Atlanta Galleria Now

Tenant Times: Sept. 23, 2014

The Tenant Times is a regular feature designed to keep you up to date on the Atlanta Galleria’s tenants. The Atlanta Galleria Office Park is home to some of the Southeast’s leading companies — so there’s always interesting news. If you’re a Galleria tenant and would like us to feature your news, email us at [email protected].

Eight Straight. Atlanta Galleria tenant ITA Group has been named to MeetingsNet’s magazine’s CMI 25, a listing of what the publication deems the 25 most respected and experienced full-service meeting and incentive travel companies in North America. This marks the eighth consecutive year ITA Group has made the list.

“ITA Group is committed to designing and implementing events and incentive travel programs that truly change behavior and drive business success,” said Mary Bussone, senior vice president of event management at ITA Group, in a press release announcing the honor. “It’s such an exciting time in our industry. Never before has it been as critical to align and motivate the workforce.”

The CMI 25 list appears in the September issue of MeetingsNet and can also be viewed by clicking here.

Educational Growth in Texas. Atlanta Galleria tenant Balfour Beatty Construction has signed a $116 million contract to build a new, comprehensive high school in Denton, Texas. The school, slated for completion in 2016, will be one of 50 that Balfour Beatty has constructed for the Denton Independent School District.

“Our long-standing relationships in growth markets are critically important, and we are proud to be working with the district once again, and applying the latest innovations in construction methodology and technology to deliver more efficient, cost-effective buildings,” said Mark Layman, CEO of Balfour Beatty’s U.S. Construction Services business, in a press release.

The school will feature energy-efficient lighting and a 2,400-student capacity with the potential for future expansion.

Two Years of Distinction and Running. For the second consecutive year, Atlanta Galleria tenant PowerPlan has made the annual Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing private U.S. companies.

PowerPlan, ranked number 3,582, was among 209 Georgia-based companies on the list.

“We are incredibly honored to be recognized by Inc.,” said John Andrus, CEO of PowerPlan, in a press release. “In this our 20^th year, the fact that we are continuing to grow at a rapid race is a testament to our loyal customers and our employees who have helped us become the success we are today.”

Tenant Times: July 1, 2014

The Tenant Times is a regular feature designed to keep you up to date on the Atlanta Galleria’s tenants. The Atlanta Galleria Office Park is home to some of the Southeast’s leading companies — so there’s always interesting news. If you’re a Galleria tenant and would like us to feature your news, email us at [email protected].

Batson-Cook Honored. Atlanta Galleria tenant Batson-Cook Construction has been awarded first-place awards by the Georgia Associated General Contractors (Georgia AGC) for the firm’s work on the Benton House Alpharetta and the Chattahoochee River Restoration projects.

The Georgia AGC aims to award general contractors and construction teams for exceptional project safety, meeting difficult job challenges, construction innovation, and excellence in project management and client service.

The company also received two Merit Awards from Georgia AGC for its work on Northside Hospital Hybrid Operating Room #4 in Sandy Springs and for the construction of Piedmont Mountainside Hospital Emergency Department and Surgery Addition project in Jasper, according to a recent press release.

School Will Soon Be in Session. Atlanta Galleria tenant Balfour Beatty Construction has completed the Solana Ranch Elementary School, a 68,000-square-foot campus situated on 11.65 acres in San Diego. Work on the sustainable campus began in November 2012, and the school will welcome new students this fall.

“We are vested in the community and share in the excitement and sense of pride,” said Brian Cahill, president of Balfour Beatty’s Southwest division in a press release. “It’s very gratifying to be part of the project team that built this beautiful new school where students, teachers, and staff can learn and grow in a healthy environment.”

Harley Ellis Devereaux Architects and Balfour Beatty Construction developed the campus. This is the second elementary school that Balfour Beatty has completed for the Solana Beach School District.

Taking Care of Business. Atlanta Galleria tenant The Shopping Center Group represented Sweetgreen in the health food chain’s June lease of 100 Kenmare Street, located in New York City.

