The Pointe at Clareview
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A Center Divided
the Success of Rookwood is Directly Proportional to the Surrounding Community and How It Connects.
A Center Divided
Rookwood pavilion was a dying center. At 650,000 square feet, it was too large. The owners were unable to keep tenants and negotiate appropriate rents. It no longer fit today’s retail needs or the needs of the community.
Rookwood was designed to maximize square footage by turning its back to the community. Augmenting the problem is a very poor vehicular circulation network resulting in exhaustively crowded access and egress points. The center was designed with no green space, narrow sidewalks, and blind intersections, causing a dangerously unhealthy condition between vehicles and pedestrians. The two-center layout meant shoppers drove from one side to the other, instead of walking.
Rookwood was designed to maximize square footage by turning its back to the community. Augmenting the problem is a very poor vehicular circulation network resulting in exhaustively crowded access and egress points. The center was designed with no green space, narrow sidewalks, and blind intersections, causing a dangerously unhealthy condition between vehicles and pedestrians. The two-center layout meant shoppers drove from one side to the other, instead of walking.
Services
Location
Cincinnati, Ohio
Market
Proposed Connectivity
Creating new vehicular circulation and access to simplify the plan and enhance connectivity
Respecting the End User
We realized early on that the success of Rookwood is directly proportional to how it connects to the surrounding community. Cincinnati is an array of small to medium sized legacy villages. All with a town square, a mixed-use section including retail and restaurants with office and multifamily. The location of the center placed the project in Norwood – due to the community’s tax relief and incentives, made it excellent for office development. Being on the other side of the freeway placed its physical location in Oakley and Hyde Park – two high income urban-suburban neighborhoods. Also, after examining the rent-roll, it was determined that within five years, 85% of all tenants’ leases would be turning – a perfect time to plan a new destination. Knowing the center could no longer support its mass, yet maximizing the ROI to the owner was paramount, we identified a concept that would transform the dying center into a new legacy village: Rookwood.
The Big Idea
We first created a relief valve to the vehicular path by adding a new entry/exit point. We then used the new circulation network to create a connected shopping experience, eliminating the two-center concept. Working with a development consultant we determined a strategy of building new and tearing down old minimizing the impact of rent reduction. This process positioned key tenants the owner wanted to keep but allowed the less desirables to walk, freeing the team to create a new merchandising plan that would maximize the return on a reduced retail footprint (425,000 square feet). The true value came by opening the edges to the surrounding community and creating a heart at the center of the plan. By adding new uses, such as multifamily, office and senior living, planning for the bus transit hub, and connecting the new city-wide bike trail network, we established a true walkable, connected community whose value increased exponentially, in both value and place.
We know mixed-use
The blending together and integration of multiple uses into a space that through composing form, connectivity, and engagement bring people together in a stimulating sequence of settings that encourages connectivity and creates a lasting bond with the public. At its very minimum, mixed-use creates opportunities for growth. At its very best, mixed-use design evolves — threading complex components in a simple presentation that provides vitality, energy, and experiences for life.