Senator Beach, Alpharetta Leaders Celebrate Avalon's Grand Opening

State Senator Brandon Beach of Alpharetta was on hand for Thursday’s grand opening of Avalon, the $600 million mixed-used development situated on Old Milton Parkway west of Georgia 400.

“We took a close look at the success of live, work and play developments around the state and decided this type of investment would thrive in Alpharetta,” Beach said. “We currently project Avalon generating approximately $21 million in sales tax revenue, a huge economic contributor to our city; not to mention the number of jobs it will bring to North Fulton. I am thankful to all those who poured countless hours of hard-work into making this a reality, I know Avalon will thrive for generations to come.”

Avalon’s first phase includes 500,000 square feet of retail, a 12-screen Regal Theater, 105,000 square feet of office space, 101 single-family residences and 250 luxury rental homes. On Monday, the Alpharetta City Council approved an additional 276 for-rent units for phase two of the project.

The grand opening festivities will continue this weekend with the following schedule:

Friday, Oct. 31:

• 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Avalon open house featuring special events within retailers and restaurants
• 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Mommies and Strollers store-to-store trick-or-treat
• 1 to 4 p.m. Fall fashion previews, fashion shows at the top of each hour
• 1 to 4 p.m. Chef demonstrations featuring Avalon’s renowned local chefs
• 2 to 4 p.m. Rock show presented by Guitar Center
• 5 to 7 p.m. Trick-or-Drink
• 8 to 9:30 p.m. Entertainment with Von Grey, an Atlanta-based indie-alt-folk group
• 9:30 p.m. Fireworks

Saturday, Nov. 1:

• 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Avalon open house featuring special events within retailers and restaurants
• 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Matilda’s Music Under the Pines featuring Mike “Swami” Schulman, Tommy Dean, Mike Ewbank and J.R. Hawkins
• Noon to 4 p.m. Avalon’s first Fall Festival, an afternoon of culinary delights, DIY crafts for kids and adults, demonstrations by local artists and a large array of innovative activities
• 1 to 4 p.m. Chef demonstrations featuring Avalon’s renowned local chefs
• 3:30 to 7 p.m. Georgia/Florida football game viewing party
• 8 to 10 p.m. Kelly Pickler will perform

Sunday, Nov. 2:

• 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Children’s play area opening ceremonies
• 11 a.m. to noon Exhale Core Fusion Yoga in the Plaza
• Noon to 6 p.m. Sunday Funday lawn games in the Plaza
• Noon to 6 p.m. Avalon Open House featuring special events within retailers and restaurants
• Noon to 6 p.m. Jazz entertainment provided by The Velvet Note featuring Atlanta’s best jazz musicians
• 1 to 4 p.m. Chef demonstrations featuring Avalon’s renowned local chefs
• 6 to 7:30 p.m. Evening entertainment in the Plaza with Joe Gransdens’ 16-Piece Big Band

For more information about the grand opening, visit the company’s website. You can also follow the grand opening festivities on social media with the #AvalonGO hashtag.

Photo: Brandon Beach, third from right, holds the ribbon at Avalon’s grand opening on Thursday. From left to right are: Deborah Scott Lanham, Fulton County Commission Liz Hausmann, Alpharetta Mayor David Belle Isle, Mark Toro of North American Properties, Beach, State Senator John Albers of Roswell and Alpharetta Convention and Visitors Bureau President and CEO Janet Rodgers. Credit: Liz Hausmann