Behind the Design of Corso Atlanta

BEHIND THE DESIGN OF:

Meet Steve Markey

Finding Inspiration

Creating Beauty

The artist behind Corso's architecture.

The city behind Corso's design.

The culmination of inspiration and talent.

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Inside BEHIND THE DESIGN

03 Meet Steve Markey Meet the designer, self-trained classicist, and talented individual behind Corso's architecture.

05 Finding Inspiration Grand scale, simple elegance, and rhythmic patterns hallmark one of Europe's most beautiful cities—and the design philosophy behind Corso Atlanta.

11 Creating Beauty Combining old world classicism with modern luxuries to create timeless beauty for today and tomorrow.

O1 | INDEX

O2 | INDEX

MEET DIRECTOR OF DESIGN,

Steve Markey Growing up in Europe, Steve Markey's passion for architecture and the arts began at a young age. A life-long student of music and art, he was immediately drawn to classicism's rhythmic balance, symmetry, and grand scale. When asked why the style appeals most to him he replied, "Having grown up in Europe, it's in my DNA."

Steve credits his deep fundamental understanding of classical design to being immersed in centuries of architectural design and styles.

He went on to formally study Architecture Classicists of the Early 20th Century and U.S. Architecture with a focus on Atlanta Architecture.

When Steve learned Tim Gary, Founder and CEO of Galerie Living (parent company to Corso Atlanta), was seeking someone to design a "block of Paris" in Buckhead, he knew the project was a perfect fit.

“I came here because Founder & CEO, Tim Gary, has the vision to create beautiful projects. I'll stay here because Tim supports that vision by his actions every day.”

Working with the Corso Atlanta and Galerie team, Steve uses knowledge gained from a lifetime of experience to constantly push the envelope and create beauty for everyday life.

With 39 years of architectural experience, Steve has designed, detailed, and coordinated high-end projects ranging in styles across the country and abroad. His work includes estates, communities, and clubs throughout Atlanta and the Southeast.

He has encouraged a resurgence of traditional architecture in the Southeast, working closely with the Institute of Classical Architecture and Art.

O3 | MEET STEVE MARKEY

“I came here because Founder & CEO,Tim Gary, has the vision to create beautiful projects.

I'll stay here because Tim supports that vision by his actions every day.”

STEVE MARKEY DIRECTOR OF DESIGN

O4 | MEET STEVE MARKEY

Finding Inspiration When looking for inspiration, Steve prefers to go directly to the source—the centuries-old patterns of European architects.

"I didn’t want to take somebody else's opinion on what [classicism] was in the US, so I went back and started searching in Europe."

While he would typically reference his large base of visual cues, photographs, and historical knowledge for inspiration, designing Corso Atlanta required something more—a trip to Paris itself.

Led by his uncompromising dedication to both authenticity and beauty, Steve set out to bring the "undiluted", pure elegance of Paris to Buckhead.

THE GATEHOUSE AT CORSO ATLANTA

O5 | FINDING INSPIRATION

O6 | FINDING INSPIRATION

"The difference between Europe and

In addition to the signature metal

the United States is that in the United

railings, Juliet balconies, dormers,

States, 100 years is a long time and in

banding, and traditional details, Steve

Europe, 100 miles is a long way," Steve

noted how Paris doesn't hide many of

said. "In Europe, the amount of

the functional structures. Things like

architecture in one city block seems

downspouts and chimney lined firewalls

like it would take a lifetime to draw."

stand out rather than being hidden.

Surrounded by an almost

"I’ll always look for little details that

overwhelming amount of inspiration,

bring authenticity and realism to a

Steve carefully observed everything

project," He said.

from the blue address plaques on buildings to the bollards used to direct

Many of those details were incorporated

the flow of traffic and people. He was

into his drawings of Corso Atlanta. From

looking for the repetitive elements—

the delicate metal awnings of the city

the sights, smells, sounds, and

homes to urns and chimney pots lining

ingrained details that create an

the rooftops, Steve brought dozens of

authentic experience. He even went

details back to the drawing board in

so far as to take pictures of the vintage

Atlanta. His goal: to create timeless

storm drains lining the streets.

beauty that enriched everyday life.

FRONT ELEVATION OF RESIDENCES AT CORSO ATLANTA

o7 | FINDING INSPIRATION

“I’ll always look for little details that bring authenticity and realism to a project.”

STEVE MARKEY DIRECTOR OF DESIGN

O8 | FINDING INSPIRATION

O9 |Â FINDING INSPIRATION

10 | FINDING INSPIRATION

THE PROCESS TO

Creating Beauty Consisting of 460,000 square feet of residential and common space, designing Corso Atlanta was comparable to designing a small-scale city. Not only was the project large in scale, but conceptually complex. Amenities were carefully chosen to create engaging experiences. Pathways were intricately designed to slightly wind, incorporating the flow of Europe's winding city streets.

To step into Corso Atlanta would not just be stepping into a space but into an experience.

When asked how he began such a project, Steve explained he started with the knowns and then worked to the solve the unknowns.

"Corso creates familiarity with the past while giving the ability to experience beauty on a day-to-day basis," Steve explained. "That’s the thing, it’s not just a home, it’s not just a place to live...it wants to be more than a home, it wants to be more of an experience."

From the dormer, he began designing the residential towers as a consistent backdrop surrounding the "jewel box" of a main building. The design is similar to Paris' patterned repetition that breaks at civic centers, theaters, palaces, etc.

“The attic level dormer was the first drawing I did of the project, because I realized everything was built on the rhythm of openings and dormers.”

The initial drawing can be found on page 13 and prominently seen along Corso's roofline.

I thought "I would like to have a separation from the courtyard and my front door, so we added gated patios to the city homes."

OVERVIEW RENDERING OF CORSO ATLANTA

11 | CREATING BEAUTY

“Corso creates familiarity with the past while giving the ability to experience beauty on a day-to-day basis.”

STEVE MARKEY DIRECTOR OF DESIGN

12 | CREATING BEAUTY

The campus is connected by courtyards, outdoor dining, and shops for residents and guests to stroll, dine, and enjoy together. Details such as rounded corners, coffered ceilings, elevated trim work, and top line appliances such as Wolf ranges were added. Even the news and vendor kiosks that blanket the Parisian streets would be incorporated as the valet stand at Corso. Every element is held to a standard of excellence.

Upon being asked what makes Corso Atlanta truly stand out, Steve replied: “What makes Corso beautiful and different is the authenticity of it; trying to make it real without making it Disneyland."

Paired with Corso's activities, experience, wellness, and hospitality programming, the atmosphere will create the comforting sense of home with the excitement of vibrant courtyards, smell of coffee and pastries from the bistro, and company of friends old and new.

The luxurious senior living community will offer city homes, independent living, assisted living, and memory care homes.

Expected completion is Winter 2020. To watch our video series of Behind the Design, follow us on Facebook or Instagram at @corsoatlanta.

For more information, call our senior living consultants at 404-891-9190 or visit our website at www.corsoatlanta.com. We look forward to hearing from you soon!

13 | CREATING BEAUTY

“What makes Corso beautiful and different is the authenticity of it.”

STEVE MARKEY DIRECTOR OF DESIGN

14 | CREATING BEAUTY

NOW LEASING CITY HOMES • INDEPENDENT LIVING • ASSISTED LIVING • MEMORY CARE 3200 Howell Mill Road | Atlanta, GA 30327 404.891.9190 | referralscorso@villageparkseniorliving.com

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