By Denise K. James

As Atlanta’s popularity has grown over the years, mixed-use communities have followed suit. The trend can be attributed to the fact that, in addition to close proximity local entertainment venues and cultural hot spots, these developments often include amenities beyond the typical swimming pool and walking trail, including fitness centers or doctors’ offices, bars and restaurants, shops and a variety of services. Think of it as the opposite of sprawl; these highly walkable communities give residents the option to complete most daily (and evening) tasks without driving or using public transit.

Today, these desirable residential hubs are scattered throughout the metro area, so whether you’re looking to stay close to the urban core or get more breathing room in the ‘burbs, there’s bound to be one that fits your needs. Though all mixed-use communities offer additional amenities for residents, some are larger and more complex than others. Selecting the right one for you and your family depends on your lifestyle and level of activity. Here are several mixed-use communities to know, from the steadfast originals to those that are up-and-coming.

Built to Last

Mixed-use communities have had a foothold in Atlanta for about two decades, and the early ones are proof. Spots like Atlantic Station, Avalon in Alpharetta and Town Brookhaven showed savvy developers exactly what residents want out of a community, and today these trailblazing local neighborhoods are going strong, still welcoming new businesses and enticing newcomers.

Atlantic Station

Though the number of mixed-use communities continues to increase, some have been around for a while and became the blueprint, starting with Atlantic Station, a city original. Planned in the 1990s and launched in 2005, Atlantic Station is named for the Atlantic Steel Company, the state’s first steel mill, which opened in 1915 and closed in 1998, eventually becoming the site for this well-known community.

Though it neighbors both the Westside and Midtown neighborhoods of Atlanta, Atlantic Station is considered its own neighborhood, made up of three sections: The District, an open-air mall plus townhomes facing 16th Street; The Commons, a collection of condos, apartments and townhomes along 17th Street; and The Village, where you’ll find IKEA and apartments.

Besides a Regal movie theater, shopping from major brands and nearly 30 eateries, such as Angry Crab Shack and Brickstones Kitchen and Bar, among others, Atlantic Station attracts a number of rotating events, including yoga classes each Wednesday, regular public art exhibitions and artisan markets every weekend. Special annual events include Skate Atlantic Station from November through February; the Atlanta Street Wear Market in November; a holiday tree lighting, parade and visit from Santa at Thanksgiving and special performances under the “big top,” such as Cirque du Soleil.

 Avalon

A popular mixed-use community located off Georgia 400 in the city of Alpharetta, Avalon has been around since the mid-2010s and is considered another metro Atlanta first. Originally known as Prospect Park, early plans for the community were scrapped due to the financial crisis of 2008. The land was taken over by North American Properties and given the fresh name Avalon after a magical island of the same name from the King Arthur legends.

The community was launched in phases, with the first phase opening in spring 2014 and the second in 2017. The 86-acre community includes more than 570,000 square feet of retail space, a 12-screen theater and a hotel, plus single-family homes and apartments. Residents can lease with either Haven Luxury or Veranda Luxury Apartment Homes or opt for ownership with homes designed by Monte Hewett.

Sometimes called an “urbanburb” or “urbburb,” communities such as Avalon are known for offering residents an urban feel outside of the city. Plenty of high-end establishments, from restaurants and shops to corporations and small businesses, opened new locations in Avalon. Well-known luxury chains such as The Container Store, Lilly Pulitzer, Peloton and Tommy Bahama are in the development, and eateries from the city, such as Cafe Intermezzo and Rumi’s Kitchen, have secondary locations in Avalon.

One of Avalon’s claims to fame is being a gigabit community, a term for a place that offers widespread high-speed internet. Also known as a “futureproof fiberhood,” Avalon’s internet is about 100 times faster than regular internet speeds, and “futureproof” means it won’t be obsolete any time soon.

Annual Avalon events for patrons and visitors include a Kentucky Derby Watch Party each spring, a summer concert series, a fall festival for families, a food and wine festival known as Savor the Boulevard, the Brew Moon Fest beer celebration and an array of holiday events.

Town Brookhaven

Town Brookhaven is a 460,000-square-foot community located near metro hot spots such as Phipps Plaza, Lenox Square Mall and Oglethorpe University. Though the community broke ground in 2007, its grand opening, originally planned for 2009, took place in 2011 and offered residents of Brookhaven—which would become its own city in 2012—a new destination for an upscale lifestyle.

This mixed-use development is anchored by businesses such as Publix, Marshalls and Costco and offers potential residents three apartment complexes totaling 950 units. A variety of service providers make the community convenient, including Atlanta Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery & Dental Implant Center, Reflections Eyecare, Benchmark Physical Therapy and many more. Options for dining like 26 Thai Sushi & Bar, the Flying Biscuit Café and HOBNOB Neighborhood Tavern cover all three meals, or you can visit Kilwins, Crumbl Cookie and Costa Coffee for a treat.

Popular events in Town Brookhaven include a Summer Movies on the Town Green series, typically running from mid-June until late July, as well as Fall Sounds on the Town Green, a series of concerts celebrating October and culminating in a Halloween festival with crafts, costumes, photo opportunities and trick-or-treat maps for finding candy at Town Brookhaven businesses.

