DeKalb County: Doraville launches a new era with new City Center to replace City Hall complex

DORAVILLE, GA – The City of Doraville is preparing to celebrate a historic milestone with the upcoming demolition of its City Hall and municipal buildings complex, located in the heart of Downtown Doraville. The demolition marks a significant step in redeveloping Doraville City Center into a vibrant, walkable, and connected gathering place for the community. 

“This site has been the center of Doraville’s civic life for 150 years. As we take down these buildings, we are making way for a reinvigorated downtown that will remain the heart of our city for decades to come.” said Doraville Mayor Joseph Geierman. 

To commemorate the event, the City will host a celebration at the demolition site on Sept. 27, 2025 at 10 a.m. The event will feature food, music, family-friendly activities and a chance to witness history in the making with friends and neighbors. Residents, business owners and members of the media are invited to attend and take part in ushering Doraville’s new chapter. 

At the heart of the new city center is The People’s Building, a 30,000-square-foot community hub that will house City Hall, a public library, creator studios, two rooftop spaces for private events and ground-floor restaurants that open to a large green space. Kaufman Capital Partners (KCP) is the master development partner for the new city center, overseeing all aspects of planning, design and development.

“The start of demolition is a major step forward in transforming this site into an activated and connected destination that reflects Doraville’s history, spirit and character,” said Garry Sobel, Senior Vice President for KCP. “We are working in lockstep with the City of Doraville to deliver a vibrant downtown that enriches the lives of those who live and visit here.”     

The redevelopment spans 13 acres between New Peachtree Road and Buford Highway, adjacent to the Doraville MARTA Station. Plans for the new city center include pedestrian-friendly streets, a central green space activated with events, multifamily housing, and restaurant options. To further enhance connectivity, the site will also feature connections to the Peachtree Creek Greenway and Atlanta Beltline. 

KCP has assembled a best-in-class team to execute the City’s vision for the redevelopment, including McMillan Pazdan Smith as architect, Choate Construction as general contractor and DASH Hospitality Group to curate the dining and entertainment experience. With demolition now underway, KCP expects to deliver The People’s Building and the green space in 2027.

Doraville’s City Hall complex has served as the city’s civic heart for decades, hosting public meetings, supporting local government operations and bearing witness to major milestones that shaped the community. Just as Doraville grew from a small railroad stop to an automotive manufacturing hub, to the Doraville of today, the new city center will stand as a symbol of progress and transformation for one of metro Atlanta’s most diverse and dynamic communities. 

About Kaufman Capital Partners

Kaufman Capital Partners (KCP) is an Atlanta-based real estate investment and development firm. Led by industry veterans President Craig Kaufman and Senior Vice President Garry Sobel, the firm partners with property owners, investors, developers, governmental entities and various professionals to create value for their stakeholders. Depending on the opportunity, KCP can function in a variety of roles, from financial partner to developer or owner-operator, etc. Currently, KCP is serving as the master development partner for the development of Doraville City Center into a vibrant community gathering place. Also in Doraville, KCP redeveloped The Village at Tilly Mill Crossing (formerly known as Friday’s Plaza), which included remodeling and repositioning 36,000 square feet of retail that is now fully leased. The redevelopment also made way for The Lumen Doraville, a 320-unit Class-A multifamily community with 3,500 square feet of ground-floor retail space. For more information, visit its website and LinkedIn.