Epps Bridge Centre Opens Near UGA

OCTOBER, 2013

Epps Bridge Centre opens near UGA

Shopping, dining and entertainment destination features country’s top brands; exciting restaurants and State-of-the-art, 16-screen cinema

ATHENS, GA-The largest retail and entertainment center to break ground in Georgia in nearly a decade is now open near the University of Georgia in Athens.

The 450,000 SF first class Epps Bridge Centre features a flagship, state-of-the art, 16-screen cinema boasting a full-service restaurant, as well as more than 11 anchors from the nation’s top retailers.

Epps Bridge Centre – developed by the Atlanta-based The Bishop Company – spans 68 acres on the Oconee Connector at the intersection of the Athens Perimeter Highway and Epps Bridge Parkway.

The open air complex features the country’s most popular brands including: Dick’s Sporting Goods, Old Navy, Banana Republic, Gap, Marshalls, PetSmart, Pier 1 Imports, Guitar Center, Ulta, Off Broadway Shoes, Five Below, Vitamin Shoppe, Sleep Number and others plus local restaurants such as Taqueria Tsunami which features a Latin Asian menu.

The centerpiece of Epps Bridge Centre is Georgia Theatre Company’s multi-million dollar, 16-screen flagship theatre – the University 16 Cinemas.

Developer Frank Bishop acquired the property that eventually became Epps Bridge Centre in 2005. He persevered through the economic downturn to bring his vision to life – signing the country’s top brands at a time when retailers were skittish on expansion.

“Epps Bridge Centre is a testament to the enduring draw of an excellent location, strong demographics and perserverance,” said Bishop.

“All of the fundaments are present at Epps Bridge Centre for incredible success by the tenants.”

Regional general contractor Benning Construction Company constructed all of the retail stores as well as the University 16 Cinemas at Epps Bridge Centre. The overall design includes many LEEDS qualifying sustainable features such as white reflective roofing and increased landscaping to minimize the heat island effect, high energy efficient HVAC units and insulated glass to reduce energy consumption, low flow toilets for reduce water consumption, flat lens parking lot lighting to minimize off site light seepage, and utilization of local and regional building materials.

The University 16 Cinemasfeatures 16 auditoriums, each with stadium seating, wide arc screens, Dolby digital stereo sound and Christie digital projection. Included are two five-story-high, Georgia Theatre Xtreme (GTX) auditoriums equipped with Dolby® 7.1 Surround Sound, 3D Digital Cinema technology and luxurious, high-backed rocking chairs with retractable cup-holder armrests.

The new movie theatre complex is the first in the Athens area to house a full-service restaurant.

About Benning Construction Company:

Founded in 1953, Benning Construction specializes in grocery anchored retail centers,

multi-screen theatres, educational facilities, community centers and warehouse and self-storage facilities throughout the Southeast.

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