Noted developer and philanthropist, Everett Royal – a man who left a wide mark on the development of downtown Madison, especially on the west side – has died.
According to his wife Jane Royal, Everett died the morning of Monday, April 10, while at Piedmont Athens Regional. Jane said Everett had been in the hospital for the past two weeks and succumbed to a brief illness.
Everett was born in Atlanta on Jan. 9, 1941. He was 82-years-old when he died.
According to Jane, the couple and their two children, Jeff and Jessica, moved to Madison from Atlanta in August 1996. After moving, the couple immediately began making a mark on Madison and Morgan County. Everett was also in the automotive business in Atlanta with Atlanta Braves legend Hank Aaron. The partnership owned several dealerships.
In 2007, Jane said, Everett purchased a large parcel of property off West Washington Street that included an old cotton warehouse and gin and vacant land that eventually was developed into what is now The James Madison Hotel, Madison Variety Works, Town 220 restaurant, a conference center and Madison Markets. The couple also purchased and rehabilitated several homes in Madison and Morgan County.
In 2010 the couple was awarded the Georgia Cities Foundation’s “Renaissance Award.” The award “recognizes an individual or organization that has made a significant contribution to the revitalization of one or more of Georgia cities.” The Royals were nominated for the award by the city of Madison.
“He saw it as an opportunity,” Jane said. “Then he bought that block, it was a start.”
The Royals also developed Madison’s Candler Lane and Everett was part of a team with the Downtown Development Authority that completed the award-winning Walker Rose Lane, a workforce housing development.
Arrangements have not yet been finalized. Jane said Tuesday that a celebration of life event would be held in Everett’s honor at a later date.
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