Beyond the Big Box:

Re-purposing Distressed Commercial Assets

Thursday,

October 14

3:15 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

BEYOND THE BIG BOX

Design Strategies for Repurposing

Distressed Commercial Properties

ROGER SHERMAN ARCHITECTURE AND URBAN DESIGN

ULI National Conference / 14 October 2010

THEY’RE HEEEERE…….

BIG BOX (COMMERCIAL PROPERTY) CONVERSION

IS ALREADY TAKING PLACE; the only question is

when developers, designers and policymakers will

catch up

NOT YOUR MOTHER’S MIXED USE

_INFILL IS NOT ENOUGH: Shopping has

moved beyond mere convenience and price,

becoming destinations offering unique

experiences of LIFESTYLE AND

ENVIRONMENT

_TRUE VALUE: Big Box sites are large

enough to create this in ways smaller sites

cannot

GAME CHANGER…….

_Urban land demands higher and better use than

the single-purpose, stand-alone suburban

paradigm

_Mitigation measures and local hiring are “last

gasp” fixes to a failing business plan

_Use a) DESIGN and b) PUBLIC BENEFITS to

change the developer--community dynamic and

expand the catchment area. Our new urban

landmarks and social centers

_Explore PUBLIC –PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS and

CREATIVE LANDUSE MIXES to assist in securing

tenancy (financing), complementary parking

demand, and increased foot traffic

LEVERAGE, LEVERAGE, LEVERAGE

PLAYA ROSA WATTS (SOUTH LOS ANGELES), CA