The Greene Town Center

The Greene Town Center, commonly called The Greene, is a large mixed-use development in Beavercreek, an eastern suburb of Dayton in Greene County, Ohio. Rather than operating as a conventional enclosed shopping mall, it is organized as an open-air town center with streets, public gathering areas, retail storefronts, restaurants, entertainment venues, office space and residential loft apartments. The project is positioned as a civic-style destination as well as a shopping complex, with a central town square, outdoor concerts, holiday programming and seasonal family activities. The development occupies approximately 72 acres near the intersection of Indian Ripple and Stroop Roads and is accessible from Interstate 675. It was developed and co-owned by Steiner + Associates, a company associated with other mixed-use town-center projects, including Easton Town Center in Columbus and developments in the Cincinnati-Newport, Milwaukee and Kansas City areas. The Greene was built in two principal phases, with total development costs estimated to exceed $200 million. Public financing represented a relatively small portion of the overall project cost; the cited public share was approximately $14.8 million against an estimated $186 million financing figure. Phase I was completed in 2006. Its tenant mix included national apparel and specialty retailers such as Lane Bryant, White House Black Market, Chico's and Sephora, together with restaurants including The Cheesecake Factory. The initial phase also introduced entertainment and service uses to the Dayton-area market, including The Funny Bone comedy club, Urban Active fitness facilities and the Rave Cinemas movie theater. Approximately 100,000 square feet of second-floor office space overlooked the town square, while the residential component added roughly 136 loft apartments. Meachem and Apel served as architect of record for much of the project, and Torti Gallas and Partners designed the mixed-use residential buildings. Phase II, completed in fall 2008, expanded the center's fashion and department-store offering. Its principal anchor was Von Maur, a Midwestern department store known for apparel, accessories, beauty products and service-oriented retailing. In 2014, The Greene announced plans for a 35,000-square-foot Nordstrom Rack building, further extending its role as a regional fashion destination. The center has also accommodated changing tenants and shops over time, as is typical of a large retail development. The Greene's core trade area includes Beavercreek and nearby communities such as Bellbrook, Kettering, Oakwood, Centerville and Springboro. It is generally described as one of the three major shopping destinations serving the Dayton region, alongside The Mall at Fairfield Commons and the Dayton Mall. Its open-air design, free parking lots and garages, and programming in the public areas are central elements of its positioning. Metered parking revenue is designated to benefit a charitable foundation. The project generated debate before and during construction. Critics questioned the clearing of a heavily wooded site, the likely economic effect on surrounding communities and whether the Dayton region could support another major shopping destination in addition to existing malls. The center also adopted an age-related access policy under which people younger than 16 are not permitted on the premises after the stated 9:00 p.m. curfew unless accompanied by an adult. On May 26, 2015, a brief EF1 tornado affected The Greene and the neighboring Greene Crossing area. The storm overturned vehicles, uprooted trees and damaged multiple businesses, including a Waffle House restaurant and a Fitworks fitness facility. Two people sustained minor injuries. Security-camera footage from The Greene captured the tornado, which reportedly remained on the ground for about one minute and traveled approximately half a mile. The Greene continues to function as a regional open-air retail, dining, entertainment and mixed-use destination.

The Greene Town Center was developed as a large open-air mixed-use project in Beavercreek, Ohio, on approximately 72 acres near Indian Ripple and Stroop Roads and Interstate 675. The development was associated with Steiner + Associates, whose portfolio includes other town-center projects such as Easton Town Center. The project was conceived as a combination of regional shopping destination, civic gathering place and mixed-use neighborhood rather than as a fully enclosed mall. The development proceeded in two main phases. Phase I was completed in 2006 and introduced a broad mixture of national retailers, restaurants, entertainment venues, offices and residential units. Early retail tenants included Lane Bryant, White House Black Market, Chico's and Sephora, while The Cheesecake Factory provided a prominent dining use. The phase also included The Funny Bone comedy club, Urban Active fitness facilities and the Rave Cinemas theater. About 100,000 square feet of office space was placed above portions of the retail environment, and approximately 136 residential loft apartments were incorporated into the development. Meachem and Apel designed much of the project, while Torti Gallas and Partners worked on the residential buildings. Phase II concentrated on fashion retail and was completed in fall 2008. Its central anchor was Von Maur, a department store noted for apparel, accessories, beauty products and a high-service retail model. Additional shops occupied vacant and newly developed space as the center matured. In 2014, The Greene announced a plan for a 35,000-square-foot Nordstrom Rack building, reflecting continued efforts to expand the fashion and value-oriented retail mix. The center has been marketed and used as a public-oriented destination. Its town square hosts outdoor concerts, holiday events and family activities, including summer fountain use. Free parking in lots and garages supports the destination model, while metered parking revenue is directed to a charitable foundation. The center's primary customer base is drawn from Beavercreek and affluent or nearby communities including Bellbrook, Kettering, Oakwood, Centerville and Springboro. Before and during construction, the project was controversial. The site had previously been heavily wooded, and Beavercreek officials and local opponents debated the development's economic impact and environmental consequences. Critics also questioned whether the Dayton-area market could support The Greene alongside The Mall at Fairfield Commons and the Dayton Mall. These debates formed part of the broader discussion surrounding suburban retail expansion and the conversion of undeveloped land into large commercial projects. The Greene has also experienced operational and environmental events affecting the property. It maintains a 9:00 p.m. curfew and restricts unaccompanied visitors under the age of 16 after that time. On May 26, 2015, an EF1 tornado crossed the surrounding area, overturning vehicles, damaging storefronts and restaurants, uprooting trees and disrupting power. Two people suffered minor injuries. The storm damaged businesses including a Waffle House and Fitworks facility, and security footage from The Greene recorded the event. Despite these disruptions, the center remains a mixed-use retail and entertainment destination serving the Dayton metropolitan area.

