ATLANTA-The trendy Virginia-Highland shopping center clustered around North Highland and Virginia avenues is in line for its first mini mixed-use project. North Highland Property Development Co. has filed conceptual plans with the city for the Mix@841. Jon Barry, whose Spectrum Realty Advisors firm recently merged with Colliers Cauble & Co., heads North Highland Property Development. He tells GlobeSt.com he is personally still affiliated with the merged company, Colliers Spectrum Cauble, but North Highland Property Development is a separate entity.

The $15-million project would include 40,000 sf of high-end retail and restaurant space, a 275-space parking deck and about 16 two-story townhomes. The developer expects to break ground by summer and have the project completed by fall 2007.

"We are not in a position yet to announce any of the top quality specialty retailers that we plan to introduce to this market, but we expect to potentially include apparel, home furnishing, a bank, fast casual dining and possibly a boutique grocery story," Barry tells GlobeSt.com. He expects the project to house 10 to 15 tenants leasing space in increments of 1,200 sf to about 12,000 sf.

"Rents will be at the top of the market but at the same time we don't want to undercut" the market rent range, Barry tells GlobeSt.com. He calls the Mix "a definite niche" project for the Virginia-Highland neighborhood.

The one-acre development site is at 841 N. Highland Ave. The site is a surface parking lot next to the former Harvest restaurant. Colliers Spectrum Cauble will lease the Mix.