An example of a new mall that is succeeding is The Grove in Los Angeles, California.
No roof and no walls. It’s an outdoor space that’s landscaped and hardscaped with fountains, a stream, fish, plants, music, and lights. All the cafes have “creekside” patios. It’s fun to just walk and hang out, even if you don’t need a new pair of running shoes. Kids love it.
In other words, it’s a new “old” town square. Or a retail Disneyland with free admission (except for parking.)
Once again, Los Angeles does it first and does it better. Get with it, all you cities with dead malls! Google “The Grove” and build your own. They will come!
Yes, well, that might work in an area with LA's weather but I am not convinced many would have shopped there if LA had had the weather they had in the NE and midwest this winter.
Yes, well, that might work in an area with LA's weather but I am not convinced many would have shopped there if LA had had the weather they had in the NE and midwest this winter.
The San Antonio Center in Mountain View, CA, used to be an outdoor mall. It wasn’t as cozy as what you described, but there it was.
I was down there a month ago, and the place has changed a lot just in the last few years. Lots of (overpriced) apartments going up where retail space used to be.
Stop gloating. The Falls in Miami has been open since 1980.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Falls_%28mall%29
Once again, Los Angeles does it first and does it better.
One of the things that got malls started was the opportunity to visit multiple stores while getting out of the weather, so I'm not sure that this would work everywhere.