CLUB LIFE: BUCKHEAD CLUB

A CLUB IN FULL

By Pat Baldwin

Photography By Marc Climie

Buckhead Club connects to new business paradigm in Atlanta.

In Tom Wolfe’s best-selling novel A Man in Full, the private club lifestyle is defined by the Piedmont Driving Club and Buckhead is a place of italicized hyperbole — “the place in Atlanta where things are happening….” Move over, Charlie Croker, there’s a new paradigm in this silk-stocking part of town. And it can be found literally at the apex of Atlanta Financial Center, a strikingly dark, multi-towered complex suspended over Highway 400 that serves as home to many of the region’s leading law firms and investment banking firms — and Buckhead Club. The new paradigm of “doing business” realized at the Buckhead Club makes it not only the place where things are happening but also where Buckhead members and traveling Associate members find a partner in their success. The club recently underwent renovations that included a variety of technologically enhanced business services, putting Buckhead Club at the forefront of a three-year rollout of a new generation of ClubCorp Business Clubs.

Here, personalized service and technology are integrated within a business-conducive environment. Connect with other business leaders; conduct business and social entertainment; pursue professional and personal enrichment. Find an e-lounge, multimedia-capable meeting and conference rooms, workstations, a document center, videoconferencing, T-1 Internet access, state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment, and concierge service.

R. Charles Loudermilk Sr., chairman of the Board of Governors of Buckhead Club and chairman and CEO of Aaron Rents Inc. in Atlanta, says he knows of no other club or facility that offers the Buckhead business community the same gamut of business services and business entertaining amenities.

“This positions the Buckhead Club to be the business club in Buckhead,” he says. “I’m very glad to see the club’s continuing to tie itself to the business community.”

PLUGGED IN
The elegance of the cream-colored frosted glass belies the activity beyond the windowed door of Buckhead Club’s business center, where road warriors and home-based entrepreneurs plug in to six member workstations (including two computer terminals). The work area offers “headquarters” amenities — and many more comforts, such as an all-day coffee station and an “anytime” menu.

Just ask Buckhead member Joe Puleo, business development manager for the Southeast region of Vanteon Corp., a technology engineering firm. On many days, his laptop is plugged in at one of the club’s member workstations where he catches up on e-mail between meetings.

“I work from home a great deal,” he says. “This provides a business atmosphere and a location for meetings and business entertaining. The club is extremely beneficial to my day-to-day business activities.”

In addition to the business center, the second level of the club’s 15,000-square-foot quarters offers a banquet-sized room and eight private meeting rooms, all with technology upgrades and tables with data ports. The largest, which seats 16, offers a complete package of business meeting amenities, such as a drop-down whiteboard screen, automatic Meco shades, television, VCR, and overhead projector. In addition, teleconferencing and videoconferencing services are available.

Facilities available to members are leveraged through a unique relationship that Buckhead Club has with the University of Georgia Alumni Club, also housed in the Atlanta Financial Center. Buckhead Club provides catering for the alumni center in return for the use of its meeting spaces, which expands the club’s capacity to schedule larger functions. The club also can schedule functions in the building’s lobby atrium, which can accommodate a reception for up to 1,000 people. The atrium has become a favorite Atlanta site for art auctions and weddings.

EXTRAORDINARY ENTERTAINING
What hasn’t changed from Wolfe’s depiction of Atlanta is the fact that the city is a very “clubby” community. And this desire for elegance (understated) and formal entertaining (when you wish) is not lost among Buckhead Club’s new business gizmos and gee-whiz technology. The club’s expertise in entertaining is especially apparent in the Habersham Dining Room. The neutral, coppery tones and clean lines of the decor are accented by crystal chandeliers. On a clear day, you can see Kennesaw Mountain in the distance. And there’s usually a Civil War buff on staff who can recount its significance. Another window brings an additional reminder of Atlanta’s past with a view of Stone Mountain and its carving of Confederate soldiers. Move around the dining room and the view sweeps to downtown Atlanta and the ever-changing dynamics of its skyline. The Habersham is the spot to be for Fourth of July fireworks displays.

By day, the club has adopted a business smart dress code, but a more formal ambience prevails at night. The baby grand piano in a far corner of the Habersham hints of the live entertainment presented Wednesday through Saturday evenings. A private extension of the dining room seats up to 30 for individual parties and events.

Many club amenities serve both social and business members. For example, the wine locker program allows members to store their favorite vintages or purchase selections from the club. And whether your pursuit is business or pleasure, be sure to sample Chef Darryl Longo’s crab cakes. The secrets of their success? Jumbo lump crabmeat, very few bread crumbs — and Old Bay Seasoning. As for sweet endings, the Key lime pie is the club’s signature. Its taste — definitely italicized. Hyperbole? Absolutely not.

BUCKHEAD CLUB
Location: 3343 Peachtree Road, N.E., Suite 1850, Atlanta.
Board of Governors chair: R. Charles Loudermilk Sr.
Manager: Jeffrey Goldworn.
Executive chef: Darryl Longo.
Membership directors: Sue Kitchin, Kendall Craig.
Business amenities: e-lounge; technologically enabled meeting, conference rooms; workstations; document center; video-conferencing; T-1 Internet access; state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment; and concierge service.
Web site: www.buckhead-club.com.

CLUBCORP BUSINESS CLUBS
Technologically Enabled
• Buckhead Club, Atlanta.

• Capital City Club, Raleigh, North Carolina.

• Citrus Club, Orlando, Florida.

• City Club on Bunker Hill, Los Angeles.

• City Club of Washington, D.C.

• The Plaza Club at Downtown, Houston.

• One Ninety One Club, Atlanta.

Technologically Enabled Enhancements In Progress
• Columbia Tower Club, Seattle.

• Plaza Club, San Antonio.

• Pyramid Club, Philadelphia.

• Rivers Club, Pittsburgh.

• Tower Club, Dallas.