CONNOLLY, a premier real estate developer and investor based in Atlanta, announces plans to develop a new Publix-anchored shopping center on Towne Lake Parkway at the gateway to Woodstock’s downtown dining, shopping and entertainment district. The 118,000-square-foot Woodstock Mill District will include 90,000 square feet of new retail construction including a Publix on an 11-acre site adjacent to an existing 28,000-square-foot shopping center the company acquired in 2021. CONNOLLY closed on the land on September 25, 2025, and construction began immediately thereafter with delivery of space phased throughout the second half of 2026. 

“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.” 

The Project

Centrally located on Towne Lake Parkway between I-575 and Main Street, Woodstock Mill District will feature a 46,791-square-foot Publix Super Market along with six freestanding one- and two-story buildings ranging in size from 3,500 to 13,750 square feet with end-cap space for patios. With 2,000 feet of frontage on Towne Lake Parkway, street-level retail will attract a mix of dining, services, shops and other amenities. Three high-visibility restaurant spaces facing the traffic circle are ideal for local restaurateurs as well as elevated fast casual brands that want to offer outdoor dining. 

“The existing shopping center, which is being rebranded from Towne Lake Plaza to a part of Woodstock Mill District, was our company’s first acquisition of an existing retail asset in our 53-year history and we’re excited to execute our renovation plans,” continues Connolly. “We’re blending these two parcels into one cohesive district featuring restaurants, shops and service providers.”  The existing building will undergo renovations in 2026 to complement the new construction.

Inspired by a historical mill, the architecture incorporates brick, stone and metal to invoke a vibe befitting of its location within Downtown Woodstock. 

The Connectivity 

Flanked by a traffic circle that will feature a custom sculpture to the east and the signalized intersection of Towne Lake Parkway and Woodstock Parkway to the west, the Publix-anchored center is accessed via two points of ingress/egress off Towne Lake Parkway as well as the bordering streets on either side, Lyndee Lane and Sherwood Drive. Just a four-minute walk from bustling Main Street, Woodstock Mill District will extend the vibrant energy of historic Downtown along Towne Lake Parkway. Part of the City’s Greenprints Trail System, a 10’-wide sidewalk runs along the site and connects Main Street to Old Rope Mill Trail.

The Market

Downtown Woodstock is a rapidly expanding destination with more than 30 retailers and restaurants. Breweries, live entertainment venues, trails and parks and year-round community events welcome 3,000,000 annual visitors and a growing residential base. A 635-space parking deck is now open to accommodate the lively activity of Downtown Woodstock.  

Towne Lake Parkway between I-575 and Main Street, a stretch traversed by nearly 30,000 vehicles daily serves the high-growth customer base of Woodstock and Cherokee County, where the 70,000 residents within a three-mile radius pull an average household income of $114,579. Construction of high-density townhomes, apartments and cluster homes as well as new multi-million-dollar residences surrounding Downtown support the booming population growth and create walkable communities within close proximity to the hustle and bustle of Main Street.

“This project allows us to blend our roots in grocery development with our recent in-fill 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.”  

Woodstock Mill District will be self-managed by CONNOLLY and leased by Ed O’Connor and Mindy Elms of Lavista Associates. Ameris Bank is providing construction financing. Scott McGregor and Bo Schill of CBRE provided land brokerage services to CONNOLLY.  John Haynes of CBRE provided land brokerage services to the land seller. Place Maker Design served as the architect. Robertson Loia Roof, P.C. is the civil engineer and Benning Construction is serving as the general contractor.