The Kenmare Street location marks the chain’s fourth site in New York City. Other locations are in the Tribeca, Nomad and Williamsburg neighborhoods.

“Sweetgreen is looking to enter markets in neighborhoods,” said Taryn Brandes, a broker for The Shopping Center Group, in an article printed on The Commercial Observer’s website. “The food is authentic and so is their commitment to building real relationships in the communities where they operate.”

Tenant Times: May 30, 2014

The Tenant Times is a regular feature designed to keep you up to date on the Atlanta Galleria’s tenants. The Atlanta Galleria Office Park is home to some of the Southeast’s leading companies — so there’s always interesting news. If you’re a Galleria tenant and would like us to feature your news, email us at [email protected].

Featured in Forbes. Atlanta Galleria tenant Ultimate Software, a cloud provider of human-resource software, recently announced it was ranked No. 8 on Forbes magazine’s 2014 list of “Most Innovative Growth Companies.”

Forbes compiles this list by looking at a company’s income from existing businesses, anticipated growth from those businesses and the net present value of those cash flows.

“We are very proud to have ranked so highly on this important list of innovative growth companies, and this recognition validates our commitment to research and development alongside our consistent business results,” said Scott Scherr, founder, president and CEO of Ultimate Software, in a press release.

Award Winning. The Shopping Center Group, an Atlanta Galleria tenant, received two awards for leasing excellence from American Realty Capital Properties Inc. (ARCP) at the recent ICSC RECon convention in Las Vegas. ARCP gives the awards to brokers who work on behalf of the company’s shopping center portfolio.

Janet Moore and Debra Ramey of The Shopping Center Group’s Richmond, Virginia, office won the Best Prospector Award. Moore and Ramey lease three ARCP properties totaling 650,000 square feet in Virginia. According to an ARCP press release, “Moore and Ramey were honored for consistently exceeding expectations, including in their tenacity in canvassing the market for new retailers, structuring leases and creating innovative marketing programs.”

Stephanie Addis and Jaclyn Langholz of The Shopping Center Group’s Tampa, Florida, office received the Allegiance Award. According to the release, “Addis and Langholz lease a grocery-anchored center in Homosassa, Florida, where they have exceeded initial projections by attracting four new tenants to the center as a result of a comprehensive prospecting campaign.”

“Being able to honor our deserving ‘boots-on-the-ground’ leasing partners is always one of my team’s highlights at RECon each year,” said Brett Sheets, senior vice president of leasing for ARCP, in a statement. “This is an excellent opportunity to recognize strong performance while educating the local leasing brokers on ARCP corporate initiatives.”

Growth for Starwood. Atlanta Galleria tenant Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide Inc. has announced that it plans to expand its Westin hotel brand to downtown Nashville, Tennessee. The hotel is slated to open in early 2017 and will feature 430 rooms, meeting space, a signature restaurant, rooftop pool and full-service spa.

“On track to open its 200th hotel worldwide this year, Westin is enjoying robust growth in North America due to the resounding success of its distinctive wellness positioning and brand-led programs,” said Allison Reid, senior vice president of North America development for Starwood Hotels & Resorts, in a press release.

The Westin Nashville will be located across from the new Music City Center at 100 Clark Place.

Tenant Times: April 29, 2014

The Tenant Times is a regular feature designed to keep you up to date on the Atlanta Galleria’s tenants. The Atlanta Galleria Office Park is home to some of the Southeast’s leading companies — so there’s always interesting news. If you’re a Galleria tenant and would like us to feature your news, email us at [email protected].

ITA Announces Annual Awards. Atlanta Galleria tenant ITA Group, a business consultant and event-management firm, recently announced the recipients of its annual Timeless Performance Awards, which recognize “the efforts of event management partners who mirror ITA Group’s own culture through integrity, passion, accountability and world-class service delivery,” according to a press release.

The winners are the Mandalay Bay Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Odyssey International in Dublin and Mick Meegan Photography in Dublin.

“For ITA Group, delivering truly remarkable experiences requires the effort and expertise of many talented partners,” said Senior Vice President of Event Management Mary Bussone in a recent press release.

