What’s Actually Being Built
Atlanta-based Fuqua Development, working with The Foxfield Company, closed on roughly 20 acres in Covington in October 2025 to kick off Covington Town Center — a 180-acre mixed-use development along the I-20 corridor about 35 miles east of downtown Atlanta. Target signed on as the headline tenant with a 128,500-square-foot store, notably larger than two football fields and a return to Target’s bigger-box “stores-as-hubs” format after years of favoring small-format locations.
The full build-out includes:
- Target — 128,500 sq ft (under construction)
- Publix — already open
- Chick-fil-A, Whataburger, QT gas station, and Dunkin’
- 100,000 additional square feet of large-format retail
- 250 apartment units and 270 townhomes
- Three hotels
- A medical office building
- 29 acres of dedicated greenspace across the 180-acre site
Fuqua Development’s team says the completed project should generate more than 1,800 jobs and draw thousands of visitors a day. Target hasn’t announced a firm opening date yet, saying only that more details will come as construction progresses.
Why This Matters for Newton County Real Estate
Covington already offers some of the best value left within reasonable Atlanta commuting distance, with a median sold price of $299,500 — more than $115,000 below Atlanta’s median — homes moving in a median of just 29 days, and a healthy 98% sold-to-list ratio. A major retail and mixed-use anchor like this tends to move the needle on a market in a few concrete ways:
The Upside
- A meaningful jobs boost (1,800+ projected) supports local buying power and rental demand
- New rooftops (250 apartments + 270 townhomes) diversify Covington’s housing stock
- Big-format retail typically pulls smaller retailers and restaurants into the area over time
- Reinforces Covington’s position on the I-20 corridor as Atlanta’s eastward growth continues
Worth Watching
- No confirmed opening date yet — full economic impact is still a few years out
- New construction and traffic near the site will be a short-term inconvenience
- Retail growth alone doesn’t fix Newton County’s academic performance gap
Covington, GA at a Glance
Sources: AJC, Atlanta News First, atlantatoathens.com Covington guide (RPR, Covington GA Residential Market Trends, July 2026), Niche
Want the Full Covington Picture?
For everything else on why buyers love Covington — the historic square, “Hollywood of the South” filming history, Jackson Lake, and neighborhood breakdowns — see our full Covington, Georgia community guide.
Curious how growth like this has played out elsewhere in our market? See DeltaX’s $141 million investment in Monroe, GA, our 2025 Walton County Real Estate Report Card, and what’s being built at Stanton Springs in Social Circle.
Thinking about timing a move? Check our best time to sell a house in 2026 guide and our complete home-selling checklist.
What’s Your Covington Home Worth Right Now?
Growth like this changes home values gradually, not overnight — but it’s exactly the kind of shift worth tracking if you own property in Covington or Newton County.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the new Covington Target opening?
No official opening date has been announced. Target has said more details will come as construction progresses.
Where exactly is Covington Town Center?
It’s a 180-acre mixed-use development along the I-20 corridor in Covington, in Newton County, about 35 miles east of downtown Atlanta.
Will this development raise home prices in Covington?
Major job growth and retail investment typically support home values over the medium-to-long term by drawing more residents and buying power to an area. Covington’s median sold price is already up 2.4% month-over-month with homes moving in a median of just 29 days, and a project of this scale is generally a supportive sign for that trend — though it isn’t the only factor buyers and sellers should weigh.
What else is part of the development besides Target?
Publix (already open), Chick-fil-A, Whataburger, QT, Dunkin’, 250 apartments, 270 townhomes, three hotels, a medical office building, and 29 acres of greenspace.
Is Covington a good place to buy right now?
Covington offers strong relative affordability compared to Atlanta, a growing job base, and now a major new retail anchor. As always, the right answer depends on your budget, timeline, and priorities — call Chris Davis at 770-833-5965 and we’re happy to walk through it.
Have questions about buying or selling in Covington or Newton County? Call Chris Davis at 770-833-5965.
