Essay 18.3
ZIEGLER COOPER
Urban Grocery-Anchored Mixed-Use Investigating the Design Challenges of Urban Grocers
The Morgan Group’s Pearl Midtown West in Houston, Texas
Pearl Midtown West offers a robust mix of urban grocery and modern mid-rise apartments units
DENSIFICATION & THE URBAN GROCER Many urban centers in the US become
ghost
towns
after
5:00
p.m. The urban worker returns to the
local stores, outside of the workday.
of increased return on investment,
A walkable community is contingent
optimized use of the land, and the
upon the residents, their activities, and
urban grocery anchor is a major
their eyes, to make the street exciting,
draw for renters.
interesting, and safe every day, not just
The
during the special events.
urban
grocer
is
being
approached in two formats: the large
sprawling suburbs and “the sidewalks
The wave of re-urbanization is not
format grocers with 40,000 to 90,000
are rolled up at night.” The result
only occurring in the urban core but
s.f. that draws from the suburban model
is a vacant territory that creates
also in the surrounding urban infill that
and offers a full range of products and
opportunities for crime. Many cities are
has seen a resurgence as new multi-
services to the local resident within a
bringing in evening activities such as
family projects are developed, resulting
single store, while also recreating the
theater, symphony halls, and galleries
in new, walkable communities. Grocers
character of many specialty shops.
along with restaurants and hotels.
are following the trend and providing
Alternatively, the small 15,000
These activities are helping improve
a critical component to these walkable
to 25,000 s.f. store creates a more
the environment to create an illusion of
communities. These communities are a:
boutique environment that can be more
security. The missing element to a vibrant,
• Benefit
to
residents
neighborhood
by
sustainable urban community is the
walkability,
residential component bringing people
social interaction;
to the streets to visit restaurants and 2
and
the
providing
convenience,
and
• Benefit to the developer because
specialty or neighborhood focused. Both
approaches
are
valid
components of creating a walkable community and a vibrant mixed-used development.
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
approaches. This is an important factor
to this aspect of pedestrian circulation
when considering the safe sharing of
in placement of stairwells, elevators,
space by pedestrians and vehicles.
and escalators.
The integration of a grocer into
The Morgan Group’s, Houston-
One consideration in the design
a mixed-use building requires that
based apartment developer, latest mid-
of a mixed-use project that includes a
circulation of shopping carts must be
rise in Midtown Houston, (see image
huge building component, such as a
assisted by oversized or dedicated
on front cover), features all the luxury
grocery store, is how to activate the
elevators, and is often assisted by the
amenities of a new Class A project: a
street around the grocer. Even though
use of a shopping cart conveyor, or
fitness center, resort-style pool and an
the grocer presents a large façade,
“cartilator.”
expansive courtyard, downtown vista
walls can be broken up visually into
Circulation of people in these
terrace, and yoga lawn. The developer
smaller components. The use of murals
complex buildings has special design
was able to capture one of the most
and supergraphics, the addition of
considerations.
be
coveted amenities for its tenth Pearl-
storefronts, and a place for casual
provided direct, dedicated access from
branded apartments in the Bayou City:
dining and other outdoor activities all
the residential area into the grocery,
a top-tier, 40,000-s-f Whole Foods
help to make the street level vibrant
while
and
Market grocery store. With 264-units,
and inviting.
security. Non-resident shoppers will not
the development spans most of a
In a mixed-use development, each
want to walk further than 300-feet to
two-square city block by eliminating
building component must be given its
the most remote parking space with a
a street, which had limited use, and
own identity from multiple views and
grocery cart, so consideration is given
through a variance to allow additional
Residents
maintaining
must
separation
Parq On Speer in Denver, Colorado features an on-site urban grocer that integrates with the surrounding neighborhood 3
pedestrian access rather than focusing
By articulating the façade and the
on parking.
thoughtful use of materials, the walls
The development includes parking above for residents and two stories
provide visual relief, a sense of scale, and place is created.
below grade for dedicated grocer
Light is an important factor in
parking. The upper parking levels are
creating a sense of wellness, comfort,
used as interstitial space, allowing for
and safety. To introduce ample light
the transitioning and consolidating of
to the basement garage below the
plumbing before going through the
grocer, a monumental stair, located at
grocery store.
the corner of the building is wrapped in
While the creation of a pedestrianfriendly
streetscape
is
of
glass to flood the garage with natural
utmost
light from above. The luxury units have
importance in sustainable, walkable
open floor plans, hardwood flooring
communities, the existence of a massive
and gas cooking appliances, and a
building component like a grocery
direct-access elevator to the grocer.
store introduces a design challenge.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: JIM ZEMSKI, AIA Jim has played significant roles on a wide variety of multi-faceted, complex projects. These include highrise and mid-rise urban residential, as well as high density mixed-use and commercial developments. As Practice Area Leader, Jim is dedicated to
commercial
and
corporate
facility architecture, mixed-use, and commercial redevelopment projects, as well as to providing a valuable link between the Commercial and This confidential development synergizes the urban grocer with a mix of uses
PIECING IT ALL TOGETHER
requirements/ demands of each use. In conclusion, integrated mixed-
Mixed-use projects with different functions
stacked
vertically
always
use
building
design
an
archetype
neighborhoods.
is
becoming
for
urban
There
are
infill
Residential
Practice
Area
within the Urban Architecture Studio. Jim’s significant project and financial management skills are invaluable to his teams and clients.
many,
create a three-dimensional challenge.
complex moving parts to its design,
Ziegler Cooper Architects
The additional challenge of an urban
which
700 Louisiana, Ste 350
site with limited space and access
collaborative
requires a thorough understanding of
approach, driven by visionary owners
t: 713.374.0000
all of the components, and the specific
and developers.
www.zieglercooper.com
4
demands and
an
experienced,
integrated
team
teams
Houston, TX 77002