North Point Mall

North Point Mall is a regional shopping center in Alpharetta, Georgia, a northern suburb of Atlanta. Developed by Homart Development Company, the mall opened on October 20, 1993, and was conceived as a large-scale retail destination for the rapidly growing communities north of Atlanta. Its original plan, announced in 1989, called for approximately 400,000 square feet of gross leasable space and between 120 and 140 stores. At opening, the complex had an unusually broad collection of department-store anchors, including Sears, JCPenney, Rich's, Mervyn's, and Lord & Taylor. A planned Macy's presence was canceled after the retailer entered bankruptcy, leaving an additional anchor location temporarily unoccupied. The property expanded in 1995 with the addition of Dillard's and a parking deck. Its department-store lineup subsequently changed repeatedly as national chains retrenched or were acquired. Mervyn's was replaced by Parisian, Lord & Taylor later closed, and Belk briefly occupied a former department-store location before exiting in 2009. Von Maur eventually took over the former Belk space, enlarging and extensively remodeling it before opening the redesigned store in 2011. The mall's current or recent anchor identity has centered on Dillard's, JCPenney, Macy's, and Von Maur, although individual stores and the overall tenant mix have changed over time. North Point Mall has also developed as a leisure and family-oriented destination rather than solely a department-store complex. A major 2003 renovation refreshed the interior, added seating, and introduced an Apple Store. The Cheesecake Factory opened in 2004 in a freestanding location near the parking deck, connected to the mall by a themed pedestrian path. AMC Theatres later replaced a former Parisian building with a new 12-screen cinema that opened in 2012. The center also contains a carousel assembled before the mall's opening and positioned in the food court. The carousel's fiberglass animals were inspired by Victorian carousel designs, and the attraction became one of the mall's distinctive visual features. The property has faced the broader pressures affecting traditional American malls, including department-store closures, changing consumer habits, and redevelopment competition. Sears closed in 2018, and a planned mixed-use transformation of its former site became a recurring element in later redevelopment proposals. In 2019, Alpharetta approved a concept for an expanded 83-acre district combining apartments, restaurants, retail, parks, trails, recreation features, and a lake, but that plan did not proceed. The mall's interiors were also refreshed that year with new seating, flooring, and a color-changing LED tree. Brookfield Properties sold the mall to Trademark Properties in March 2022, after which the shopping center was rebranded as North Point. A later proposal led by Alpharetta Sports & Entertainment, associated with former National Hockey League player Anson Carter, envisioned an NHL-sized arena and a larger sports-and-entertainment redevelopment intended to support an Atlanta-area NHL franchise effort. In late February 2026, ownership reportedly entered an agreement with Jamestown and Machete Group concerning redevelopment of the property. These plans indicate a potential transition from a conventional enclosed mall toward a mixed-use, entertainment-oriented district, although the ultimate scope and timing remain subject to approvals and execution.

