BBDN DEVELOPMENT BENCHMARK
Avalon vs. North Point vs. The Gathering vs. Medley
A permanent comparison of four major mixed-use districts shaping Alpharetta, Johns Creek and South Forsyth.
Start with scale. These four projects are often discussed together, but they are not the same size and they are nowhere near the same stage of delivery.
How big are they?
LARGEST PROJECT PROPERTY
The Gathering
102.72 acres
ALPHARETTA REDEVELOPMENT
North Point
Nearly 99 acres
THE BENCHMARK
Avalon
86 acres
OPENING NOW
Medley
43 acres
Important: these are not identical planning boundaries. The Gathering figure reflects the broader project property. Its current grading site covers 88.13 acres.
See the scale, not just the number
AVALON · 86 ACRES
The proof of concept
Avalon is already functioning as the complete live-work-play model: retail, dining, offices, residences, hotel, conference space, entertainment and events.
Status: Open and operating.
NORTH POINT · NEARLY 99 ACRES
The sports-and-entertainment reinvention
North Point’s approved framework is larger than Avalon by acreage and adds a proposed major arena, hotels, housing, office, retail, parks and public space.
Status: Land-use framework approved. Arena and major mixed-use components remain proposed or contingent.
THE GATHERING · 102.72 ACRES
The largest new destination vision
The framework pairs a proposed arena with office, retail, hotels, 1,800 multifamily units, 150 detached homes and major infrastructure.
Status: Mass grading and site preparation are underway. The current permit does not establish vertical construction of the arena, hotels, housing or retail buildings.
MEDLEY · 43 ACRES
Smaller footprint, more immediate delivery
Medley is the private mixed-use heart of the larger 192-acre Johns Creek Town Center. Its scale is smaller, but its restaurants, retail and housing are becoming part of daily life now.
Status: Opening in phases. Public grand opening scheduled for October 29, 2026.
The status matters as much as the acreage
- Avalon: mature and operating.
- Medley: opening now in phases.
- The Gathering: site preparation and mass grading underway.
- North Point: approved framework, with major components still proposed or contingent.
What should buyers and homeowners actually care about?
- Traffic: everyday traffic, event traffic or both.
- Access: roads, trails and regional connections.
- Amenities: what restaurants, retail, entertainment and services actually open.
- Construction: how long nearby areas deal with major site work.
- Housing: how much new residential supply enters the area.
- Employment: office, hospitality and service-job concentration.
- Buyer perception: how each project changes the way people compare Alpharetta, Johns Creek and South Forsyth.
The one-line takeaway
Avalon shows what a mature mixed-use destination looks like. Medley is becoming one. The Gathering is preparing the ground for one. North Point has approval to pursue one, but its biggest pieces are still unresolved.