How can any of us expect to be the next real estate mogul, when you don’t even realize you spend 10% of your money on Starbucks and 15% attending Crazy real estate seminars like Brad and Matt’s  ReTech South!!

I don’t know if I would recommend you changing banks just for this feature but if you have Bofa and haven’t checked out the My Portfolio tab, you’re missing out.  I am wondering how long it will be before a loan officer at Bofa says to someone “While your credit score is 10 points below what we would like to see because of these 30 day late payments,  your My Portfolio shows you have a $275,000 in other assets.  Let me talk with my manager and we can probably get this loan approved.”

When: Tuesday, January 13th at 7:30 am

Come hear a lively discussion on navigating the current environment and evaluating the best strategies to manage the complexities of your development. In essence, we will explore methods and best practices to workout and closeout your deals, from the perspective of an auctioneer, developer, attorney and lender.
This year will provide unprecedented challenges to the development community. In 2008, aggressive local lending collided with the global financial crisis to choke off easy credit. As a consequence, sales have slowed and buyers have become more cautious. Moreover, banks have tightened lending standards and requirements, putting the squeeze on many projects under construction or recently completed. The circumstances will not change anytime soon so how can you respond to some of these challenges?
Listen to what are some developers are doing to creatively jump-start sales? When does an auction make sense, and how will it affect future sale prices and velocity? If traditional sales models and auctions don’t make sense, what is the best method to convert from condos to apartments, after the condo association is established? Moreover, would the construction lender support this strategy, if so what has to be in place? Furthermore, how do you protect yourself from erroneous lawsuits from builders and buyers? These questions and more will be explored to best evaluate how to reposition your deal for the short-term and long-term.

Moderator
Peter Curnyn, Vice President, AIG Global Real Estate Investment Corp.

Panelists
Jon Gollinger, Co-Founder & East Coast CEO, Accelerated Marketing Partners

Bill Donges, CEO, Lane Development Company

Seth Weissman, Managing Partner, Weissman, Nowack, Curry & Wilco

John Peirce, EVP, Commercial Real Estate Lending, Suntrust Bank

Register Online Now!
View and/or Print Flyer and Registration Page

Hurt Building

Thursday, July 31, 2008

6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Please join the Young Leaders Group as we explore the benefits of preserving architecturally significant buildings.  Our panel will discuss how developments that integrate distinctive and historic structures create a unique sense of place, improve a neighborhood’s quality of life, and provide the opportunity for a sound investment.

The panelists represent a variety of perspectives, including development, design, and regulation.  Successful projects will be highlighted, and the financial implications of restoration versus demolition will be addressed.  

Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres will be served before and after the panel discussion.

MODERATOR
Bill Halter – Design Director – HOK
PANELISTS
Thomas Dalia – Principal – Smith Dalia Architects
David Marvin – President – Legacy Property Group
Doug Young – Principal – Atlanta Urban Design Commission
 
LOCATION
The Hurt Building – 16th Floor
50 Hurt Plaza
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
404-665-2207
 
Event space generously provided by:

Harbor Group Management Company
 
DIRECTIONS
Validated parking is available at the Hurt Plaza Garage.  Please bring your parking ticket inside for validation.
Traveling SOUTH on I-75/I-85: Take Exit 249A (Courtland Street) and stay on Courtland for approximately 2/3 miles. Turn RIGHT onto Edgewood Avenue. Drive two blocks and make a LEFT onto Hurt Plaza and into the garage. The Hurt Building is adjacent to the garage.
Traveling NORTH on I-75/I-85: Take Exit #248B (Edgewood Avenue) and turn LEFT on Edgewood. Continue on Edgewood for approximately 1/2 mile, and make a LEFT onto Hurt Plaza and into the garage. The Hurt Building is adjacent to the garage.
MARTA:  Take the East/West or North/South line to the Five Points Station and exit at Peachtree Street. Walk two blocks north to Edgewood Avenue and turn RIGHT. The Hurt Building will be one block ahead on the right at the corner of Hurt Plaza.
 
