Courtesy: Jennifer Bradley Franklin | News Source: architecturaldigest.com

With events for designers happening daily, and new projects cropping up all over the city, keeping track of all the goings-on in Atlanta can be a tall order. That’s why AD PRO is here to keep you informed for the week.

Openings

Kimberly Miller Leads the $15 Million Design Transformation of the Burgess Hotel

The Burgess Hotel, formerly a Wingate by Wyndham, is now open in Buckhead. Longtime hotel owners Burges and Freny Jokhi worked with Kimberly Miller, CEO and principal of Dallas-based hospitality interiors firm Duncan Miller Ullmann, to execute the $15-million, three-year renovation. Inspired by the Jokhis’ global heritage and travels, Miller created a 102-room boutique hotel. The guest rooms feature original art prints by the owners’ daughter Jessica, an artist in Chicago. The new bar, Mr. B’s, is named for Freny’s father, Keki Bunshah, who led the first Indian Mount Everest expedition, and the space is adorned with photographs from his climbs.

Smith Hanes Studio Design Wonderkid Restaurant in Atlanta Dairies

A take on the classic diner, Wonderkid has opened its doors in the Atlanta Dairies development. The restaurant is a partnership between Big Citizen (restaurateurs Darren Carr and Eric Simpkins) and King of Pops (Steven and Nick Carse), who tapped Smith Hanes Studio to create a retro environment with midcentury vibes. Tufted leather booths, wood paneling, a swivel-seat bar with muted tiles, and exposed brick from the building’s original incarnation as a working dairy all accent the 4,800-square-foot dining room. The eatery also offers seasonal patio dining and a private dining space called the Rainbow Room.
Business

Anne Irwin Fine Art Announces New Ownership

Anne Irwin Fine Art, a staple for interior designers and art collectors in Atlanta, has kicked off the new year under new ownership. Emily West, who owned her namesake Atlanta gallery before working with Anne Irwin for the past eight years, has purchased the business.

“We wanted to be able to make a big announcement in January as a way to kick off the year,” West tells AD PRO. “Having had my gallery before I came to work for Anne, I thought that was the last time I was going to be able to own a gallery. To be able to own one that has the reputation that [Anne Irwin Fine Art] does makes me feel confident,” she says. The gallery’s first show of 2020, “Introductions,” will open on January 10. Irwin will continue to be a fixture at the Miami Circle location for the next six months.

ASID Georgia Chapter Launches Leadership Elections

It’s time for members of the Georgia chapter of ASID to choose their leaders for the 2020/2021 season. Voting will take place online January 15–25, and will cover the positions of president, communications director, at-large/programs director, and membership director.
Events

ADAC Hosts Winter Product Launch Showcase

From January 13 to 17, the Atlanta Decorative Art Center (ADAC) will host a product launch showcase, with presentations by more than 20 showrooms in ADAC and ADAC West. The biannual event’s winter edition will feature products from case goods to fabric, exhibited by participating showrooms including Made Goods, The Shade Store, Julian Chichester, Tritter Feefer, Peacock Alley, Baker, and more. This year, ADAC will also launch a digital campaign on Instagram in which designers Erika Ward, Chad James, Dana Wolter, and Whitney Ray will share style forecasts on the Center’s account.

Become an AD PRO Member

Buy now for unlimited access and all of the benefits that only members get to experience.
Preservation

Beloved DuPre Excelsior Mill Building Partially Collapses in Old Fourth Ward

Curbed Atlanta reported that one of Old Fourth Ward’s historic buildings, best known as the former home of beloved Masquerade music venue, partially crumbled in a construction accident during the last week of 2019. The century-old DuPre Excelsior Mill building is part of a new development that plans to restore and repurpose the site as a Beltline-adjacent office complex. Atlanta architect and historic preservationist Kyle Kessler is quoted as advocating for developer Coro Realty and its partner Southeastern Capital to do what it takes to restore the crumbling structure. “The building is fixable and should be fixed. I trust that the city will help ensure that this landmark building is preserved,” Kessler told Curbed.
Hires

RJTR Announces Promotions of Longtime Team Members

Rule Joy Trammell + Rubio, an Atlanta architecture and interior design firm, has announced four promotions. Eric Schunk, who has more than 25 years of experience, and Hyeon-Seob, who attended Savannah College of Art & Design and has been with RJTR for 13 years, have been named senior designers. Matt Greist, who attended Georgia Tech and has more than 20 years of industry experience, and Blake Simmons, who manages the firm’s building information modeling (BIM) implementation, have both been promoted to the position of senior associate.