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
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.
Giants 400 | Sep 12, 2017
Top 40 retail engineering firms
WSP, Henderson Engineers, and Core States Group top BD+C’s ranking of the nation’s largest retail sector engineering and EA firms, as reported in the 2017 Giants 300 Report.
Giants 400 | Sep 11, 2017
Top 65 retail architecture firms
CallisonRTKL, Jacobs, and Gensler top BD+C’s ranking of the nation’s largest retail sector architecture and AE firms, as reported in the 2017 Giants 300 Report.
Retail Centers | Aug 24, 2017
More than a mall: A collection of experiences
Find out how Gensler transformed one of Silicon Valley’s largest shopping destinations into an immersive lifestyle destination.
Office Buildings | Aug 17, 2017
Toyota’s new North American HQ opens in Plano
Toyota invested $1 billion in the project, which was designed by Corgan.
Mixed-Use | Aug 10, 2017
Mixed-use development includes University of California-San Diego campus extension
The 562,000-sf development was designed by Carrier Johnson + CULTURE and is located five blocks from the San Diego Padres’ Petco Park.
Retail Centers | Aug 4, 2017
A fast-food restaurant created from recycled shipping containers
Each of the 20-foot-long shipping containers used in the proposal for the Siauliai, Lithuania restaurant are independent and can be easily reproduced.
Retail Centers | Jul 27, 2017
The “New Hybrid” experience: Beyond the mall
Consumers expect more from retailers and brands than ever before.
Retail Centers | Jul 24, 2017
Miami retail structure’s honeycomb façade fluctuates between opacity and transparency
The building will rise three stories in Miami’s Design District.
