Realm

Realm clearly demonstrates the realm of possibilities of condo living in Atlanta... amenities galore!

From time to time I write about various buildings in Atlanta, usually the taller buildings because those are the ones that tourists see first. When I'm a tourist in a city that I'm unfamiliar with, I'm always wondering, "What's that building...and that one...and that one over there?"

Realm, Buckhead Atlanta

I guess I should have known that Realm is a residential building, based on the 30 stories of balconies alone, but I guess I saw an architectural feature, not the obvious 'where to hang out with a martini after a long day at the office' kind of feature. My bad.

If you're thinking of moving to Atlanta, check out the "views" album on Realm's website...that feature alone could totally sway my decision of where I would live. I love a skyline view!

Buckhead, Downtown, Midtown and numerous other neighborhoods in Atlanta and around the City have fantastic skyline views, so if that's your thing, shop around until you find one that "feels like home."

Terminus 100

As I'm sure is the case with some of you, I'm very curious about specific buildings when out driving around, either purposefully or leisurely (although there never seems enough time for the latter). There are a LOT of Atlanta buildings I find fascinating, including the 27-story Terminus 100.

Terminus 100 in Buckhead

And what a great name! "Terminus" was the first name given to the bustling railroad town that would eventually—after several name changes—become known as...the City of Atlanta.

Terminus 100 is located in the heart of the thriving neighborhood of Buckhead, where visitors will find the finest shops, phenomenal restaurants, and more luxury automobiles than I've ever seen. The subjects of Atlanta's society pages can be found in Buckhead.

If you're an architecture enthusiast, check out the building and you're also welcome to copy the above pre-sized for Facebook (Cover Photo) photograph for use on your own page. Stop by the wanderlust ATLANTA Facebook Page for more!

Ayokunle Odeleye at MOCA GA

Serendipity is such a dear and cherished friend! 

The Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia (MOCA GA) had been on my radar for quite some time, but I just got around to it this past weekend. And what a great experience! So great, that I went twice in the same day!

Ayokunle Odeleye at the Museum of Contemporary Art

I had the great fortune of just catching the exhibition, "Ayokunle Odeleye: Thirty-two Years of Public Art"—it was the last day of the exhibition—AND it just so happened (here's the serendipitous part) that there was later that day a panel discussion with Ayo and three other public artists and the Atlanta Office of Cultural Affairs' Public Art Program Manager...there was no way I was going to miss that discussion!

I arrived at the Museum, on the well-known antique shop-laden Bennett Street in Buckhead, and was welcomed with enthusiasm and was provided ample detail about the Museum and its current exhibition. I learned about the upcoming exhibition on the way out (more on that in a moment).

The 1898 Memorial (Wilmington, NC)
Ayokunle Odeleye, Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia

The 1898 Memorial (Wilmington, NC)
Ayokunle Odeleye, Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia

Ayokunle Odeleye, Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia

How much you enjoy a new museum, attraction, city, restaurant, job, or an in-law, greatly depends on that first impression...and the young lady at the museum that day (unfortunately, I didn't catch her name) totally made my experience of MOCA such that I've adopted it as part of my museum repertoire henceforth.

Going in, I immediately recognized Ayokunle's work. And I was loving how the exhibition was laid out. It was the first time I'd seen a retrospective of this sort...I was totally engaged.

There also is a catalog of the exhibition. Ayo later told us that he'd never himself seen his work laid out in such a way—being viewed as a collection of lifetime works. And that's exactly what it was. 

Ayo is a public artist...one on the monumental scale. So, the exhibition couldn't possibly hold a collection of his "original" works—those are all over the country, many right here in Georgia, and as far away as Alaska!

Chi Wara Sundial Lantern (Atlanta, GA)
Ayokunle Odeleye
Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia

What the exhibition included were drawings, photographs, and miniature (relatively speaking) models of the larger, real-life pieces. And obviously an Ayo touch, much of the photography (at least one in a set of photos) of the finished piece, included Ayo himself with his creation.