It Was 20 Years Ago Today. The Cobb Galleria Centre is celebrating its 20th anniversary by unveiling a new logo, advertising campaign, website, visual identity, and interior upgrades and renovations.

“What better time than our 20th anniversary and the completion of major renovations to unveil a fresh look for our signature mark and our re-designed website,” said Michele Swann, general manager and CEO of the Cobb Galleria, in a press release.

The Cobb Galleria Centre opened in January 1994 and “was the first convention facility in the country to combine exhibition and meeting space with a retail component and hotel in what was then considered a suburban location,” the press release said.

Since its opening, the Cobb Galleria Centre has made economic impacts of $1.8 billion on Cobb County and $2.6 billion on the state of Georgia, according to the facility’s website.

Balfour Beatty Receives Architectural Award. The Edith Green-Wendell Wyatt (EGWW) Federal Building in Portland, Ore. — built by a subsidiary of Atlanta Galleria tenant Balfour Beatty — has been named one of the 10 best examples of sustainable architecture and green design by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and its Committee on the Environment (COTE).

“We are elated that the EGWW Federal Building project was selected by COTE, from a field of hundreds, to be included in this prestigious group of award-winning projects,” said Balfour Beatty’s Jim Sather in a press release. “By working as an integrated team with [the General Services Administration], our subcontractors, and design counterparts, this modernization project is now among the most efficient facilities in the GSA portfolio. It is an outstanding example of the best of our industry.”

In addition to the COTE award, the EGWW building is LEED Platinum-certified and has won two national Awards of Merit from the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC).

Tenant Times: Jan. 31, 2014

The Tenant Times is a regular feature designed to keep you up to date on the Atlanta Galleria’s tenants. The Atlanta Galleria Office Park is home to some of the Southeast’s leading companies — so there’s always interesting news. If you’re a Galleria tenant and would like us to feature your news, email us at [email protected].

DHR International Welcomes New Executive Vice President. Steve Godwin, founder of Godwin Search Group (GSG), has joined DHR International as an executive vice president in the firm’s Atlanta Galleria office. Godwin will be part of the company’s industrial and private equity practice groups.

Godwin managed GSG, an Atlanta-based executive search firm, for 10 years starting in 2003. Before founding GSG, he served as the senior vice president of Norman Broadbent International’s North American practice.

Batson-Cook Construction Completes Orlando Luxury Apartments. Atlanta Galleria tenant Batson-Cook Construction has completed SkyHouse Orlando, a 23-story, 320-unit luxury high-rise apartment building in downtown Orlando, Fla. Work on the Energy Star-certified tower began in September 2012, and the first residents moved into the building in the fourth quarter of last year.

“SkyHouse Orlando shows once again what our company is capable of,” said Batson-Cook Construction CEO Randy Hall in a press release. “By adhering to innovative and cutting-edge construction philosophies, our team delivered a high-quality, environmentally-friendly, signature building in the heart of Orlando on an extremely tight construction schedule.”

Novare Group and Batson-Cook Development Co. developed the tower. Batson-Cook Construction also is building SkyHouse apartment communities in Atlanta; Austin, Texas; Dallas; Houston; Raleigh, N.C.; and Tampa, Fla.

Balfour Beatty Announces New Chairman and CEO. Atlanta Galleria tenant Balfour Beatty Construction has named Mark Layman as its new chairman and CEO. Layman, who has been with the firm for nearly 25 years and most recently served as its president, replaces Robert Van Cleave, who retired at the end of 2013.

 “I am inordinately proud to leave our business under the strong and capable direction of Mark Layman,” Van Cleave said in a press release. “His previous work in guiding and establishing our strategy, structure, vision and purpose makes him the perfect leader to take our company into the future.”

“I am humbled to step into the shoes of such a beloved leader as Robert Van Cleave,” Layman added. “Further, I am proud and excited to continue my partnership with John Tarpey, chief operations officer and 20-year company veteran, who will partner with me in guiding and implementing the exciting growth strategies and service offerings underway for our team.”

