In 2014, Mark Toro and John Kelley disrupted the commercial real estate industry with the debut of Avalon, the $1 billion mixed-use destination in Alpharetta, an affluent suburb north of Atlanta. Recognizing post-recession shifts in consumer behavior, Avalon was developed as the South’s first “urbanburb,” bringing together a unique blend of highly curated uses that maximize the energy level on the property and prioritizes resort-level hospitality.
Real estate developers and municipalities from around the world have toured Avalon to glean inspiration for the type of development they hope to recreate in their own cities. Avalon’s second-generation retailers are leasing at twice the original rental rates and all real estate uses continue to outperform the market.
AWARDS
2019 Top 10 Retail Experiences — Chain Store Age
2018 U.S. Design & Development Gold Award — ICSC
2017 Best in Atlanta Real Estate — Atlanta Business Chronicle
2017 Exception Merit for Catalytic Development — Atlanta Regional Commission
2015 Project of the Year — ULI Atlanta
2015 Deal of the Year — CREW
2014-2019 MAXI Awards — ICSC
“Mark Toro and his team are the best development team that I have ever worked with – bar none. Mark is a true visionary in the mixed-use space, but what sets them apart is the constant attention to every small detail during the process. There will always be issues in complicated mixed-use development projects and in those situations, there is nobody I would want as my partner other than Team Toro. We are very fortunate to have been partners with Mark and his team in the creation of Avalon.”
-JEFF CHAVEZ
Principal at OCI Group, Former SVP, Sarofim Realty Advisors
“The Hotel at Avalon has outperformed virtually every other hotel in metro Atlanta due to what we call ‘The Avalon Effect,’ a premium enjoyed by all users in this seamlessly integrated community. Mark Toro’s vision, coupled with John Kelley’s execution in the planning and development of Avalon, and their attention to detail, resulted in a synergistic mix of uses that provided The Hotel at Avalon an unparalleled setting in which to drive rate, occupancy and value substantially above any other non-Avalon hotel.”
-JIM STORMONT
President, Stormont Hospitality Group
