
John Calvin “Jack” Portman III, FAIA, a real estate developer and leader of the Atlanta–based firm Portman Architects has passed away at the age of 71 on Friday, Aug. 28. Following the death of his father, architect and John Portman & Associates (now Portman Architects) founder John C. Portman Jr., in 2017, Jack Portman assumed leadership of Portman Architects, and spent his tenure further expanding the firm's international presence.
It is with great sadness, that we share with all of you, our Chairman & CEO, Jack Portman passed away on Friday, August 28, 2020.
Our true spark. Thank you for everything Jack, we all already miss you greatly.
Full obituary can be read here: https://t.co/GWZj4H9tw4 pic.twitter.com/B0df3gAYZh
— Portman Architects (@portman_arch) September 1, 2020
Born on Nov. 3, 1948, in Atlanta, Jack Portman earned his B.Arch. from the Georgia Institute of Technology, and his M.Arch. from Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design. In 1979, he joined John Portman & Associates as an apprentice architect, traveling to Shanghai, Beijing, and Hangzhou to explore development opportunities in China. This led to the Shanghai Centre design and development, a project that, at the time of its completion in 1990, contained the tallest building in Shanghai.
In addition to his work in architecture, Jack Portman also served on the board of the Harvard GSD Dean’s Leadership Council and of the Georgia Tech China Foundation, and as a member of the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill Chancellor’s Global Leadership Council. He also worked to establish the John Portman Visiting Chair in Architecture, a visiting professorship at Harvard GSD in honor of his father.
Fearless.
Those close to John “Jack” Portman III say that description fit him to a T.
Not content to perch in his... https://t.co/Zt0EHK2h1J
— Atlanta News (@AtlNewsNow) September 5, 2020
ATL will miss him; and I will miss the chance to trade notes, especially as Portman Architects/Holdings continues expanding in Asia. My condolences to the company and family.
Here's what I knew of his life and how he valued travel/education:https://t.co/RPuMJtc0mb
— Trevor Williams (@jtrevorwilliams) September 3, 2020
So sad to hear about the passing of our great friend Jack Portman. Thoughts are w/ his family & everyone @portman_arch https://t.co/mMVLsN79YD
— Hyatt RegencyAtlanta (@hyattatlanta) September 1, 2020