Alternate Futures for Big-Box Retail Space

Posted by Rebecca Eggleston on August 12, 2008

With the economic downturn and fuel prices re-shaping the landscape of urban and suburban environments, what is to become of some of the large-scale buildings and spaces that are now emptying out?  How can we avoid being left with empty concrete jungles?

Morgan Greenseth offers some examples of interesting ways big-box retail spaces are being re-designed or re-used in ways conducive to more localized communities with improved walk-ability, mixed uses, community activities and lifestyle options.

“As malls across the country start to fade into obsolescence, what is to become of these massive structures? After spending some time searching out the most creative alternatives to abandonment and massive landfilling of these former monuments to chain-store consumerism, I've found that the future of shopping malls is hopeful and creative..” See his examples here.