Netherworld's Move To Stone Mountain One Step Closer

NORCROSS, GA — Popular haunted house Netherworld's move to Stone Mountain got one step closer to reality Wednesday night.

The Gwinnett County Planning Commission unanimously approved plans for the world-renowned haunt to move from Norcross, where it has drawn crowds for nearly 20 years, to a 9.5-acre property in Stone Mountain.

Now, the county commission must give plans for the move final approval.

Netherworld already owns the 9.5-acre property in Stone Mountain. The main building on the site already is zoned for an entertainment facility. But, Netherworld's lawyers write, since some activities would happen outside that building, they're applying to have the entire property zoned that way.

The company also would renovate two buildings on the property to house its seasonal attractions.

At Wednesday's meeting, planning commission members said they are glad Netherworld's owners are keeping the popular attraction in Gwinnett County.

According to planning documents filed with the county, Netherworld is considering uses other than its traditional, seasonal haunted houses at the new location. They include "escape room" attractions, film-industry uses and private events like weddings and corporate retreats.

Netherworld is a self-guided haunted house filled with more than 100 actors, special effects and mechanical monsters.

It has consistently been named one of the nation's best haunted houses, including by publications such as USA Today, DreadCentral.com, Fangoria and AOL. In 2015, it was named the No. 1 Haunted House of All-Time by Halloween/haunted house industry website Hauntworld.

Image courtesy Netherworld