Tenant Times: Dec. 30, 2013

The Tenant Times is a regular feature designed to keep you up to date on the Atlanta Galleria’s tenants. The Atlanta Galleria Office Park is home to some of the Southeast’s leading companies — so there’s always interesting news. If you’re a Galleria tenant and would like us to feature your news, email us at [email protected].

QuantiSense Stays on Top. The annual RIS Software LeaderBoard, widely considered the authoritative listing of retail technology providers, has ranked Atlanta Galleria tenant QuantiSense No. 1 in its new ranking. The results are determined by vendor evaluations and retailer surveys.

“Retail analytics remains a hot technology, and QuantiSense has further solidified its leadership position for analytics software by being ranked No. 1 again this year on the LeaderBoard,” said Joe Skorupa, group editor-in-chief of RIS News, in a press release.

“What makes this so impactful is that our customers drove us to the No. 1 ranking again this year,” added Jeff Buck, CEO of QuantiSense, in the release. “Our entire organization is committed to delivering rapid ROI and 100 percent client satisfaction, and we’re honored to receive this distinction.”

Starwood Continues to Grow. Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. has announced that its Four Points by Sheraton chain has opened a second hotel in Jacksonville, Fla. Located on the beach, the Four Points by Sheraton Jacksonville Beachfront features 72 oceanfront suites, an outdoor pool and whirlpool, a 24-hour fitness center, full-service dining and a 1,800-square-foot meeting space.

The hotel also provides convenient access to the Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens, Mayo Clinic Jacksonville, Naval Station Mayport and Jacksonville Landing.

“Four Points by Sheraton Jacksonville Beachfront is a terrific new option for travelers to the vibrant city of Jacksonville, offering them an unbeatable beachfront location,” said Brian McGuinness, senior vice president of specialty select brands for Starwood, in a press release.

The Future of Transit-Oriented Development in Atlanta. Want to know more about transit-oriented development in Atlanta? Then a mid-January panel discussion hosted by the Urban Land Institute (ULI) Atlanta may be for you.

“Back to the Future: A Transit-Oriented Atlanta” will be held on Jan. 15 from 6 to 8 p.m. in Suite 4100 at the One Ninety One Peachtree Tower in downtown Atlanta. Panelists will include James Shelby, commissioner of Atlanta’s Department of Planning and Community Development; Art Lomenick, president of development at The Integral Group; and Jason Ward, joint development manager for MARTA.

The discussion will examine the cultural shifts that have fueled a renewed interest in Atlanta’s urban core as well as the impact of transit-oriented development on the metro area’s suburbs.

To register, visit ULI Atlanta’s website.

Tenant Times: Nov. 19, 2013

The Tenant Times is a regular feature designed to keep you up to date on the Atlanta Galleria’s tenants. The Atlanta Galleria Office Park is home to some of the Southeast’s leading companies — so there’s always interesting news. If you’re a Galleria tenant and would like us to feature your news, email us at [email protected].

Expanding Talent Representation. CSE, a multi-faceted marketing and advertising agency, has created a division that will represent on-air reporters, anchors and personalities working in news and entertainment media. CSE has hired Traci Wilkes Smith from Willinger Talent Agency to oversee the new division. Wilkes Smith’s title with CSE is vice president of broadcasters, news and entertainment.

“Providing first-class representation to news and entertainment media personalities is a natural evolution of our growing sports and new media broadcaster practice,” said Matt Kramer, vice president of broadcasters for CSE, in a statement. “Traci is an established and successful television news agent who brings exceptional experience and whose passion, energy and skill-set fit in perfectly with CSE.”

Acquisitions in Atlanta. The RADCO Cos. recently completed its 22nd multifamily purchase in less than 24 months when it acquired The Park at Briarcliff, a 982-unit apartment community in DeKalb County, Ga., for $39.6 million, according to an article on GlobeSt.com.

The community, which RADCO has since renamed Ashford Druid Hills, is near Emory University, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Egleston Children’s Hospital. RADCO will invest up to $10 million in improvements and renovations to the community.

