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Construction cranks up to make The Forum cool again Josh Green Fri, 02/09/2024 - 08:20 Following a Holidays hibernation, efforts to convert a dated Gwinnett County open-air shopping district into more of a buzzy, mixed-use OTP destination are entering a new phase.

North American Properties officials have provided construction updates and fresh visuals that lend a better idea how The Forum shopping district in Peachtree Corners will soon look and function.

Several phases of development are planned, but the push to create expanded public social areas from current streets and parking spaces is well underway.

The initial phase of Forum construction began in May, focusing on retail improvements. It paused in November in light of what NAP officials call “high volume holiday traffic” but has restarted in recent days.

In late January, construction fencing was also erected to begin building a section called the South Plaza. Echoing the central green at NAP’s Avalon in Alpharetta, the future events space will include a valet station, performance stage, LED screen, and other components.

Plans for the concierge and valet hospitality zone, where a hypothetical Porsche 911 Turbo just might have a flat tire. Courtesy of North American Properties

Future phases will see the addition of 380 residential units, a 125-key boutique hotel, new dining and experiential retail, and a parking structure.

The hotel and multifamily components are currently scheduled to start construction in 2025, according to NAP.

The Forum debuted in its original, vaguely Medieval format in 2002—a decade before Peachtree Corners was incorporated as Gwinnett’s largest city.

A graphic showing what retail surrounds the South Plaza today. Courtesy of North American Properties

A fresh look at plans for a new Forum plaza. Courtesy of North American Properties

At its core is surface parking, a roundabout, and a fountain; around that, The Forum’s retail strip had been dotted with vacancies but managed to retain key tenants such as lululemon, Pottery Barn, Trader Joe’s, and Ulta Beauty, along with restaurants and office space.

Alongside joint venture partners Nuveen Real Estate, NAP acquired the 500,000-square-foot, open-air shopping hub two years ago.

Initial fixes included changes such as daily street sweeping and pressure washing, increased security, and a new calendar of events.

Beyond Avalon’s development, NAP is best known in Atlanta for redeveloping Colony Square in Midtown and revising Atlantic Station before selling it. The company’s undertakings also include the new Avenue East Cobb, a drive-to shopping center where NAP aimed to create a downtown-like experience in Cobb County.

Courtesy of North American Properties

Approved plans for The Forum’s multifamily component. Courtesy of North American Properties

The Forum still attracts more than 4 million visitors per year, according to NAP. Its selling points today include walking trails, a pedestrian bridge to Peachtree Corners Town Center, Wi-Fi throughout the property, and pet-friendly rules.

Find a closer look at what’s in store in the gallery above.

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