A decade later, Halcyon developer reflects on creating 'complete community'

Ten years ago, the first pieces of heavy equipment were starting to chomp and growl across 135 blank-slate acres off Ga. Highway 400 where developers were promising Forsyth County’s signature mixed-use village. Functionally it would be like Avalon, they said, but yet different in other ways, with an emphasis on approachable brands and access to nature. 

A decade later, RocaPoint Partners’ Halcyon has evolved from woodsy acreage into a “complete community” and “true… gathering place,” in the words of company principal Phil Mays. 

Halcyon counts hundreds of homes and apartments, unique access to a regional-attraction multi-use trail (Big Creek Greenway), and roughly 2 million visitors per year. There’s a food hall and brewery and about 20 food and beverage options total, most within whistling distance of the centralized town green, which annually hosts more than 150 events. Offices anchored by Morgan Stanley (with 500 onsite jobs), CMX Cinebistro, an Embassy Suites Hotel, a Chase Bank, and marquee recent addition Trader Joe’s round out the Halcyon mix so far. 

Halcyon initially broke ground in early 2016 with—as developers were fond of noting at the time—no public funding support.

In the following Q&A, excerpted with permission in partnership with Alpharetta.com, Mays discusses Halcyon’s evolution (and surprises for its Atlanta-based developer) over the past decade. 

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On the initial appeal of the Forsyth County/Alpharetta location:  

Mays: “We were seeing strong development both before and after [Ga. Highway 400] Exit 12, but nothing of this scale or character directly off this… interchange. The site offered incredible potential, especially with its connection to the [16-mile] Big Creek Greenway. That access was a major driver for the Halcyon concept. It allowed us to envision a destination that was both active and social, where people could start with a run or bike ride and then effortlessly transition into dinner, shopping, or an event. 

“We also recognized Forsyth County’s rapid growth and the community’s desire for a thoughtfully curated, high-quality mixed-use district. The acreage gave us the flexibility to preserve more than 50 acres of greenspace while still delivering a vibrant, walkable village experience.” 

On public usage patterns that have surprised the development team: 

Mays: “We always believed Halcyon would become a community hub, but the level of engagement has exceeded even our highest expectations. Signature programs like Halcyon Kids Club every Wednesday and our seasonal Cornhole and Bocce Ball leagues have become weekly traditions that consistently draw big crowds. 

“The most pleasant surprise, though, is how organically people use the Village Green and public spaces. Families picnic, coworkers gather after the office, and cyclists meet up before rides. That every-day, informal use is the greatest sign that a place has woven itself into the fabric of the community. 

“Halcyon has become a backdrop for life’s everyday moments and its milestones. Families come for dinners after baseball practice, employees walk over from on-site companies for lunch, and the community returns every Halloween and Mother’s Day. We’ve seen prom photos, proposals, birthday celebrations, anniversaries—you name it. It’s incredibly rewarding to see people make Halcyon their own.”

On the retail balance between national brands and local concepts: 

Mays: “Our goal is to create a tenant mix that reflects the community’s tastes, while introducing experiences you can’t find anywhere else. More than 60 percent of Halcyon’s restaurants and retailers are local or small businesses, many of which are minority- or woman-owned. 

“We pair those with best-in-class national brands to strike the right balance between familiarity and discovery. Everything is curated around quality, authenticity, and community connection. 

“A great example is BRASH Coffee Roasters’ vintage truck, ‘The Beast,’ which joined Market Hall this spring. It brings a distinctive local flavor to the property and strengthens Halcyon’s walkable, social atmosphere. We don’t fill space for the sake of filling space. Every tenant must add something meaningful to the overall experience.”

Any scoop on more retailers and restaurants joining the mix? 

Mays: “Halcyon continues to see strong interest from both local concepts and regional operators. While we can’t share specifics today, we are actively in discussions with several tenants who would be exciting additions to the property. 

“As we move into future phases, our focus remains the same: best-in-class dining, experiential retail and brands that reinforce Halcyon’s sense of place.”

On three lessons from Halcyon’s development that are being applied to other RocaPoint projects in the Southeast: 

Mays: “Trail connectivity is transformative. Greenway access shaped Halcyon’s identity and usage patterns. We’ve carried that philosophy into projects like our Greenville Downtown Redevelopment, where multimodal connectivity anchors the master plan.

“Programming is as important as design. A place becomes a destination through activation. Halcyon hosts more than 100 events each year, from live music to family festivals, and that model has informed our approach in Greenville, Downtown Pompano Beach, and beyond. Tying much of that programming to local nonprofits is also essential; giving back is a core part of being a good community partner.

“Curated tenant mix matters. Rather than chase volume, we focus on tenants who help build community.”

Regarding the value of consistent, onsite events: 

Mays: “Events are central to Halcyon’s DNA. They create weekly rhythms that keep guests coming back, not just for major holidays, but for signature programs like Groovin’ on the Green, Family Dance Parties, Kids Club, 5Ks, and seasonal festivals. 

“Programming has been instrumental in transforming Halcyon from a mixed-use development into a true community gathering place. Over the years, our events have also raised more than $350,000 for local nonprofits, reinforcing Halcyon as both an economic engine and a committed community partner.”

On Halcyon’s residential philosophy: 

Mays: “From day one, we set out to make Halcyon a complete community. Offering a mix of residential options, including townhomes, single-family homes, apartments, and active-adult living, creates a multigenerational environment that feels balanced and authentic. Residents truly are the heartbeat of Halcyon. 

“They’re on site early in the morning walking their dogs and grabbing coffee or a smoothie, throughout the workday for lunch in the Market Hall and into the evening for a wine tasting or just listing to the free music on the green. Their consistent presence supports retailers and restaurants, fuels event attendance, and contributes to the lived-in, welcoming atmosphere that defines the village.”

Regarding the future at Halcyon—and beyond:  

Mays: “Metro Atlanta remains a core market for us. In addition to Halcyon, we’re advancing major local projects such as Campus 244 in Dunwoody, and we’re continually evaluating opportunities across the region that align with our placemaking approach. 

“While we can’t share details yet, future phases of Halcyon will continue our commitment to delivering meaningful, community-centric development.”

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