Settlers Ridge

Settlers Ridge is an open-air lifestyle center in Robinson Township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, in the Pittsburgh metropolitan area. The development is located near the Ridge Road interchange serving the Parkway West and U.S. Routes 22 and 30, approximately between Penn Center West and Robinson Town Centre. Rather than representing a conventional enclosed regional mall, Settlers Ridge was planned as a mixed-use-oriented retail destination combining large-format stores, dining and entertainment in an outdoor environment. The project originated after the completion of the Ridge Road interchange improved access to the surrounding commercial area. In 2006, CBL & Associates Properties and Faison Enterprises acquired approximately 79 acres from Robinson Park Associates and proposed a new lifestyle center under the Settlers Ridge name. The plans were submitted to local authorities in the fall of 2006 and received approval from Robinson Township commissioners in November of that year. An amended development plan was approved in October 2007, after which site work began. Building construction followed in the summer of 2008. The first phase opened to the public on October 30, 2009. Reported investment in the shopping complex was approximately $100 million. Its tenant mix was designed to provide several complementary reasons to visit: a large Giant Eagle Market District grocery operation, Barnes & Noble, Cinemark Theatres and LA Fitness. The published anchor figures identify the Market District store as approximately 150,000 square feet, the cinema as approximately 53,400 square feet, the fitness club as approximately 38,000 square feet and Barnes & Noble as approximately 30,000 square feet. These uses positioned the center as a destination serving everyday grocery needs as well as books, fitness, movies and broader discretionary shopping. A second phase was under construction by spring 2011. Ownership and development responsibilities changed during the center's early operating period. In late 2010, CBL sold the first phase to O'Connor/Real Vest Retail Holding Co. LLC, a New York-based owner, for a reported $132.9 million. The transaction included an option concerning the later phase. Boston-based Wilder Companies was identified as the property's management and leasing company. The available reference material does not establish the center's current ownership, tenant roster, operating condition or management arrangements, so those details remain unverified here.

Settlers Ridge was conceived as a new open-air lifestyle center in Robinson Township, Pennsylvania, after transportation improvements created an opportunity for additional commercial development near the Parkway West. The Ridge Road interchange, serving U.S. Routes 22 and 30, improved access to land near existing business districts and helped support plans for a destination-oriented retail project. In 2006, CBL & Associates Properties and Faison Enterprises purchased approximately 79 acres from Robinson Park Associates. The developers proposed a commercial center called Settlers Ridge and presented their plans to the local planning commission during the fall. Robinson Township commissioners approved the proposal in November 2006. The plan was later revised, with an amended version receiving approval in October 2007. Construction activity followed the planning approvals. Site work began soon afterward, and construction on buildings started during the summer of 2008. The first phase opened on October 30, 2009. The project was described as a roughly $100 million shopping complex and was organized around an outdoor lifestyle-center format rather than a traditional enclosed mall. Its reported anchor tenants included Barnes & Noble, Cinemark Theatres, Giant Eagle Market District and LA Fitness. Together, these tenants gave the center a mixture of grocery, books, cinema, fitness and related consumer services. The development continued beyond its initial opening. A second phase was reported to be under construction in spring 2011. During the center's early history, ownership also changed. In late 2010, CBL sold the first phase to O'Connor/Real Vest Retail Holding Co. LLC of New York for $132.9 million. The arrangement included an option to acquire the phase-two addition from CBL at a later date. Wilder Companies, based in Boston, was identified as responsible for management and leasing. The available reference material documents the project's planning, construction, opening and early ownership transfer, but it does not provide a reliable current tenant directory, current owner confirmation, later redevelopment history or present operating status. Accordingly, the historical record supports describing Settlers Ridge as a Pennsylvania open-air lifestyle center, while current corporate and operational details require further verification.

• 2011

  Phase two reported under construction

  [1]Settlers Ridgeen.wikipedia.org

  The second phase was reported as under construction in spring 2011.

• 2010

  First phase sold

  [1]Settlers Ridgeen.wikipedia.org

  CBL sold the first phase to O'Connor/Real Vest Retail Holding Co. LLC for a reported $132.9 million.

• 2009

  First phase opens

  [1]Settlers Ridgeen.wikipedia.org

  The first phase of Settlers Ridge opened for business on October 30, 2009.

• 2008

  Building construction begins

  [1]Settlers Ridgeen.wikipedia.org

  Construction on the center's buildings began during the summer of 2008 after earlier site work.

• 2007

  Amended plan approved

  [1]Settlers Ridgeen.wikipedia.org

  An amended plan for the center received approval from township commissioners in October 2007.

• 2006

  Land acquired and development proposed

  [1]Settlers Ridgeen.wikipedia.org

  CBL & Associates Properties and Faison Enterprises acquired approximately 79 acres near the Ridge Road interchange and proposed an open-air lifestyle center to be named Settlers Ridge.

• 2006

  Initial township approval

  [1]Settlers Ridgeen.wikipedia.org

  Robinson Township commissioners approved the initial development proposal in November 2006.

A highway-accessible open-air lifestyle center combining large-format grocery, retail, entertainment and fitness uses for local and metropolitan-area consumers.

• Grocery anchor

  Giant Eagle Market District

  The largest reported anchor at Settlers Ridge, the Market District location was described as approximately 150,000 square feet. Its presence gave the center a substantial everyday-shopping component and helped broaden the project beyond fashion and discretionary retail.

• Cinema and entertainment

  Cinemark Theatres

  Cinemark Theatres served as the center's entertainment anchor. The published description identified the location as approximately 53,400 square feet, adding movie-going and evening activity to the open-air retail environment.

• Fitness services

  LA Fitness

  The reported LA Fitness facility occupied approximately 38,000 square feet. As a health-club anchor, it contributed a recurring service use that complemented the center's grocery, retail and entertainment tenants.

• Books and specialty retail

  Barnes & Noble

  Barnes & Noble was listed as an anchor tenant in a store of approximately 30,000 square feet. The bookstore added specialty retail and browsing-oriented traffic to the center's tenant mix.

• 2010

  Sell the first phase to O'Connor/Real VestM&A

  Background

  After the first phase began operating, CBL changed the ownership structure of the initial development.

  Action taken

  CBL sold the first phase to O'Connor/Real Vest Retail Holding Co. LLC and retained an option-related relationship concerning the second phase.

  Aftermath

  O'Connor/Real Vest became the reported owner of the first phase, while Wilder Companies handled management and leasing according to the reference material.

  Reported sale price. $132.9 million (Late 2010 transaction)

  Source

• 2006

  Develop an open-air lifestyle centerStrategy

  Background

  Following improved highway access near the Ridge Road interchange, developers sought to create a destination retail project on approximately 79 acres in Robinson Township.

  Action taken

  CBL & Associates Properties and Faison Enterprises proposed and pursued Settlers Ridge as an open-air lifestyle center rather than a conventional enclosed mall.

  Aftermath

  The project received local approvals, entered construction and opened its first phase in 2009.

  Source

1. 1Settlers Ridgeen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Settlers Ridge official websitesettlersridgepa.com