Mary Cook Associates, based in Chicago, took a luxury, 348-unit Toll Brothers apartment community in Brookhaven, Ga., which is about 10 miles north of downtown Atlanta, and went totally holistic. The recently opened Oleander community caters to a selective segment of tenants motivated by wellness. The commercial interior design firm did an extensive amount of research to come up with design nuances that would resonate with tuned-in residents.
“In addition to a focus on wellness, psychographics showed that Oleander residents also want flexibility in their amenity spaces, so the common areas are designed with this in mind,” said Mary Cook, founder and president of Mary Cook Associates. “For example, the library does triple duty as it can also be easily converted to a private conference or dining room, complete with smart screens and video capabilities for the former and a catering kitchen for the latter.”
Courtesy Mary Cook Associates
Club room at Oleander in Brookhaven, Ga.
Oleander seeks to invoke a sense of meditative calm by using soothing hues and natural materials in common areas while offering fitness and endurance activities. There is a games lounge complete with billiards, shuffleboard, and a wine tasting bar. Secluded nooks and private spaces are available in the mail lounge for working or reading. The resident lounge is equipped with a fireplace, co-working space, and a coffee bar.
Outside, there are three separate courtyards, with a resort-style, year-round pool equipped with an expansive sundeck, a lounging patio, and a custom water feature. There’s also an outdoor fireplace, multiple grilling stations, and a custom-built beer garden with its own tap station. The third outdoor space includes a dog park and additional lounging areas.