ATLANTA-Cousins Properties Inc. has signed 10 new leases for the 380,000-sf Avenue Webb Gin retail center. The first phase of the project is expected to open on Aug. 16.

With the new leases, the center is 85% committed. Retailers to sign leases are Chico's, White House/Black Market, Cold Stone Creamery, Famous Footwear, First Horizon Bank, Forth & Towne, Helzberg Diamonds, Portrait Innovations, Red Robin and Relax the Back. "We've hit the home stretch for the Avenue Webb Gin and these new retailer commitments are a great indication of the momentum behind this project. We expect to announce another exciting group of retailers in the near future," says Joel Murphy, president of Cousins' retail division, in a released statement. "It's a thrill to see a complicated project like this become a reality."

The Avenue Webb Gin is located on 56 acres at the intersection of Georgia Highway 124 and Webb Gin House Road. The first phase, on the south side of Webb Gin House Road, will contain 216,000 sf. The second phase, expected to open in October on the north side of Webb Gin House Road, will contain 150,000 sf. The project will also contain 19,000 sf of office space. Work began on the project, the seventh Avenue in the company's portfolio, in August 2005.

Matt Gove, Cousins' director of corporate communications, tells GlobeSt.com that despite 85% committed, the company is still in negotiations with retailers for space in the first phase of the project. "It's close to the highest lease percentage we've ever achieved before an opening," Gove says. "But we'd be happy if we opened it 100% leased."