John Portman is a rare breed: an architect/developer. In his 60 years in the business, he developed retail centers, hotel atriums, and Atlanta's Peachtree Center. The Architect's Newspaper talked to him about his career.
"AN: When did you decide to get into development, too?
PORTMAN: In 1956, I happened to make friends with the local dean of real estate, and I was fortunate enough that he let me go on some calls. I realized that if I found the site, came up with the idea, and figured out the financing, then there would be no question about who was going to be the architect. I don't think anyone else was doing that at the time, so I guess you might say that I pioneered the architect-developer, and I have been doing that ever since."
FULL STORY: Recession Tales> John Portman
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