Alpharetta’s blossoming City Center project scores local brewery

For the past several years, Alpharetta leaders have been partnering with developers to expand the Fulton County city’s historic downtown district by six blocks, a 26-acre venture known as City Center.

Come this summer, the project is bound to get livelier—and sudsier.

Alpharetta’s first brewery, Jekyll Brewing, has signed on to lease a two-level space in what’s called the Exchange Building, designed to echo the downtown district’s 19th century cotton gins and warehouses, officials announced today.

The space, which will allow for brewing, a tasting room, and full-service restaurant, is topped by a 2,500-square-foot deck that overlooks downtown and a small green space called Market Street Park.

Jekyll Brewing, founded in 2013, is expected to be in business at Alpharetta City Center this summer.

The signing means Alpharetta will join north OTP brethren such as Woodstock, Roswell, and Duluth in revitalizing their downtowns with brewery components.

With an original location on Alpharetta’s Marconi Drive, Jekyll is known for concoctions such as Hop Dang Diggity, Southern Juice, and Vibe.

Cheri Morris, president of developer Morris & Fellows, said the Jekyll signing fits the “iconic” space. “It’ll be wonderful to have a handcrafted product being served within a building inspired by previous generations of manufacturers,” she added, in a prepared statement.

Morris & Fellows, which is also developing Woodstock City Center, teamed with South City Partners to develop street-level retail in Alpharetta City Center called The District.

All shopping and restaurants slots have been leased since May, and tenants are expected to continue debuting throughout 2019, officials have said.

Elsewhere at City Center, finished pieces include a new Alpharetta City Hall, Fulton County library, five-acre Brook Street Park, one-acre Town Green, and a 445-vehicle parking deck, all of which debuted in January 2015.

Renderings: Alpharetta City Center

A 168-unit luxury apartment piece, Amorance, opened last year, while the construction of 42 single-family residences by Hedgewood Homes continues.

The district also counts the corporate headquarters of DataScan as a tenant.

Last year, the overall project earned a Development of Excellence award from the Atlanta Regional Commission.