Donald Trump, the New York real estate tycoon and star of the hit TV show “The Apprentice”, has formed a joint venture with Atlanta based Wood Partners LLC and New York based Dezer Properties to build Trump Towers Atlanta. The first phase should be ready by early 2009.

"I'm coming to town and we're going to build one of the great developments in Atlanta," Trump says. "It's a great location in a great city. I've loved Atlanta for years. It hasn't been recognized for it's architecture the way Chicago and New York has. We're going to change that."

I’m not sure if I’m the only one out there who’s totally excited about this project, but I’ve been a huge fan of Trump’s for as long as I can remember. Maybe it’s because he’s also in real estate. Maybe I just love his story on how he came from practically nothing to one of the most successful businessmen in America. I’ve read many of his books. I watch "The Apprentice" religiously, and am also a proud student of Trump University. 

From his website, the Donald writes, “Trump Towers Atlanta will be a high-end luxury condominium building with architecture, features, and amenities that reflect the magnificent Trump brand and reputation. The residential towers will be all glass with a sweeping roof-line. Luxury boutique retailers and destination restaurants will complement the residences in its ideal midtown location.”

This project will be located on 2.5 acres at the corner of 15^th and West Peachtree Street in Midtown, near the Woodruff Arts Center. It’ll feature two high-rise condominium towers, with luxury retail shops and fine restaurants.

Trump and his son, Donald Trump Jr., picked the site because of its proximity to Atlanta's artistic center. "We're in the heart of the cultural center. We're going to give Atlantans quality like they've never seen before."

Phase 1 will be 48 stories tall and will include 370 condo units and 20,000 square feet of retail space. Prices will range from the $400,000s to over $1 million. Details on phase 2 is forthcoming.

Pre-sales and construction are both expected to begin during the 1^st half of 2007.

In addition to Atlanta, the Trump Organization has been seeking partners with experience in the high-rise, luxury condo market for projects slated for Miami, Chicago, and Dubai

Even with all the other developments underway in the Midtown/ Downtown area, I think this project will be very exciting for Atlanta. I’m sure that with all the celebrities, professional athletes, and successful businessmen that call Atlanta home, people will be lining up in droves to claim one of these units once they go on the market. It’ll be interesting to see.

More information in the upcoming months…