Strolling through CITYCENTRE, most people don’t notice the expansive shade or the fresh breezes flowing through the center. And it’s easy to overlook the wide, paved walkways or the recycled masonry materials used to build CITYCENTRE. But that’s just fine with the center’s designers, who wanted to create a thoughtful, vibrant and elegant destination for people to live, shop and dine.

CITYCENTRE is tasked with being a lot of things to many people. With the Brownstones at CITYCENTRE, The Domain Apartments, The LOFTS CITYCENTRE and The Residences at Hotel Sorella, CITYCENTRE is a place many people call home. With 19 different restaurants and bars, 13 various shops and a full schedule of events, CITYCENTRE is also a lifestyle and entertainment destination.

Creating a space to accommodate a wide range of interests and needs was at the forefront of the design team’s mind when planning CITYCENTRE, cultivating a sense of ownership and prompting patrons to return again and again.

“We believe that establishing authenticity and approachability through planning, architecture, programming and the tenant mix, would appeal to people, and keep them coming back,” Shon Link, vice president of development says. “The project is about an enhanced lifestyle, and whether you are a resident or a visitor, you experience it and remember it.”

The Plaza is the heartbeat of CITYCENTRE and a place where memories are made every day. Green spaces and a dancing water feature draw visitors in and encourage them to stay and play.

Before breaking ground on CITYCENTRE’s plaza, Link says the design team took a close look at other places, took notes and made changes. Gone was the notion of a paved plaza and in its place was green Astroturf. Buildings were planned to create breeze funnels and shade throughout the day.

“We studied public spaces across the country in great detail. We noticed a common approach, which we disagreed with. We wanted to create a space that had the flexibility to host a large event, but more importantly, create a space where people were compelled to use it as an amenity on a day-to-day basis,” Link says.

Generous restaurant patios hug The Plaza and even the spots located further away from the The Plaza have a presence on the pedestrian-friendly walkways, making it easy to walk up and go in.
The addition of the water feature was the finishing touch, providing “a calm elegance during the day” and “intrigue and excitement at night” thanks to fire features that are activated once the sun sets.

“This provides a constant energy and vitality that is very important for public spaces,” Link says. “The best experience for us is see the plaza filled with children playing on a typical Friday night,” Link says.

The Plaza is hopping with activity most nights, thanks to a calendar loaded with concerts, dancing, markets and other community-building events. More than 165 events are planned throughout the year, drawing anywhere from 500 to several thousand people.

“The programming is key, as it provides unique experiences within the community and further establishes the identity of our public space as a community center,” Link says.

There is also a comfort level woven into CITYCENTRE’s design, allowing for a very walkable experience. The right mix of stores coupled with an inviting public space were obvious elements, but CITYCENTRE’s design team took creating a pedestrian-friendly space even farther.

Link says the implementation of architectural scale, landscaping, paving materials, street accessories and signage created a comfortable and interesting venue for pedestrians to travel.

“The environment needs to feel as if it is dominated by people and not automobiles. The fundamental planning of the project places garages on the perimeter, so that the vast majority of automobiles never enter the project,” Link says.

An intentional side effect of pedestrian-friendly venue also meant a commitment to a more environmentally-friendly center. Construction included recycled masonry materials and local remnant stone materials throughout the project and landscaping is primarily composed of plants that consume minimal water and are a right fit for a hot climate.

“Comprehensive mixed use environments, by nature, take people out of cars and put them on foot, which ultimately provides benefit to the environment,” Link says.

And allows visitors an up-close-and-personal experience, which was all part of the CITYCENTRE plan in the first place.