Like Avalon, the Hotel at Medley will become a regional destination serving both locals and visitors in a distinctive mixed-use environment
Last night the Johns Creek City Council unanimously approved the addition of a 175-key boutique hotel at Medley, the forthcoming 43-acre mixed-use community being developed by Toro Development Company (TDC) at the corner of McGinnis Ferry Road and Johns Creek Parkway in Johns Creek.
“We’ve seen firsthand that hospitality is an excellent complement to a retail-led mixed-use community,” said Mark Toro, chief vision officer at TDC and developer of Avalon in Alpharetta. “The Hotel at Avalon is proof of concept, and we will apply best practices to create a unique hotel offering that supports the city’s Town Center plan and provides an exceptional experience. We are now in the process of identifying potential development and brand partners who understand the high-quality hospitality experience we seek to deliver at Medley.”
The Hotel at Avalon caters to business travelers, out-of-town guests, local staycationers, brides and more – with room and event bookings far outpacing projections. It supports a thriving business community in Alpharetta by providing top-rated accommodations for clients and guests, as well as an unrivaled event venue for the community.
The Hotel at Medley will be designed in the same spirit, with 5,000 square feet of meeting space and a restaurant that engages both the lobby and the Plaza, which will be regularly activated with community events. The hotel will also feature outdoor gathering space and resort-quality amenities. The hotel is designed to serve as the go-to destination for businesses and residents looking to host out-of-town guests; a place to plan a “Girls Night Out,” birthday getaway or date night; and an extraordinary venue for weddings, special events and more.
“The Hotel at Medley will far exceed market performance because of what’s right outside its doorstep,” said Todd Ratliff, managing director of Hodges Ward Elliott’s Hospitality Investment Advisory practice, which worked on The Hotel at Avalon and now Medley. “This will be a tailor-made hotel experience situated within a vibrant, secure mixed-use community. This kind of product is truly unique in the U.S., as it takes tremendous vision and expertise to execute at this scale.”
In 2018, The New York Times wrote a story capturing the new trend of developers adding hotels to mixed-use projects. The piece focuses on The Hotel at Avalon and reads: “We sought to reinforce the enclave’s stature as a Main Street destination with white-glove service and extended Avalon’s ‘living room’ experience to the hotel. We created a welcoming lobby, bar and restaurant that entices locals as well as travelers. The hotel is successful because of the unparalleled amenities that Avalon offers. And there are new heads in beds every night, adding to the interest and energy of the community. It is an incredible synergy between real estate uses.”
A more recent article by retail organization ICSC reinforces the symbiotic relationship between hotels and retail, citing The Hotel at Avalon’s strong performance.
TDC expects to break ground on Medley later this year, with a planned Q3 2026 grand opening. Already the company has razed an existing 350,000-square-foot office building to prepare the site for construction.
In addition to the hotel, Medley’s first phase will include approximately 180,000 square feet of walkable retail, restaurant and entertainment space, 110,000 square feet of lifestyle office space, 340 multifamily residences, 133 townhomes and an activated 25,000-square-foot Plaza. The site also features a 4-story office building that is being renovated and incorporated into the master plan to create a commute-worthy workplace.
Announced retailers for Medley include Ford Fry’s Little Rey, CRÚ Food & Wine Bar, Fadó Irish Pub, Summit Coffee, Lily Sushi Bar, Knuckies Hoagies, Cookie Fix, Sugarcoat Beauty, BODY20, AYA Medical Spa, 26 Thai Kitchen and Bar, Five Daughters Bakery, Drybar® Shops, Minnie Olivia, Burdlife, Amorino, Pause Studio, Fogón and Lions and Clean Your Dirty Face®.
To learn more about the project, visit medleyjohnscreek.com.
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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.
