The Streets of Buckhead Enhances Collection of Luxury Retailers

The Streets of Buckhead, a world-class luxury destination that combines international boutiques, fine dining and exclusive residences in a streetscape setting welcomes upscale clothiers Brioni, Leggiardo and Shirts & Co. by Domenico Vacca. Ben Carter, founder and chairman of Ben Carter Properties, is creating the region’s premier luxury shopping experience in the heart of Atlanta’s affluent Buckhead community. The development already boasts an exclusive line-up of merchants that includes Hermès, Bottega Veneta, Oscar de la Renta, John Lobb, Loro Piana, Van Cleef & Arpels and many others.

The Streets of Buckhead, which will feature more than 500,000-square feet of retail and restaurant space, is resurrecting the site of the original Buckhead Village in Atlanta, which decades ago featured a town square with local merchants and residences. Much like the original, The Streets of Buckhead experience extends beyond the retailers to include restaurants and luxury residential units; in addition to luxury boutiques, Ben Carter Properties projects 14 fine-dining restaurants (including New York mainstays Japonais, Le Colonial and La Goulue) and several hundred luxury high-rise residences.

“Like New York’s Madison Avenue, The Streets of Buckhead will be a preferred destination for affluent consumers from around the country seeking the most exclusive shopping and dining experience possible. However, The Streets of Buckhead is truly distinguished by its unsurpassed amenities and services in a street-level, open-air environment that can’t be found anywhere else in the Southeast,” said Carter. “The commitment of partners like Brioni, Leggiardo, and Shirts & Co. by Domenico Vacca is truly a testament to the experience we’re creating for area residents and visitors alike at The Streets of Buckhead.”

The architecture for the retail streetscapes and high-rises employs the use of stately columns and grand porticos, reflective of Neo-classical style of architecture. Other parts of the development employ touches similar to the industrial-era buildings of New York’s Soho district, with iron detailing and a great use of glass. The design styles mesh to create a rich, historically inspired architectural framework, the perfect backdrop for the luxury boutiques and restaurants at The Streets of Buckhead.

The most recent additions to The Streets of Buckhead include:

* Brioni – An Italian luxury brand founded in 1945, Brioni is named after one of the most elegant resorts on the Adriatic coast. Its custom tailoring was soon a favorite of Europe’s aristocracy, and Brioni quickly became the first true ambassador of men’s fashion in the world in the 1950s, when movie celebrities like Clark Gable, Gary Cooper and Rock Hudson began wearing Brioni suits. Brioni has remained a reference point for luxury and quality tailoring to this day. Each Brioni garment takes at least 24 hours of work by more than 400 master tailors (and a total of 1,500 employees working in eight facilities), manufacturing the Formale, Donna and Leisurewear lines. Recognized around the world as one of the premier luxury brands, Brioni will serve customers in a 1,874-square-foot store at The Streets of Buckhead.
* Leggiardo – An upscale destination for women’s fashion and founded by Ann Ross in 1985, the 750-square-foot boutique at The Streets of Buckhead will be Leggiardo’s first location in Atlanta. Embracing legendary European luxury fabrication techniques, Leggiadro’s artisans pay lavish attention to detail to ensure the highest quality possible. Every store offers a sanctuary for women to relax as Leggiadro’s attentive staff helps them choose favorite items to complement individual fit and style.
* Shirts & Co. by Domenico Vacca – Shirts & Co. is a new retail concept by renowned designer, manufacturer and retailer of fine ready-to-wear shirts and menswear accessories, Domenico Vacca. The Shirts & Co. label will combine the well-known Domenico Vacca name with a ready-to-wear product that brings excellent craftsmanship and materials together with a traditional Neapolitan cut. Domenico Vacca will simultaneously open a separate Atlanta location of his Domenico Vacca menswear boutiques at The Streets of Buckhead. The company currently operates six Domenico Vacca stores in the United States; The Streets of Buckhead location is the first in Atlanta, and the first location anywhere for the Shirts & Co. concept.

“I’m proud to be part of such an important and exclusive project in Atlanta,” said Andera Perrone, co-chief executive officer of the Brioni Group. “The United States has always been our most important market; we opened our first foreign boutique in New York in 1982. Atlanta will be our seventh Brioni store in the United States; it is an ideal location for our made-to-measure service, and very well appreciated by the American consumer. My best wishes to The Streets of Buckhead, a temple for the luxury lifestyle.”

“The Streets of Buckhead is the location we have been looking for in Atlanta over the past 5 years,” said Brooks Ross, president of Leggiadro. “An elegant street is a key component for a high-end retailer’s identity and we are very happy with Ben Carter’s vision.”

Other retailers at The Streets of Buckhead include Hermès; Bottega Veneta; Domenico Vacca; Etro; Loro Piana; Oscar de la Renta; Van Cleef & Arpels; Christofle; and Vilebrequin. Among the project’s 14 restaurants will be New York mainstays, Japonais, La Goulue and Le Colonial; and a new Fado Irish Pub & Restaurant which recently opened its doors in the community.

About The Streets of Buckhead

The Streets of Buckhead is a $1.5 billion luxury mixed-use community currently under construction in the heart of Atlanta’s affluent Buckhead neighborhood. The redevelopment will transform the area into a walkable streetscape offering more than 80 luxury boutiques, trendy restaurants and sidewalk cafes. Occupying eight acres, the community is bordered by Pharr, Peachtree and East Paces Ferry roads, and North Fulton Avenue. Upon completion, The Streets of Buckhead will feature over 500,000-square feet of retail and restaurant space, most of which will house international luxury and lifestyle brands; a 30,000-square-foot Equinox Fitness Club; and several hundred high-rise luxury apartments. Retailers and restaurants in the community will open in late 2009/early 2010.

About Ben Carter Properties

Founded in 1993, Ben Carter Properties is an Atlanta-based, full-service commercial real estate firm, which specializes in retail, office and mixed-use projects throughout the Southeast. Through its history, the company has developed more than $1 billion in real estate projects. Currently the company has $2 billion in new projects in development, with planned openings by 2010. The Ben Carter Properties team of experts focuses on four distinct areas of real estate services: development, asset management, leasing and brokerage. For information on the company, please visit www.bencarterproperties.com.