Here's what the outside of Topeka's West Ridge Mall could look like after renovations
West Ridge Mall has opened several new stores in the eight months since new owners purchased it, as well as made a number of renovations to the interior.
Now, the outside of the mall is going to get a new look.
Owners Cody Foster and David Callanan and lead developer Terrence Maiden, of Russell Glen, announced they have chosen architectural firms RDC and Hufft to focus on the mall's transformation, with RDC responsible for the retail, entertainment and restaurant components, and Hufft for Advisors Excel's new headquarters, according to a Wednesday news release.
Maiden said choosing the firms was important because of West Ridge's importance in the Topeka community.
"We wanted to ensure that we found the right design firm with substantial experience and belief in our vision," Maiden said. "It was a very competitive process with many firms interested in the project, but we ultimately decided that Hufft and RDC collaboration was the best fit."
What can Topekans expect to change at West Ridge Mall?
In February, Foster and Callanan chose Dallas-based Russell Glen Co. to help develop the mall. Russell Glen is a privately owned and fully integrated real estate investment and development firm, founded by Maiden.
Foster said he would like to move most, if not all Advisors Excel’s office space into the mall. Through potential expansion either into the existing mall building or out into the parking lot, he expects the space could eventually offer about 175,000 square feet of office area, or about double the space at the existing McClure office.
Foster and Callanan purchased the mall in early September and in the eight months since, news of businesses opening first or second locations there has arrived with a steady drumbeat.
Such restaurants and retailers as Boxer Q BBQ, Ta Co., Absolute Tattoo, Shockwave Fitness, Summit Health and Luxe Wellness Studios and more have all recently opened storefronts in the mall.
"In the end, I believe the mall will bring value to the community as a place to gather and access great retail, restaurants, and entertainment," Foster told The Capital-Journal. "From an employer standpoint, it will make an amazing, cohesive workspace for our 1,000-strong workforce."
What is there to know about the architectural companies?
RDC has more than 50 years of experience with large-scale mixed-use projects across the country and in China. Hufft, with offices in Kansas City and Bentonville, Arkansas, has previous interior design and fabrication experience in Topeka with its previous work on The Pennant at 915 S. Kansas Ave., the release said.
Sean Slater, senior principal with RDC, said RDC is a collaborative team that is creating a new place at West Ridge Mall.
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"Our focus is on creating open-air retail districts on the site of what was once enclosed retail and repairing the urban fabric with connections to the surrounding neighborhood," Slater said.
Matthew Hufft, Hufft creative director and principal, said the company is excited to revise and revitalize the West Ridge Mall into a new community asset and center for Topeka.
"Saving buildings like this is a wonderful sustainable strategy that will create a very special and unique place for the community," Hufft said.
For more information about West Ridge Mall, visit westridgemall.com.
Keishera Lately is the business reporter for the Topeka Capital-Journal. She can be reached at klately@cjonline.com. Follow her on Twitter @Lately_KT.
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Here's what the outside of Topeka's West Ridge Mall may look like soon
