Aerial view of North Point Mall surrounded by a large parking lot and tree-lined edges. — North Point Mall sits amid expansive parking lots in Alpharetta, where officials say an arena would need extensive event-day parking plans.

The future of North Point Mall is beginning to come into clearer focus. What was once a traditional retail center is now at the center of a high-stakes redevelopment effort—one that could reshape Alpharetta and potentially bring professional hockey back to the Atlanta region for the first time in more than a decade.

In recent weeks, multiple filings, announcements, and industry reports have converged around a single idea: transforming the 100-acre mall property into a dense, walkable district anchored by a major sports venue.

From Mall to Mixed-Use District

Jamestown and New York Life, the owners of North Point Mall, are leading the effort. Jamestown—best known locally for its involvement with Avalon and Ponce City Market—has now been formally tapped to pursue redevelopment approvals and oversee the property moving forward.

The proposal envisions a large-scale mixed-use district that blends residential, retail, office, and entertainment uses. Instead of relying on traditional department stores, the site would evolve into a place designed for daily life: apartments, workplaces, restaurants, and public gathering spaces woven together into a single environment.

Early plans outline nearly one million square feet of retail and dining, approximately 750,000 square feet of office space, and more than 1,300 residential units. The development would also include hospitality elements and expanded public spaces, including parks, plazas, and multi-use trails intended to make the site more walkable and active throughout the day.

The Arena at the Center

At the heart of the proposal is a 20,000-seat arena, designed with the goal of attracting a National Hockey League team. Surrounding it would be a broader entertainment ecosystem, including a music and performing arts venue, a community hockey rink, and additional entertainment uses.

This is not simply about adding a sports venue. The arena is intended to function as the anchor for the entire district—driving foot traffic, shaping development patterns, and positioning the area as a regional destination.

To support that vision, Jamestown has partnered with Machete Group, a firm that specializes in sports and entertainment developments, to help guide planning and feasibility.

A Third Attempt at NHL Hockey in Atlanta

The possibility of an NHL team returning adds a layer of history—and caution—to the project.

Atlanta has hosted two NHL franchises in the past. The first left for Calgary in 1980, and the second, Atlanta Thrashers relocated to Winnipeg in 2011. Both teams played in downtown arenas and struggled with long-term attendance and ownership stability.

This new effort represents a different approach. Rather than placing a team in the urban core, both current proposals—North Point in Alpharetta and The Gathering at South Forsyth—are centered in the northern suburbs.

Developers and league observers believe the region’s demographic profile may support a different outcome. North Fulton and South Forsyth have seen sustained growth, including a large number of residents relocating from the Northeast and Midwest, where hockey has a deeper fan base.

The NHL has publicly acknowledged that Atlanta is under consideration for a future expansion franchise, though competition remains strong from cities such as Houston, Quebec City, and Kansas City.

Infrastructure, Transit, and Long-Term Planning

The redevelopment effort is closely tied to broader planning initiatives already underway in Alpharetta.

In 2025, the city approved the creation of a Tax Allocation District covering a large portion of the North Point area, designed to fund infrastructure improvements and support redevelopment. The project is also expected to incorporate transit connections and roadway upgrades capable of handling event-day traffic.

Feasibility studies are now underway, and the rezoning process will determine how the plan evolves. A timeline for construction has not yet been announced.

A Defining Project for Alpharetta

North Point Mall, which opened in 1993 and spans more than 1.3 million square feet, has long been one of the most visible commercial properties in the area. Like many malls of its era, it now faces the question of what comes next.

This proposal offers one answer: not a renovation, but a complete rethinking of the site’s role in the community.

If the project moves forward—and if it ultimately succeeds in attracting an NHL franchise—it would mark one of the most significant transformations in Alpharetta’s recent history. More broadly, it would signal how suburban centers across North Fulton and South Forsyth are evolving: away from single-purpose retail and toward complex, experience-driven districts designed for everyday life.