Crescent Communities Closes on NOVEL Lulah Hills in Decatur
ATLANTA (Dec. 8, 2025): Crescent Communities, a nationally recognized, market-leading real estate investor, developer, and operator of mixed-use communities, in partnership with EDENS and NTT Urban Development, today announced the closing of NOVEL Lulah Hills. This multifamily development marks the beginning of a new chapter within the larger 78-acre Lulah Hills mixed-use development in Decatur.
Rooted in the distinct energy and rhythm of Atlanta’s city life, NOVEL Lulah Hills is envisioned as a dynamic community that blends vibrant design, cultural texture, and authentic local connection. Inspired by the character of an urban marketplace, the six-story community will feature 303 studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom residences, along with more than 39,000 square feet of ground-floor retail. Construction will begin in December 2025, with units delivering in late 2027.
As part of the larger Lulah Hills development reimagining North DeKalb Mall, NOVEL Lulah Hills will be the first residential offering and anchor a walkable, experience-driven environment that combines living, dining, and local culture. The overall Lulah Hills project will transform the site of Atlanta’s first enclosed mall into an open-air, mixed-use destination that reflects the character and history of the community through innovative design, thoughtful curation, and active engagement and connection. Upon completion, Lulah Hills will offer over 300,000 square feet of retail and restaurants as well as a new Publix grocery, 1,800 residential units, and multiple green spaces with connections to Clyde Shepherd Nature Preserve and Emory University.
NOVEL Lulah Hills is guided by the vision to create spaces that are curated like a market, layered with culture, and designed for every mood with a suite of best-in-class amenities. “The Mercantile Club,” a curated social hub, will feature flexible space with for workshops and events, a craft closet, a stocked dining pantry, a terrace with firepits, and lounge seating. A lively courtyard and pool area will serve as an active social heart, featuring cabanas, a beer and game garden, outdoor dining spaces, and opportunities for art, film, and community gatherings. Additional spaces within NOVEL Lulah Hills, such as “The Den,” “The Rose Room” fitness studio, and “The Gathering Place” diner, will further enhance the sense of community connection for residents through comfort, creativity, and shared experience rooted in Atlanta’s unique culture.
“There’s a real sense of momentum and excitement building around the Lulah Hills development, and NOVEL Lulah Hills will be at the heart of that energy,” said Eric Liebendorfer, Managing Director for Georgia at Crescent Communities. “We’re proud to help bring this vision to life – it’s an incredible opportunity to shape a community that will redefine how people live, gather, and connect in this part of the city, infusing everyday living with the vibrant, social rhythm of the Lulah Hills experience.”
NOVEL Lulah Hills marks Crescent’s newest multifamily investment in the Atlanta region. NOVEL West Midtown has stabilized near the future Westside Beltline Trail and less than a mile from Westside Reservoir Park. Crescent Communities continues to grow its presence and offerings across the Atlanta metro area, with RENDER Stockbridge, RENDER Covington, and RENDER Turner Lake in Covington currently in lease-up. Additional communities – including RENDER Douglasville, NOVEL Blandtown and BTR community HARMON Cedar Run in Lawrenceville – are now under construction.
“This major milestone marks Lulah Hills’ transition to vertical construction, and we’re thrilled to partner with Crescent Communities to bring our vision of a vibrant neighborhood to life,” said Herbert Ames, Managing Director for EDENS and Southeast Regional Lead. “The opening of NOVEL Lulah Hills will create a welcoming residential experience that further adds to the sense of community we are creating.”
Crescent Communities and EDENS have previously collaborated on dynamic developments together, including NOVEL Atherton in Charlotte’s Atherton Mill and NOVEL Upper Westside in Atlanta’s Moores Mill.
NTT Urban Development (NTTUD) is the capital partner on the project. NTTUD is a Japan-based real estate developer with a strong track record of investments across major U.S. markets, including New York, Boston, and Dallas. Building on their successful partnership on NOVEL Turtle Creek in Dallas, this project marks NTTUD’s second collaboration with Crescent Communities and represents NTTUD’s first investment in the Atlanta market. Additional partners include Bandura Design (interior design), Dwell Design Studio (project design and architecture), Fortune-Johnson (general contractor), Kimley-Horn (civil engineering and land planning), and LandDesign (landscape design).
Nationwide, Crescent Communities continues to experience significant growth with $7.2 billion of residential and commercial investments and developments in various stages of construction, operations, and planning. That pipeline includes 15,300 multi- and single-family build-to-rent units; 58,000 square feet of complementary retail space; and 7.5 million square feet of office, industrial, and life-sciences facilities. With a focus on environmental sustainability and wellness, Crescent Communities is a leading recipient of LEED, NGBS (National Green Building Standard), Fitwel, and WELL certifications.
Renderings of NOVEL Lulah Hills are linked here.
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About Crescent Communities:
Crescent Communities is a nationally recognized, market-leading real estate investor, developer, and operator of mixed-use "communities." We create high-quality, differentiated multifamily and commercial communities in many of the fastest growing markets in the United States. Since 1963, our development portfolio has included more than 95 multifamily communities and 26 million square feet of commercial space. Crescent Communities has offices in Charlotte, DC, Atlanta, Orlando, Nashville, Dallas, Denver, and Phoenix. Our multifamily communities are branded NOVEL, RENDER, and HARMON by Crescent Communities, our industrial developments are branded AXIAL by Crescent Communities, and our life science developments are branded THE YIELD by Crescent Communities.
