Buildings come down, trees remain standing in Peachtree Hills

The buildings are coming down on the new site of Peachtree Hills Place, but the trees are still standing due to an initiative that aims to protect more than half of the site’s existing trees.

[ClickPress, Tue Jan 29 2008] The buildings are coming down on the new site of Peachtree Hills Place, but the trees are still standing due to an initiative that aims to protect more than half of the site’s existing trees.

Peachtree Hills Place is Isakson Barnhart’s newest residential community offering a continuum of care for members ages 55 and above. Formerly home to Peachtree Hills Apartments, the 23.3-acre site is located at the intersection of Peachtree Hills Avenue and Virginia Place in Buckhead.

“Our city is known for its trees, and we plan to honor both that heritage and the environment by saving at least 50 percent of the caliper inches of the mature trees on our site,” said E. Andrew Isakson, Managing Partner of Isakson Barnhart. "On 23.5 acres we will have building square footage of about the same size as Phipps Plaza and yet we will preserve 50% of the existing trees on site. What our team has accomplished is something to be proud of."

Isakson worked personally with the Chattahoochee Nature Center (CNC) to develop a four-hour training program for employees of Isakson Barnhart, Hardin Construction, the lead general contractor and Price and Sons, the demolition contractor for Peachtree Hills Place. With assistance from the Georgia Forestry Commission, CNC lead naturalist Henning Von Schmeling trained superintendents and equipment operators on ecology issues, focusing on water quality and the role of trees in protecting the environment. The program concluded with a presentation on the best practices in tree preservation. Workers who passed a test covering course materials were certified and awarded green hard hats to wear at the demolition site.

“I applaud Isakson Barnhart’s extra effort to conserve trees. Now we’re calling on other developers to follow their lead,” said Dr. Tom Howick, Director of Education at the CNC. “The 17-county metro Atlanta region is currently losing 58 acres of tree canopy each day, a number that has increased dramatically in the last several years. With the help of people like Andy Isakson and participation by more developers, we can make an impact.”

As demolition continues, a CNC representative will inspect the site monthly to review tree protection measures and assess fines for tree protection failure according to pre-determined criteria. CNC representatives will also be involved in landscape planning, with input on plant selections, locations and watering requirements.

As part of Isakson Barnhart’s commitment to the environment, the company has set aside approximately six acres to be placed under a protective environmental deed covenant with the CNC. The area will provide an urban forest and nature trail for the community.

Peachtree Hills Place will eventually become home to those who seek to live a secure, independent lifestyle with on site access to continuum of care options. When completed, Peachtree Hills Place will include 274 independent residences – consisting of 266 villas and eight single-family homes – and 36 skilled nursing and memory care suites. Assisted living care will also be offered on site. All Peachtree Hills Place members will enjoy a full slate of amenities, on-site retail establishments, dining, full service spa, and fitness center.

Isakson Barnhart is Georgia’s developer of nationally recognized, award-winning residential communities for those age 55 and over. The company’s vision to provide amenity-rich, independent living for discerning adults was born out of the personal experiences of the family of Ed and Julia Isakson after their difficult search for a community that would provide an active lifestyle combined with on-site health care. This mission manifested itself in Park Springs, the company’s flagship property in Stone Mountain. Park Springs was nationally recognized by the 50+ Housing Council of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) as the recipient of the 2005 Platinum Award for best large CCRC as well as the Gold Award for interior design. Now, Isakson Barnhart introduces another award-winning residential community in Peachtree Hills Place, named the best “On the Boards” large CCRC by the same group in 2006. Isakson Barnhart has carefully selected Life Care Services, LLC, the leading management company of senior communities in the nation, to partner in the planning and management of Peachtree Hills Place and Park Springs. For more information, visit www.peachtreehillsplace.com or call 404-467-4900.

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