Northlake Mall in Atlanta: What To Know Before You Go

Northlake Mall has been a familiar name to many people in the Atlanta metro area, especially on the east side of town. If you’re searching for “Northlake Mall Atlanta” to figure out what it is now, what’s open, and whether it’s worth a visit, this guide will walk you through the essentials.

Where Northlake Mall Is and How It Fits into Metro Atlanta

Location:

• Address: 4800 Briarcliff Rd NE, Tucker, GA 30084
• Area: Just off I-285 on the northeast side of the Perimeter
• Nearby Atlanta areas: Decatur, Northlake, Embry Hills, North Druid Hills, and Chamblee are all within a reasonable drive.

For many eastside Atlantans, Northlake Mall used to be the closest traditional indoor mall, especially if you didn’t want to drive to Lenox Square, Phipps Plaza, or Perimeter Mall.

Today, the property is in a transition phase, shifting from a classic mall into more of a mixed-use campus with offices, limited retail, services, and potential new development.

Is Northlake Mall Still Open?

The short answer: the traditional mall as many remember it has largely changed, and you should check what’s currently operating before planning a shopping trip.

In general, you’ll find:

• Fewer traditional mall stores than in its peak years
• Some anchor-style spaces repurposed or in transition
• A growing number of offices and service-oriented tenants in and around the former mall structure
• Accessible parking and entry points, but not the fully active, bustling mall environment some longtime Atlantans remember

If you’re an Atlanta resident wondering if it’s still a “shopping destination” like Lenox or Perimeter, the reality is that Northlake now functions more like a partly repurposed property than a full-scale fashion mall.

What You Can Typically Find at Northlake Today

Northlake Mall is evolving, so specific tenants can change. However, people in the Atlanta area commonly use the property for:

H3: Retail and Services

You’re more likely to find:

• Service-oriented businesses (offices, clinics, professional services)
• Select retailers that continue to operate in or around the property
• Outparcel businesses (separate buildings in the parking lots) such as restaurants, banks, or small shops

The classic “walk the entire mall and shop at dozens of brands” experience is no longer the main draw here.

H3: Offices and Workspaces

Northlake has increasingly become a hub for:

• Corporate offices and regional headquarters
• Medical or professional office space
• Potential coworking or multi-tenant office locations, depending on current usage

This shift reflects a broader Atlanta trend: older, car-oriented retail properties are increasingly being redeveloped into mixed-use complexes that fit modern work and lifestyle patterns.

Practical Info for Atlanta Visitors

If you live in or are staying in Atlanta and considering a trip to Northlake Mall, here’s how to think about it.

H3: Getting There from Around Atlanta

Northlake is convenient for many ITP and close-OTP neighborhoods on the east side.

Driving access:

• From Downtown Atlanta:
  • Take I-20 East to I-285 North, then exit toward LaVista Rd or Northlake Pkwy / Briarcliff Rd depending on your route.
• From Midtown or Virginia-Highland:
  • Head east via LaVista Rd or use I-85 North to I-285 East and exit near Northlake.
• From Decatur:
  • Use LaVista Rd, Lawrenceville Hwy, or adjacent surface streets toward the I-285/Northlake area.

Parking:
The property has large surface parking lots, typically with ample availability since it is not as heavily trafficked as Atlanta’s busiest malls.

H3: MARTA and Transit Options

Northlake Mall is not directly on a MARTA rail line, but you may be able to reach it using a combination of:

• Rail to a nearby MARTA station (such as Chamblee, Doraville, or Avondale)
• Followed by a MARTA bus or rideshare to the Northlake area

Because bus routes and schedules can change, Atlanta residents and visitors should:

• Check the MARTA Customer Information Center at 404-848-5000
• Or use the trip planning tools available through MARTA’s official resources

How Northlake Compares to Other Atlanta Malls

If your goal is shopping, dining, and people-watching, you may want to compare Northlake with other major options around Atlanta.

Here’s a simple overview:

For most Atlantans, Northlake is now more of a local, practical destination (offices, services, select stores) rather than a regionally known shopping hub.

When Northlake Mall Still Makes Sense to Visit

Even though it’s not the classic mall experience, Northlake can still be useful depending on your needs.

You might consider going if:

• You have a specific office, service provider, or event located on the property
• You live in nearby areas like Tucker, North Druid Hills, or Decatur and need a convenient local errand stop
• You’re exploring potential office space or development interest on the east side of Atlanta’s Perimeter
• You prefer a quieter environment compared to Atlanta’s busier malls

Things to keep in mind:

• 🕒 Check hours in advance. Individual tenants may keep their own schedules.
• 🔎 Confirm what’s open. Because the property is in transition, it’s smart to call ahead or check current listings for the specific store or office you need.
• 🚗 Plan your route. Traffic around I‑285, especially near LaVista Rd and Briarcliff Rd, can be heavy during rush hours.

Northlake Mall and the Bigger Atlanta Development Picture

If you’re trying to understand how Northlake Mall fits into Atlanta’s growth, it helps to look at broader patterns:

• Many older malls in metro Atlanta are being reimagined as mixed-use districts with offices, housing, and green space.
• Eastside communities like Tucker and the Northlake area are seeing more interest in redevelopment and reinvestment as people look for alternatives to the core intown neighborhoods.
• Properties like Northlake often evolve gradually, with new tenants and uses phased in over time.

For Atlanta residents, that means the Northlake property may continue to change and potentially become more integrated into the daily life of nearby neighborhoods as redevelopment progresses.

Tips for Atlanta Residents and Visitors Considering Northlake

To make the most of a potential trip:

• Clarify your goal first.

  • Shopping spree? You may be better served at Lenox, Perimeter, or another major center.
  • Specific service or office? Northlake may be exactly where you need to go.

• Call ahead.

  • If you’re seeing a doctor, lawyer, or office tenant at Northlake, confirm the suite number, entrance, and parking area they recommend.

• Use it as a local errand hub.

  • For those living in nearby Atlanta neighborhoods, Northlake’s quieter setup can be a low-stress stop compared to busier intown districts.

• Watch for future changes.

  • Residents of eastside Atlanta and Tucker may want to keep an eye on announcements about redevelopment, as the property could continue converting into a more modern, mixed-use campus over time.

If you’re in Atlanta and searching for “Northlake Mall Atlanta,” think of it today less as a traditional shopping mall and more as a changing, partly office-oriented property on the northeast side of I‑285. It can still be useful—especially if you live nearby or have a specific reason to be there—but it no longer plays the same role in Atlanta’s retail scene as the city’s larger, more active malls.