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Global Soap Project

The Global Soap Project is a new initiative to recycle the bazillions of bars of soap that hotels throw away every day.

You know how some luxury hotels replace your bar of soap every day, even if you barely touched it? Derreck Kayongo, a former refugee from Uganda, saw this not as hopeless wastefulness, but as an opportunity. The Global Soap Project collects these partial bars of soap, sterilizes and reshapes them and redistributes them at refugee camps in Africa. How'w that for thinking outside the box?

There are currently 40 hotels participating in the Global Soap Project, one of which is The Ritz-Carlton, Buckhead in Atlanta (above). The project is currently localized in Atlanta and serving Uganda, but both Kayongo and Ritz-Carlton manager Olivia Brown hope to expand it.

We at Luxist think this is a great idea and a great way to make hotels more sustainable!

Tags: atlanta, hotels, ritz-carlton

Tuxedo Park, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

Today's estate is a glitzy beauty in Atlanta's pricey Tuxedo Park area. The brick and limestone Georgian estate mimics the look of a fancy English manor. The six bedroom home has lavish appointments including a wood paneled office and a vaulted master bathroom. The taste is a bit over the top in places. Mounted fish hang in the billiards room and what appear to be fake vegetables dangle along with copper pots above the kitchen's granite countertop. Outside there is a pool with a cabana wet bar and a brick outdoor fireplace. This home is listed at $6.9 million.

Gallery: Tuxedo Park

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750 Park Avenue, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

You might think that the most expensive listing in Atlanta was some sprawling estate but today's glamourous apartment costs over twice as much as many large estates in the area. The two-bedroom penthouse has floor-to-ceiling windows which offer long views in all directions. The home is decorated with modern flair. Three private elevators open to long picture-lined marble galleries, silk-upholstered walls and a grand salon which has doors to the terrace and music room. The expansive dining room can entertain 30 guests and a state-of-the-art Siematic kitchen with gleaming stainless steel appliances. The home includes a wine room, billiard room, media room, fitness room, library and terraces with jaw-dropping views. It is listed at $17 million.

Gallery: 750 Park Avenue

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Tags: atlanta, buckhead, estate of the day, EstateOfTheDay, penthouse

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Ritz-Carlton Atlanta Celebrates Its 25th With Redesigned Foyer, Lobby & Lounge

by Lisa Palladino (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Journeys, Services

Ritz-Carlton Atlanta Celebrates Its 25th With Redesigned Foyer, Lobby & Lumen Lounge

The Ritz-Carlton, Atlanta marked its 25th anniversary with a complete redesign of the entrance foyers, lobby, and lobby bar, now named Lumen, which features exotic, sophisticated edible cocktails, a Lumen signature cocktail, and art-themed cocktails.

The new interiors feature well-known, traditional elements transposed in an updated way, such as a Chippendale Mahogany sideboard refinished in a hand-applied gilded platinum tone; sheer shrouds wrapped around the hotel's crystal chandeliers; and accent chairs graced with damask patterns in oversized formats.

Lumen underwent a great change. The lounge, so named for its many light effects, now greets guests with crystal chandeliers that glow red at night; seven-foot tall custom settees covered in midnight blue mohair, complete with their beaded sconces; a bar cabinet that glows blue in the evening; mirror-polished, handspun metal tables custom-designed by Brad Oldham (brother to designer Todd); beaded corkscrew floor lamps; and a custom-designed, under-lit onyx-topped communal-styled table seating up to eight.

My friend Nancy is scheduled to speak at a meeting being held at this Ritz, and I can't wait to hear what she thinks of the new spaces. See the gallery for before and after shots.

Gallery: Ritz-Carlton Atlanta Redesigned Foyer, Lobby & Lumen Lounge

Tags: atlanta, hotels, redesign, ritz carlton, Ritz-Carlton, RitzCarlton, travel

Evander Holyfield Facing Foreclosure Again

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates, Celebrity Shopping

Last June former heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield saw his massive 54,000 square foot home in Georgia slip into foreclosure. Now it looks like Holyfield is facing foreclosure again. The home has been listed for an auction scheduled for July 7 because Holyfield is in default on his $10 million loan.

Holyfield told The Associated Press that a settlement would be reached before the 235-acre estate is auctioned. The massive home has 109 rooms, three kitchens and a bowling alley. Holyfield has earned more than $200 million in the ring but has faced lawsuits over missed child support payments for some of his 11 children. His last fight was in December when he lost to WBA champion Nikolai Valuev.

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Tags: atlanta, boxing, celebrity foreclosure, CelebrityForeclosure, evander holyfield, EvanderHolyfield, foreclosure

Dean Gardens, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

Today's estate is one of Georgia's most lavish. Dean Gardens in Johns Creek was created by Larry Dean, a software entrepreneur, who created this massive home with 58 acres that include elaborate gardens. Dean has been trying to determine what to do with the home and surrounding property for several years including floating ideas for turning it into a subdivision with condos. The listing says the home was recently appraised for $35 million. It includes two carriage house apartments, a caretakers cottage, wedding chapel, Asian tea garden, grass tennis courts, amphitheater, conservatory ,lake and 18 hole golf course.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution recently reported that the property has been on and off the market for 15 years for prices ranging from $20 million to $40 million. Compared to that the current price of $13.9 million seems like a steal.

