Neighborhood centers have been gravely impacted by the pandemic. However, these retail properties have become an integral part of the community and often serve as community gathering spaces. After the pandemic, they will continue to play an important role.

"Neighborhood centers are more than just a collection of shops, service providers and restaurants—they are also central gathering places for the local community. This is a highly important role that must be supported by the centers' design and various aesthetic elements," Greg Lyon, chairman and principal at Nadel Architecture + Planning, tells GlobeSt.com.

Nadel is working with property owners now to revamp centers to evolve with the new market. Freedom Plaza, a current project for the firm, is a great example. When Nadel designed Freedom Plaza, a recently completed brand-new neighborhood center that serves as the retail element for Jordan Downs mixed-use development in Watts, California, we knew how important it was to incorporate the rich heritage of the people of Watts into the center's design," says Lyon. "Since this project was a redevelopment of a residential community that was built for housing as returning military personnel and had devolved into drug-ridden projects, we wanted to design a retail center that would revitalize the neighborhood and provide a positive place for the community to gather, socialize, dine, and shop."