 
Register Now Online:

Registration Page:                  
http://www.uli.org/register/index.cfm?id=3843
Information Page:
http://www.uli.org/events/index.cfm?id=3843

Click Here for Flyer 

By phone: 800-321-5011

By fax: 800-248-4585
Click here for printable registration form.
Event Hosted By:

Co-Chair: Kristin Laneri, Trimont Real Estate Advisors

Co-Chair: Ellen Mendelsohn, Central Atlanta Progress

The Young Buckhead Professionals
Invite you to a Business Networking Event
Wednesday, July 16th at

Valenza Restaurant
1441 Dresden Drive, #100
Atlanta, GA 30319

404.969.3233

www.valenzarestaurant.com

Wednesday, July 16, 2008
6:00 – 8:00 pm

Complimentary Appetizers

*Note: This event is open to members and prospective new members. Non-member cost is $10 per person. We look forward to seeing you at the event!

www.YoungBucksAtl.com

I would like to invite you to an Urban Land Institute event titled  “The Future of Brookhaven”  on Wednesday May 14th from 6 – 8:30pm.
I am the moderator for this event and your attendance would be greatly appreciated.  The event will be run by the Atlanta chapter of The Urban Land Institute, a non profit promoting smart growth and intelligent urban design.  
We are expecting a great turn out of 150-200 guests , but since I helped plan this event, the more friends of mine the better!  

This program will feature an informal discussion between three integral parts of Brookhaven’s future: the planning of the overall community, developing mixed-use within the community, and the future opportunity for transit-oriented development. The event promises to be an exciting and informative discussion about how an existing community can change in character with the right vision and team members.  Beer, wine and hors d’oeuvres will be served. MODERATOR
Giles Stevens– Costar Group Inc. 

SPEAKERS
Eric Bosman – Associate Principle – Urban Collage
Darryl Connelly – Director of Transit Oriented Developments - MARTA
Dan Woodley – President – Dan Woodley Communities LOCATION
Village Place Brookhaven
1410 Dresden Drive NE

Atlanta, GA 30319
404-504-9324  Registration Fees                    Member             Non-Member
Private                                      $30                   $45
Public Sector/Nonprofit           $25                  $40
Young Leader                         $25                   $40
Student (full-time)                   $20                   $35
Please note:         Registration increases by $15 after pre-registration date. 
For multiple registrations, please duplicate this form.
Pre-Registration Deadline:
Online:                 Monday, May 12^th
All other ways:    Monday, May 12^th     After Monday, May 12th call 770-951-8500. Click here for an event flyer and printable registration form  

My Thoughts: Start Blogging Today…If you haven’t started Blogging and are using any other forms of internet marketing, I think you should do some research on the subject. Actually don’t waste your time, here is all the research you need: Google diggs Blogs, People digg Google. With as many people blogging out there… I think it is time I start researching Real Estate 3.0 in order to get ahead of the curve for next years ReTechSouth.com conference.

Check out Everything you missed at ReTechSouth.com and here are some of the other reviews:

RETech South – Widgets, Plug-Ins, and Tools
RETech South Roundup
Blogging for Alpharetta Real Estate Has Lighter Side
REtechSouth: It’s a Great Time to Blog
The Future of Real Estate and Technology is Now
My Personal Take-Aways from the REtechSouth Conference
RETechSouth – Conference 2.0
Hey Kevin… Thanks for Lunch!

The moderator for the panel was Maranda Walker-Dowell – Senior Director | CB Richard Ellis – Retail Services

PANELISTS:
Bob Amick – Restaurateur, Managing Partner | Concentrics Restaurants
Adam Schwegman – Restaurant Leasing Rep | Cousins Properties
Steve Tedder – Project Manager | Barry Real Estate Companies

What are the design and development challenges in mixed use projects, especially vertically integrated projects with residential or office?

Adam Schwegman: Parking and the management of things like parking, 2,700 cars a week valet at Terminus.  Retrofitting a Bank into a restaurant space at 191 Peachtree and the costs difference of preplanning for a restaurant vs. retrofitting.
Steve Tedder: Provision that prevents valet parking in front of restaurant on the street must go around to a parking deck, HVAC chillers run during business hours, so you have to have separate flow through systems for the weekends and at night.  Security after hours, Parking, Good street presence.

How does process of luring a restaurant to the project affect the master plan?
Bob Amick: Are Atlanta diners ready to go as far downtown as Cousins 191 project?

Deal structure and lease structure question toward Bob Amick: some of the top restaurateurs will either own or contract to manage the restaurant.
What is the difference?   In your opinion what is the better choice?

