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Dorsky Hodgson + Partners Inc.

Cleveland, Ohio

Invigorating mixed-use projects

With an established focus on complex mixed-use projects, DORSKY HODGSON + PARTNERS (DH+P) is working with an increasing number of developers in their transition from retail-only projects to lifestyle mixed-use developments. In recent years the Cleveland-based national architectural firm has concentrated on projects combining retail space with office, residential and other uses creating dynamic lifestyle environments.

DH+P is working with many leading developers in adapting and integrating lifestyle concepts — both large and small — into the older, more established retail products such as power centers, community centers and malls. They are working with lifestyle retail developer Bayer Properties, for example, to design an exciting multi-level, mixed use project in Birmingham, Ala., as well as Simon Property Group's recently completed addition to Bowie Town Center near Washington D.C.

The firm is finding success in teaming with developers and municipalities in projects such as the unique downtown Hudson expansion in Hudson, Ohio. As DH+P partner Kevin Zak notes, “downtown Hudson's new urbanist planning model is sensitive to the 1800-era cityís charming New England character and represents a new era of thoughtfully conceived and controlled commercial development.” Scheduled for 2003 completion, the 11-acre expansion of this existing downtown is organized around new public spaces that extend the historic town square and offer 105,000 sq. ft. of new shops, offices and residential buildings integrated with a new library.

In designing the 630,000-sq.-ft. Legacy Village lifestyle center on a wooded estate in the Cleveland suburb of Lyndhurst, Ohio DH+P resolved a range of intriguing design challenges presented by climate, topography and history. “The solution reflects contextual sensitivity to historic original structures and site amenities as we provided a unique blend of the eclecticism to tenants including Brio Tuscan Grill, California Pizza Kitchen, Cheesecake Factory, Crate and Barrel, Galyan's, EXPO Design Center, Z Gallerie and Anthropologie,” explains partner, David Parrish.

Legacy Village's intersecting Mainstreet design for developer First Interstate Properties Limited embraces an open-space town center area for community activities, including an ice skating rink. DH+P's multi-story design maximized site build-out, yet retained existing woods and historic landscaping and accommodated the propertyís dramatic 60-ft. change of grade.

The firm currently has major mixed-use transit-oriented projects in the design stage in Miami and the Washington, D.C. area. At the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) station in Hyattsville, Md., DH+P's design for Taylor Development & Land Co.'s Belcrest Center reflects a trend towards regional emphasis on managed growth with higher density developments built around intermodal transportation hubs. The site design integrated the existing station with its complex car/bus lanes and sub-grade transit lines, while addressing topographic and setback issues. The phased project will include a 180,000-sq.-ft. two-level retail center, plus a 300,000-sq.-ft. office building, 240 apartments and a parking structure for 1,600 cars.

As mixed-use lifestyle developments continue to play a more dominant role in the retail landscape, DH+P is experiencing a surge of activity from both developers and municipalities.

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