Mixed Use & Retail Centers
We design amenity-rich, mixed-use destinations and retail centers that foster shared experiences and community. As vibrant social hubs, these integrated mixed-use developments can connect people and experiences and breathe new life into cities.
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There’s a big reckoning for cities and for developers about providing the ‘why.’ We can work remotely, but creativity, innovation, and the exchange of ideas happen in person. That’s the why.
—J.F. Finn, Mixed Use & Retail Centers leader
27 Items
Reimagining North Michigan Avenue
Chicago, Illinois
Gensler and a team of key real estate leaders studied the innovations and interventions that could elevate the North Michigan Avenue experience.
The Highlight at Houston Center
Houston, Texas
The Highlight at Houston Center comes to life as a dining, retail, and entertainment destination in the central business district.
1001 Tower Master Plan
West Palm Beach, Florida
1001 Tower aspires to serve as an iconic gateway into West Palm Beach, piercing the skyline of Okeechobee Boulevard with a clear marker of the city entrance.
Fifth + Broadway
Nashville, Tennessee
Fifth + Broadway is a new mixed-use development that integrates with the vibrant urban fabric of Music City by inserting rich, pedestrian-focused spaces.
West Edge
Los Angeles, California
West Edge defines what a live, work, and play environment can embody on LA’s west side, as one of the area's first mixed-use, transit-oriented developments.
The Hub on Causeway
Boston, Massachusetts
In collaboration with Boston Properties and Delaware North Companies, Gensler designed The Hub on Causeway — a mixed-use development at the Boston Garden.
CEC Vanke Shenzhen Bay Headquarters
Shenzhen, China
China Electronics Corporation’s Shenzhen Bay headquarters creates a vibrant and connected vertical urban community where workplace blends seamlessly with leisure, hospitality, culture, technology, entertainment, and nature.
1 St. Clair West
Toronto, Ontario
After determining that demolishing 1 St. Clair West was not viable, Slate Asset Management enlisted Gensler to reposition it as a mixed-use development.
DraftKings Sportsbook
Chicago, Illinois
DraftKings Sportsbook is a new facet in Wrigleyville’s entertainment complex adjacent to historic Wrigley Field, the iconic home of the Chicago Cubs.
The Residences at Rivermark
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
The Residences at Rivermark is a transformative project in the beating heart of downtown Baton Rouge’s growing and dynamic cultural scene.
The Central Park
Phoenix, Arizona
The Central Park is designed to be a catalytic mixed-use development for midtown Phoenix that weaves together a sense of community, engagement, style, and an adventurous spirit, offering a rich experience for tenants, residents, and visitors.
Fields West Master Plan
Frisco, Texas
Fields West is one of three mixed-used development districts planned for Frisco’s more than 2,500-acre Fields development.
Gateway
Newark, New Jersey
In an effort to propel Newark’s revitalization, Onyx Equities partnered with Gensler to reimagine Gateway, a tired office complex built in the 1970s.
SCAPE Boylston
Boston, Massachusetts
Located in a vibrant Boston neighborhood and adjacent to mass transit, SCAPE on Boylston Street is designed as a new paradigm for purpose-built, multi-unit housing.
100 Stockton
San Francisco, California
100 Stockton Street is a repositioning project of the former Macy’s Men’s Store, located steps from the iconic Union Square in San Francisco.
Twenty by Six
San Diego, California
Twenty by Six is an amenity-rich office building in downtown San Diego offering tenants alternate places to work and a strong connection to the surrounding outdoors.
1364ah Lifestyle Center
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Gensler’s design for a new mixed-use development, 1364ah Lifestyle Center, captures the essence of the Diplomatic Quarter in Riyadh.
Lumina Shanghai
Shanghai, China
Situated in Shanghai’s Xuhui district, Henderson Land Group’s new commercial office building Lumina Shanghai anchors the DreamCenter, an emerging commercial and business hub.
The Center for Pursuit
Houston, Texas
The Center for Pursuit worked with Gensler to design its Houston campus that supports the nonprofit’s mission to create a welcoming environment for its clients.
2100 Kettner
San Diego, California
2100 Kettner is a six-story mixed-use development located in Little Italy near the San Diego waterfront, designed by Gensler as a destination for office tenants and the surrounding community.
730 Third Avenue
New York, New York
Nuveen Real Estate and development advisor Taconic Partners enlisted Gensler to transform 730 Third Avenue—TIAA’s headquarters since the 1950s—into a sophisticated Class A office and retail building.
Manchester Pacific Gateway
San Diego, California
The Manchester Pacific Gateway development celebrates San Diego as a dynamic cosmopolitan city and enhances the region as a livable, pedestrian-oriented...
One Westside
Los Angeles, California
This ambitious adaptive reuse project transforms the Westside Pavilion shopping mall, a relic from the 1980s, into a cutting-edge urban office complex.
Suzhou Zhongnan Center
Suzhou, China
Upon its completion, the Suzhou Zhongnan Center will stand at 499 meters tall, offering impressive views of Jinji Lake and Suzhou's skyline.