Ancestral Totem (Atlanta, GA)
Ayokunle Odeleye
Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia

After touring the quite museum, I departed for a previously self-committed tour of  another museum, all the while devising a plan to return for the two o'clock panel discussion. 

I made it back in plenty of time (a future post will explain that excursion—pure, lighthearted fun) and even had time to stop for a quick bite after Imy return to Buckhead.

In contrast to my quiet visit earlier, there was standing room only for the panel discussion!

The moderator was introduced by MOCA GA's President/CEO/Director Annette Cone-Skelton. The moderator was Lisa Tuttle, a charming artist herself. The panelists included Maria Artemis, Curtis Patterson, Matt Haffner, Ayokunle Odeleye, and Eddie Granderson…and they were all brilliant.

Also, each of them looked and felt quite familiar. I would have sworn that I'd before met each of the artists on the panel, and maybe I have over the years.

I highly recommend exploring Atlanta's public art...there are some pretty amazing pieces out there. Actually, that sounds like a really fun full-day excursion. Hmmmm...

And when you do, ask yourself—at least of your local public art—"How does this represent my community? How does it make me feel about where I live?"

The Three Guardians (Brentwood, MD)
Ayokunle Odeleye
Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia

The Three Guardians (Brentwood, MD)
Ayokunle Odeleye
Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia

So, on Saturday, January 26, the next MOCA GA exhibition will be unveiled...."Ruth Laxson: Hip Young Owl." This exhibition is the first museum retrospective of Atlanta's Ruth Laxson and will feature more than 125 works. Sounds rather exciting.

I can hardly wait to return to The Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia...I'm thinking this is a new museum on my short list of Atlanta favorites. We'll soon find out.

Pop over to the wanderlust ATLANTA Facebook Page where you'll find more photos of my exploration of Ayo's brilliant public art and MOCA GA. And then go experience Atlanta!

The Aurora Court Panels (Aurora, CO)
Ayokunle Odeleye, Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia

ATLANTApix: Buckhead Grand

Buckhead Grand

Most of the buildings I've featured on tourATLANTA have been office buildings, entertainment venues, churches, or mixed-use buildings. I'm breaking that trend and featuring a residential building. 

Even though a residential building is not likely to be on any city tour, as a tourist I personally like to know what certain buildings are, especially if they're architecturally interesting.

The Buckhead Grand (a five star condominium) falls into the "architecturally interesting" category, as well as the luxury living category...for the views alone it would belong to that category.

As disclosed by its name, the Buckhead Grand is in the heart of Buckhead, Atlanta's financial district. The condos, soaring 36 stories, are the epitome of luxury...floor to ceiling, lobby to penthouse, inside and out. 

The units have nine feet ceilings, hardwood floors, marble soaking tubs, and spectacular views of the Buckhead and Atlanta skylines...I would love to have a view like this every morning and every evening! (And no, I'm not a real estate agent)

If you want an idea of just how luxurious these condos are, stop by the Museum of Design Atlanta to see their current exhibition, Water Dream. Several of the bathroom design displays exude luxury...the sort you'll find at Buckhead Grand.

The "flying saucer" discs jutting out from the corner on the upper floors are very unique...balconies! Does it get any more grand than that?

ATLANTApix and ATLANTAvidz of the tourATLANTA blog features a daily photo or video relative to Atlanta. Come back tomorrow for a new one!

ATLANTApix: Quilted Heart

Quilted Heart at the Atlanta History Center

The Atlanta History Center in Buckhead has a vast array of museums, gardens, historic houses, events, and special exhibitions on its 33-acre complex, including one of their signature exhibitions, "Shaping Traditions: Folk Arts in a Changing South" where this quilted heart (photo) is on display with 500 other Folk Arts artifacts.

My mother used to make quilts, so I know of the time and craft that goes into creating a quilt. My favorite that my mother made was one that she let me design with shields and crests that she sent to me when I was overseas in the Navy.

