
The $44 million purchase represents an important development milestone for the project
Toro Development Company (TDC), an innovative real estate firm led by Mark Toro, has acquired the site for Medley, the forthcoming 43-acre mixed-use destination designed to become Johns Creek’s Third Place – a place for gathering with community outside of the home (first place) and traditional office (second place). The transformative project is on track to break ground later this year.
Located at the intersection of Johns Creek Parkway and McGinnis Ferry Road, the site today features a 4-story office building, the grave site of a second office building, and a sprawling sea of surface parking. Demolition of one of the office buildings was completed last fall. The team will incorporate the other existing building into the master plan by stripping out the ground floor to make way for engaging retail and restaurant space, while renovating the office space above, creating a highly appealing and commute-worthy workplace environment.
Upon completion, Medley will feature 200,000 square feet of retail, restaurant and entertainment space designed around a vibrant public realm; 900 luxury residences, featuring a mix of townhomes and apartments; 110,000 square feet of lifestyle office space; and a central greenspace that will host events and gatherings for the community.
“This acquisition signals our confidence in both the project and the market, as it paves the way for vertical construction later this year,” said Mark Toro, principal and chief vision officer of TDC. “Medley represents the radical reimagining of a dying suburban office park into a dense, walkable mixed-use community. We have been hard at work curating an extraordinary retail, dining and entertainment experience for Medley, and we look forward to announcing a wave of new tenants soon.”
Already, TDC has announced the following retail tenants for Medley: Ford Fry’s Little Rey, CRÚ Food & Wine Bar, Fadó Irish Pub, Summit Coffee, Lily Sushi Bar, Knuckies Hoagies, Cookie Fix, Sugarcoat Beauty, BODY20 and AYA Medical Spa.
In early 2023, the Johns Creek City Council voted unanimously to approve Medley, noting its important role in kickstarting the city’s 192-acre Town Center as a magnetic “eatertainment” destination.
“This is an important milestone as we continue to advance the various pieces of the town center together,” said Mayor John Bradberry.
TDC has assembled a best-in-class team to execute the project, including Franklin Street Senior Director Len Erickson and Senior Associate Kaitlyn Theriot for retail leasing; Stream Managing Director Bryan Heller and Vice President Parker Welton for office leasing; architect Nelson Worldwide; engineering firm Kimley-Horn; and landscape architect Site Solutions.
In addition to Toro, TDC is run by development heavyweights John Kelley, Richard Munger, Vicky Boyce and Carla Cox. While working together at North American Properties Atlanta, the team led the ground-up development of Avalon, the redevelopment of Colony Square and the turnaround of Atlantic Station.
About Toro Development Company:
Toro Development Company (TDC) acquires underperforming assets and transforms them into vibrant mixed-use environments that achieve coveted “third place” status – inspired places where people come to feel connected and engaged, something the world needs now more than ever. Third places also produce a quantifiable value premium on rents and valuations; TDC calls this The Third Place Effect. The team, led by Mark Toro, has a track record of delivering outsized returns to investors, as evidenced by their work on Avalon in Alpharetta and Colony Square and Atlantic Station in Midtown Atlanta, among other noteworthy projects. TDC’s differentiated model combines data analysis with creative thinking and a commitment to community, and it is uniquely positioned to exploit the best uses for each development or redevelopment opportunity. For more information, visit torodevco.com.