Problem
Outdated strip centers with high vacancy rates and low traffic are suffering as the soft goods retail market contracts.
Solution
Demand for strip center space can grow along with the changing retail landscape. Engaging an architect with a rich retail experience to carefully plan and upgrade facilities will help attract a healthy mix of tenant types.
The hybridization of authenticity and articulation is the driving idea behind
inline mall design and remodels.
Rich material application to outdated facades and a landscape approach to slow down vehicles and protect pedestrians are some of the interventions being made to update strip centers and attract a new tenant mix.
Medical offices and professional services firms are taking advantage of the convenient real estate strip centers offer.
Plan for signage to straddle complex conditions. While the original strip center over emphasized the functional importance of the sign band, an articulated center should not restrict flexibility.
Golden Gate Plaza provides a case study in creating an authentic and contemporary inline shopping center that speaks to today’s culture. We have seen great success using a contemporary approach to updating inline centers based on simple forms, attention to signage, and an emphasis on interesting materials. Read more about Golden Gate on our blog.
Remove faux historicism and embrace materialism.
Today is great material moment. There are all kinds of new categories of materials available to the designer. While PoMo designers shaped historical forms in EIFS, today’s designers can draw from a wealth of affordable exterior materials.
