Specifics, fresh images for Doraville’s new downtown emerge

Josh Green

Fri, 05/16/2025 – 12:24

The city and its master-developer partner Kaufman Capital Partners have now finalized contracts with a lead architect (McMillan Pazdan Smith) and general contractor (Choate Construction) to start building Doraville City Center on 13 city-owned acres, situated between New Peachtree Road and Buford Highway.

The ITP parcels are also adjacent to the Doraville MARTA Station and northwest of Spaghetti Junction, near Assembly Atlanta.

With the team in place, city center officials tell Urbanize Atlanta the planning and design of what’s called the Core Project Phase has started.

Before demolition and site work kicks off, the current Doraville City Hall, police station, and other civic functions on site now will relocate to a mixed-use property renovated by Kaufman Capital adjacent to the nearby Lumen Doraville Apartments, recently completed on Tilly Mill Road and Peachtree Boulevard. That’s expected to happen in late June or early July.

The first phase will include development of the “Doraville People’s Building,” a multi-use municipal space that will house Doraville’s City Hall, library, and other aspects meant to serve the community, officials say. Other facets of initial development will build the downtown street grid, a large City Green public greenspace, stormwater detention, and other infrastructure.

Fresh imagery depicting the scope of the planned public lawn area and retail. Courtesy of City of Doraville/ Kaufman Capital Partners

How the Doraville People’s Building (top left) is expected to front the central greenspace. Courtesy of City of Doraville/ Kaufman Capital Partners

While all the above is being built, two restaurant pads next to the City Green, fronting Park Avenue, are expected to launch construction as well. The goal is to further activate the public green once it’s finished.

As detailed in city center’s conceptual master plan, the project’s second phase will include more commercial spaces around the City Green, alongside multifamily, commercial, and mixed-use facets on parcels not owned by the city.

Some components of phase two could move forward as construction on the first is underway, depending on market conditions, according to officials.

Across the street, a Kaufman Capital multifamily development at 5407 Buford Highway is expected to go under construction as the core city center project is rising—an effort to bring more people and potential customers to the immediate area.

Breakdown of new streets and blocks planned at Doraville City Center. Courtesy of City of Doraville/ Kaufman Capital Partners

Courtesy of City of Doraville/ Kaufman Capital Partners

Added Doraville City Manager Chris Eldridge: “We’re creating a downtown that will transform the city’s core into a thriving, welcoming, and enduring destination.”

Find a rundown of where Doraville’s made-from-scratch city center will materialize, and what it could entail in coming years, in the gallery above.

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Specifics, fresh images for Doraville’s new downtown emerge

Josh Green

Fri, 05/16/2025 – 12:24

City of Doraville officials announced last month the vibrant, walkable downtown they’ve been trying to build for more than 20 years will kick off construction this summer. Exactly how the phased project will roll out is now becoming clearer. The city and its master-developer partner Kaufman Capital Partners have now finalized contracts with a lead architect (McMillan Pazdan Smith) and general contractor (Choate Construction) to start building Doraville City Center on 13 city-owned acres, situated between New Peachtree Road and Buford Highway. The ITP parcels are also adjacent to the Doraville MARTA Station and northwest of Spaghetti Junction, near Assembly Atlanta. With the team in place, city center officials tell Urbanize Atlanta the planning and design of what’s called the Core Project Phase has started. Before demolition and site work kicks off, the current Doraville City Hall, police station, and other civic functions on site now will relocate to a mixed-use property renovated by Kaufman Capital adjacent to the nearby Lumen Doraville Apartments, recently completed on Tilly Mill Road and Peachtree Boulevard. That’s expected to happen in late June or early July. The first phase will include development of the “Doraville People’s Building,” a multi-use municipal space that will house Doraville’s City Hall, library, and other aspects meant to serve the community, officials say. Other facets of initial development will build the downtown street grid, a large City Green public greenspace, stormwater detention, and other infrastructure.

Fresh imagery depicting the scope of the planned public lawn area and retail. Courtesy of City of Doraville/ Kaufman Capital Partners

How the Doraville People’s Building (top left) is expected to front the central greenspace. Courtesy of City of Doraville/ Kaufman Capital Partners

The first phase is projected to take roughly 14 to 18 months to complete, once all design plans are finalized and required permitting and other construction paperwork is in place. It’s expected to cost about $35 million, per preliminary cost estimates.While all the above is being built, two restaurant pads next to the City Green, fronting Park Avenue, are expected to launch construction as well. The goal is to further activate the public green once it’s finished. As detailed in city center’s conceptual master plan, the project’s second phase will include more commercial spaces around the City Green, alongside multifamily, commercial, and mixed-use facets on parcels not owned by the city. Some components of phase two could move forward as construction on the first is underway, depending on market conditions, according to officials. Across the street, a Kaufman Capital multifamily development at 5407 Buford Highway is expected to go under construction as the core city center project is rising—an effort to bring more people and potential customers to the immediate area.

Breakdown of new streets and blocks planned at Doraville City Center. Courtesy of City of Doraville/ Kaufman Capital Partners

Courtesy of City of Doraville/ Kaufman Capital Partners

Garry Sobel, a Kaufman Capital partner and the project’s master planner, said in an announcement this week city center’s goal is to reflect Doraville’s history, spirit, and energy. “It’s our hope that [the project] will not only act as a central gathering space for the community but also as a catalyst for growth along the corridor.”Added Doraville City Manager Chris Eldridge: “We’re creating a downtown that will transform the city’s core into a thriving, welcoming, and enduring destination.”Find a rundown of where Doraville’s made-from-scratch city center will materialize, and what it could entail in coming years, in the gallery above. …Follow us on social media: Twitter / Facebook/and now: Instagram • Doraville news, discussion (Urbanize Atlanta)