Architect, real estate developer, entrepreneur and AmericasMart Founder John C. Portman, Jr. died Dec. 29, 2017 at the age of 93.
Portman is recognized for creating award-winning urban mixed-use complexes across the world and for his impact on Atlanta’s success and growth as a major international city.
Portman pioneered the role of architect/developer. The first project for which he served in this dual role was in the design and development of the initial Atlanta Merchandise Mart, now AmericasMart Atlanta. When Portman founded the Atlanta Merchandise Mart in an old converted office building in 1957, Atlanta was experiencing “white flight." As the city core was abandoned in favor of the suburbs, vacant buildings became empty eyesores or were leveled for parking lots, and no new construction was happening downtown.
Portman was raised in Atlanta. His family lived adjacent to the downtown area; his dad worked downtown and, as a teenager, so did Portman. He always had a great love of the area and for all its people. When success dictated building a new, larger building for the Atlanta Merchandise Mart, he made the decision to build it downtown to encourage further development, reenergize the city and save the area for future generations. In spite of many obstacles and financial risks, he did it.
Before the Mart’s new million-square-foot building opened in 1962, Portman made the decision that its two restaurants would be Atlanta’s first integrated eateries open to all of his fellow citizens. He made no big to-do about this and the restaurants quietly flourished.
Continuing his vision of revitalizing downtown Atlanta, Portman began the development of a world-class mixed-use complex, Peachtree Center, with office towers, retail and restaurants. In 1965, he began the design and development of the Hyatt Regency Atlanta hotel as the complex’s third building. From the beginning, he was determined to make it the first integrated hotel in Atlanta and through many difficulties creating the project, his determination to integrate the facility prevailed.
In 1975, Portman designed and developed the Westin Peachtree Plaza, which opened as the tallest hotel in North America. Portman continued to develop Peachtree Center over the past 55 years and it now occupies 14 city blocks and includes approximately 21 buildings that contain 20 million square feet – a feat accomplished utilizing no public funds.
Given his work and contributions to Atlanta – which spanned civic, business and philanthropic investments – former Atlanta Mayor Andrew Young said of Portman, “there is no one who has done more for Atlanta.”
Portman was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He is survived by his beloved wife of 73 years, Joan Newton (Jan) Portman; his children Michael Wayne (Jody) Portman, John Calvin (Jack) Portman, III, Jeffrey Lin Portman and his wife Lisa, Jana Lee Portman Simmons and her husband Jed, Jarel Penn Portman and his wife Traylor, his siblings Glenda Portman Dodrill, Anne Portman Davis, Joy Portman Roberts and her husband Phil; 18 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives and loved ones.
A public service is planned with details to be finalized. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Office of Gift Records, Emory University, 1762 Clifton Rd. NE, Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA 30322. Condolences may be sent in care of Jana Portman Simmons, Portman Holdings, 303 Peachtree Center Avenue, NE, Suite 575, Atlanta, GA 30303.
To learn more about Portman's legacy, visit www.jcp-legacy.com.
