Historic Mill Revitalization Minutes from Downtown Chattanooga
Peerless Mill, located just outside of downtown Chattanooga in Rossville, Georgia, is an historic textile mill that is undergoing a major transformation.
Now under new ownership, the property is set to become a mixed-use city center, bringing new life and energy to the community.
Originally constructed in the early 1900s, Peerless Wool Mill is considered one of the oldest and largest mills in the region. The mill employed thousands of people at its peak and even had semi-pro basketball and semi-pro baseball teams. The mill was a leading producer in the textile industry and manufactured a variety of textile products, most notably wool blankets for soldiers during World War II.
Sadly, a portion of the factory caught on fire, leading to the mill's shutdown in the late 60s.
The New Vision for The Mill
Now, with a new vision and investment, the redevelopment of Peerless Mill is set to revitalize the city of Rossville. The mill encompasses approximately 1.5 million square feet across 29 buildings on 32 acres with strong interstate access and only minutes from Chattanooga.
The transformation of the mill will create space for a variety of businesses, including offices, retail stores, apartments, and light industrial facilities. This development will provide a unique opportunity for small and local business owners to establish themselves in a highly desirable and historic location.
Uses Available Onsite:
Creative office space and coworking
Warehousing and Storage
Art, photography, Film, and Music Studios
Event Space
Sport Courts
Brewery / Distillery
Food truck courts
Have another use you’d like to see on the site? Let us know.
The Phased Plan
Phase 1 of the redevelopment project will focus on bringing in new tenants to activate the site. These businesses include light industrial, storage, and an anchor brewery. Additionally, the site will host food trucks, festivals, and temporary studios for art, film, photography, and music. A dog park and outdoor sports court are also targeted for the end of Phase 1, providing space for the community to gather and play.
Phase 2 will begin to transition the mill into a mixed-use hub for the city of Rossville and the greater Chattanooga area. Retail, residential, event, and fitness components will be introduced, creating a walkable community for residents and neighbors.
Finally, Phase 3 will focus on bringing tourism and office components to the mill. The completion of the final phase will result in a “self-contained city,” where residents and visitors to the site will be able to find all of their live, work, and play needs.
A Unique Opportunity for Businesses
Overall, the renovation of Peerless Mill is set to bring significant economic benefits to the city of Rossville, while also preserving a piece of local history.
With the creation of a mixed-use city center, the mill will provide access to a variety of businesses and employment opportunities. The revitalization offers a unique opportunity to create a vibrant, community-focused destination that will benefit residents and visitors alike.
As the project moves forward, the Peerless Mill is sure to become a cornerstone of the community, driving growth and prosperity for years to come.
Zoning is one of the most overlooked—but absolutely critical—factors in commercial real estate investing. Before you ever run your cap rate calculations or start negotiating terms, zoning determines what you can and cannot do with a property. It shapes everything from who you can lease to, to what kind of tenants you can attract, to whether your business plan even works at all.
A flex space that’s zoned industrial may allow you to lease to a logistics operator or a manufacturing tenant—but that same building in a commercial zone could restrict your options to retail or office users. And if you buy a building that’s out of compliance with current zoning regulations? You could be facing expensive legal battles, permit issues, or a complete stall in your investment timeline.
In this blog, we’ll break down the zoning essentials every CRE investor should understand before buying a property. From use categories and zoning overlays to variances and value-add plays, this guide will help you ask the right questions and avoid costly mistakes. Whether you're buying your first small warehouse or adding to a portfolio of mixed-use developments, zoning can either be your greatest advantage—or your biggest risk.