Help Wanted. Ultimate Software, a cloud provider of human-resource software, will make its new UltiPro Recruiting software program available to the public in early 2014.

According to a company press release, “Using principles such as gamification, networking, collaboration, portability, and integration with existing career profile sites such as LinkedIn, the new UltiPro Recruiting enables applicants to build a holistic online presence with an organization versus a one-dimensional resume.”

“Ultimate’s UltiPro Recruiting is an entirely new approach to attracting and hiring people — a candidate-focused solution that delivers an engaging, relationship-driven experience that will help organizations connect the best talent with their business,” added Cecile Leroux, vice president of product strategy and product management at Ultimate Software, in a statement.

Tenant Times: Sept. 17, 2013

The Tenant Times is a regular feature designed to keep you up to date on the Atlanta Galleria’s tenants. The Atlanta Galleria Office Park is home to some of the Southeast’s leading companies — so there’s always interesting news. If you’re a Galleria tenant and would like us to feature your news, email us at [email protected].

Touchdown! Atlanta Galleria tenant CSE, a multi-faceted marketing and advertising agency, is hitting the road this fall for the biggest football season in the firm’s nearly 28-year history, according to a company press release.

CSE will travel in support of NBC Sunday Night Football, providing media services, digital and social media management, and a bus advertising campaign.

CSE also will be on location for all ESPN College GameDay events on behalf of both Coke Zero and The Home Depot.

Read more about CSE’s football season initiatives here.

Joining Forces. A recent GlobeSt.com article detailed a new joint venture called Retail Logistics Group, a partnership between Galleria tenant The Shopping Center Group and Binswanger, a business location consulting firm.

The Shopping Center Group, a real estate advisory firm specializing in retail, is teaming up with Binswanger to advise retailers on choosing the best distribution center locations.

“The evolving role of a distribution center as both a supplier to traditional storefronts as well as a virtual point-of-sale for e-commerce makes the combination of these two industry leaders’ proven approaches to site selection a no brainer,” David Birnbrey, co-CEO of The Shopping Center Group, told GlobeSt.com.

Two Years of Acquisitions. The RADCO Cos. recently completed its 21st multifamily purchase in less than 24 months when it acquired Alderwood at the Lake, a 640-unit apartment community in Norcross, Ga.

The deal is a result of RADCO’s knowledge of the Georgia marketplace and commitment to investing capital in the metro Atlanta community, Norman J. Radow, the company’s founder and CEO, said in a press release.

International Connections. Travelport, which provides distribution and e-commerce services to the global travel industry, has renewed its content agreement with Jet Airways, India’s premier international airline, the company said in a press release. 

Travel agents using Travelport will continue to have access to Jet Airway’s most up-to-date route information and published fares.

We are “excited about the regional opportunities in India as the airline industry continues to recover steadily,” said Damian Hickey, Travelport’s vice president of global distribution sales and services, in a statement.

Tenant Times: Aug. 13, 2013

The Tenant Times is a regular feature designed to keep you up to date on the Atlanta Galleria’s tenants. The Atlanta Galleria Office Park is home to some of the Southeast’s leading companies — so there’s always interesting news. If you’re a Galleria tenant and would like us to feature your news, email us at [email protected].

Rewarding Project. Batson-Cook Construction recently completed the Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine (ACOM) building in Dothan, Ala. 

The $25 million project, which is the first osteopathic college in the state, is the initial phase of the Alabama Health Sciences Campus. The building was completed in time for classes to begin this August.

In a press release, Conn Crabtree, senior project manager for Batson-Cook, explained how rewarding it was to work on the project. “ACOM will help to address the immediate need for primary physicians in Alabama, particularly in underserved markets,” he said. “It is rewarding to be on the team for such a purpose-driven project. To experience the excitement surrounding the project and the community’s involvement in it makes our work even more fulfilling.”

Beneficial Collaboration. Atlanta Galleria tenant Digital Insurance has acquired TurnKey Benefits Inc., an employee benefits firm that will now operate as part of Digital Benefit Advisors (DBA), a division of Digital Insurance.

TurnKey Benefits is based in Fort Mill, S.C., and will open an office in Charlotte, N.C.

