ATLANTA, May 6, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cooper Carry, the internationally recognized design firm, has launched its second SlideShare in a series intended to spark conversations about real estate and design trends that are impacting our communities. In anticipation of the International Council of Shopping Centers' (ICSC) upcoming RECon convention, Cooper Carry's second installment, "Is the Mall Really Dead?", examines the health of malls and finds that rumors of their demise have been greatly exaggerated.
"Myriad stories have been published about the failure of the traditional shopping mall – a few claiming the mall is dead," said Angelo Carusi, principal of Cooper Carry's Retail Specialty Practice Group. "We analyzed this claim and found it's a hard argument to make when 96.8 percent of malls are healthy and thriving. And to top it off, mall rent, sales and NOI are all increasing."
At a time when the news media seems to only report on the malls that are dying, Cooper Carry's Retail Specialty Practice Group has been involved in the design of over 5 million square feet of recent retail projects, encompassing both new construction and renovation of malls and large open air projects.
Landmark Mall is one such example. Built in 1965 near Washington D.C., the mall lost its luster and the owner suffered a financial crisis. New owners are repositioning the mall to become an urban mixed-use project. The plan includes the taking off the roof, demolishing some retail space and adding apartments.
"Ultimately, the key to keeping the American mall alive and well is adapting to current trends," said Gar Muse, principal of Cooper Carry's Retail Specialty Practice Group. "This means creating more walkable and appealing space that caters to demographic shifts and changes in shopping habits."
To learn more about the state of the American mall, view the SlideShare here or visit Cooper Carry's website at http://www.coopercarry.com.
ABOUT COOPER CARRY
Cooper Carry provides architecture, planning, landscape architecture, interior design, environmental graphic design and sustainability consulting services. Founded in 1960, the firm specializes in the design of corporate, education, government, hospitality, mixed-use, office, residential, retail, science + technology, and transit projects. The firm has designed projects in 45 states and globally in the Caribbean, Middle East, Asia, Africa and Central America. Engaging a fundamental design philosophy centered on the concept that environments should connect people to people and people to place, the firm promotes the philosophy of "connective architecture." Designers understand the local market and the specific cultural and physical contexts in which the building will serve those who interact with it while conceiving memorable spaces, inside and out. Listening to the client and gaining a deep understanding of the market and site prior to commencing design, Cooper Carry balances passionate creativity with client service. For more information visit coopercarry.com.