Friday, May 4, 2018

[UPDATE] Northlake Mall Owner Says Project Progressing, Interest Strong

Recent news that the owners of North DeKalb Mall are finally progressing in their redevelopment brought renewed interest in the status of Northlake Mall.  ToNeTo Atlanta exclusively reported in early 2016 that Texas-based developer ATR Corinth Partners had purchased Northlake Mall and saw "tremendous potential" in its future prospects.  Over two years later, there is little visible evidence that any work has been done to bring anything new to the mall.  We reached out to Tony Ruggeri, partner at ATR, to get an update on the project. 

In a phone conversation Thursday, Ruggeri stressed that he and his team are very much committed to the redevelopment of Northlake Mall and that it will include new retailers, restaurants and a mixed-use component.  Ruggeri commiserated with residents unhappy with the amount of time that has passed since the project was first announced,  He and his team had hoped to have started site work already.  "Sometimes things happen that are beyond our control, there are many variables involved in a project of this scale" he said. According to Ruggeri, working with DeKalb County has been largely problem-free and the glacial pace at which the development may seem like it's progressing is a result of the retail climate and economy as a whole, rather than county delays or lack of interest in the project.  

Originally built in 1971, Northlake Mall was for much of its life owned by mall powerhouse Simon Property Group.  The 962,000 square foot mall is located off I-285, bordered by Briarcliff Road, Henderson Mill Road and Northlake Parkway,  and is today anchored by JCPenney, Sears, and Macy's.   

Given the mall is nearly 50 years old, there are infrastructure concerns to be addressed, as well as updates that need to be made to the property as a whole.  Ruggeri and his team have been making bi-monthly trips to the Atlanta area for the past few months as they work through the intricacies of the project.

Ruggeri continues to be tight-lipped about what exactly the mall will look like or what businesses will occupy space once his team has accomplished their goal, but he is confident the community will be pleased.  According to Ruggeri, he and his team have prepared a revised timeline for beginning work at Northlake Mall and an expected completion date, but he declined to share it.  

As things can change in an instant and retailers are under intensified pressure, making an announcement prematurely is unwise.  Ruggeri would also like to avoid making promises he and his team are unable to keep.  The plan is to under promise and over deliver.  

Are you excited for the prospects of a rejuvenated Northlake Mall?  What would you like to see open at the mall property?  What is your favorite memory of Northlake Mall in its heyday?  


Please share your thoughts below.  

26 comments:

Anonymous said...

My guess is that their reporting exactly reflects what they have planned - absolutely nothing. Not sure what they are waiting for though. The market simply doesn't get any hotter than it is right now. Maybe they should convert it into a megachurch, because if they can't put together anything in this market they better start praying for some divine intervention.

Anonymous said...

Sell it to DeKalb County School District for the new high school. Nobody wants the school built on the old Briarcliff High School site.

Anonymous said...

Many owners have failed the community over many years relating to Northlake Mall. Hopefully Corinth will make it happen sooner than later!

Anonymous said...

Two suggestions:

1. Retail that doesn't exist in our area. What about Bed Bath & Beyond, or Ulta? Think of those and other places where you have to drive to Buckhead or farther. The young people at whom all this new development is aimed should be good customers of places like that.

2. How about, instead of the same nationwide chains, get some good local restaurants? This is a good opportunity to support local businesses and give people an additional reason to shop.

Anonymous said...

They are sitting on it and letting the value go up as-is. Why invest in it when you can make a ton by doing nothing. The same thing is going on at Chamblee Plaza on PIB.

Anonymous said...

Sigh.......

Anonymous said...

I agree with anonymous 2:44. The so-called Blee In Chamblee plaza was completely full of beans. So called nexus at the old Kmart on Buford highway in Doraville is completely Full of beans. This so-called movie studios I think it was something to do with a railyard theme on motors industrial Way was completely full of beans. These developers keep throwing the aftermath of beans at the wall to see what sticks

Anonymous said...

Third Rail studios is fully operational on the old GM site in Chamblee/Doraville. Real beans.

Chris R Martin said...

They are stalling so that they can just sit on the property and sell it later. With Macy’s and Sears owning their own buildings, this is creating a problem to tear down the whole project and start over. This company is known for investing in a property and not developing it. They are just buying time to sell it later.

Anonymous said...

They should turn this old mall into a storage facility and offer locals a discount.

Anonymous said...

There's still a lot to be developed at the old GM site

Anonymous said...

Pretty sure this developer purchased the Sears building last year.

Anonymous said...

��exactly

Anonymous said...

Love your sense of humor, Anonymous, regarding divine intervention.

Ms.T said...

I would like to see Taqueria del Sol and other fun places to eat. It would also be nice to have a walking area and small play area for young kids with bistro tables and benches where people can just go and hang out. Local coffee shops, cafes, & bakeries are always nice. They should really do things to cater to the younger families and singles moving into the area.

Anonymous said...

Bring Taqueria del Sol & other fun places to eat. Local coffee shops, cafes, & bakeries are always nice. It’d be nice to have a fun outdoor space with bistro tables and benches where people can just hang out. A small play area / green space for young kids would also be nice.

Anonymous said...

Northlake Mall is not even listed on the ATR website as a property they own. Do we know if they really plan to do anything or have they already sold it?

Unknown said...

Up scaled restaurants and shops!

Anonymous said...

Taqueria del Sol is awful.

Patti said...

I agree with this gentleman.
Make it a nice community gathering area such as in Brookhaven. A work/live community supporting locals, healthy living, and the community. Time to catch up with the more successful and progressive surrounding areas.

Unknown said...

please make an American Eagle store in your mall! I live very close and have to drive all the way To Lenox Mall to go to my favorite story. If you put an American Eagle in the mall, it would attract the attention of many many many teenage girls and boys. it’s a super popular store and is my favorite! please consider this!

Unknown said...

i think you should put a Cheesecake Fatory in the mall.... everyone would go to it!

Anonymous said...

Waiting out the tenants.When they leave they will bull doze and start over.

Anonymous said...

Costco and nice restaurants will be nice so we can support our local businesses instead of going to Brookhaven.

Unknown said...

I think y'all should start building townhouse and stores and restaurants hotel's and even a park for kids to h
Go .

Unknown said...

Maybe a location to consider for casino if that ever passes. Or an entertainment venue area featuring live music artsy creative food venues.

Called it the Peach orchard !

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