Bob Amick: Anytime you can use someone else’s money it is a better choice!!!
50% of our business these days is concept development and then management (Novare Lobby, Scott’s downtown, Murphy’s virgina highlands all developed and managed for other people)
Trois cost close over 7 million dollars to develop and build out.
Nobody is building a 6000-7000 sq ft restaurant for less than 2.5 Million!
Keeping total occupancy costs under 6% of gross sales one of the keys to success.

Working with National verses Local restaurateurs

What are the Positives and negatives from a developer’s perspective as it relates to Marketing leasing and Management when you are bringing in a restaurant into your mixed use development?
Adam Schwegman: Restaurant amenities a big positive in selling the residential condos at Terminus, 9 in total when completed.   Bob Amick: We don’t rely on more than 25% of our business to come from the building or mixed use development our restaurants are located in.   Steve Tedder: On that note, that ability to draw people there has meant that Restaurants come first in emerging areas such as Inman Park before the areas have become popular for retail or other uses.

We touched on this earlier, what type of TI will developers expect to pay to attract a first rate restaurant to their mixed use development, any examples to give us perspective?
$50 a foot for fast food ranging all the way up to 170 a foot, however the restaurateur will pay more than that to finish the space.   To pay percentage rent it really makes it difficult to get your ROI, I like to put Caps on my percentage rent with natural break points.
 

Tenant Mix:  How restaurants affect Condo Development? And what are some of the factors that should be considered when determining the restaurant mix when building residential?
Choosing restaurants that your residents won’t get tired of and importance of national chains vs. local.

Check out this forum, it is interesting the market research that is just free on the internet…but then again that may be all it’s worth!   At that point the Panalists took questions from the crowd (the audio was so bad I am just going to leave it out).  Make sure and join us later this month as Emory University’s Goizueta Real Estate Group hosts an event on Wednesday, March 26 (if you have never been to see the business school, I highly recomend it just for that).
Again it will be a panel discussion this time on Walkable Cities and Gauging Atlanta’s Progress. 

Here is the Flyer, See below to register:  Over the past 15 years, there has been a gradual trend toward the re-introduction and expansion of higher density, walkable urban places throughout the country.  Please join our panel discussion to discuss the progress of these ongoing initiatives and the importance of walkability in our city. Foreword and Introduction by:
Dr. Lawrence Benveniste, PhD
Dean of the Emory University Goizueta Business School
Asa Griggs Candler Professor of Finance  PANELISTS
Helen Hatch – Chair – Walkable Atlanta Task Force
Ed McBrayer – Executive Director – PATH Foundation
Sally Flocks – Founder/President – PEDS
Steve Nygren – Founder – Serenbe
iannat Howett – Director Sustainability – Emory University
Jen Fabrick – Architect – Emory University
Click here for more info   

TOWN/Brookhaven – Down to Earth

As you will have noticed, much of the necessary earthwork for TOWN/Brookhaven is nearing completion. This phase includes: Clearing land, grading, installation of infrastructure, and the installation of sanitary sewer, water lines and storm water lines. In addition, the Tindell Corporation is designing and fabricating the pre-cast structural system for one of the large buildings off-site, and this will reduce the on-site construction duration.

Fresh Fence Banner: Design and fabrication of a new construction fence banner is underway and will be installed in early April. Look for fresh colors and sophisticated graphics!
Vertical Construction to Begin in Early Spring

Sembler anticipates that the construction of TOWN/Brookhaven’s three-level parking deck will commence in late March/early April. The Tindell Corporation is fabricating its structural system off-site as well. 

Savoy at TOWN/Brookhaven

The Columns Group, Inc. and Monte Hewett Homes will be building luxury town homes with architectural themes inspired by – and designed to complement – the architecture of nearby Oglethorpe University. The development will be known as Savoy at TOWN/Brookhaven and is part of the overall TOWN/Brookhaven development. The project’s entrance is located off of Hermance Drive with property boundaries adjacent to Crosswycke Forest and portions of the Chalfont Subdivision. Infrastructure on the project is near completion; the streets are scheduled to be paved by mid-March. Vertical construction is slated to begin by mid-Summer 2008, while the finished homes will be ready in Spring 2009. The goal is to start on the entrance hardscape shortly after the start of the vertical construction, and the entrance landscaping and the 50-ft. buffer planting will follow close behind the hardscape installation. Paces Ferry Realty will be coordinating sales and marketing of the project, and marketing information will be available within the coming months. Tell your friends!

Luxury Residences to Sprout

Construction of Trammell Crow’s 287 luxury residential units will start towards the later part of February, while Lincoln Property’s 372 luxury residences will get underway in March 2008.

