Alpharetta, GA – March 17, 2026 – In a significant development for the future of North Point Mall and the greater Atlanta metro area, developers Jamestown and property owner New York Life have submitted a zoning application to the City of Alpharetta.
The proposal seeks to rezone and redevelop the nearly 100-acre site into a vibrant, walkable, sports-anchored entertainment district explicitly designed to position the location as a prime candidate for landing a National Hockey League (NHL) expansion team.
Alpharetta’s goals are not theirs alone. Forysth is also vying for an NHL franchise.
Major Step Forward: Jamestown Files Zoning Application for North Point Mall
The filing, submitted earlier this month, marks a concrete advancement in plans first announced in February when New York Life tapped Atlanta-based Jamestown – renowned for transforming Ponce City Market into one of the city’s most successful mixed-use destinations – to lead pre-development efforts and entitlements for the aging mall property.
North Point Mall, acquired by New York Life in 2021, has long been eyed for a major overhaul amid declining traditional retail traffic.
The vision now centers on creating a mixed-use hub featuring a state-of-the-art, NHL-ready arena as its centerpiece, surrounded by retail spaces, multifamily housing, hotels, restaurants, and other entertainment amenities.
Proponents argue this “sports-anchored” approach would generate economic momentum, boost tourism, and create jobs while capitalizing on Alpharetta’s growing population and strategic location in north Fulton County.
This Alpharetta proposal represents the second active effort in the metro area to bring NHL hockey back to Atlanta following the relocation of the Thrashers to Winnipeg in 2011.
A separate group, led by developer Vernon Krause, is advancing plans for “The Gathering at South Forsyth” in neighboring Forsyth County – a multi-billion-dollar mixed-use project that also includes an NHL-caliber arena and has secured key approvals and incentives from local officials.
The competition highlights strong interest from NHL expansion discussions, with metro Atlanta’s market size, corporate base, and fan enthusiasm seen as assets despite past challenges in sustaining franchises here.
City of Alpharetta officials have previously supported redevelopment momentum at the site, including the creation of a tax allocation district (TAD) in 2025 covering a broader area that includes North Point Mall to help fund infrastructure and public improvements.
Jamestown and New York Life emphasized that the zoning application is an early step in a longer process. Final plans will evolve through community input, city reviews, and feasibility studies already underway.
No specific timeline for construction or NHL franchise decisions has been announced, as any league expansion would ultimately depend on approvals from NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and the league’s Board of Governors.
Local residents and business owners have expressed a mix of excitement and curiosity about the potential transformation.
“This could put Alpharetta on the map in a whole new way,” said one nearby resident. “An NHL team would be huge for the area – games, events, visitors – but we need to make sure traffic and growth are managed well.”The Alpharetta City Council is expected to begin reviewing the zoning application in the coming weeks, with public hearings likely as part of the standard process.
Stay tuned to AtlantaFi.com for updates on this evolving story, including any community meetings or further details from city officials.
Whether this becomes the winning bid to return pro hockey to the metro remains to be seen, but the push is gaining real momentum.
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