When you think of commercial real estate in Atlanta, few names are better known than Cousins Properties. Responsible for some of the Atlanta skyline's most visible buildings (including the Bank of America Plaza - Atlanta's tallest office building - and the 50-story One Ninety One Peachtree Tower), Cousins Properties has made a lasting mark on the city.
Now, Cousins seeks to make a lasting mark in Gwinnett.
Cousins Properties is building The Avenue Webb Gin - a 394,000 square-foot combination of retail, restaurant and office space - on both sides of Webb Gin House Road at the intersection with Highway 124. Phase one opens in August. Phase two should open in October. Webb Gin is the Atlanta area's fourth "Avenue" property.
Joel Murphy, president of Cousin Properties' retail division hopes that the open air, pedestrian-friendly shopping venue will re-define shopping in Gwinnett. "There's nothing like it in the area," Murphy says.
There are some well-known names among the retailers that have already signed leases. Among others, shoppers will be able to visit: After Hours Formalwear, Banana Republic, Barnes & Noble, Ethan Allen, Gap, Jos. A. Bank, Kay Jewelers, Limited Too, Liz Claiborne Shoes, Select Comfort, Talbots, Victoria's Secret and Yankee Candle.
If shoppers get hungry during their excursions, they will be able to grab a bite to eat at establishments like Caribou Coffee, Chili's, On The Border and Romano's Macaroni Grill.
While traffic in Gwinnett is a concern to motorists throughout the county, Cousins is taking steps to make it as easy as possible for shoppers to get to The Avenue. Each day, 40,000 cars on Scenic Highway and 9,000 on Webb Gin House pass through the intersection. Something had to be done.
"We've made improvements to the intersection of Webb Gin and 124," says Bill Bassett, executive vice president of retail for Cousins Properties. Changes include signalization changes and widening Webb Gin House up to six lanes (with left and right turn lanes and thru lanes) and a traffic signal at the main entrance. According to Bassett, Cousins has also made some minor modifications to Scenic Highway.
Bassett expects 7,500 visitors a day to visit The Avenue, which will have nearly 60 stores and 15 restaurants to welcome them and 2,000 parking spots to accommodate them and
In addition to retail and restaurant space, The Avenue will have nearly 20,000 square feet of office space. Kevin Polston, the Cousins senior vice president who oversees The Avenue, expects clients to include real estate, medical, insurance and mortgage offices - "businesses that want exposure to the type of customers coming to The Avenue."
"We're looking forward to this development becoming a part of the fabric on the community." Murphy says. "We hope people will say 'Let's go to The Avenue.'"