Details & Amenities = Luxury
Lincoln Property’s luxury mid-rise community will consist of a single, six-story Epi-core building, “wrapped around” a pre-cast concrete parking deck. Approximately 50% of the units will feature so-called ‘soft-loft’ finishes, while the remainder will appeal to more traditional tastes. Community amenities will include a resort-style pool, an outdoor kitchen/grilling area, a resident clubroom with Internet café and billiards table, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and a rooftop amenity area featuring a tennis court and bocce ball court. All this, coupled with their superb location, will make these residences the choice for sophisticated living.

TOWN/Brookhaven’s New Street Names
Sembler has selected the following names for the internal streets in the TOWN/Brookhaven development: Town Boulevard / Brookhaven Avenue / Market Avenue / Main Avenue / Cross Keys Avenue / Hermance Avenue.

And the Tenants Are…

By late spring, Sembler will announce the names of all confirmed tenants at TOWN/Brookhaven, including an upscale grocery store; a movie theater that will cater to the 21+-year market since it will serve beer and wine; local restaurants and retail tenants. We will keep you informed!

Please feel free to share this information with your friends and neighbors in the Brookhaven area, members of your neighborhood association, sport club, cultural or educational organizations. If you have any questions about TOWN/Brookhaven, contact Victor Ellis, neighborhood liaison at The Sembler Company: victor.ellis@sembler.com or by phone at (404) 847-1800.

Woodham, the 41-year-old real estate lawyer who brought the lawsuit, declined to be interviewed Monday. He e-mailed a statement:  “I am pleased with the Court’s unanimous decision, affirming the very clear constitutional restriction on the use of school tax funds in the State of Georgia. Based on the statements of BeltLine officials, the project will move forward, financed through alternative means. I look forward to a successful project.”

Who is this Grinch that has possibly pulled the rug out from under the beltline?  And what is his motivation? Here is a great article by Creative Loafing giving a few quotes from Woodham.

The ruling rocked other local development officials.   “It’s devastating,” said Hal Barry, whose company, Barry Real Estate, is the lead developer at Allen Plaza, an eight-block project near the Georgia Aquarium. “To get this kind of a low blow is really . . . I’m speechless. I can’t think it through yet.”

And talk about people upset….

Check out the comments by some of Thomas Wheatley’s readers over at Creative Loafing: 

 Disappointed Says: February 11th, 2008 at 1:17 pm
I seriously wonder if Mr. Woodham or anyone else who claims to be so concerned about the Atl Public School System sent their kids to ANY public schools. In addition, Mr. Woodham lives in a nice, cushy area of town where they have sidewalks and curbs….

Here is an email that went out from Terri Montague to Beltline TADAC members on Monday: 

From: “Terri Montague”
To: [redacted]
Subject: GA Supreme Court Ruling – Update
Date: Mon, 11 Feb 2008 11:18:07 +0000

Dear BeltLine TADAC Members:

We just learned that the Georgia Supreme Court has reversed the Fulton County Superior Court’s January 2007 ruling validating the BeltLine TAD bonds. In a unanimous ruling, the Supreme Court specifically held that funding plans like the BeltLine’s violate the Educational Purpose Clause of the State constitution – in effect preventing the inclusion of school district tax increment for these types of projects.

We are disappointed in this ruling, but we remain focused on the BeltLine vision. And we will continue working without interruption with our staffs and public and private partners toward its fulfillment using alternative funding sources – as we have for the last 16 months.

Our work over that time has built important momentum and revealed the broad political, civic and business will behind the BeltLine – not as merely an amenity for Atlanta but, rather, as an integrated solution to some of the City’s and region’s most pressing needs. Neither those needs nor that will is diminished by this legal decision.

The BeltLine Team now faces questions about precisely how the BeltLine will proceed – considering, as we will in the coming days and weeks ahead, our legal, political and financial options. Meanwhile, communities with pending TAD programs across the State will undoubtedly be evaluating how they will implement their priority projects, as well. Please feel free to contact Roland Young or Rukiya Eaddy if you have questions, or would like to arrange a fuller briefing in the meantime. We expect that this important ruling will attract extensive media coverage, starting this morning.

As stewards of the BeltLine vision and support, we will update you again soon.

Sincerely,
Terri Y. Montague
President & CEO
Atlanta BeltLine, Inc.
404-614-8322