First Tenant at Richland Mall announced

The City of Forest Acres and Southeastern Development announced that Kroger is the first official tenant of the landmark redevelopment at the former Richland Mall site.

The new development, yet to be named, spans 26 acres of prime real estate at the corner of Forest Drive and Beltline Boulevard. Southeastern Development has spent the last year removing the nearly one million square foot former mall structure and is now working to clear the property of debris so that the much-anticipated new construction of the mixed-use retail and residential reimagined property can begin.

“Kroger has deep roots in Forest Acres, so it’s exciting to hear they’re committed to making such a significant investment in our community. Not only are they staying, but they’re also expanding with us through this public-private partnership, helping to bring our vision for this new space at the gateway to our city to life,” said Forest Acres Mayor Thomas Andrews.

Kroger has committed to building its premier prototype store—a Kroger Marketplace spanning 120,000 square feet at the site. The new store will feature a drive-thru pharmacy, a fuel center, Pickup, and an in-store Starbucks. Kroger is the largest supermarket operator in the U.S. by revenue and the country’s fifth-largest general retailer. Kroger is also one of the largest American-owned private employers in the United States.

The current Kroger located at 3403 Forest Dr will remain open while the new Kroger Marketplace is under construction.

“The announcement of Kroger becoming the anchor tenant is a pivotal moment for the redevelopment of the former Richland Mall,” added Jason Long, Vice President of Southeastern Development Associates.  “The presence of a top national grocery store creates a truly special mixed-use project that will include high-end multifamily residential units, retail, dining, grocery, and a city park.”

Along with the announcement of the new Kroger Marketplace, the City of Forest Acres is releasing the current site plan for the development. While the plan is still conceptual, it will help the community envision how the overall property will be oriented and how the combination of retail and residential, paired with the city’s six-acre public park, will take shape in tandem with one another.

Once the demolition is completed, Southeastern will begin site work on the newly cleared property. The company will also work with the city to achieve necessary approvals and permits to begin construction, hopefully by the end of 2025 or early 2026.

Southeastern plans to begin building the multi-family apartment units first. These units will wrap around the former parking deck, of which most will be demolished, and only the center portion will be kept to provide parking for residents on the upper floors and visitors to the retail shops or the park on ground level.

The Kroger Marketplace will be the second vertical structure to begin construction, followed by other retail at the site. The goal is to have some businesses ready to open their doors to the community by 2027.

The City of Forest Acres is still working with its landscape architect, LandPlan Group South, on engineering at the park site. The city hopes to break ground on the park by the end of this year.