Lower Broadway Master Plan
San Antonio, Texas
Gensler developed a mixed-use master plan at Lower Broadway that will create a true destination development in San Antonio.
West End Mall Master Plan Study
Atlanta, Georgia
Gensler created a master plan for West End Mall that develops 1.4 million square feet into a mixed-use space with retail, office, residential, and green spaces.
Dayton’s Repositioning
Minneapolis, Minnesota
The Dayton’s building repositioning generates new iconic experiences and celebrates its original architecture while optimizing layout for today’s needs.
INSIGHTS
Blog
Reimagining North Michigan Avenue: A New Era for Chicago’s High Street
Gensler’s study envisions a series of interventions to create an engaging experience on one of the world’s most iconic high streets.
Blog
What’s the Recipe for Retail Success? Food
With a heightened consumer appetite for engaging social spaces, food and beverage are key ingredients for physical retail viability.
Blog
From Skyline to Shoreline: A Vision for Mixed-Use Spaces in Miami
Miami stands on the brink of an urban renaissance, with the potential to model a visionary urban landscape that champions sustainability, resilience, and vibrancy.
Blog
Reimagining Public Space in the Mixed-Use Indian Landscape
As integrated townships in India increase in popularity, we have an opportunity to create functional and resilient public spaces that increase community well-being.
Blog
Now More Than Ever, Quality of Place Matters
Thoughtful, strategic placemaking will ensure successful investments in truly durable places within our cities.
Podcast
The Future of Downtown Is the Lifestyle District
We explore the concept of lifestyle districts, the future of downtowns, and how we can design cities that respond to people’s evolving needs and experiences.
Blog
Trends to Watch: The Future of Cities Relies on Multiuse Districts
As cities undergo massive transformation, Gensler’s Mixed Use & Retail Centers leaders discuss what’s next for the future of cities and multiuse districts.
Blog
What Makes a Great Retail Experience? Community, Connection, and Exhibition
Astute retail and hospitality brands recognize that in-person connection is a vital part of their offerings. But what does that visceral experience actually look like?
WEBINAR
Magnetizing People & Places Through the Power of Brand
Gensler’s Brand Design and industry leaders delve into a conversation about the power of brand strategy and storytelling.
Blog
The Future of Sports Venues Is About Creating Vibrant, Multiuse Districts
Gensler’s Director of Sports explains why integrating sports venues into the urban fabric can generate revenue and create live-work-play communities.
Blog
Baseball Is Changing. Here’s How Cities Could Change With It.
As the future of downtowns evolves and baseball continues to grow, here are five ideas for how ballparks and urban districts could improve.
Blog
Why Connected Neighborhoods Are Key to Urban Revitalization
In cities like Nashville, new development must consider the need to enhance neighborhood character and a connected urban experience.
Blog
How Smart Mixed-Use Environments Can Redefine Urban Spaces
Mixed-use developments, when coupled with smart technologies, can deliver meaningful experiences, while providing developers data insights to optimize their statements.
Blog
Revitalizing, Reinventing & Rethinking Downtown San Francisco: A Conversation With Mayor London Breed
Here are six key takeaways from Gensler's discussion with San Francisco Mayor London Breed and panelists on how we can revitalize downtown San Francisco.
Blog
How Office-to-Residential Conversions Could Revitalize Downtown San Francisco
One of the easiest ways to create diversity in office-centric downtowns is to convert existing office buildings to other uses. Residential is an obvious choice.
MIXED USE & RETAIL CENTERS DESIGN TRENDS TO WATCH
Demand will continue for mixed-use developments that are anchored by sports and entertainment venues.
As people crave opportunities for in-person social interaction, entertainment-anchored developments with a diverse mix of spaces and amenities will be highly valued. To attract more users beyond traditional office and retail, retail centers and mixed-use developments are incorporating amenities like live music, sports, and festivals to foster shared, communal experiences.
Public spaces that can be programmed as community catalysts will be market differentiators.
Developers are recognizing the importance of well-programmed public spaces that can be used and activated by residents and tenants, and act as catalysts for the surrounding community. With flexible programming and thoughtful placemaking, these developments can transform a single-use development into a valuable, multipurpose community asset.
By aggregating diverse assets under one roof, mixed-use developments can help offset climate risk.
As climate disasters and extreme weather events put pressure on property portfolios, this is driving the need for developments designed to reduce risks and control costs, such as rising insurance rates. By aggregating diverse assets under one roof, mixed-use developments may benefit developers looking to future-proof their investments.
MIXED USE & RETAIL CENTERS LEADERSHIP
J.F. Finn, III
Mixed Use & Retail Centers Leader, Principal
J.F. is a global leader in Gensler’s Mixed Use & Retail Centers practice, based in our Los Angeles office. He has devoted more than 35 years of professional experience to the...
David Glover
Mixed Use & Retail Centers Leader
David is a global leader of Gensler’s Mixed Use & Retail Centers practice. Dedicated to the pursuit of originality, imagination, and the alchemy of urban experience, he brings...
