Retailers Pull Out all the Stops for Foot Traffic
Successful retailer operators are focusing on experiences, both in-store and within the overall retail center, such as The Hill, which has enlisted five local artists to bring unique art to the shopping district.
DALLAS—Successful retailer operators are focusing on experiences, both in stores and within the overall retail center. One example is The Hill, which has enlisted five local artists to bring unique art to the shopping district located at 8041 Walnut Hill Ln., North Central Expressway/Highway 75 and Walnut Hill Lane in North Dallas.
The five local artists will add more than 25 murals to The Hill. The mixed-use development is currently commissioning additional artists, bringing the collection to a total of 33 murals upon completion. The phased mural installation will take several months to complete, and the public is encouraged to view the live art installations. The art–a curated mix of one-of-a-kind murals and artwork–brings a distinct sense of community to The Hill’s outdoor spaces, pathways and central courtyard area.
The Hill serves the everyday retail needs of the Preston Hollow, Lake Highlands and Lakewood neighborhoods. It is owned by an affiliate of CAPREF Manager LLC, which manages a private equity fund comprising assets valued in excess of $1.2 billion and encompasses a US portfolio of 5.8 million square feet of retail and mixed-use properties.
This center is one of many that have made a concerted effort to bring in more foot traffic by creating experiences for visitors and shoppers. Other retailers have followed suit to draw in customers.
“The Starbuck Roastery and Tasting Room concept is an example of a best-in-class retailer taking its store to the next level by allowing customers to understand the process of making coffee beans, taking them from the unroasted bean to a delicious cup of coffee,” Todd Rollins, senior director–portfolio manager with TH Real Estate, tells GlobeSt.com. “The Samsung building in the meatpacking district of New York engages consumers to experience their products first-hand as well as offering concerts, screenings and immersive tech experiences.”
Indeed, there are many Dallas retail projects in the works for next year which are bringing those concepts to bear, according to Weitzman.
Scheels is underway with a 325,000-square-foot supersized sporting goods store near Nebraska Furniture Mart at Grandscape, located along SH-121 in The Colony. The store is set to open in 2020.
Alamo Drafthouse has a 42,000-square-foot location planned for a site on Davis Boulevard in North Richland Hills.
Trophy Club Town Center is a long planned mixed-use project along SH-114 in the affluent Trophy Club market, with plans to open 50,000 square feet of retail, as well as apartment and hotel space by year-end 2019.
Stacy Green, a mixed-use project underway at US-75 and Stacy Road in Allen, will open its first phase in 2019 with a retail line-up dominated by restaurants. The project will open across the street from Allen Premium Outlets.
The Frisco mall Stonebriar Centre will expand with the entertainment concept, Kidzania. The 80,000-square-foot experiential learning experience for children has set its opening for spring 2019.
The Realm at Castle Hills is a mixed-use project at SH-121 near Josey Lane that is underway with a first phase including office and retail space.
An urban Tom Thumb store is set to open at Live Oak and Texas Streets near downtown Dallas in late 2019. The 55,000-square-foot store will occupy street-level retail space in a 10-story apartment tower.
A future Frisco mixed-use project at the Dallas North Tollway and US 380 is planned to include a major retail component along with office, hotel and residential space. No timing, however, has been announced by the developer, Lesso Group.