Stay Tuned

The popularity of mixed-use communities continues, and developers are launching new ones in the metro area all the time. Four newer communities—located in Atlanta, Alpharetta, Roswell and Johns Creek—already have everyone talking.

The Gathering

Not all mixed-use developments include single-family residences, but The Gathering, a 25-acre community located in Alpharetta and currently under development, has several floor plans from Brock Built. Real estate options for The Gathering will include two single-family floor plans—Emery Gable and Emery Contemporary— and two townhome floor plans, Anniston and Adeline. Homes start around $1.4 million for single family dwellings and around $590,000 for townhomes, and space ranges from just over 1,600 square feet for Annistan to more than 3,000 square feet for all single-family homes, which come with a garage for either one or two vehicles.

Of course, the homes are just one feature of the mixed-use community, which will integrate with the AlphaLoop (a network of multi-use trails that connect Alpharetta’s four key activity areas: Downtown Alpharetta, Avalon, the North Point Eco District and Northwinds). For instance, popular restaurants to enjoy near The Gathering range from upscale, such as CRÚ Food & Wine Bar or Lapeer Steak & Seafood, to casual, such as Smokejack BBQ and Superica. As for shopping, residents of The Gathering will find plenty of large and small businesses to explore, as downtown Alpharetta and fellow mixed-use community Avalon both are within walking distance. What’s more The Gathering will soon boast its own retail component, The Shoppes at The Gathering, which is slated for completion in late 2026.

In addition to being close to restaurants, shops and the Ameris Bank Amphitheater, The Gathering is convenient to schools and parks. The community is zoned for Hembree Springs Elementary, Northwestern Middle and Milton High School, while beloved outdoor amenities, such as the Big Creek Greenway, the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area and Wills and Newtown Parks, are all nearby.

Hillrose Market

Hillrose Market, a new mixed-use development in Roswell, is the combined effort of Atlantic Companies—a Southeastern developer with projects in Atlanta, Charleston and Tampa—and the city of Roswell. Located near the downtown historic district on the former seven-acre headquarters of the Roswell Police Department, Hillrose Market is designed to feel intentional, almost like an extension of the city itself. Though originally planned to open in 2025, approval from the municipality took longer, and the first phase of the community should open in 2027.

Bordered by Hill Street, Atlanta Street, Ellis Street and Oak Street, amenities of the community will include greenspace, a retail village, onsite offices with street visibility, townhomes to own and upscale apartments to lease. According to the developer, Hillrose will have a walking trail to Roswell’s Canton Street business district and include a total of 75,000 square feet of retail space, plus plenty of accessible parking and four access points to the community.

Besides having its own greenspace planned, Hillrose Market will connect to some of the Roswell area’s best parks and trails, making it an ideal community for nature lovers. Residents will be able to walk to Big Creek Greenway, a 26-mile trail that eventually will connect Roswell with Alpharetta and Cumming, or explore Victory Creek Trail, a hiking path through the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area that offers dog-friendly areas and even a waterfall. There also are public parks close by to relax and recharge; Azalea Park, Riverside Park and Victory Creek/Old Mill Park are only minutes away.

Centennial Yards

Downtown Atlanta’s railroad “gulch” is getting a makeover in the form of a 50-acre, world-class, mixed-use development called Centennial Yards. Named for its location near Centennial Park, the location of the 1996 Olympics, the community is the brainchild of the CIM Group, based in Los Angeles and co-owned by Atlanta Hawks principal owner Tony Ressler with his brother, Richard Ressler. Construction began in 2024, and the first phase is complete.

Along with walkability to intown attractions such as State Farm Arena and Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Centennial Yards will offer residential space, restaurant and retail space, entertainment space and the brand new Hotel Phoenix, with 292 luxury guest rooms, a rooftop terrace, onsite fine dining and an event lawn. Though many of the restaurants and retail tenants are still to be determined, a few have already decided to call Centennial Yards home, including Wild Leap Brewery, Live Nation and Cosm, an immersive virtual entertainment experience with an LED dome.

Those interested in living at Centennial Yards can lease an apartment at The Mitchell, a new luxury high-rise building with 304 units ranging from studio to three bedrooms. The Mitchell includes amenities such as an indoor event space, a pet spa, a barre studio and co-working suites, and the first floor is made up of retail and restaurant space that will include a Thai tapas eatery soon.

Medley

Billed as the first “day to night” destination in the city of Johns Creek, Medley is slated for the fall of 2026 and promises 750 luxury rental homes, 133 townhomes, 150,000 square feet of retail and entertainment space, 110,000 square feet of office space, a sprawling 25,000-square-foot community plaza and a boutique hotel with 150 rooms. Spearheaded by Toro Development, a firm associated with Avalon and Atlantic Station, Medley will span 43 acres and be centrally located at the intersection of Johns Creek Parkway and McGinnis Ferry Road.

Though retail and restaurant partners for Medley aren’t yet established, the community’s goal is to offer ample opportunities for outdoor living, including rooftop patios, greenspaces, and walking trails. The name “Medley” refers to diversity within the city of Johns Creek and is part of the city’s 192-acre plan for a walkable urban core. That vision includes the unveiling of Medley, the revitalization of Medlock Crossing and the addition of The Boardwalk at Town Center, a new park with a pedestrian pathway system, a lakefront amphitheater and pond overlooks.