Atlanta-based developer CONNOLLY has broken ground on Woodstock Mill District, a Publix-anchored retail destination set to serve as a new gateway to Downtown Woodstock off I-575. The mixed-use project aims to expand dining and shopping options while complementing the city’s already vibrant downtown corridor.
CONNOLLY To Develop Woodstock Mill District
CONNOLLY has recently started working on Woodstock Mill District, a new 118,000-square-foot Publix-centered shopping centre on the Towne Lake Parkway. The development will serve as a gateway to Downtown Woodstock’s dining and entertainment district. The development will include 90,000 square feet of new retail space with a Publix on an 11-acre site adjacent to a 28,000-square-foot shopping centre that the company purchased in 2021.
CONNOLLY closed the land deal on September 25, 2025, and immediately started construction, with the development scheduled to open in stages in the second half of 2026. Management and services offered by different organizations for the project are listed here:
- Woodstock Mill District will be managed by CONNOLLY
- Leased by Ed O’Connor and Mindy Elms of Lavista Associates
- Construction financing by Ameris Bank
- Land brokerage services to CONNOLLY were offered by Scott McGregor and Bo Schill of CBRE
- Architecture by Place Maker Design
- Robertson Loia Roof, P.C., is the civil engineer for Woodstock Mill District
- Benning Construction is serving as the general contractor
“Over the past two decades, Downtown Woodstock has evolved into one of the best suburban downtowns in the Southeast, and this Publix location will fill a void in the market, delivering a much-desired grocery retailer on the east side of I-575 within walking distance to Main Street,” says David Connolly, principal, CONNOLLY. “With the acquisition of this site, CONNOLLY will do what it does best: build a vibrant amenity for the community with a mix of local operators alongside regional and national brands.”
Project Details
The project is on the Towne Lake Parkway between I-575 and Main Street. Woodstock Mill District will consist of a 46,791-square-foot Publix Super Market, and six freestanding one- and two-story buildings of 3,500 to 13,750 square feet, some with patio space at the end of the building.
The development will cover 2,000 feet of the parkway of Towne Lake, with street-level retail consisting of dining, services, shopping, and other facilities.
In 2026, a renovation of the building that is currently on-site will be undertaken to match the new development. The design draws inspiration from Woodstock’s historic mill heritage, featuring brick, stone, and metal elements that echo the character of Downtown Woodstock.
Location Benefits
The Woodstock Mill District will be accessed on two sides of Towne Lake Parkway through one entrance and two entrances on the Lyndee Lane and Sherwood Drive sides, respectively.
Woodstock Mill District will be a mere four-minute walk to Main Street and will add vibrancy to the Downtown along Towne Lake Parkway. The place also relates to the Greenprints Trail System in the city, with a 10’-wide sidewalk connecting Main Street to Old Rope Mill Trail.
What to Expect at Woodstock Mill District
The community can expect over 30 retail shops and restaurants, in addition to the breweries, live music entertainment places, parks, and trails, which will attract an average of 3 million visitors annually. The new 635-space parking deck will serve the growing activity and inflow of visitors to the area.
Towne Lake Parkway, stretching between I-575 and Main Street, sees nearly 30,000 vehicles daily and serves a rapidly expanding population in Woodstock and Cherokee County. Within a three-mile radius, one can find approximately 70,000 inhabitants whose average household income is $114,579.
Construction of townhomes, apartments, and upscale homes is still occurring, contributing to an increase in population and the development of walkable streets around the vibrant core of Downtown. This ongoing residential growth is expected to fuel additional retail development in the area.
“This project allows us to blend our roots in grocery development with our recent infill site experience that highlights local restaurants and retailers,” concludes Connolly. “CONNOLLY is known for our ability to work well with municipalities to create developments that fit seamlessly into the fabric of the community.”
The Publix-centered project highlights the desire of CONNOLLY to increase the required retail and restaurant opportunities and improve the connectivity and walking accessibility to Downtown Woodstock.
Established in 1972, CONNOLLY is a third-generation Atlanta real estate developer and investor that is reputed to provide full-service project development throughout the Southeast. The company deals with leasing, acquisitions, design, development management, property and asset management, and brokerage.