The details here are just extraordinary, a hodgepodge of tastes and styles. The rotunda was inspired by Florence's Brunelleschi Cathedral. Art Deco and Art Nouveau flourishes abound in the bedrooms. Much of the terrace level is given over to a Moroccan theme and a game room has a 1950s diner look. A separate website devoted to the home shows off the many theme rooms including the Peacock room, the Egyptian suite and the elaborate French bedroom.

Gallery: Dean Gardens

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Tags: atlanta, estate of the day, EstateOfTheDay, georgia, johns creek, JohnsCreek, larry dean, LarryDean

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Infamous Atlanta Lounge Part Of $6.5 Million Hotel Offer

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Usually the hotels for sale that I write about are on the fancier side but the Clermont Motor Hotel in Atlanta doesn't fit that category. What makes it, and its $6.5 million price tag, interesting is its basement. That basement is the home of the infamous Clermont Lounge, Atlanta's first and longest continually-operating strip club. The Clermont is a local landmark that features unusual dancers such as Blondie who recites poetry and has a unique way of crushing beer cans on her chest and Lil' Cathy who has been working at the lounge since her 20s and is now in her 50s. It is hoped that whoever buys the Clermont Motor Hotel from Inman Park Properties will keep the lounge just as it is so that it remains a much-whispered about Atlanta landmark for years to come.

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Tags: atlanta, clermont lounge, ClermontLounge, hotel for sale, HotelForSale

Arthur Blank In Atlanta, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates, Sports

Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank isn't planning to leave the city his team plays for but he is trying to sell his Atlanta home so he can move to another one. The co-founder of Home Depot has had his Buckhead area home on the market for a year with no sale and the Wall Street Journal's Private Properties reports that Blank has now cut the price by 18 percent to $8.9 million. Blank bought the home in 1993 for $3.38 million so he will still make a tidy profit on the deal. The home was built in the early 1950s and is located in the Tuxedo Park neighborhood. The seven-bedroom home is on four acres with a three-car garage and a pool.

This home is located near another mansion which has had a price cut. Windcrofte, the former mansion of the former head of Coca-Cola, Robert Woodruff. It was listed at $13.9 million last year and is now listed at $10.9 million.

Also in the area, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that Rossdhu, the 91-year-old mansion we covered as an estate of the day last December has had a price cut. It was $14.5 million and is now listed at $11.75 million.

Experience more lush living in luxury homes and mansions or see the stars living large with celebrity homes galleries at AOL Real Estate.

Gallery: Arthur Blank In Atlanta

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Tags: arthur blank, ArthurBlank, atlanta, atlanta falcons, AtlantaFalcons, buckhead, estate of the day, EstateOfTheDay, tuxedo park, TuxedoPark

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Michael Vick's Atlanta Home Up For Auction

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates, Celebrity Shopping

Last November I mentioned that Michael Vick's Atlanta home was for sale. No buyers were found and now the home will be up for sale on Tuesday, March 10 with a minimum bid of $3.2 million in order to satisfy some of Vick's outstanding debts. Vick, who played football for the Atlanta Falcons, is still in jail serving out his sentence for his role in a dogfighting scandal.

He was last asking $4.1 million for the home in the Sugarloaf Country Club in Duluth, Georgia. The eight-bedroom home has lake views and a grand look with two-story foyer with a curved double staircase and dome, a two-story study, a home theater, wet bar and a gymnasium. The only sign of VIckness is that big number seven set into the den floor. Vick bought for the home for $3.78 million in 2005..

The AP took a tour of the home checking out the elevator, and the bottom floor which included Vick's simulated golf game, weight room, and mini theater. He also converted a bathroom into his own personal barber shop. It's a dramatic testament to a story of the American dream gone wrong. Vick moved in to the house around the time that he landed what was then the richest contract in NFL history. Now he has seen many of his possessions sold off and when he is done serving his sentence he will face a whole new reality.

A video tour is after the jump.

UPDATE: The house was not sold. According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution only two bidders showed up and neither had a qualifying bid.

Gallery: Michael Vick in Atlanta

Tags: atlanta, celebrity real estate, CelebrityRealEstate, estate, michael vick, MichaelVick, real estate auction, RealEstateAuction

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Rent Villa Oceane

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Over-the-top rentals in Los Angeles or New York City are common but what do the wealthy and showy do when they are in Atlanta, Georgia? One option might be Villa Oceane, a penthouse that includes an infinity pool on the rooftop. The apartment has a four-car garage and white marble floors throughout. It is located a block away from Peachtree Street near the Ritz-Carlton. It has been used for events and location shoots but also rents for $10,000 a month.

