Torti Gallas + Partners is proud to announce that Mellody Farm in Vernon Hills, Illinois has received a Silver Award in the International Council of Shopping Centers’ (ICSC) North America Design and Development Awards Program! The ICSC North America Design and Development Awards recognize the premier shopping center and retail achievements in the United States and Canada. Awards are given for outstanding performance in the design and development of retail properties and retail store design.

Working with owner Regency Centers and Focus Development, Torti Gallas + Partners created the vision for the mixed-use development - both the multi-family residential component and the incredibly successful retail center. The design of Mellody Farm is inspired by adaptive reuse buildings in urban areas of Chicago such as the West Loop and Wicker Park. The project’s mix of modern-industrial and eclectic architecture, rustic finishes, lush landscaping, vibrant murals, music system, and artisan-crafted benches, creates an enjoyable customer experience.

Built on the undeveloped Hawthorn Mellody Farm Dairy parcel, the project emphasizes green, open spaces within the community and the surrounding nature preserves. As such, central to the shopping district is the public park - flanked by signature restaurants and a large outdoor fireplace. Mellody Farm offers a convenient, open-air, urban inspired community destination in the heart of Chicagoland’s affluent Lake County. Anchored by Whole Foods, REI, and other anchor retail tenants, the shopping district also includes an array of small shops and cafes.

Our design team, led by Partner Mike Rollison, worked with Regency Centers to incorporate a blend of historic detailing, including many reclaimed materials to create an “urban” shopping destination that feels like Chicago. Regency understood the importance of changing retail paradigms and fostered an eclectic merchandising plan that focused on a non-traditional lineup of tenants.

The result is a best-in-class regional destination that promotes a walkable lifestyle. The upscale development includes 260,000 SF of retail, shops and restaurants and 260 luxury apartments in a distinctive shopping center model for the suburban setting with one-of-a-kind authentic placemaking moments throughout. In this time of COVID-19 it is especially important that communities have a place to gather in a safe and socially distanced way. By creating an experiential destination, rather than simply a shopping center, Mellody Farm provides the framework for enriching experiences and social engagement.

All of these elements combined make Mellody Farm one of the most successful hybrids of mixed-use town center and retail power center on the national stage.

Watch the video of the awards announcement here. Start watching at minute mark 7:00 to see Mellody Farm!

To learn more about Mellody Farm and other projects in our Placemaking Portfolio, visit the Portfolio tab.

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