Duncan Paterson
Mixed Use & Retail Centers Leader, Studio Leader, Design Director, Principal
Duncan has devoted more than 30 years to creating vibrant, experience-driven architecture. A global leader of Gensler’s Mixed Use & Retail Centers practice area, his expertise is...
NEWS
In The Media
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The Architect’s Newspaper
Gensler Leads the Transformation of Chicago’s North Michigan Avenue
Gensler’s vision improves pedestrian access by broadening sidewalks to create space for food and beverage kiosks, lighting fixtures, public art, green space, and stages for street performances.
July 15, 2024
In The Media
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The Dallas Morning News
Gensler Will Design the 35-Acre Prosper Arts District in North Texas
Dallas Principal Barry Hand shared how the master-planned development will redefine mixed-use living and community engagement in North Texas.
June 18, 2024
In The Media
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Interior Design
The Mart Featured in Interior Design’s List of Six “Projects That Channel Their Locations Perfectly”
Gensler’s renovation of The Mart in Chicago enlarges and enhances the outdoor public plaza and reimagines 200,000 square feet on the first two levels.
April 24, 2024
In The Media
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NHL.com
The Coyotes’ Vision to “Transform the Arizona Skyline” With a Landmark Development
NHL.com spotlighted the Arizona Coyotes’ proposal for an unrivaled, privately funded sports, lifestyle, and entertainment district, designed by Gensler with AECOM Hunt.
April 05, 2024
In The Media
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Atlanta Business Chronicle
Centennial Yards To Begin Next Phase of Downtown Redevelopment
Atlanta Business Chronicle detailed the next phase of the Gensler and SHAPE-designed Centennial Yards Entertainment District in Downtown Atlanta.
March 25, 2024
In The Media
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Houston Chronicle
Gensler, Pagewood, and Wile Interests Partner to Create a Mixed-Use District in Houston’s East Downtown
Gensler partnered with Pagewood and Wile Interests to create a master plan for ten underutilized industrial warehouses. East Blocks will feature open green spaces, restaurants, walking paths, and bike lines that lead to trails.
November 13, 2023
In The Media
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Fast Company
Here’s Why “Hybrid Workers Are Actually a Big Part of the Reason Downtowns Are Hanging On”
Fast Company spotlighted Gensler’s City Pulse report and explained why hybrid workers are spending more time in CBDs outside of working hours — and opting to work at third spaces in downtowns rather than at home.
November 02, 2023
In The Media
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Urbanize LA
Gensler is Designing Hollywood’s New Sunset & Highland Mixed-Use Tower Complex
The tower complex will include residential, hotel, and retail space, as well as landscaped amenity decks and parking that will be convertible for future uses.
October 09, 2023
In The Media
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RICS
Gensler’s Design of The Hub on Causeway is “a Catalyst for Regeneration in Boston”
Gensler Studio Director Chris Haynes explained how the mixed-use development project has elevated the area “as an entertainment district where people could live, work, and play.”
July 04, 2023
In The Media
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Texas Real Estate Business
How to Curate Unique Retail Experiences in Post-Pandemic Mixed-Use Environments
Gensler Studio Director Barry Hand shared insights on planning and designing commercial placemaking in post-pandemic mixed-use environments.
May 01, 2023
In The Media
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Urban Land Institute
The Rising Trend of Retail-to-Residential Conversions
Gensler’s Barry Hand explained how in order to sustain malls, such as MainPlace Mall in Santa Ana, Calif., they “should be embedded in a mix of activated, walkable uses.”
February 27, 2023
In The Media
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Building Design
Building Design Ranked Gensler the #1 Firm on Its 2023 World Architecture 100 Survey
Gensler also ranked #1 in Hospitality, Mixed Use, Offices, Retail, Science & Technology, Senior Living, Sports, and Transportation.
January 23, 2023
In The Media
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AIA Middle East
Two Gensler Middle East Projects Win 2022 AIA Middle East Design Awards
AIA Middle East Design Awards honored Gensler Middle East for its design of the 1364ah Lifestyle Center project in Riyadh, as well as a Confidential Financial Services HQ in Dubai.
December 13, 2022
In The Media
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Nashville Tennessean
The Contemporary Architecture That’s Remaking Downtown Nashville
Nashville Tennessean interviewed Christopher Goggin about the contemporary Nashville architecture that is introducing experience-driven destinations at the ground level.
November 21, 2022
In The Media
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Retrofit Magazine
Redeveloped by Gensler, the Iconic Willis Tower Wins First Place in Retrofit’s 2022 Metamorphosis Awards
One of the world’s tallest buildings, the tower was reimagined to give a new generation of workers, tourists, and Chicago residents “a reason to stay awhile to enjoy the experience.”
November 07, 2022
In The Media
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ArchDaily
The Recently Completed Lumina Shanghai, Designed by Gensler, Shapes the Skyline as the Seventh Tallest Skyscraper in the City
Rising 280 meters, Lumina Shanghai offers prime office space with incredible views and vibrant open spaces for both tenants and visitors.
October 12, 2022