Urban Grocery-Anchored Mixed-Use Development

Essay 18.3

ZIEGLER COOPER

Urban Grocery-Anchored Mixed-Use Investigating the Design Challenges of Urban Grocers

The Morgan Group’s Pearl Midtown West in Houston, Texas

Pearl Midtown West offers a robust mix of urban grocery and modern mid-rise apartments units

DENSIFICATION & THE URBAN GROCER Many urban centers in the US become

ghost

towns

after

5:00

p.m. The urban worker returns to the

local stores, outside of the workday.

of increased return on investment,

A walkable community is contingent

optimized use of the land, and the

upon the residents, their activities, and

urban grocery anchor is a major

their eyes, to make the street exciting,

draw for renters.

interesting, and safe every day, not just

The

during the special events.

urban

grocer

is

being

approached in two formats: the large

sprawling suburbs and “the sidewalks

The wave of re-urbanization is not

format grocers with 40,000 to 90,000

are rolled up at night.” The result

only occurring in the urban core but

s.f. that draws from the suburban model

is a vacant territory that creates

also in the surrounding urban infill that

and offers a full range of products and

opportunities for crime. Many cities are

has seen a resurgence as new multi-

services to the local resident within a

bringing in evening activities such as

family projects are developed, resulting

single store, while also recreating the

theater, symphony halls, and galleries

in new, walkable communities. Grocers

character of many specialty shops.

along with restaurants and hotels.

are following the trend and providing

Alternatively, the small 15,000

These activities are helping improve

a critical component to these walkable

to 25,000 s.f. store creates a more

the environment to create an illusion of

communities. These communities are a:

boutique environment that can be more

security.

The missing element to a vibrant,

• Benefit

to

residents

neighborhood

by

sustainable urban community is the

walkability,

residential component bringing people

social interaction;

to the streets to visit restaurants and 2

and

the

providing

convenience,

and

• Benefit to the developer because

specialty or neighborhood focused.

Both

approaches

are

valid

components of creating a walkable community and a vibrant mixed-used development.

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS

approaches. This is an important factor

to this aspect of pedestrian circulation

when considering the safe sharing of

in placement of stairwells, elevators,

space by pedestrians and vehicles.

and escalators.

The integration of a grocer into

The Morgan Group’s, Houston-

One consideration in the design

a mixed-use building requires that

based apartment developer, latest mid-

of a mixed-use project that includes a

circulation of shopping carts must be

rise in Midtown Houston, (see image

huge building component, such as a

assisted by oversized or dedicated

on front cover), features all the luxury

grocery store, is how to activate the

elevators, and is often assisted by the

amenities of a new Class A project: a

street around the grocer. Even though

use of a shopping cart conveyor, or

fitness center, resort-style pool and an

the grocer presents a large façade,

“cartilator.”

expansive courtyard, downtown vista

walls can be broken up visually into

Circulation of people in these

terrace, and yoga lawn. The developer

smaller components. The use of murals

complex buildings has special design

was able to capture one of the most

and supergraphics, the addition of

considerations.

be

coveted amenities for its tenth Pearl-

storefronts, and a place for casual

provided direct, dedicated access from

branded apartments in the Bayou City:

dining and other outdoor activities all

the residential area into the grocery,

a top-tier, 40,000-s-f Whole Foods

help to make the street level vibrant

while

and

Market grocery store. With 264-units,

and inviting.

security. Non-resident shoppers will not

the development spans most of a

In a mixed-use development, each

want to walk further than 300-feet to

two-square city block by eliminating

building component must be given its

the most remote parking space with a

a street, which had limited use, and

own identity from multiple views and

grocery cart, so consideration is given

through a variance to allow additional

Residents

maintaining

must

separation

Parq On Speer in Denver, Colorado features an on-site urban grocer that integrates with the surrounding neighborhood 3

pedestrian access rather than focusing

By articulating the façade and the

on parking.

thoughtful use of materials, the walls

The development includes parking above for residents and two stories

provide visual relief, a sense of scale, and place is created.

below grade for dedicated grocer

Light is an important factor in

parking. The upper parking levels are

creating a sense of wellness, comfort,

used as interstitial space, allowing for

and safety. To introduce ample light

the transitioning and consolidating of

to the basement garage below the

plumbing before going through the

grocer, a monumental stair, located at

grocery store.

the corner of the building is wrapped in

While the creation of a pedestrianfriendly

streetscape

is

of

glass to flood the garage with natural

utmost

light from above. The luxury units have

importance in sustainable, walkable

open floor plans, hardwood flooring

communities, the existence of a massive

and gas cooking appliances, and a

building component like a grocery

direct-access elevator to the grocer.

store introduces a design challenge.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: JIM ZEMSKI, AIA Jim has played significant roles on a wide variety of multi-faceted, complex projects. These include highrise and mid-rise urban residential, as well as high density mixed-use and commercial developments. As Practice Area Leader, Jim is dedicated to

commercial

and

corporate

facility architecture, mixed-use, and commercial redevelopment projects, as well as to providing a valuable link between the Commercial and This confidential development synergizes the urban grocer with a mix of uses

PIECING IT ALL TOGETHER

requirements/ demands of each use.

In conclusion, integrated mixed-

Mixed-use projects with different functions

stacked

vertically

always

use

building

design

an

archetype

neighborhoods.

is

becoming

for

urban

There

are

infill

Residential

Practice

Area

within the Urban Architecture Studio.

Jim’s significant project and financial management skills are invaluable to his teams and clients.

many,

create a three-dimensional challenge.

complex moving parts to its design,

Ziegler Cooper Architects

The additional challenge of an urban

which

700 Louisiana, Ste 350

site with limited space and access

collaborative

requires a thorough understanding of

approach, driven by visionary owners

t: 713.374.0000

all of the components, and the specific

and developers.

www.zieglercooper.com

4

demands and

an

experienced,

integrated

team

teams

Houston, TX 77002