Mall Makeovers Have a Mixed-Use Flavor

Malls in metropolitan Atlanta are thinking outside the (big) box to reposition in the age of the retail apocalypse.

1 minute read

March 8, 2019, 2:00 PM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Alpharetta, Georgia has a bold plan for remaking one of its malls for the future in an era of change for large retail centers.

"Council members approved rezoning 83 acres and allowing a 24,000-square-foot freestanding development with apartments and retail on the site of what used to be the Sears," reports Ben Brasch.

The need to revamp the mall follows changing consumer tastes having an effect in the Atlanta metropolitan area described by a source in the article as a "plague."

Brasch provides more details about the mixed-use scope of the new redevelopment project.

The housing at North Point will have 175 one-bedroom apartments between 700 and 900 square feet starting at $1,400 a month and 125 two-bedroom units ranging from 1,050 to 1,250 square feet for a monthly cost of $1,900.

Developers are also changing the inside of the mall by expanding the playground from the current play area just under 2,000 square feet to 7,000 square feet with separate, age-appropriate play spaces.

There will be outdoor green space open to the public and an eye-popping amount of amenities.

According to Brasch, the nearby Phipps Plaza is both a competitor and a model for the North Point Mall improvements. Legoland and a Nobu hotel and restaurant have headlined the additions at Phipps Plaza. Apple and Pottery Barn also moved to Phipps Plaza from North Point.

Tuesday, February 26, 2019 in Atlanta Journal-Constitution

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

Sign in front of building for seior services center in St. Petersburg, Fl.

Florida Seniors Face Rising Homelessness Risk

High housing costs are pushing more seniors, many of them on a fixed income, into homelessness.

2 hours ago - WESH

Boston Red Line train with skyline in background.

Massachusetts Budget Helps Close MBTA Budget Gap

The budget signed by Gov. Maura Healey includes $470 million in MBTA funding for the next fiscal year.

3 hours ago - Smart Cities Dive

View down center of street in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Milwaukee Launches Vision Zero Plan

Seven years after the city signed its Complete Streets Policy, the city is doubling down on its efforts to eliminate traffic deaths.

4 hours ago - Urban Milwaukee

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.

Associate/Senior Planner

Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development

Senior Planner

Heyer Gruel & Associates PA