Benjamin Munnerlyn Carter

Ben Carter, a vibrant and visionary commercial real estate developer, spent his last day where he most loved to be – on the family’s hunting plantation. An enthusiastic steward of land and navigator of the water, Ben, 70, died on Sunday, September 15, 2024.

Ben began his career working with his dad at Carter & Associates, as an industrial broker. After his father’s death, he departed Carter and started Ben Carter Properties with a select few partners. Over the next four decades, he created retail projects from the ground up: starting with site selection, a master plan and leading the development team on over five million square feet of mixed-use projects in the Southeast—from The Mall of Georgia to St. John’s Town Center in Jacksonville, Florida. He was considered a pioneer of lifestyle centers with developments that were created to be open air “people places” in the community. He built with heart and with attention to history.

Ben was a catalyst for the Streets of Buckhead in Atlanta, acquiring more than 43 properties over eight city blocks to become a new luxury district. Halfway through the project, it changed hands during the Great Recession, but not surprisingly Ben made sure every vendor, lawyer and contractor was paid at great cost.

In his personal life, Ben was an avid quail hunter and found great joy and pride in enhancing habitats for quail, deer, ducks and turkey. He oversaw the design of multiple trophy bass lakes and relished seeing his family and friends experience nature on the property. He loved jumping on the tractor to plow a field or getting in the Bobcat to blaze another trail.

Finding the city somewhat claustrophobic, Ben loved traveling, especially on his boats, circumnavigating the globe three times (140,000 nautical miles) with his family and friends. They also had homes in Ponte Vedra, Florida that were welcoming seaside gathering places.

Ben was enjoying “retirement” with his wife and family, but his nature would not allow him to continue to drive by a great tract of land for development. He was greatly energized about a new project in Newnan, Georgia.

Benjamin Munnerlyn Carter was born on December 26, 1953, to the late Jane Munnerlyn and Frank Carter, Jr. in Atlanta. He graduated from The Lovett School where he was nicknamed “Golden Foot” for his prowess on the soccer field. He continued to follow soccer and later coached his daughter’s teams and cheered his grandchildren on from the sidelines. He graduated from American University in Washington, D.C. with a degree in Political Science. In seventh grade, Ben met Tricia Reed while diving for pennies at the Piedmont Driving Club pool. They married in 1977.

In the office, Ben was said to have “more ideas than a dog has fleas” and was called “a mastermind” and “a brainchild” in news articles. He captivated a board room with his booming voice, sense of humor and captivating presentations. His energy was undeniable, and he was a magnet for a microphone. He loved music and often incorporated amphitheaters in his developments.

Ben had many virtues—generosity, willing to share his knowledge mentoring younger associates and interns, and inspiring good times and memories—but patience wasn’t one of them. He and Tricia thrived on entertaining—with Ben as grill master. PopPop also loved cooking breakfasts for his grandchildren. He took as much delight in the detail of a seashell as he might for an architectural feature.

He also started and supported the Carter Real Estate Center at the College of Charleston, attended by both children, and he and Tricia served on the Parent Advisory Council of the College of Charleston. Ben was a member of the Piedmont Driving Club, the Ponte Vedra Inn & Club and First Presbyterian Church.

He is survived by his wife of 47 years Patricia Reed Carter and their two children, daughter Palmer Carter and her children Willow and Skylar, of Atlanta; and Benjamin M. Carter, Jr. (Elizabeth) and their children, Benjamin III and Mary Beth of Newnan. Ben’s beloved BC, a wolfhound/lab, also survives him.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, September 19 at First Presbyterian Church, 1328 Peachtree Street, NW Atlanta, 30309.

In lieu of flowers, Ben would appreciate donations close to the heart, particularly to any organization focused on the wellbeing and safety of women and children.