The real estate agent marketing the 37th-floor Atlanta condominium owned by a Home Depot co-founder said it's easy to be dazzled by the wraparound balcony views — and that's why it's a big selling point.
Nicholas Brown of the Compass brokerage said you can see Kennesaw Mountain 20 miles to the north and almost as far to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the world's busiest, to the south.
"These are some of the best views of any condo on the market, which is a huge draw," Brown said in an interview.
Owner Bernie Marcus, who launched the now-ubiquitous home improvement chain in Atlanta with NFL owner Arthur Blank nearly half a century ago, is selling his three-bedroom, 5,700-square-foot unit in upscale Buckhead for $5 million, according to the listing on Homes.com.
The Buckhead section of Atlanta, north of downtown, has a suburban feel. Brown said this unit is likely to attract business professionals seeking a vibrant lifestyle and a large living space without the demands of a single-family home. The three-bedroom configuration would be ideal for empty nesters looking to downsize from elsewhere in the Atlanta area or across the country, he noted.
Besides including the condo in the multiple listing service, Brown said he has a paid advertising budget of more than $15,000 to market the property in such real estate publications as The Robb Report.
Marcus, 95, is a philanthropist who gave $200 million to establish the Georgia Aquarium and $75 million to help fund Piedmont Hospital's new patient tower. He plans to live full time in Boca Raton, Florida, south of Palm Beach, according to Brown.
"Atlanta holds a special place in my heart," Marcus said in a statement. "This city will always be a part of me, and my commitment to its growth, well-being and success will continue on."
The 44-story, 122-unit building on Park Avenue Northeast, within walking distance of the Phipps Plaza and Lenox Square shopping malls, has private entrances, 24-hour concierge and security, a heated saltwater pool and a climate-controlled wine cellar with assigned bins for each unit owner.
Inside Marcus' unit, the grand salon has a full-service bar, card-playing area and floor-to-ceiling windows. A circular dining room has a dome ceiling and a custom, hand-blown glass chandelier, according to the listing. The study has 12-foot ceilings, wood paneling and a private balcony, one of four terraces in the unit.
The kitchen includes a walk-in pantry and a temperature-controlled wine room, the listing states. In the primary bedroom, an ensuite bathroom features a soaking tub, walk-in shower and his-and-hers closets.
A full guest suite comes with a seating area, custom closet and ensuite bathroom. There's also an office and live-in home manager quarters with a full kitchen and bedroom suite.
The unit originally was 8,000 square feet, but Marcus previously sold a portion of it, Brown said. It has three full bathrooms and two half-baths and also comes with a three-car garage.
The unit was listed for sale the first week of October, and the broker estimates it will take three to six months to find a buyer.
"There's a limited buyer pool, and it's a reflection of the market," Brown said. "But we wanted to get it on the market before the election and before the holidays. We are patient."