The Atlanta Regional Commission Presents Inaugural lifetime achievement award to John C. Portman, Jr.
Architect, developer and community leader honored for defining and energizing downtown Atlanta
John C. Portman, Jr. received the Atlanta Regional Commission’s (ARC) first Developments of Excellence Lifetime Achievement Awardat the organization’s 18th annual awards event this morning. He was honored for his role as an architect and developer whose groundbreaking projects help define and energize downtown Atlanta, giving the city its distinctive skyline.
“Mr. Portman’s buildings reflect his humanity, as he has always designed projects that, in his words, ‘enhance life’ for the people who use them,” said ARC chairman Kerry Armstrong.
As founder and chairman of both John Portman & Associates, an architecture and engineering firm, and Portman Holdings, a development firm, Mr. Portman has been globally recognized for his innovative designs. In downtown Atlanta, he designed and built AmericasMart, which has served as a catalyst for the region’s economy. The first Mart building opened in 1961 and has since grown into a three-building campus of 7.2 million square feet, attracting more than half a million people per year.
Portman’s additional projects in the city include the landmark Peachtree Center complex – a vibrant downtown hub that has served as a model for mixed-use developments around the world; and three of Atlanta’s most iconic hotels, anchoring the downtown convention district: The Hyatt Regency Atlanta, Atlanta Marriott Marquis and The Westin Peachtree Plaza. The Marriott Marquis is often used by Hollywood to depict scenes of the future, further validating Portman’s timeless designs.
“This award is an honor and a privilege,” said Mr. Portman. “Art, architecture and Atlanta are beloved to me, and I feel very fortunate to have integrated my passions for all these years.”
Portman’s companies conduct business across the globe, with recent projects gracing skylines from Charlotte to Denver, San Diego and Shanghai. His work has been featured in six major books. Additionally, the 2011 documentary, “John Portman, A Life of Building,” by Ben Loeterman, captures his approach to architecture, art and life. For more information, please visit portmanarchitects.com.
About John Portman & Associates
John Portman & Associates (Portman) is an internationally renowned architectural design firm with offices in Atlanta and Shanghai. Established in 1953, Portman has more than 60 years of experience in designing mixed-use urban developments, hotels, office buildings, multiunit residential complexes and exhibition centers. Portman projects can be seen in more than 60 cities worldwide. The firm’s architecture transcends national borders by striving for universal human appeal, enhancing the environment for users and providing a sound investment for owners and operators. For more information on John Portman & Associates, visit www.portmanarchitects.com and follow the company on Twitter via @JPortmanAssoc.