North Point Mall was developed in Alpharetta, Georgia, during a period of rapid suburban expansion north of Atlanta. Homart Development Company announced the project on April 20, 1989. The original concept called for about 400,000 square feet of leasable retail space and a tenant roster of roughly 120 to 140 stores. The project became the second-to-last property developed by Homart. The mall opened on October 20, 1993. Its initial anchors were Sears, JCPenney, Rich's, Mervyn's, and Lord & Taylor. The Rich's store incorporated decorative elements associated with the chain's former downtown Atlanta flagship, which had closed two years earlier. Macy's had been considered as another anchor, but the retailer's bankruptcy led it to withdraw, leaving the sixth anchor site vacant. In 1995, North Point expanded with a Dillard's department store and a new parking deck. Mervyn's closed the following year and was replaced by Parisian. The mall underwent a substantial renovation in 2003, which modernized its interior, increased seating, and added an Apple Store. In 2004, an escalator was moved from the East Court to a position near Starbucks in the Sears wing. The Cheesecake Factory opened in June 2004 in a freestanding location beyond the parking deck, with a pedestrian route known as the yellow brick road connecting it to the mall. Anchor turnover continued in the following decade. Lord & Taylor closed in 2005. Parisian shut its North Point location in September 2007 after being acquired by Belk; Belk instead reopened in the former Lord & Taylor space. Belk left the property in 2009. Von Maur then renovated the former Belk location beginning in 2010, expanding it from approximately 115,000 to 140,000 square feet. The remodeled store opened in November 2011 with a design using brick, columns, and a cupola intended to evoke regional Southern architecture. In 2012, AMC Theatres demolished the former Parisian building and constructed a new 12-screen theater, which opened in September. Apple announced in April 2014 that it would close its North Point store and move to the Avalon development. Sears closed in 2018, leaving a major vacant anchor. Brookfield Properties subsequently publicized plans to remove the former Sears building and replace it with a mixed-use development. Alpharetta's city council approved an 83-acre enhanced-development concept in February 2019. The proposal included apartments, restaurants, retail space, small parks, trails, a rock wall, a play fountain, and a lake. It also contemplated demolition of the former Sears structure and expansion of the mall's indoor playground. The proposal did not ultimately materialize. During 2019, several interior atriums were nevertheless updated with new seating and flooring, and the mall added a color-changing LED tree. The former Sears space later hosted Dino Safari, which opened on November 19, 2021. Brookfield sold the shopping center to Trademark Properties in March 2022, and the property was rebranded as North Point. Plans again called for apartments, dining, retail, and parks on the former Sears site, but those plans were abandoned following a contentious city council meeting. Dino Safari closed in October 2023. North Point has also been associated with a proposed sports-led transformation. In March 2024, Alpharetta Sports & Entertainment, led by former NHL player Anson Carter, proposed an NHL-sized arena at the site as part of a campaign to return the NHL to the Atlanta metropolitan area. The proposal competed with another arena concept, The Gathering at South Forsyth, located several miles north. In late February 2026, ownership reportedly reached an agreement with Jamestown and Machete Group for redevelopment work. The long-term direction of the property remains dependent on planning, approvals, financing, and tenant commitments. A notable interior feature is the mall's carousel. Fabricon Carousel Company made the ride in Brooklyn, New York, with hand-painted fiberglass animals modeled on a Victorian carousel at Coney Island. The carousel was shipped to the Atlanta area in December 1992 and assembled at North Point on August 1, 1993, before the mall was completed. It did not operate until several weeks after opening because of a broken component. The ride closed in March 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic and reduced customer traffic, then reopened in November 2023.

• 2024

  NHL arena concept proposed

  [1]North Point Mallen.wikipedia.org

  Anson Carter's Alpharetta Sports & Entertainment proposes an arena-led redevelopment connected to an Atlanta-area NHL franchise effort.

• 2023

  Dino Safari closes

  [1]North Point Mallen.wikipedia.org

  The attraction ends its North Point operation in October.

• 2022

  Ownership changes and property is rebranded

  [1]North Point Mallen.wikipedia.org

  Trademark Properties acquires the mall from Brookfield Properties, after which the center is rebranded as North Point.

• 2021

  Dino Safari opens

  [1]North Point Mallen.wikipedia.org

  Dino Safari begins operating in the former Sears space on the mall's second floor.

• 2018

  Sears closes

  [1]North Point Mallen.wikipedia.org

  The Sears anchor shuts down, becoming the focus of later redevelopment concepts.

• 2012

  AMC opens a new multiplex

  [1]North Point Mallen.wikipedia.org

  A new 12-screen AMC theater opens after the former Parisian building is demolished.

• 2011

  Von Maur opens in remodeled anchor space

  [1]North Point Mallen.wikipedia.org

  Von Maur completes the expansion and remodeling of the former Belk location.

• 2003

  Major interior renovation

  [1]North Point Mallen.wikipedia.org

  The mall updates its interior, adds seating, and introduces an Apple Store.

• 1995

  Expansion adds Dillard's

  [1]North Point Mallen.wikipedia.org

  The property expands with a sixth anchor, Dillard's, and a new parking deck.

• 1993

  Mall opens

  [1]North Point Mallen.wikipedia.org

  North Point Mall opens on October 20 with Sears, JCPenney, Rich's, Mervyn's, and Lord & Taylor as initial anchors.

• 1989

  Homart announces North Point Mall

  [1]North Point Mallen.wikipedia.org

  Homart Development Company announces plans for a large regional mall in Alpharetta, with projected space for approximately 120 to 140 stores.

A suburban regional mall combining department stores, specialty retail, dining, cinema, and family entertainment for communities in north metro Atlanta.

