COVER STORY, MAY 2004

MIXING IT UP
Mixed-use projects across the West are changing the landscape of development.
Lara Rauba

Mixed-use projects are being developed in all types of western markets — large, small, urban, suburban — because of the unique advantages they offer. Mixed-use developments provide people with a single place to shop, eat, work and live. Their growing popularity is indicative of a nationwide trend of such developments providing consumers with a higher level of convenience in different areas of their daily lives. And the wave of mixed-use development sweeping the West will not abate any time soon, as evidenced by the multitude of developments underway and in the planning stages.

THE VILLAGGIO
Riverside, California

The Villaggio is a 350,000-square-foot mixed-use project being developed in downtown Riverside’s historic district. The project is located near the 91, 60 and 215 freeways, which serve more than 3.5 million people annually. The city of Riverside has a population of more than 274,000 people, and its trade area includes more than 839,300 people in a 10-mile radius from downtown. The $75 million Villaggio is being positioned to target this large population by offering a range of entertainment, shopping and dining options.

Riverside, California, will soon be home to The Villaggio, a 350,000-square-foot mixed-use development. The $75 million project will feature retail and office space, as well as apartment and condominium homes.

The Villaggio will feature 180,000 square feet of upscale retail space; 90,000 square feet of apartments and condominiums; 80,000 square feet of office space; and a 700-car parking structure. "The Villaggio will validate downtown Riverside as the region’s most exciting entertainment and shopping destination," says Alan Mruvka, president of The Alan Mruvka Company, developer of the project. “The Villaggio will also complement the area’s arts and culture venues and dining and business offerings.”

UltraStar Cinemas has already signed on to anchor the project with a 16- to 18-screen theater. The theater will occupy 90,000 square feet of space, overlooking the project’s courtyard. The courtyard area, known as “Via Villaggio,” will feature cobblestone walkways and dancing fountains. The project is being designed by MBH Architects of Newport Beach, California, in consultation with Atelier Architects of Sherman Oaks, California.

The project will be completed in summer 2005.

THE GATEWAY
Salt Lake City, Utah

The Boyer Company decided to build The Gateway in Salt Lake City to help revitalize the downtown area. “This project is [serving as] a catalyst in the redevelopment of downtown Salt Lake City,” says Jacob Boyer, project manager with The Boyer Company. The $375 million open-air center features 700,000 square feet of retail space, 400,000 square feet of office space, 100,000 square feet of cultural activity space, 332 apartments and 150 condominiums. The Gateway also includes the historic Union Pacific Depot, the Clark Planetarium, 12 theaters and the Olympic Legacy Fountain.

As would be expected in bringing such a large, complex project to the area, The Boyer Company encountered a few obstacles. “The project faced numerous challenges in development, including the leasing efforts to attract new retailers and restaurants to the Salt Lake City market,” says Boyer. Despite the hurdles in enticing retailers, The Boyer Company eventually brought more than 90 stores and restaurants to the center, including 30 retailers that were new to Utah, such as Coldwater Creek, J. Jill, Z Gallerie and Hollister.

“Other challenges we faced included managing five general contractors and bringing all of the mixed-use components on line at once,” says Boyer. In addition to The Boyer Company, Big-D Construction, Layton Construction, Okland Construction/The Jerde Partnership International and Bud Bailey Construction were all involved in the development of The Gateway.

The 650,000-square-foot project sits on 30 acres on the west side of downtown Salt Lake City.

LITTLE TOKYO PROJECT
Los Angeles

MacFarlane Partners is developing a $32 million project in the Little Tokyo area of downtown Los Angeles. The project will include six stories of retail and apartment space.

More and more companies are seeing downtown Los Angeles in a new light as they’ve realized the city has great potential for urban infill projects.

The Related Companies and MacFarlane Partners are acting on this potential, developing a $32 million project in the Little Tokyo Redevelopment Area of Los Angeles.

The project, not yet formally named, will be located at the northwest corner of East Second Street and Central Avenue. The project will be located in the heart of Little Tokyo, one of the most vibrant neighborhoods in downtown Los Angeles, according to David Dressler, principal at MacFarlane Partners, Doug Holm, communications and research manager at MacFarlane and Gino Canori, project manager with The Related Companies of California.

Located on .75 acres, the six-story project includes 128 one- and two-bedroom apartments, 12,500 square feet of retail space and two subterranean levels of parking. A pool, spa, fitness center, two roof-top decks and a business/conference center are also planned. “We believe this project will further enhance the appeal of downtown Los Angeles as a complete urban community where people live, work and play,” say Dressler, Holm and Canori.

