A mini-city lifestyle concept that’s drawn comparisons to Alpharetta’s Avalon and Forsyth County’s Halcyon has deployed fresh branding as site work continues in metro Atlanta’s northeast Interstate 85 corridor, which project leaders describe as one of Georgia’s fastest-growing markets.

Formerly called Thompson Mill Village, the VDC Development project has been rechristened “Arcadia 347,” as it’s being promoted as the metro’s “next major mixed-use, master-planned development.”

According to Matt McCord, a partner with Gainesville-based firm Norton Commercial, the rebranding is part of a push to accelerate marketing efforts to lease Arcadia 347’s commercial spaces and bring in other partners.

“Our brokerage team is very encouraged by the caliber of prospects—both regional and national—that have made site visits and expressed interest in the project,” McCord wrote via email.

Located at 6150 Thompson Mill Road, next to Chateau Elan’s resort and winery and a Northeast Georgia Medical Center campus, Arcadia 347 is expected to span some 108 acres and straddle the Gwinnett and Hall county line. (The majority of development—roughly 72 acres—would fall within Gwinnett County.)

Breakdown of planned uses and zoning designations. Norton Commercial

Extent of recent site work at Arcadia 347. Norton Commercial

As OTP mini cities go, the scope would be impressive. 

The site is situated 47 miles from downtown Atlanta, and its footprint would be larger than Avalon, with nearly three times the number of housing units as The Battery Atlanta.

Plans call for up to 1,540 residential units (a mix of condos, townhomes, apartments, and senior-living units), a 200-room hotel, and more than 783,000 square feet of commercial space, according to filings made with the State of Georgia in November.

For comparison, Avalon spans 86 acres today with much less retail (570,000 square feet) and a 330-room hotel.

According to Norton Commercial, the site is fully entitled now with all zoning approvals and utilities in place to start building, but when vertical construction could begin remains to be seen. McCord said, for now, the development team is continuing “to improve the site by performing site work and [other] development activities.”

According to the Development of Regional Impact filing made with the state—a requirement given Arcadia 347’s scope and potential impact on the area—the project is targeting 2028 for completion.

Norton Commercial

Overview of planned redevelopment across the 108-acre site on the Gwinnett and Hall counties border. Norton Commercial

Thompson Mill Village was initially approved by Hall County officials some 15 years ago, before the Great Recession put the kibosh on those plans. Now, VDC’s goal is to capitalize on recent growth stemming from both the Gainesville and metro Atlanta areas. Other significant developments in the area include a sprawling, under-construction venture called Reveille, which is expected to bring housing and commercial uses to a 512-acre site in South Hall County.

In the gallery above, find updated visuals and more context for Arcadia 347.

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