Emory Healthcare is moving to significantly expand its footprint at Northlake Mall, building on several years of activity at the largely empty retail property. Since 2019, the health system has leased approximately 274,000 square feet within the mall, establishing a substantial non-retail presence in a center that otherwise has limited occupancy. The latest lease agreement will more than double Emory Healthcare’s current space at the property, indicating a major scale-up of its use of the mall.
Northlake Mall, which originally opened in 1971 as a traditional shopping center, is now described as mostly vacant apart from Emory Healthcare’s operations. Against that backdrop, the health system’s decision to expand comes alongside a change in ownership and a new capital structure for the property. A non-profit organization, The Centurian Foundation, acquired Northlake Mall for $95 million, marking a transition in control that aligns with the site’s shift toward institutional and service-oriented uses.
Because The Centurian Foundation is a non-profit, the acquisition opens the door to a substantial bond financing program tied to the property. According to information provided, as much as $225 million in bonds could be issued to cover a wide range of costs at the mall site. Eligible uses include acquisition, demolition, construction, expansion, renovation, repair, build-out and equipping of existing facilities. This framework allows for both physical repositioning of the asset and interior improvements that support Emory Healthcare’s expanding footprint.
Emory Healthcare already operates a mix of administrative and clinical functions at Northlake Mall, illustrating how former retail space is being reoriented toward healthcare and support services. Over time, the health system has layered in additional on-site uses. A primary care center opened at the property in 2025, further anchoring clinical activity at the location and integrating direct patient services into the mall environment.
In addition to clinical and administrative functions, the site now includes a child care component. A child care center at Northlake Mall, operated in partnership with Primrose School, opened in 2024. This facility adds a complementary use that supports employees and families connected to the healthcare operations at the mall. Together, these elements underscore an ongoing evolution of Northlake Mall from a mostly vacant retail property toward a health system–oriented campus under non-profit ownership, supported by potential bond financing for extensive improvements.
