When department store chain Federated merged with May Company, many malls found themselves with duplicate anchor tenants. Polaris Fashion Place in Columbus, Ohio, just completed in 2001, was one such mall. Glimcher Realty Trust and ka turned this challenge into an opportunity be re-designing the Kaufmann's site into a two-level, open-air lifestyle component connected to the main mall.

ka worked with design architect Meleca Architecture to develop a project that maintained half of the existing two-story Kaufmann's building, converting it to "street-level" shops and restaurants that face a pedestrian-only walkway. Additional tenant spaces and entertainment facilities on the upper level can be accessed directly from the parking field and is linked to the lower level with a grand staircase. The rest of the former Kaufmann's space gave way to new restaurants and specialty shops buildings, as well as a new two-level Barnes and Noble and a Cheesecake Factory.

The resulting pedestrian space is just forty feet wide, creating an intimate outdoor zone and comprehensive mall entry. Bringing this kind of intricate renovation and expansion to this end of the mall mean the ability to attract larger, popular tenants like Barnes and Noble without squandering valuable retail frontage within the existing mall.

The new plan also allowed for three pad sites to cap the outdoor center at its far end. The restaurants situate around a large events area complete with a children's fountain. The value of adding this type of development to a traditional enclosed mall is substantial. Rather than lose customers to nearby centers that have outdoor dining and amenities, Glimcher Realty Trust is able to capture both market segments and extend their customers' visit time at that center.

Services Provided:

• Executive Architect
• Environmental Graphic Design