Things continue to come to life at the 135-acre mixed use development, known as Halcyon, in Alpharetta. Home to restaurants, shops and breweries, the development's residential properties are starting to welcome residents as well.
Shortly before the new year, Terri and Hank Roca became Halcyon’s first homeowners to move in.
The couple moved from nearby downtown Alpharetta to the Forsyth County development. It was a chance for the couple (and their two pups) to downsize, but also put down roots.
Halcyon joins the trend of massive mixed-use developments to pop up outside the perimeter in recent years. The $370 million mini-city is located in southern Forsyth County is about 25 miles from downtown Atlanta. It joins other mixed-used developments in Alpharatta, like Avalon and the North Point Mall project.
Terri Roca said she feels committed to building relationships in their new community — from the shopowners to their future neighbors.
“We had no idea what to expect,” Roca said. “The cool thing about being first was the shop owners dropped by and brought some goodies and welcomed us.”
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Roca, who works in real estate, says her family has lived in areas before where they didn’t know their neighbors, which makes her appreciate the foot traffic of living in a mixed-use development.
“We’re just so excited to see the energy and seeing people out with their kids and their dogs,” she said. “I think we’re really going to be happy here.”
While their new home is significantly smaller than the space they had been living in, Roca said she feels confident in their purchase. The modern, 3-bedroom, 2.5 bathroom home features 13-foot ceilings, plenty of natural light and a kitchen with a big island, Roca said.
“When you move into new construction, you don’t really know what to expect,” she said. “We feel like we’ve really purchased a well-constructed home.”
Eventually, Halcyon is slated to include about 700 residences. Builders Monte Hewett Homes and Empire Homes say they anticipate a number of additional closings in the months ahead.
Elsewhere in the development, a variety of shops and restaurants have opened in the last several months.