• Retail · 1993

  Department-store anchors

  North Point's anchor offering has historically included Sears, JCPenney, Rich's, Mervyn's, Lord & Taylor, Dillard's, Parisian, Belk, Macy's, and Von Maur. The roster reflects the mall's original regional scale and the later consolidation and contraction of American department-store retail.

• Retail · 1993

  Specialty retail

  The mall has hosted a broad mix of apparel, accessories, beauty, electronics, home, food, and specialty retailers. Its specialty lineup has changed frequently as national chains open, relocate, or close, making tenant turnover a central part of the property's operating history.

• Food and beverage · 1993

  Dining and food court

  North Point combines an indoor food court with restaurants located around the mall. The Cheesecake Factory opened in 2004 in a freestanding building near the parking deck, while the food court has also served as the setting for the property's signature carousel.

• Entertainment · 2012

  AMC cinema

  A 12-screen AMC theater opened in September 2012 after the former Parisian structure was demolished. The cinema broadened the center's role as an entertainment destination and complemented its retail and dining uses.

• Family entertainment · 1993

  Food court carousel

  The carousel is a decorative and recreational attraction located behind a floor-to-ceiling window in the food court. Made by Fabricon Carousel Company, it features hand-painted fiberglass animals influenced by Victorian carousel designs. It operated after a delayed opening, paused during the COVID-19 period, and reopened in November 2023.

• Family entertainment · 2021

  Dino Safari

  Dino Safari was an immersive dinosaur-themed attraction installed on the second floor of the former Sears building. It opened in November 2021 and closed the North Point location in October 2023.

• 2026

  Engage Jamestown and Machete Group for redevelopmentStrategy

  Background

  Ownership continued to seek a large-scale redevelopment strategy combining real estate and sports or entertainment uses.

  Action taken

  The ownership reportedly entered an agreement with Jamestown and Machete Group concerning redevelopment of the property.

  Aftermath

  The agreement represents a further attempt to reposition North Point, but the final program and delivery schedule are not established here.

  Source

• 2024

  Consider an arena-led transformationStrategy

  Background

  The property faced continuing pressure to move beyond a conventional enclosed-mall model and compete for major entertainment uses.

  Action taken

  Alpharetta Sports & Entertainment proposed an NHL-sized arena and associated redevelopment as part of an Atlanta-area NHL franchise effort.

  Aftermath

  The proposal competed with another regional arena concept, and the eventual development outcome remains unresolved.

  Source

• 2022

  Change ownership and rebrand the propertyM&A

  Background

  Brookfield Properties sold the shopping center amid renewed efforts to reposition the former Sears area and the wider mall.

  Action taken

  Trademark Properties acquired the property and the center was rebranded as North Point.

  Aftermath

  The new ownership again publicized a mixed-use redevelopment concept, but that plan was later abandoned after a contentious city council meeting.

  Source

• 2019

  Pursue an 83-acre mixed-use redevelopmentStrategy

  Background

  The Sears closure and changing mall economics created pressure to add housing, dining, recreation, and open-space uses.

  Action taken

  Alpharetta approved a concept involving apartments, restaurants, retail, parks, trails, a rock wall, a play fountain, and a lake.

  Aftermath

  The proposal ultimately fell through, although interior mall improvements continued during the year.

  Source

• 2012

  Replace former Parisian site with AMC cinemaProduct launch

  Background

  The closure and demolition of the Parisian anchor created an opportunity to introduce a more experience-oriented use.

  Action taken

  AMC constructed and opened a new 12-screen theater in September.

  Aftermath

  The cinema strengthened North Point's entertainment offer and diversified the former department-store site.

  Source

• 2003

  Modernize the enclosed-mall experienceStrategy

  Background

  The property needed refreshed interiors and a stronger mix of services and experiential retail.

  Action taken

  The mall renovated its interior, added seating, and introduced an Apple Store.

  Aftermath

  The renovation updated the center's appearance and increased its mix of shopping and technology-related uses.

  Source

• 1995

  Add a sixth anchor and parking deckOther

  Background

  The newly opened mall sought to strengthen its regional draw and accommodate growing suburban demand.

  Action taken

  North Point added Dillard's and constructed a parking deck.

  Aftermath

  The project broadened the anchor lineup and increased the property's capacity for shoppers.

  Source

1. 1North Point Mallen.wikipedia.org
2. 2North Point Mall official websitenorthpointmall.com