Georgian Club for breakfast or lunch. I go there with clients all the time, but I love to go there for breakfast and read the paper alone. Breakfast at the Georgian Club is free for members, and you’ll see lots of the same tenants there every day having breakfast. It’s how they start their day.
I also go to Akers Mill Square. They’re opening some new restaurants, and my old standby is Ray’s on the River.
But sometimes I just step outside and have a picnic. I might bring a sandwich outside and sit under an umbrella. You will see so many of our tenants doing that — get a sandwich at the deli or take their lunch from Food Truck Tuesdays and just sit outside and enjoy the fresh air. We have an English garden and waterfalls. It’s really wonderful.
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.
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.
Have friends or family coming in town for Thanksgiving, but don’t have room for them at your house? Or maybe you just think your sanity would be better off if they stayed at a hotel?
We chatted this week with Joe Uhl, general manager of the Renaissance Atlanta Waverly Hotel, which is offering special Turkey Day packages. From Nov. 20 to Nov. 27, rooms at the hotel will be available for $79 per night. If guests want to add breakfast for two each day, the rate increases to $99. Packages include complimentary high-speed Internet access.
But Uhl is most excited about the free pumpkin pies (made from scratch by the hotel’s pastry chef!) that guests will receive. “We want to make Thanksgiving homecomings special and easy,” he said. “These pies will help our guests contribute to Thanksgiving family meals.”
Guests looking to book rooms at the Thanksgiving rates should call (770) 953-4500 and ask for cluster code HO9 or visit thanksgivingpackage.com.
Tired of sitting in blood-pressure-raising, hair-pulling Atlanta traffic on your way to and from your job at the Atlanta Galleria Office Park? The Cumberland Community Improvement District (CID) can help.
You can lower your stress — as well as save gas money and reduce wear and tear on your car — by joining a vanpool operated by the CID’s Commuter Club. Seats are currently available on the club’s Gwinnett County-to-Galleria and DeKalb County-to-Galleria vanpool routes.
Over the past decade, the Commuter Club’s vanpool and other programs designed to get commuters out of their individual cars have reduced air emissions by 5,500 tons and saved commuters an estimated $5.5 million in automobile expenses, according to CID.
To get a spot on the above-mentioned routes, contact the Commuter Club. Also, click here to view all the vanpool routes operated by the club.
Carpools are another great way to save some money and conserve your car. If you’re interested in finding a carpool partner, contact the Clean Air Campaign.
If you “like” Atlanta Galleria, you’ll love what our car wash has to offer for Valentine’s Day!
Starting today, friends and co-workers are encouraged to partake in a social media campaign that will keep many hearts (and wallets!) full this Valentine’s Day. Atlanta Galleria is offering 10 lucky winners the chance to receive free car washes at the Galleria Classic Car Wash on Valentine’s Day if we can get a total of 200 “likes” on our Facebook page by midnight, February 13th. That’s right — if we hit 200 likes, and you are one of the first 10 contestants to call in after you see the confirmation post on our Facebook page, you'll recieve a free car wash! Just in time to pick up your special someone for a romantic night out!
Located in the 300 parking deck on Level G, the Galleria Classic Car Wash is the perfect amenity to visit after the recent cold and rainy winter weather. The car wash is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Prices typically start at $25, except (maybe!) on Valentine’s Day.
Of course, a free car wash is not the only reason to suggest Atlanta Galleria to your friends. We post cool pictures (did anyone see our snow pictures while you were working from home?), profiles on our awesome tenants and information on upcoming events.
Cobb Galleria Centre is starting 2011 on a high note.
The venue, which is one of Atlanta’s premier conference facilities, had an excellent year in 2010 — exceeding its revenue forecasts and producing a total of 694 events with 346,000 attendees, according to its annual report.
And it looks like 2011 could be even busier for Cobb Galleria Centre, situated next to Atlanta Galleria Office Park. The centre plans to host around 900 events this year, says Karen Caro, marketing manager for Cobb Galleria Centre.
The World's Greatest Hobby on Tour (a train show), the Black College Expo and the 2011 Southeastern Flower Show are coming to Cobb Galleria Centre in February.
Events such as these help boost the local economy. Cobb Galleria Centre and Cobb Energy Centre together created 1,080 jobs in 2010 and generated almost $114 million in economic impact for Cobb County and the state, according to an economic impact study by an independent consulting firm.
In addition, approximately 44,000 hotel room nights are directly attributed to events at the Cobb Galleria Centre.
Cobb Galleria Centre is governed by the Cobb-Marietta Coliseum & Exhibit Hall Authority, which also owns and operates the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre and the Galleria Specialty Shops.
The centre, which opened in 1994 as one of the first suburban convention facilities in the country, is known as an ideal location for conventions, trade shows, meetings and special events.
The centre’s marketing manager, Caro, is no stranger to the many benefits the Galleria area has to offer. Caro, who lives in East Cobb, has worked at the centre for nearly five years and previously worked at the Cobb Chamber of Commerce for 6 years.
Caro notes that 2010 bought some important accolades. Last month, Cobb Galleria Centre won first place in the International Association of Exhibitions and Events’s annual “Art of the Show” competition. This marked the second year in a row the centre won first place.
The centre recently won two other awards: The Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada and the Reader's Choice Award from Convention South Magazine, she said.
Does your hectic lifestyle make it tough to squeeze in workouts and stick to a fitness plan?
If you want to get in better shape, shed pounds or just feel better, there is a simple solution. Try working out right in your office park with expert trainers who know how to make the most of your precious time and maximize results.
“It’s a no-excuse situation,” says personal trainer Mary Garner of Garner Personal Training. “Most people say, ‘I don’t have time,’ but with the gym being right here all you have to do is bring your gym bag, take a shower and you’re right there at work.”
Garner Personal Training is based in the Galleria Athletic Club on the first floor of Galleria 300.
Husband and wife team, Neal and Mary Garner, (shown in photo at left) are both ISSA certified personal trainers who approach each client with a unique, effective and goal-oriented personal fitness training philosophy. They have tailored programs for clients ranging from people who are significantly overweight to professional athletes like baseball player Andruw Jones and football player Jamal Lewis.
They have the tools to assess your fitness and help set meaningful goals. A body fat machine determines your body fat percentage in a simple, painless way: Take off only your socks and shoes and step onto the machine.
“It helps to know where you are and then you can decide where you want to be and how you want to live the rest of your life,” says Mary Neal, who has worked with many clients who started at 300 to 400 lbs and reached a healthy weight. “I love helping people get there.”
Mary, who has a background in health and studied holistic medicine, helps clients set diet plans and coaches them on eating right. Combined with three training sessions a week, clients can start seeing results in just a few weeks, she said.
“Consistency is key in losing weight and there’s no quick fix,” Mary said. “There is a lot of information out there, and it’s my job to help people sort through the truth and lies and not get taken by companies who are saying, ‘Take this pill and you will lose weight.’”
Mary says she helps clients set realistic goals and gives everyone a “cheat day” on the weekend to splurge, making it doable for everybody. You just have to take the first step.
“Once people get into, it’s addictive because they feel so much better, they feel sexier and they start fitting into clothes they haven’t worn in years,” Mary said. “It becomes a lifestyle.”
Garner Personal Training offers discounts for anyone who works in Atlanta Galleria Office Park, starting at $30 for a 30-minute session. Additional discounts are available when buying larger packages of sessions.
It’s only two weeks into the new year, so it’s the perfect time to get started. Call Neal and Mary Garner at (770) 710-6550.