• 2015

  Tornado damages nearby businesses

  [1]The Greene Town Centeren.wikipedia.org

  An EF1 tornado affected The Greene and Greene Crossing, overturning vehicles and damaging trees, roofs and businesses.

• 2014

  Nordstrom Rack building announced

  [1]The Greene Town Centeren.wikipedia.org

  The Greene announced plans for a 35,000-square-foot building for Nordstrom Rack.

• 2008

  Phase II is completed

  [1]The Greene Town Centeren.wikipedia.org

  The fashion-focused second phase was completed in fall 2008, anchored by the Von Maur department store.

• 2006

  Phase I opens

  [1]The Greene Town Centeren.wikipedia.org

  The first phase opened with retail stores, restaurants, entertainment venues, offices and approximately 136 residential loft apartments.

A regional open-air lifestyle and mixed-use destination combining fashion retail, restaurants, entertainment, offices, residential lofts and programmed public space.

• Retail · 2006

  Open-air retail district

  The Greene's principal offering is an open-air collection of storefronts serving fashion, beauty, specialty retail and other consumer categories. Early tenants included Lane Bryant, White House Black Market, Chico's and Sephora. The district is designed around walkable streets and a town-square environment rather than enclosed mall corridors.

• Department store · 2008

  Von Maur

  Von Maur became the principal department-store anchor of the second development phase. Its assortment centers on fashion, accessories and beauty products, supported by a service-oriented department-store model. Its arrival broadened The Greene's appeal as a regional fashion destination.

• Restaurants · 2006

  Dining district

  Restaurants form a major part of The Greene's mixed-use proposition. The Cheesecake Factory was among the Phase I tenants, and the broader center combines sit-down dining with other food and beverage uses. Dining helps extend visits beyond conventional shopping hours and supports the town-center atmosphere.

• Entertainment · 2006

  Entertainment venues

  The original entertainment offer included The Funny Bone comedy club, Urban Active fitness facilities and the Rave Cinemas movie theater. These uses complemented retail and dining by making the property a broader leisure destination for the Dayton area.

• Mixed-use real estate · 2006

  Office and residential space

  The development incorporates approximately 100,000 square feet of second-floor office space overlooking the town square and approximately 136 residential loft apartments. These components support The Greene's identity as a mixed-use district rather than a single-purpose shopping property.

• Outdoor concerts and holiday programming

  Beavercreek · Dayton region

  The Greene uses its town square and outdoor public areas for concerts, holiday events and family-oriented seasonal activities, reinforcing its civic-center positioning.

  Outcome. The events support repeat visitation and broaden the center's role beyond shopping and dining.

  Source

• 2014

  Announce Nordstrom Rack buildingProduct launch

  Background

  The center continued to develop its fashion-retail mix after the completion of Phase II.

  Action taken

  The Greene announced construction of a 35,000-square-foot building intended for Nordstrom Rack.

  Aftermath

  The announcement indicated an effort to add a major off-price fashion retailer to the center.

  Source

• 2008

  Expand the center with a fashion-focused second phaseGeneration change

  Background

  After the initial mixed-use phase opened, the development sought to strengthen its regional fashion and department-store offer.

  Action taken

  The second phase was completed in fall 2008 with Von Maur as its principal anchor and additional retail space.

  Aftermath

  The expansion established a larger fashion-retail presence within The Greene's open-air town-center format.

  Source

• Adopt a public-oriented town-center modelStrategy

  Background

  The Greene was developed to combine commercial uses with civic-style public space and mixed-use functions.

  Action taken

  The center incorporated a town square, outdoor programming, offices, residential lofts, free parking and family gathering areas.

  Aftermath

  The property differentiated itself from conventional enclosed malls as a lifestyle and community destination.

  Source

1. 1The Greene Town Centeren.wikipedia.org
2. 2The Greene Town Center official websitethegreene.com