After a long Covid-induced period when the public avoided large gatherings, owners of malls and retail lifestyle centers are increasingly focused on attracting tenants that provide opportunities for socialization. Pent-up demand for experiences involving gatherings of people is fueling renovations and redesigns of large retail developments, according to an ALM report.
In some cases, this leads to conversion of stores selling goods to spaces for service-oriented tenants. Some owners have redeveloped former box stores for nontraditional tenants such as fitness brands, office spaces, and food and beverage amenities.
Mall developers are seeking a consistent level of activity within shopping centers via a greater proportion of “social” tenants to attract enough foot traffic to support other businesses. From an overall design standpoint, inviting patios, accessibility, and visibility are top priorities.
Developers are also finding that innovative small businesses can be sources of new trends that infuse retail centers with new vitality.
Related Stories
Shopping Centers | Nov 15, 2017
900 North Michigan Shops renovation includes 190-foot-long digital art installation on the ceiling
The installation is visible from all floors and built in 10 different sections.
Retail Centers | Nov 13, 2017
American Girl Place New York opens new 37,000-sf New York Store designed by FRCH Design Worldwide
The store is located at 75 Rockefeller Plaza.
Retail Centers | Oct 25, 2017
‘Under’ will be Europe’s first underwater restaurant
The Snøhetta-designed restaurant will also function as a research center for marine life.
Retail Centers | Sep 26, 2017
DATÜM: Reinventing the department store
Department stores are going through a period of transformation in the face of a rapidly changing retail market. What’s behind the change and where is it leading us?
Mixed-Use | Sep 22, 2017
Defending against the online dragon
Some entertainment districts are going light on retail, partly because “the bulk of the leasing demand is for dining and entertainment,” say Barry Hand, a Principal with design mega-firm Gensler in Dallas.
Mixed-Use | Sep 18, 2017
Urban heartbeat: Entertainment districts are rejuvenating cities and spurring economic growth
Entertainment districts are being planned or are popping up all over the country.
Sponsored | Products and Materials | Sep 15, 2017
Creating a movement: How Mamava, Konrad Prefab and ALPOLIC partnered to change the culture of breastfeeding
Since its conception in 2006, the Mamava lactation pod has undergone several changes in design.
Mixed-Use | Sep 14, 2017
Capital One eschews the traditional bank with the Capital One Café
The new branch in downtown Santa Monica offers 8,400 sf of space designed by Gwynne Pugh Urban Studio.
Giants 400 | Sep 13, 2017
Top 75 retail construction firms
The Whiting-Turner Contracting Co., PCL Construction Enterprises, and Shawmut Design and Construction top BD+C’s ranking of the nation’s largest retail sector contractor and construction management firms, as reported in the 2017 Giants 300 Report.
Giants 400 | Sep 13, 2017
Retailers look beyond the sale: Brick-and-mortar retailers are raising their game to lure plugged-in consumers to their stores
Just two months ago, Credit Suisse forecasted that 20-25% of malls will close by 2022.
