From aisles to amenities: Redesigning grocery stores for mixed-use space
Grocery stores are evolving. While sprawling suburban markets with aisles upon aisles of options and larger parking fields still dominate, a new typology is becoming more popular in grocers’ expansion strategies. Lower vacancy rates and the desire to expand to more urban environments have prompted grocers to seek out mixed-use environments where smaller footprints and limited parking can produce similar or stronger sales numbers.
These strategies can produce enormous benefits to both the grocer and surrounding neighborhood, but there also can be complications. Condensing a sprawling footprint to fit into a mixed-use space creates many challenges, both logistical and architectural, that are not issues for a traditional stand-alone supermarket.
Early and Enhanced Coordination is Crucial
Designing and constructing a grocery store within a mixed-use development presents unique challenges that demand high levels of coordination from the outset. Unlike stand-alone grocery stores, mixed-use projects involve multiple stakeholders, such as the residential developer, residential design team, residential contractor, retail owner, and retail design team. The key to success lies in initiating coordination efforts early and maintaining consistent communication throughout the project lifecycle.
A common issue is that the primary focus tends to be on residential design, leaving grocery store planning as an afterthought. This can lead to conflicts and inefficiencies that are difficult to address later in the project.
Experienced Design Teams to Overcome Shell Design Issues
The presence of an experienced design team is essential in resolving conflicts created by the overall shell design. The team should anticipate and address problem areas that may not typically arise in a suburban grocery store project. This proactive approach minimizes unforeseen complications and ensures a more seamless integration of the grocery store into the mixed-use development.
Parking and Accessibility Challenges
Parking in a mixed-use development differs significantly from that of a stand-alone suburban grocery store, where wide-open parking lots are the norm. In mixed-use projects, parking garages are often required, bringing additional design complexities. Key issues that need careful planning include:
- Garage access and security
- Cart containment and storage
- Convenient access points for customers entering the grocery store
Without proper planning, these factors can create inconvenience for customers and operational challenges for the grocery store.
Vertical Transportation Considerations
Vertical transportation is another critical aspect in mixed-use grocery store design. Unlike suburban stores, where customers walk directly into the store from ground-level parking, mixed-use developments often require elevators to transport customers and their carts from parking garages. These elevators must be larger than standard passenger elevators, taking into account the spatial requirements for shopping carts, and they should be strategically located to facilitate smooth movement between the parking area and the store entrance.
Store Entrance Planning
The location of the grocery store entrance is significantly different in mixed-use developments compared to suburban designs. Instead of a grand point of entry from an expansive parking field, a mixed-use property will need a more convenient entrance for customers to access the grocery store from a parking garage or directly from the street. In some cases, developers aim to provide dual entry points—one from the garage and another from the street—to enhance accessibility and foot traffic.
Delivery and Stocking Logistics
Efficient stocking and delivery operations are crucial for grocery stores, and mixed-use developments introduce significant challenges. The design must accommodate:
- Large truck access to the loading dock
- A designated or shared loading dock with other retail tenants
- Trash compactor location and waste management logistics
Proper planning of loading dock placement and access is essential to ensure seamless store operations without disrupting residential or other retail components of the development.
Mechanical and Refrigeration Equipment Placement
Unlike suburban grocery stores, which typically place mechanical and refrigeration units on the roof or an adjacent ground level, mixed-use developments often do not have this option due to having residential units located above the store. The design must consider alternative locations such as a mechanical yard on a parking garage level. Additionally, careful coordination is needed to manage mechanical and refrigeration chases, particularly when units must be installed on top of a residential roof.
Structural Constraints and Interior Layout
Mixed-use buildings tend to have larger and more numerous structural columns compared to stand-alone grocery stores. This creates additional layout challenges, requiring a highly skilled design team to optimize store space while accommodating these structural elements. A well-planned design ensures that shopping aisles, checkout areas, and storage spaces remain functional and customer friendly.
Utility Coordination
In mixed-use projects, grocery store spaces often house additional utilities from residential units and adjacent tenants. These utilities, such as vertical piping and drainage systems, can reduce overall clear heights within the store. The best approach to addressing this challenge is to strategically place vertical piping within wall chases or align it with structural columns to minimize intrusion into the store’s usable space.
By proactively tackling these issues, developers can create a grocery store that enhances the overall mixed-use environment while maintaining functionality and customer convenience.
About the Author: Nadel Architecture + Planning
Established in 1973, Nadel Architecture + Planning ranks among the top architectural firms in the United States, with a proven track record based on innovative design and execution of urban developments coupled with longstanding, trusted Client relationships. From initial concept design through construction administration, Nadel’s strategic design and planning services deliver the in-depth real estate knowledge today’s developers need coupled with local authenticity as well as creativity and forward-thinking momentum in order to create a highly memorable design aesthetic. Nadel’s leadership spans deep expertise in the areas of retail, mixed-use, multi-family housing, office, sports complexes, hospitality, the public sector, and interiors, offering smart, dynamic solutions for a wide range of projects. For more information, visit www.nadelarc.com. Follow Nadel on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter.