Part 2 - Ohio Lifestyle Center Series: Crocker Park

Part 2 of this Ohio Lifestyle Center series will focus on Crocker Park.  This Lifestyle Center, opened in October of 2003, is 30 minutes west of Downtown Cleveland in the western suburb of Westlake, Ohio.  Crocker Park has 1.7 million total square feet – almost three times the size of Maumee’s The Shops at Fallen Timbers (the subject of my first post).  Distinctive about this center is their focus on residential above and around the center.  There is more residential square footage (900,000 sf) than retail (550,000 sf) and office (250,000) combined.  Stark Enterprises, the owner and developer of the $480 million, 75 acre project truly was interested in creating not just another Lifestyle Center, but a community where people, lots of people, live, shop, socialize, and can even work in a vibrant 12 “city” block area that is always a buzz with activity.  Crocker Park is, without question, a draw in its own right, attracting people from all over the region – but it also has a “neighborhood” where almost 2,000 residents will eventually support the retail and restaurants and enjoy some of the park-like spaces the center provides.

Another critical component to this center is the number of grocery stores within walking distance of the residences.  Trader Joe's and Giant Eagle are part of the center and Marc’s is just across the street.  From my point of view – a grocery component is appealing to both the Millennials as well as the Boomers and provides basic needs without having to jump in your car.  Although certainly not urban by any stretch (Westlake is an upper income bedroom community), Crocker Park does create an authentic urban experience.

Crocker Park was master planned by MSI Design (Columbus, OH) and the architect for the center was Bialosky + Partners (Cleveland, OH and New York, NY).  Retailers of note include Dick’s Sporting Goods, Regal Cinemas, Urban Active Fitness, Trader Joe's, and The Apple Store to name a few.  Crocker Park also is chocked full of restaurants and fashion retail.  For a list of all current stores, over 70 retailers – see the Store Directory.

I am always interested in your opinions about these centers (especially those that have visited).  Please leave me a comment and let me know your thoughts.