John C. Portman, Jr. to Receive Legend for Life Honors

Architect and developer John C. Portman, Jr., will receive a special "Legend for Life" honor at Gift for Life's 20th Annual "Party for Life," taking place on Sunday, Jan. 29, at The Boathouse at Central Park in New York City. This award, which is being presented upon the 20th anniversary of Gift for Life, recognizes Mr. Portman's five-plus decades of entrepreneurship and service to the gift-and-home industry.

In 1957, he founded Atlanta Merchandise Mart (now AmericasMart)—the largest trade mart/trade show complex of its kind in the world. Across its sprawling 7.0 million-square-foot facilities, AmericasMart’s specialty product takes center stage as the chief attraction for the more than 548,000 attendees who each year participate in its 15 annual markets. Its product mix and essential service standards regularly bring retailers from every U.S. state and more than 80 countries worldwide.

By stimulating trade and tourism, Portman was the catalyst who established Atlanta as one of the nation’s premier convention cities. Three major downtown hotels Portman designed and developed—the Hyatt Regency, Westin Peachtree Plaza, and Marriott Marquis—anchor the convention district.

Following up on his initial success, Portman began an unmatched record of commercial and hospitality development and design in downtown Atlanta and then across the United States in cities including San Francisco, Chicago, Detroit, Los Angeles and New York City. During this period, he was noted for his innovative atrium hotel form used in projects including the Bonaventure Hotel in Los Angeles and the Renaissance Center in Detroit. He is perhaps best known for his urban mixed-use complexes, large-scale developments that integrate open spaces and public art into the function of the space.

In 1982, sensing global opportunities, Portman expanded his vision of thoughtful design into Asia. First in Singapore, then in Malaysia and China, he created signature projects that have graced the skylines of some of the most important cities in the world.

He has served as a board member of the Atlanta College of Art, and is Trustee Emeritus of the Atlanta Arts Alliance. He has also served as a Director of the Atlanta High Museum of Art. The Georgia Institute of Technology (his alma mater) presented him their highest honor, the Exceptional Achievement Award, in 1986.