Also at the Atlanta History Center is the currently running special exhibition "Atlanta's Book: The Lost Gone With the Wind Manuscript." On display, now through Monday, September 5, 2011, are the last four chapters of the Gone With the Wind manuscript, with the final chapter displayed page-by-page so visitors can see the hand-written notes and read the pages.

ATLANTApix and ATLANTAvidz of the tourATLANTA blog features a daily photo or video relative to Atlanta. Come back tomorrow for a new one!

ATLANTApix: Terminus 100

Terminus 100

The 26-floor, 32-story, Terminus 100 high-rise is a unique, ultra-modern structure in the Buckhead skyline in Atlanta, Georgia. It's part of the mixed-use Terminus complex offering office space, residences, and retail, including restaurants (Brick Top's, Flying Biscuit, William David Salon, Brides by Demetrios). Terminus 100 is primarily office space with some retail on the ground floor.

Of interest, the first official name of the settlement that would become Atlanta was "Terminus" (1837), named so for the railroad trade route that would be built.

At the intersection of Peachtree Road and Piedmont Road, the upper levels offer spectacular views of Buckhead and the downtown Atlanta skyline.

While out and about in Buckhead, you may catch a glimpse of a notable resident or two. Some of Buckhead's big names include current superstar, Justin Bieber; country music legend, Kenny Rogers; British pop star, Sir Elton John; football Hall of Framer, Fran Tarkenton; and owner of the Atlanta Falcons, Arthur Blank.

ATLANTApix of the tourATLANTA blog features a "photo-of-the-day" of Atlanta. Come back tomorrow for a new one!

ATLANTApix: Tower Place 100

Tower Place 100

You would think that Tower Place 100 is one of the newer skyscrapers in the Buckhead skyline, judging by its modern, octagon, glass design, but actually its construction was completed in 1974! Amazing, right?

The 29 floor (401 feet) building is primarily office space and is joined by a plethora of more recently erected also glass skyscrapers in Buckhead (one of the wealthiest zip codes in the nation according to Forbes Magazine), most of which are multi-use structures.

Just in case you're driving down Peachtree trying to spot Tower Place 100, although the building has a Peachtree Road address (3340 Peachtree Road, NE), it sits at least a block off of Peachtree on Tower Place Drive, NE. The Tower Place complex, home of several other skyscrapers and buildings, does in fact border Peachtree Road, thus the seemingly confusing address.

ATLANTApix of the tourATLANTA blog features a "photo-of-the-day" of Atlanta. Come back tomorrow for a new one!

ATLANTApix: Comics & Games

Oxford Comics & Games

Ask any comic book fan in Atlanta where the best place is to shop for comics, games, and related merchandise and you're very likely to hear, "Oxford Comics & Games, that place on Piedmont Road not too far off Peachtree."

I'd driven by the store for years and years and never stopped in until yesterday. I can't believe I waited so long! Walking in, seeing how much space they have, was like guest starring on an episode of Warehouse 13...they have (almost) that much space.

Is a comic book store a tourist destination? Absolutely. And the gentleman behind the counter confirmed as much when I asked if they get a lot of business during Dragon*Con. Even with all the onsite stores at the Dragon*Con convention, Oxford gets traffic from those conventioneers, and I understand why. And being open 10-10 Monday-Saturday and 11-7 on Sunday says a lot for the demand of the products they carry.

It seemed befitting to post this now, with the announcement this week of the official title of the next Spider-Man movie..."The Amazing Spider-Man."

So, if you're a comic fan, don a cape, jump in an invisible plane, and teleport over to Oxford for a few comic books, graphic novels, action figures, games, posters, life-size cutouts, toys, and models. The also have movie, TV, and anime shows for purchase or rental.

In the words of the great Obi-Wan Kenobi, "May the Force be with you, always."

ATLANTApix of the tourATLANTA blog features a "photo-of-the-day" of Atlanta. Come back tomorrow for a new one!