Atlanta-based architect and developer John C. Portman Jr. died on December 30th, 2017. He was 93.
With a portfolio of urban, mixed-use projects that span more than half a century, Portman was known for the signature atriums integrated into many of his most prominent designs. Some of his most exceptional public spaces include the Peachtree Center in Atlanta, the Embarcadero Center in San Francisco, and the Renaissance Center in Detroit.
Portman led several hospitality projects in his hometown in addition to the Peachtree Center in an effort to revitalize the city. He oversaw the execution of the Hyatt Regency Atlanta in 1965 as well as the Westin Peachtree Plaza, which debuted as the tallest hotel in North America upon opening in 1975. He was also a founding member of Atlanta’s Action Forum, which was launched by locally based business leaders dedicated to the success of the city and its stakeholders. For his contributions to the prosperity of the city, former Atlanta mayor Andrew Young said of Portman, “There is no one who has done more for Atlanta.”
