Our History
Over the past 50 years, excellence has been the hallmark of H.J. Russell & Company. Herman Russell, the company's founder, believed "By being your best and never accepting mediocrity, you will be paid back tenfold." By committing this belief to practice, the company evolved into one of the most successful and recognized African-American owned companies in the country.
The following provides a brief historical overview of the company's success by decade:
1950s
Herman Russell entered the construction business at age 16 when he bought a vacant lot in Atlanta and built his first property. A few years later, as an enterprising construction major at Tuskegee University, he established H.J. Russell Plastering Company and worked as a subcontractor. In 1959, the young Mr. Russell formed Paradise Management, Inc., a residential and commercial property management company with 18 apartment units. This was the beginning of his great success.
1960s
The 60s were important for both the United States and H.J. Russell & Company. While African-American leaders were fighting for Civil Rights in the South, Mr. Russell began his first major project, a development of 12 units on South Avenue in Atlanta. In 1962, H.J. Russell Construction Company was born. The following year they gained the coveted assignment of plastering the Atlanta Fulton County Stadium. This was the first in what was to become an impressive portfolio of clients. In 1968, HUD began its building program and H.J. Russell & Company became one of the largest constructors of HUD housing in the Southeast.
1970s
With the development of PaceSetter Apartments and Shenandoah Apartments, the company grew to more than 1,000 apartment units in metro Atlanta by 1973. These projects were unique because they were multi-use HUD-sponsored luxury developments that included a clubhouse, pool, tennis courts and other amenities that fostered a sense of community. These were the first such apartments of their kind in the African-American community.
During this period, Herman Russell founded City Beverage Company, a national beverage distributor; became a 50% stockholder in DDR International, Inc., a construction management firm; a 65% stockholder in Russell-Rowe Communications; and founded Concessions International. He also bought 10% of the Atlanta Hawks and The Atlanta Flames hockey team, won the contract to build the Ashby Street MARTA station, and constructed the headquarters of Delta Air Lines during this time.
1980s
By the end of the 80s, H.J. Russell & Company had catapulted to a new level of success. They had residential property developments that included more than 4,500 units, completed the Atlanta Life Insurance Company headquarters, built the Georgia-Pacific headquarters in partnership with J.A. Jones Construction Company and landed a prime project at Hartsfield Atlanta. They expanded their business to include educational, judicial, banking, recreational and headquarters facilities. Their projects included: The Coca-Cola headquarters (1987); Wachovia Bank Operations Center (1987), Grady High School (1989); Fulton County jail (1989) and Lakewood Amphitheater (1989).
1990s
The 1990s marked by impressive local and national projects. The most high profile and highly coveted included the athletic facilities in downtown Atlanta: the Georgia Dome, Centennial Olympic Stadium/Turner Filed and Philips Arena.
2000
H.J. Russell is committed to continuing a legacy of giving back and leaving the world a better place than when he found it. Perhaps the project closest to his heart is the ambitious, multi-use, mixed-use $300 million development in Castleberry Hill located in downtown Atlanta. In 2001, H.J. Russell continued his personal investment in the revitalization of his company's neighborhood, including construction of The Castleberry Inn/Extended Stay Hotel, Legacy Lofts, Intown Lofts and Paschal's Restaurant.
Well aware that he's built a strong foundation for future success, in 2004, H.J. Russell passed on the mantle of leadership to his sons and daughter. Under the leadership of the Russell siblings, the first decade of the new millennium is in great hands and off to an impressive start. H.J. Russell currently serves as Chairman of the company.
