'Walkable, urban oasis' in northern 'burbs officially starts construction
Josh Green
Wed, 01/15/2025 - 12:42
After two and ½ years of planning, demolition, and financing negotiations, Johns Creek’s long-held dream of building a city center is officially underway as of this week, according to city and development officials.
Atlanta-based Toro Development Company on Monday announced the groundbreaking—and set a firm grand-opening date—for the $560-million, 43-acre Medley district in the well-to-do north Fulton County city.
According to TDC officials, Medley marks one of the only mixed-use projects of such complexity and scale to break ground nationally this year, as a lending environment they described as “frigid” lingers.
Prior to this week’s groundbreaking, Medley has managed to sign leases with more than 25 brands, including the first OTP outposts for beloved intown food-and-beverage concepts. A 350,000-square-foot office building at the site previously occupied by State Farm Insurance Co. has also been razed, while a smaller, four-story office structure will be adaptively reused and woven into new streets and plazas.
According to TDC, Medley is now set to open on Oct. 29, 2026. It will claim a moribund site surrounded by (obviously) alluring demographics where Johns Creek Parkway meets McGinnis Ferry Road.
Projected look of Medley's repurposed office building, next to a standalone restaurant and central plaza. Courtesy of Toro Development Company
Earlier overview of the Medley site's two mid-rise office buildings formerly occupied by State Farm Insurance Co. The building at bottom is being incorporated into the new project; the other has been razed. Google Maps
TDC head Mark Toro said Medley’s broader goal is to create a “third place” from a “dead, suburban office park” where people can socialize and enjoy life outside of work and home.
“Similar to bringing Avalon to life from the rubble of a long abandoned project,” said Toro in an announcement, “Medley will rise from a sea of empty buildings to become the walkable, urban oasis the Johns Creek community deserves.”
In November, Medley secured $560 million in financing despite the headwinds of tough capital markets as U.S. banks remain on the sidelines, especially for retail-heavy ventures, per TDC officials. Phase one funding includes a $158 million construction loan from Mexico City-based Banco Inbursa and an equity investment from Denver-based real estate private equity firm Ascentris.
The Johns Creek City Council in October unanimously approved plans for a 175-key Medley hotel that TDC hopes will replicate the success of Avalon’s hospitality component.
Beyond the hotel, phase one is set to include roughly 180,000 square feet for retail, restaurant, and entertainment spaces, a 25,000-square-foot plaza, and 100,000 square feet of offices.
Residential plans call for 133 Empire Communities-built townhomes and 340 apartments in the initial phase.
Once that opens, TDC plans to host 200 events per year, ranging from live music and outdoor wellness classes to art festivals and watch parties, officials have said.
How the 175-key boutique hotel is expected to relate to a Medley greenspace and retail. Courtesy of Toro Development Company
Courtesy of Toro Development Company
In terms of food offerings, Medley’s phase one will include the first suburban locations of Fadó Irish Pub and Little Rey, a Mexican concept by chef and restaurateur Ford Fry. Other announced tenants include CRÚ Food & Wine Bar, 26 Thai Kitchen and Bar, Five Daughters Bakery, Summit Coffee, Lily Sushi Bar, Knuckies Hoagies, Cookie Fix, Sugarcoat Beauty, BODY20, and AYA Medical Spa, among other concepts.
All told, Medley is expected to create 900 residences considered luxury-grade (all townhomes and apartments), another 20,000 square feet of retail, and an Avalon-style central greenspace designed for community events and gatherings.
Should Johns Creek’s broader plans fully come to fruition, Medley will eventually be just one facet of the city’s 192-acre Town Center, a blend of housing, hotels, offices, lakes, and greenspace about the size of Piedmont Park.
Some aspects of that vision are under construction now.
“A Johns Creek town center was once considered little more than a dream,” Mayor John Bradberry said in this week’s announcement. “With Boston Scientific [life science facilities] almost complete, Creekside Park construction in full swing, and now the official launch of Medley as the premium mixed-use linchpin, our town center is quickly becoming a reality.”
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The Medley site's location in Johns Creek, in relation to Atlanta's north OTP cities. Google Maps
The 43-acre Medley will be the first new section of Johns Creek's Town Center concept. Toro Development Company; designs, Nelson Worldwide
Projected look of Medley's repurposed office building, next to a standalone restaurant and central plaza. Courtesy of Toro Development Company
How the 175-key boutique hotel is expected to relate to a Medley greenspace and retail. Courtesy of Toro Development Company
Courtesy of Toro Development Company
Courtesy of Toro Development Company
Part of the 43-acre property, as seen along Johns Creek Parkway, while still actively used by State Farm in 2017. Google Maps
Earlier overview of the Medley site's two mid-rise office buildings formerly occupied by State Farm Insurance Co. The building at bottom is being incorporated into the new project; the other has been razed. Google Maps
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43-acre Medley project aims to start opening at "dead" Johns Creek office park next year
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