The Charles Redefines Multifamily Living with Opening Glass Walls
By NanaWall Systems, April 13, 2022
Located in one of the most sought-after neighborhoods in Atlanta, The Charles at Buckhead Village takes city living to the next level. Just a short walk away from fine dining, sprawling shopping centers, and a “quintessential village atmosphere,” these luxury condos offer welcoming atmospheres from the sprawling units to the amenities areas. Part of what makes the complex so appealing is the indoor/outdoor lifestyle it offers busy city dwellers, especially in a city where outdoor spaces are scarce. With opening glass walls, The Charles facilitates outdoor living spaces at every turn and produced much sought-after luxury residences.
Enhancing Multifamily Living with Opening Glass Walls
Indoor/Outdoor Living in the Sky
The Charles offers two- and three-bedroom residences and penthouses ranging from 2,460 to over 4,500 SF and starting from $1,400,000. All 57 units at the 18-story The Charles are capitalized by fixed floor-to-ceiling glass walls, attention-stopping skyline views, premium design features, and expansive terraces overlooking the cityscape. These terraces are ideal for creating immediately accessible outdoor living spaces—a luxury on their own in urban settings. To fully optimize the space, the developers sought moveable floor-to-ceiling glass walls that could withstand the grind of a high-rise application. The goal was to seamlessly merge the indoor living areas to the terrace with easily operable folding glass walls to achieve the ultimate luxury lifestyle.
The Flexible Design Solutions
The project called for opening glass walls with heights up to 10 feet tall that could withstand strong windloads with design pressure (DP) of +/- 58 and 69 psf. The solution was found in NanaWall aluminum framed SL70 folding glass walls. As a durable system engineered for harsh environments, the SL70 incorporates a running post between each panel that adds structural reinforcement and allows the system to perform in larger sizes. Additionally, this system has been independently tested at accredited laboratories for air, water, structural, thermal, operation, and forced entry with excellent results. Compared to traditional sliders, these systems fold into discreet stacks, allowing full use of the opening span.
Outdoor Living Spaces for the Win
The Charles reimagines multifamily living with accessible outdoor spaces that are not often made available in vertical living residential buildings. This strategic design addition set The Charles apart from other properties in the area. Spacious terraces offer homeowners the possibility to customize it to their needs with comfortable lounge furniture, dining tables, and even a space to grow their own garden and barbeque. The easy-to-operate folding glass walls facilitate wide openings that seamlessly blend the interior spaces with the exterior, almost as if the terraces were mere extensions of the floorplan. For many, this is a luxury on its own, attracting the attention of potential buyers who seek that indoor/outdoor amenity even when living several (hundred) feet off the ground.
Optimizing the Amenities Spaces
An entire floor is dedicated to recreation. The amenities terrace encompasses 14,000 square feet of luxurious indoor/outdoor areas for residents to enjoy the outdoors, entertain guests, or catch up with neighbors. To optimize the experience, both the well-equipped fitness room and the community lounge open to the terrace and fresh air via NanaWall opening glass walls. These spaces offer seamless access to the infinity pool, manicured gardens, and firepits for endless outdoor fun at the heart of the city. These amenities spaces are rarely offered by multifamily complexes and that’s precisely what sets The Charles apart from the rest.
Photo courtesy of The Charles
Weather Performance and Flexibility
High-rise applications not only call for strong windload performance but also advanced weather protection. The NanaWall SL70 aluminum framed system is NFRC certified and can meet or exceed Energy Star standards in all climate zones. Additionally, it has achieved high ratings in both static and dynamic water testing. A thermal barrier built-in within the frame provides exceptional protection from exterior elements and delivers a comfortable and quiet indoor experience when closed. These folding glass walls ensure the elements stay out and interiors remain comfortable, even when sitting right up against the glass.
Final Thoughts
Living in multifamily complexes doesn’t mean one has to sacrifice access to outdoor living spaces. At The Charles, condo owners enjoy the indoor/outdoor experience through expansive fenestration that optimize views while maximizing natural daylight. This experience is further extended into the communal amenities areas. With moveable opening glass walls in the main living area, residents can quickly access their terrace with an easily operable system. The NanaWall SL70, with its strong durability and weather performance, proved to be the ideal design solution for capitalizing on the indoor/outdoor lifestyle.
Discover how other multifamily complexes leverage NanaWall opening glass walls in our extensive applications library!