The project is three blocks from the Los Angeles Civic Center and two blocks from the Little Tokyo/Arts District transit station that will open in 2007. In addition to being conveniently located near transportation and entertainment, the project is within walking distance of a grocery store, coffee shop and several restaurants.

The projects’ developers are looking to appeal to young professionals working downtown as well as older, empty-nesters seeking an urban lifestyle. In addition, 20 percent of the apartment units will be designated for low-income residents.

Construction is expected to begin soon on the project, which is being designed by Thomas P. Cox Architects. Completion is scheduled for November 2005.

THE DISTRICT AT GREEN VALLEY RANCH
Henderson, Nevada

The District at Green Valley Ranch is being developed by American Nevada Company in Henderson, Nevada. The project will create a downtown-type environment for the suburban area.

The District at Green Valley Ranch recently opened in Henderson, making the $85 million project the first of its kind in the area. The District comprises 400,000 square feet of retail shops, restaurants, office space and luxury lofts and flats. “The metropolitan character of this project has been eagerly awaited by nearby residents,” says John Kilduff, president of American Nevada Company, developer of the project. “Because of its unique character and design, as well as the selection of shops and restaurants, it is anticipated that The District will find favor with residents throughout the Valley.”

Tenants at the center include REI, Anthropologie and Coldwater Creek, all new to the Las Vegas area, as well as Ann Taylor Loft, Pottery Barn, Sideline Sports, White House/Black Market, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf and Panera Bread.

The District is located at the southwest corner of Interstate 215 and Green Valley Parkway in Henderson, a suburb of Las Vegas. The development is adjacent to the Green Valley Ranch Resort, which features a casino, restaurants, a nightclub, spa and movie theaters. “The District creates a typically downtown-type environment in a suburban setting,” says Kilduff. “It incorporates a pedestrian-friendly, ‘Main Street’ ambiance with shop entrances fronting a tree-lined street. Adding to the downtown environment are offices located above the shops as well as in a separate three-story building.”

Each of the apartment units has a view of either the city lights and the Strip or the Main Street area. Amenities include underground parking, a rooftop garden, spas, fitness center, boardroom, library and a multi-media center.

McCarthy Building Cos. is constructing the shops and residences; The Korte Company is building the office space; Perlman Architects is the project architect for the retail and apartment units; and JMA Architects is handling the design of the office building.

CENTER STREET PROMENADE
Anaheim, California

Los Angeles-based CIM Group, along with the city of Anaheim, is developing six sites surrounding the Center Street Promenade in downtown Anaheim. The development will include more than 500 housing units and 55,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space. “The development is designed to transform the area into a vibrant 24-hour urban center with a mix of housing types and commercial uses that complement the existing office and recreation facilities,” says Mary Anderson, vice president of CIM Group.

The Center Street Promenade in Anaheim, California, is being developed by CIM Group. The project includes more than 500 housing units and 55,000 square feet of retail space.

Developing a unique urban center isn’t always easy, however. “Our biggest challenge in this project also ended up being the greatest success — courting a community that was skeptical about development, having been disappointed before,” says Anderson. “The results of working with the community is a project that is a mirror reflection of their input.”

In order to meet the needs of the area’s residents, CIM Group placed added emphasis on the project’s design. Mindful of the city’s rich history, the company wanted to create a Main Street environment that appeared as though it had evolved over a period of time, says Anderson. CIM Group brought in RTKL, Kanner Architects, 30th Street Architects, RTK Architects and MBH Architects in order to create the look it wanted.

Construction recently began on the first phase of the 7-acre project, which features 6,000 square feet of retail/restaurant space, 95 apartments and underground parking. The site is located along Broadway between Lemon and Clementine streets. It will open in summer 2005.

In July, the company will begin the second phase, which will feature a building with 9,800 square feet of retail/restaurant space and 59 loft-style apartments; a five-story building with 8,400 square feet of retail space, 10,400 square feet of space for a local heritage center and 68 apartments; and a four-story structure with 7,268 square feet of commercial work space and 60 loft-style apartments. This phase will be located across from City Hall West.

The third phase of development, at Harbor Boulevard and Lincoln Avenue, is scheduled to begin this fall, with completion slated for spring 2006. It will feature six four-story buildings containing for-sale housing, retail and restaurant space. The fourth and final phase will consist of 10,000 square feet of retail/restaurant space and 800 apartments.

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