McAlpine Tankersley Admiral Movers
As
Admiral Movers marks
25 years in business, it causes me to be somewhat sentimental. Some of
the best times were rewarding yet difficult. Growing, learning, building
our reputation and now here we are as one of the largest in our area. I
could not begin to pick out one particular project that is my favorite
because there been so many and each one of them unique.
In March of 1989,
George Azar
and I set out to create the best local moving company in Montgomery. As
we began to set up a corporation we received a phone call and booked
our very first move. Because of the type of furniture and the talent of
the customer, it turned out to be no ordinary move.
The work was being done for Bobby McAlpine in his own personal
residence. Mr. McAlpine was remodeling his house and updating the
furnishings. Our task was to pack up everything from the house, load the
furniture, take it into storage for about two months, and then bring it
all back and place it to the exact specifications of the customer.
Shortly thereafter the architecture firm that Bobby McAlpine had founded was moving their office into what has become my
all-time favorite structure, The Sabel Mansion. That building on Perry Street is an incredible piece of architecture that continues to stand today as a marvel in my eyes.
McAlpine Tankersley Architecture has now grown to serve clients
nationally and internationally, creating some of the most amazing
residences and commercial buildings. Bobby McAlpine’s interior design
practice, McAlpine Booth & Ferrier Interiors, has sculpted interiors
along with McAlpine Furniture that creates handcrafted furniture to
complement the incredible architecture that the firm designs. We have
enjoyed many incredible projects from them as well as the architecture
firm itself.
Many of the projects that we have done consisted of receiving pieces
that are not of the average nature and require some unique measures to
get them to where they need to be and get them installed. They offer
some pretty unique logistical challenges and with our talented movers to
make it happen is fun.
McAlpine Booth and Ferrier Interiors
Whether it be a cabin at Lake Martin, a historic home in Old Cloverdale,
Atlanta, Nashville, Rosemary Beach, Colorado, or New York you can
always count on Admiral Movers to provide the highest level of service
to you and your clients.
Needless to say the furniture pieces from McAlpine Home are one of a
kind. At times they present some issues that we have to overcome –
developing or building special protection so that they can transported
safely during shipping.
We have moved 1100 pound granite slabs up three flights of stairs to make the right setting for a table. We have created several joist and pulleys to lift things over
balconies or back porches to get items of extra-large size into the
right places.
Many times in the overseas trips that are taken, they find pieces and
have them shipped to us. Then we have to make arrangements for special
shipping and interesting crating for those items, such as an
18th-century bench of grist Mill Stone and massive statues.
Another unique requirement is because of the deadlines for
photographing and/or presenting a party or showing the new project off
to the clients. Speed and efficiency is typically an important
ingredient.
One memorable piece as we went into the new A&P Lofts for the
office of McAlpine Tankersley in Montgomery was a 19 feet tall 15 foot
wide mirror gold leaf. Because of the size, it was required that the
door, door facing, and door jamb come out and some of the bricks be
removed. It would not fit into the elevator and the stairs were zigzag,
so we used 12 men to pass it to one another.
It was probably about 800 to 900 pounds of very fragile gold leaf
frame mirror. It had to be touched very delicately because of its size
and composition. The way it was heading up the stairs we had to take the
crating and all the padding off. The danger was that at any time the
glass could have shattered. Our people had to work harmoniously together
for the transportation to go smoothly.
One time we showed up in Nashville with about $2 million worth of
very high-end furnishings only to find out that the front Archway up the
hill blocked us from getting our truck up close to the building. So we
created a rope and dolly cart system and frame to pull the big pieces up
and down and unload the truck.
Bobby McAlpine Quote about Admiral Movers
Bobby McAlpine says “Admiral Movers has moved me more times than I
can remember. They are practically on speed dial as I continually
assemble and strike the sets of my house and many clients’ houses. They
are a trusted part of the stable of talent and strength it takes to do
this work and live this life of design. For more than 25 years now we
have transported and assembled beauty coast to coast, an adventure in
arms that will see me through many more.”
To so many of our customers, but especially to
Bobby McAlpine, Greg Tankersley,
Mary Robin Jurkiewicz, John Sease, Chris Tippet, Ray Booth, Susan
Ferrier, and Richard Norris – we appreciate the confidence you’ve had in
us to handle your work. And just as importantly, that you have trusted
us to take care of your biggest, best, and most valued customers. We
have a tremendous group of clients that have been with us from almost
the beginning. We view their continued patronage as the greatest award
and recognition.