Gallery: Villa Oceane

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Tags: atlanta, luxury home rental, LuxuryHomeRental

Atlanta White House, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

Barack Obama may be moving into the White House but if you have nearly $10 million you can move into a replica. The NY Times had a story on Fred Milani who is selling his White House replica home in Atlanta. The 16,500 square foot home was Milani's dream home but now the Iranian-American home developer is being forced to scale back and sell his home. So far he's avoided foreclose twice and is selling a variety of other properties.

Inside the facade the Atlanta White House includes a hodgepodge of details include religious images, American political iconography and McMansion details like coffered ceilings, wrought iron banisters and a sweeping staircase. The home includes an Oval Office with a replica of George W. Bush's desk and there is a Lincoln bedroom with a picture of Lincoln and the Emancipation Proclamation painted onto a bedroom wall. Milani's Christian faith is evidenced in a topiary that says God loves you, a congregation room in the basement, a crucifix and a tapestry of the Last Supper. Milani told the NY Times that and his wife believe that God will help them sell the house. They are going to need all the help the can get. It is listed at $9.88 million.

Experience more lush living in luxury homes and mansions or see the stars living large with celebrity homes galleries at AOL Real Estate.

Gallery: Atlanta White House

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Tags: atlanta, estate of the day, EstateOfTheDay, fred milani, FredMilani, white house, WhiteHouse

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Northside Drive, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

Today's home is a huge newer home on over five acres in Atlanta, Georgia. The gated estate includes a pool, spa, tennis court, pond & gazebo. The listing says it shows like a model home and it reminds me a bit of one of those "street of dreams" decorator homes with details like the mural in the kitchen and a mix of some rooms that seem very decorated and others that seem more spare. The home has a home theater area, rec room, six bedrooms and an office tucked into the turret-like facade. It is listed at $5 million.

Experience more lush living in luxury homes and mansions or see the stars living large with celebrity homes galleries at AOL Real Estate.

Gallery: Northside Drive

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Rossdhu, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

This Tudor style home in Atlanta, Georgia goes by the name of Rossdhu. It was built in 1918 and sits on 4.47 acres. The property includes a carriage house with two apartments, six garages and a lighted tennis court. The main home has been restored with a modern kitchen, luxurious master suite with his and hers dressing rooms and baths, exercise room and a wine cellar. The home's heavy paneling does make it a bit dark and the current level of clutter makes it hard to appreciate the fact that the interior spaces are actually pretty grand. At $14.5 million it's priced near the top end of the Atlanta real estate market but there aren't too many homes like this in the area.

Experience more lush living in luxury homes and mansions or see the stars living large with celebrity homes galleries at AOL Real Estate.

Gallery: Rossdhu

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Michael Vick in Atlanta, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

Former quarterback Michael Vick's infamy certainly isn't helping his real estate sales. Vick, who is currently serving a prison sentence for his role in a dog-fighting ring, can't seem to sell his Atlanta home. As the Wall Street Journal's Private Properties column reports, he has cut the price of his luxury Atlanta home to $4.1 million, from $4.5 million after it has sat on the market for a year. The eight-bedroom home in the Sugarloaf Country Club in Duluth, Georgia has lake views and a grand look with two-story foyer with a curved double staircase and dome, a two-story study, a home theater, wet bar and a gymnasium. The only sign of Vickness is that big number seven set into the den floor. Vick bought for $3.78 million so even if he sells for the $4.1 million listing price he won't be making a lot of money.

Vick's even more infamous piece of real estate, the home which was the site of the dog kennels, is up for auction yet again, this time for $590,000 on December 12. Developer Wilbur Ray Todd Jr.bought the home for $450,000 from Vick last year and wanted to sell it for over $1 million originally.

As we mentioned recently, a wine collection, Vicktory Dogs, raises money for the rehabilitated dogs who live at an animal sanctuary in Utah.

UPDATE: The home was put up for auction but there were no takers and it remains on the market.

Experience more lush living in luxury homes and mansions or see the stars living large with celebrity homes

galleries at AOL Real Estate.

Gallery: Michael Vick in Atlanta

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Mandarin Oriental Plans A Condo Tower In Atlanta

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Real Estate Developments

Just about every article I've checked out regarding the announcement of a new $285 million hotel and condo building planned for Midtown Atlanta has expressed a bit of concern over the timing. Condo crisis? What condo crisis, Tivoli Properties is set to build a 53-story building with a Mandarin Oriental Hotel and 71 condos with prices ranging from $1.8 million to $15 million. The Atlanta Journal-Constititution quotes Scott Leventhal, Tivoli's CEO and president, as saying that "now is a great time to be in the planning stage." And indeed he may be right. The condo is set to begin construction next year and finish in late 2011, that is of course if they manage to secure financing and have enough presales to go forward. The project would need to be about half-sold in order to begin building. The first 30 buyers to reserve condominiums will receive $75 a square foot discounts which would work out to six figure discounts because the average condo size is over 2,500 square feet. So far 19 buyers have made reservations.

Gallery: Atlanta Condo Projects

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Tags: atlanta, condo, development, mandarin oriental

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