Mixing It Up: The New Mixed-Use Businesses
The innovative ideas architects and developers are including in their communities.
When my daughters were little, I read them a book called “If I Built a House” by Chris Van Dusen. It was about a little boy who was describing how he would design his home if he were in charge.
In the kitchen, there was a robot machine that would cook and clean for you. There was a ball pit and trampolines in the living room. In the bathroom, automatic jets would clean you—no need to take a bath. And, of course, there was a room that became a rocket ship to blast you off to wherever you wanted to go. The house was awesome. Whenever we read the book, we would also talk about what we would put in our own house if we could design whatever we wanted. (For example, water slides to go to different floors and chocolate fountains throughout. My kids had some ideas, as well.)
Well, it turns out that mixed-use communities are just as cool as these imaginary houses. They might not have robots or ball pits or rocket ships (yet). But architects and developers are incorporating convenience stores and coffee shops. They are featuring gyms with luxury touches such as saunas and cryotherapy. And they’re even incorporating outdoor features and touting walking paths, helping residents get where they need to go.
“The key to retention is really building community and a place that people identify with,” Kelly Farrell of Gensler told reporter Fotios Tsarouhis in “The Nuts and Bolts of Mixed-Use Design.”
Because many renters work from home on at least a hybrid schedule, having practical businesses can really boost the property’s appeal. I’d love to hear what your mixed-use building includes. And also, what you would add if your imagination was the limit. (Seriously, let’s get to work on that rocket-ship apartment technology!)
