Site solutions set out to create the vision. Some of the unique planning we accomplished changed the drive aisles and parking lot. This was done without major site re-work or removal of existing parking lot lights. Street trees were added. An 18-inch section of asphalt at the front of each parking space was removed and landscaped. Drip irrigation and granite curbs were added, as well as wheel-stops for the cars to overhang the new landscape strip. Existing wide drive aisles were dramatically narrowed to reduce the asphalt’s heat-island effect. Special accent LED lighting design was provided by Site solutions for street trees and other accent areas.
We used often-overlooked sustainable and low-maintenance plants from years past (think grandma’s plants). These time-tested plants include phlox, bamboo and yucca. A few new plant species were selected, such as horsetail, dwarf pine, dwarf bamboo and euphorbia to accentuate landscape areas. Large 25-foot-tall specimen willow oak trees were hand-selected at the growers, transported to the site and then shaped into square boxes to provide a European streetscape. Several mature oak trees in the parking lot were preserved. Additionally, we selected new drought-tolerant trees and plant material in the parking lot to reduce the heat-island effect.
We used special accent hardscape materials, such as Pennsylvania bluestone, Mexican pebbles embedded in concrete in a wave pattern and small slate stone paving. Mexican pebbles were also used as mulch instead of the traditional pine straw. We used arched Corten metal retaining walls in the parking lots to create exaggerated raised planting areas, which breaks up the asphalt and gives the illusion of larger landscape areas. We sandblasted the concrete sidewalks and plaza areas to create an exposed aggregate look. Cracks in the concrete remained, which was cost-conscious and also creates an authentic, honest vibe. We used poured painted concrete and boardformed finishes to give a rustic appearance and, in some places, we purposefully left the concrete unpainted. Custom-built Corten metal planters were used on top of preserved column piers that were reduced to eye level.
Eric Weatherholtz, who led monthly meetings with representatives from all the design disciplines, had this to say about where we started: “Shops Around Lenox was an anachronism, a ’70s-era strip shopping center that remained intact while the immediately surrounding area urbanized with high-rise hotels, offices and residences.”
One of the things he likes about our design is how we handled the parking. “Atlantans are still largely car dependent, so Site solutions developed a plan that left the parking areas intact but broke them down into more human-scale pockets,” he explains.
The Wave of the Future
What can developers learn from the Shops Around Lenox project? My advice is to think differently. Create spaces for people and give them personality. Create memorable architecture and landscape and do it without spending a fortune. Discuss your vision and budget upfront. Site solutions discovered that creativity is more important than budget. It is not necessary to spend on the most high-end materials to achieve a memorable design and to create an urban feel, such as the one that resonates at Shops Around Lenox.
At Site solutions, we are working on several retail renovations right now and expect the popularity of such projects to increase. After all, there is limited space in the most attractive urban areas for ground-up development. People are tired of the same strip centers and want shopping to be an experience. Done correctly, a smart renovation can create a sense of place and an environment where people want to spend time.
The small landscape architecture details at Shops Around Lenox—the shape of a concrete bench, design of custom metal planters, elevation of plant beds, sustainable look of drought-tolerant plants—help create that overall environment that compels today’s consumer to gather with friends, shop and dine. Smart developers know well-done retail renovations can revitalize an area and be very sound financial investments.
PHOTOS: Site solutions