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Your Georgia Connection: Rich Olivier, Atlanta, GA • 1-800-409-1479
Ground Breaks on $600M Mixed-Use Development By Cindy Riley CEG CORRESPONDENT
Construction has finally begun on a $600 million mixeduse development in Alpharetta, Ga., that will include retail shops and restaurants, multi-family townhomes, single family homes and office space. Scheduled to open Aug. 22, 2014, the experiential retail component comprises 559,000 sq. ft., with tenants that will include Regal Cinemas, Cru Food & Wine Bar, Marlow’s Tavern, Banana Tavern and Orvis. “There’s really nothing like Avalon currently in the southeast,” said Michael Davis, senior development manager of Cincinnati-based developer North American Properties (NAP). “There are several places that are considered ‘mixed-use’ that are actually multi-use, meaning there are office buildings and shopping or dining, but geography is the only common factor, and cars are still needed to get from one place to another. Avalon will truly be a walkable community where someone could walk to shopping, dining, Class ‘A’ office space, Whole Foods, the movie theatre, a concert or yoga class all in one community. We will be bringing a level of hospitality including concierge, valet, personal shopping, etc., that will be similar to a resort experience.” Groundbreaking took place the final week of January 2013. Avalon is located on 86 acres at the intersection of GA 400 and Old Milton Parkway. The space was first targeted as a $750 million luxury center known as Prospect Park, but the project was halted when original developer Stan Thomas lost funding during the height of the recession. Some retaining walls and a parking structure were built before construction was stopped; however, officials decided to tear down the deck to mark a new beginning for the two-phase project. NAP acquired the property a little over 18 months ago. (Raftermen Photography) “During that time, our team has worked nonThe wrecking ball is the preferred method for demolishing the stop to design a property that will be like no structures on site because it allows for a better separaother,” said Davis. “We worked closely with the concrete tion of the reinforcing steel from the concrete. city of Alpharetta during the permitting and approval process. This was an arduous process hardscapes, signage and lighting. NAP received water and because Alpharetta has very strict zoning laws, but they rec- sewer approvals from Fulton County, access permits from ognized the opportunity that this development will bring to the Georgia Department of Transportation and a land disturthe city, and have provided tremendous support.” bance permit from the city of Alpharetta. Having appeared before the Design Review Board a According to NAP, Avalon will appeal to the unique affludozen times, NAP won approval of the overall site plan, res- ent demographic that lives in north Atlanta. Residents in the idential site plan, all buildings in the first phase, landscaping, area have high incomes but limited choices. A lot of effort
(Raftermen Photography) Demolition is currently under way at the future site of a $600 million mixed-use development in Alpharetta, Ga.
went into the preconstruction process, as NAP worked with consultants and the general contractor to design a project they hope will best serve the area. “Often times, the brand of a development is given little consideration; however, the Avalon team wanted to make sure we have a very defined and refined brand from the beginning, and this brand drives everything we do from pipes, to signage to leasing,” Davis said. “We began by traveling all over the country to study the best mixed-use properties, and we figured out what worked and what didn’t. Then we held focus groups and interviews of more than 150 stakeholders. At the end of this intense process we created a set of core values that will drive every decision made in the process of creating Avalon.” Hoar Construction, headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., serves as the general contractor. Mark Winters, director of pre-construction services of Hoar, said, “The site contained existing structures left in place from the previous development. We are in the process of demolishing these structures. As part of the sustainability plan, all concrete and steel matesee AVALON page 6