Downtown Development Day Experiences Record Attendance

November 9,2011

Central Atlanta Progress' (CAP) Ninth Annual Downtown Development Day, held Nov. 3 in partnership with Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW) Atlanta, experienced record attendance with more than 600 participants. The event recognized recent projects benefiting Downtown Atlanta and served as the kickoff for Atlanta's Better Buildings Challenge.

CAP President A.J. Robinson presented the Downtown Atlanta Economic Impact Award to AmericasMart Atlanta. The apparel mart was recognized for generating more than $478 million in direct economic impact, making Atlanta the wholesale/retail trading capital of the United States.

Atlanta magazine Editor Steve Fennessey in partnership with CAP presented the Atlanta Downtown Design Excellence Awards to the following deserving companies, among several distinguished nominees:

Atlanta Downtown Design Excellence Award (Community/Residential): The Georgia Aquarium's AT&T "Dolphin Tales" gallery was recognized for its innovative 84,000 square-foot expansion featuring 1.3 million gallons of aquatic habitats for Atlantic bottlenose dolphins and a viewing theater for 1,800 guests. The project was designed by PGAV.

Atlanta Downtown Design Excellence Award (Hotel): The Hyatt Regency Atlanta, site of the event, was recognized for its refresh of the hotel's Atrium Tower, guest rooms, 22-story atrium lobby, restaurant, lounge and front entrance. The renovations were designed by TVS Design, LLC.

Atlanta Downtown Design Excellence Award (Office): The MLK Jr. Federal building, recently renamed the was recognized for the rehabilitation of its interior which demonstrates the U.S. General Services Administration's commitment to continued use of its historic resources, which contributes to the revitalization of Downtown Atlanta. The retrofit and redesign were done by The Beck Group and Lord Aeck and Sargent

Atlanta Downtown Design Excellence Award (Restaurant and Bar): Sister Louisa's CHURCH of The Living Room & Ping Pong Emporium is the artistic expression and design of owner Grant Henry's search for meaning. The bar is packed with "holy paraphernalia" collected over 15 years.

Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and Michelle Moore of the White House Council on Environmental Quality, announced the kickoff of the Atlanta Better Buildings Challenge during the keynote address. This program is part of President Obama's initiative to catalyze private sector investments in commercial building upgrades. The Atlanta Better Buildings Challenge is a nation-leading public/private initiative of reducing energy and water consumption by at least 20 percent in participating buildings across Atlanta by 2020.