“Bringing [TurnKey Benefits] into the DBA fold strengthens our presence across the Carolinas and the Southeast,” said Mike Sullivan, executive vice president and chief marketing officer of Digital Insurance, in a press release.

“Being part of the [DBA] network and having access to its team of experts, wealth of resources and state-of-the-art technology platform amplifies our ability to effectively support employers and policy holders,” said TurnKey Benefits Founder Shelley Stromple in the release.

 A Reason to Celebrate. This summer, ITA Group, which has its Atlanta office at the Atlanta Galleria, celebrates its 50th anniversary. The consulting firm works with companies to increase employee engagement and motivation as well as customer loyalty.

“Our company, as well as the entire industry, is founded on the fact that people are the single most powerful driver of organizational success,” said Tom Mahoney, CEO of The ITA Group, in a press release celebrating the anniversary. “One of the smartest investments any company can make is tapping into the potential of people, regardless of the state of the economy. People will always be the strongest competitive edge for any business.”

University Partnership. Balfour Beatty Construction has been awarded a $1 million task order to serve as the construction manager at-risk for small construction projects at Georgia State University, the company announced in a press release.

The company will provide a range of services for various projects across the campus. The deal represents Balfour Beatty’s first work with the university. 

“We are excited to partner with Georgia State University, a respected institution of learning with a reputation for excellence here in Atlanta and across the nation,” said Al Petrangeli, division president for Balfour Beatty Construction, in the release. “We look forward to building upon our successes in Georgia’s higher education market with this valued client.”

Tenant Times: July 23, 2013

The Tenant Times is a regular feature designed to keep you up to date on the Atlanta Galleria’s tenants. The Atlanta Galleria Office Park is home to some of the Southeast’s leading companies — so there’s always interesting news. If you’re a Galleria tenant and would like us to feature your news, email us at [email protected].

Ultimate Partner. Atlanta Galleria tenant Ultimate Software has announced that Amica Mutual Insurance Co. has selected the UltiPro solution to streamline its human resource management.

“UltiPro fit perfectly into Amica’s plans of having an easy-to-use, easy-to-manage HCM solution — and one that we no longer have to manage or maintain internally,” said Richard Bouthillette, human resource information system director at Amica Mutual Insurance Co., in a press release. “We are looking forward to spending far less time on upgrades and much more time on our people management processes.”

Amica is a national writer of automobile, homeowner, marine and liability insurance.

Excellence in IT. Healthcare company WellPoint Inc. was recently named to Computerworld’s 2013 Best Places to Work in IT list, another in a growing list of recognitions for the firm. WellPoint has been on the list every year since 2009.

In praise of the company’s IT associates, Andrew J. Lang, senior vice president and chief information officer at WellPoint, said in a press release: “It is their advancements that will allow our affiliated health plan members to make more informed decisions about their health.”

“We applaud the organizations on the Best Places to Work in IT list for creating and sustaining dynamic IT work environments,” said Scot Finnie, editor in chief of Computerworld, in a press release. “This year, several new names have joined the stalwarts that make the list year after year. It’s clear that the best IT workplaces are constantly raising the bar with great benefits, new learning opportunities, access to cutting-edge technologies and challenging business-critical projects.”

Industry Visionaries. LogFire was positioned in the “Visionaries” quadrant of the “2013 Magic Quadrant for Warehouse Management Systems” report, a graphical representation of the marketplace produced by Gartner Inc.

LogFire, a provider of cloud-based warehouse management systems, is honored to be recognized for its “success, innovation, vision and continued growth,” Founder and CEO Diego Pantoja-Navajas said in a press release.

Marketing Insight. Silverpop, a digital marketing provider, recently commissioned a study that revealed most marketers still are not capitalizing on behavioral data in their campaigns.

The study, which surveyed 157 U.S.-based marketing professionals, “found that marketers who have adopted behavioral marketing practices and technologies have achieved significant results ranging from higher return on marketing investment to higher contributions to sales pipelines, as well as revenue,” according to a Silverpop press release.