Northlake Real Estate

Northlake

Northlake is an unincorporated community in northeastern DeKalb County, sitting just south of the interchange of Interstate 285 and Interstate 85 and forming much of the commercial core around the City of Tucker. LaVista Road, Briarcliff Road, Henderson Mill Road and Northlake Parkway crisscross the area, and Tucker's downtown, including SRA Signature Realty's office on Hugh Howell Road, sits just a few minutes away. Metro Atlanta's Downtown and Midtown districts are roughly 15 to 18 miles to the southwest, reached primarily via I-285 and I-85.

From Pastureland to Regional Retail Hub

Before Interstate 285 was completed through the area in 1969, Northlake was mostly pasture and woods with fewer than 100 homes. The interstate's arrival, including three exits serving Tucker, opened the area to development, and Northlake Mall opened on October 6, 1971, as the fifth enclosed shopping mall built in DeKalb County, giving area residents a closer alternative to North DeKalb Mall, which had opened a few miles away in 1965. Both the mall and the surrounding community take their name from North Lake, a small lake within the area. Northlake grew over the following decades into one of DeKalb County's largest commercial districts, home to an estimated 11 million square feet of office space, corporate offices including Kroger's Atlanta-area headquarters, and several private college campuses, among them Mercer University's Atlanta campus. Hotels such as the DoubleTree by Hilton Atlanta Northlake grew up alongside the office parks to serve business travelers drawn to the area. A financial feasibility study conducted by the Tucker Civic Association later concluded that a proposed city of Tucker would need to include the Northlake area to remain economically viable, a sign of how central the district had become to the surrounding region's commercial base.

A Commercial District in Transition

The Tucker-Northlake Community Improvement District has guided a master plan to reshape the area's aging shopping centers into walkable, mixed-use destinations that combine office, medical, retail and dining space. The original Northlake Mall site, once anchored by department stores including Macy's, JCPenney and Sears, is part of that ongoing transformation into a mixed-use complex. Shopping centers along LaVista Road, including Northlake Square and the Northlake Tower Festival Shopping Center, continue to serve the surrounding neighborhoods with everyday retail and restaurants, and Northlake Center, a 176,000-square-foot office building along I-285, remains part of the area's larger office base. Medical employers such as Emory Orthopaedics and Spine Hospital have also located within Northlake's office corridor, adding a healthcare component to the area's mix of retail, office and residential uses. At its largest, the enclosed mall itself grew to roughly 962,000 square feet before closing as a traditional indoor shopping center, clearing the way for the mixed-use redevelopment planned for the property.

Parks and Recreation Nearby

Just off Henderson Mill Road, Henderson Park spans more than 100 acres with paved and unpaved trails, a small lake with a dock and waterfall, tennis courts, soccer fields and a dog park, giving Northlake-area residents an easy option for outdoor recreation without leaving the neighborhood. Stone Mountain Park lies a short drive to the east for hiking, biking and larger-scale outdoor activities. Closer in, Tucker's Main Street district has been rebuilt as a walkable strip of local shops and restaurants, and it hosts the long-running Tucker Day festival each spring along with a weekly farmers market held from spring through fall.

Local Highlights

• Walk the trails, dock and waterfall at Henderson Park off Henderson Mill Road


• Shop or grab a meal at one of the LaVista Road shopping centers, including Northlake Square


• Follow the ongoing redevelopment of the former Northlake Mall site into a mixed-use district


• Take advantage of quick I-285 and I-85 access for trips across Metro Atlanta


• Drive a short distance east to Stone Mountain Park for hiking and biking

Frequently Asked Questions

What county is Northlake in?

Northlake is an unincorporated community in DeKalb County, situated just south of the Interstate 285 and Interstate 85 interchange next to the City of Tucker.

How far is Northlake from Downtown Atlanta?

Northlake is roughly 15 to 18 miles from Downtown Atlanta, reached primarily by way of Interstate 285 and Interstate 85.

Where did Northlake get its name?

The community and the former Northlake Mall both take their name from North Lake, a small lake located within the area.

What is happening with the old Northlake Mall?

The Tucker-Northlake Community Improvement District has a master plan in place to redevelop the mall property into a mixed-use complex combining office, medical, retail and restaurant space.

What roads connect Northlake to Tucker and the rest of Metro Atlanta?

LaVista Road, Briarcliff Road, Henderson Mill Road and Northlake Parkway connect the area locally, while Interstate 285 and Interstate 85 provide regional access.

Is there anywhere to walk or bike close to Northlake?

Henderson Park, just off Henderson Mill Road, offers more than 100 acres of paved and unpaved trails around a small lake, and Stone Mountain Park is a short drive to the east for additional hiking and biking.