Despite the current COVID-19 situation, commercial real estate progress is still happening in Atlanta and around the country, albeit more slowly and in fewer numbers than normal. [International Council of Shopping Centers has "suspended" its annual RECon convention in Las Vegas that was scheduled for May 17-19.] In Dunwoody, for instance, new plans indicate that Perimeter Marketplace, the new Branch Properties grocery-anchored shopping center coming to Ashford Dunwoody Road, is continuing to move forward.
The center, which will replace Ashford Restaurant Park [500 Ashford Parkway], includes two former (McCormick & Schmick's and Brio Tuscan Grille) and one current (PF Chang's) sit down restaurants. The new development will bring with it several new casual dining options as well as a new grocery store and other services. PF Chang's is currently open for both takeout and delivery, but is expected close permanently in the coming weeks to make way for the new project. The former McCormick & Schmick's and Brio restaurants have been demolished in recent weeks in preparation for the redevelopment.
While earlier plans and industry talk suggested that Publix planned to bring their GreenWise Market concept to the project, sources now tell ToNeTo Atlanta that the store will instead be a standard Publix store. ToNeTo Atlanta reported March 20 that Publix has reportedly shelved further development of the GreenWise Market banner for unspecified reasons. Atlanta's lone GreenWise is expected to open in the coming weeks at Sandy Plains Marketplace in East Cobb. The new Dunwoody Publix will be 25,400 square feet according to site plans reviewed by ToNeTo Atlanta.
Joining Publix in the new center will be Atlanta's fourth location of Chopt, a gourmet salad joint, as well as several other existing and new-to-market eateries. The new Chopt joins existing Atlanta area outposts in Chastain Park, Toco Hills and at Ansley Mall in Midtown. Sources tell ToNeTo Atlanta that discussions are ongoing with several other would-be tenants including a breakfast operator, quick-serve Mexican eatery and a sandwich shop, among others.
When contacted for confirmation of existing or planned eateries, a representative from Branch Properties indicated they were unable to comment.
One Medical, an innovative new medical facility that counts Google parent company Alphabet as an investor, will also open in the project, marking the San Francisco-based company's metro Atlanta debut. One Medical will occupy a 5,000 square foot freestanding building previously planned to be a bank, according to documents filed with the City of Dunwoody.
Although the current economic climate has no doubt slowed "deal making," the Dunwoody project could at some point in the future be home to both a hotel and a convenience store/fuel operator, but neither uses are anywhere near "done deals" at this point.
The project will include a total of approximately 35,000 square feet of "small shop" space spread over five out-parcel buildings along Meadow Lane and Ashford Dunwoody Roads. Planning documents further indicate that a small "Gateway Park," located at the corner of Meadow Lane and Ashford Dunwoody Roads, will be part of the redevelopment.
The project is currently expected to open next summer.
The project is currently expected to open next summer.
Are you excited for the planned redevelopment of Ashford Restaurant Park in Dunwoody? What other shops or restaurants would you like to see open in Perimeter Marketplace? Will you miss PF Chang's?
Please share your thoughts below.