Outdoor Retail Center Trends

Typically in the past when you wanted to go shopping you went to the Mall. Everything was in one place usually anchored by a traditional large retail tenant like JC Penny, Macy’s or Sears. Being in the Construction Industry we have seen a large switch in traditional retail. Instead of malls people want an experience, especially with the current generation of Millennials. They want a space to walk around with multiple retail and food options. Over the past 2 years we have worked on many outdoor Retail Malls our clients with simple strip malls are looking to renovate, revitalize and expand while others are creating an entire Retail Center from the ground-up. Below are a few our most recent Retail Center Projects.

Closter Plaza – Closter, NJ

• Significant construction, demolition and renovations of multiple buildings in an occupied/phased format at the existing 150,000-SF retail center originally constructed in the 1960s
• Scope includes the demolition of existing structures and the construction of a new 50,000-SF Whole Foods Market shell
• Renovations and upgrades were made to the retail center facades, pedestrian ways, mechanical infrastructure and the entire site parcel to accommodate a new mix of retailers and rebranding of the center

The Shops at Saugus – Saugus, MA

• Complete site development and construction of a new 100,000-SF, six building retail center for Regency Centers
• The 14-acre site required extensive site-work including the blasting and removal of 600,000 CY of ledge, construction of a 50-foot berm and the relocation of an existing 36-inch MWRA water main which feeds several surrounding communities

Middlesex Marketplace – Burlington, MA

• Construction of two new retail-use buildings totaling 36,000-SF along with complete site improvements

Bedford Marketplace – Bedford, MA

• Complete shopping center re-construction in phases around ongoing business operations
• Scope of work includes parking area re-construction, new site lighting, new facade construction at existing anchor tenants, new building construction and demolition/re-construction of two existing retail strips