Gone are the days of wide expanses of turf areas and landscaping for aesthetic purposes only. Function and efficient use of water are more practical approaches to incorporating plants into today’s retail ­centers.

“Green” is a growing trend in the nation’s retail industry as retail developers and owners look more closely at the environmental, economic and community benefits of sustainable development. Rising costs, government mandates, and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design ( LEED) have inspired developers, designers and consumers to focus more seriously on conservation.

Consequently, more retail developers throughout the nation are going green, especially as they realize the potential for substantial, long-term benefits such as significantly reducing operating costs.

The Crossings at Corona, in Corona, Calif., is an instructive example of a successful green retail project. At 1.2 million square feet, this shopping center represents one of the most ambitious and largest green retail development programs in the nation, utilizing many innovative products and practices that are destined to serve as prototypes for other centers.

A key element of the center’s sustainable program is the landscape architecture plan that has accomplished several goals: developing ecological associations, reducing water consumption, utilizing recycled hardscape materials, restoring sensitive habitat areas, and creating serene pathway and garden environments that provide “shade and beauty.”

Some of the landscaping innovations at The Crossings include extensive use of native plant materials, habitat restoration of the adjacent St. Joseph Wash, and the relocation of 15 mature oak trees on the site.

Developed and owned by Castle & Cooke Corona, Inc., The Crossings is a state-of-the-industry retail and entertainment center in Corona, a rapidly growing community of 138,000 in Riverside County, California. It occupies a 113-acre site and utilizes a spectrum of green products and practices that promote conservation of natural resources.

For instance, about 80 percent of The Crossings’ landscaping is native or water-efficient plant material, which helps keep maintenance and irrigation costs down significantly. Today, there are only a few retail centers in the U.S. with this level of very intelligent landscaping architecture, from both sustainable and esthetic viewpoints.

NUVIS, a landscape architecture and planning firm headquartered in Costa Mesa, Calif., was retained by Castle & Cooke to develop the comprehensive sustainable program for The Crossings. The firm was re­­sponsible for developing innovative solutions to the diverse environmental concerns that needed to be addressed as part of the sustainable landscape architecture for the huge, complex retail project.

“At The Crossings, particular attention was paid to environmental impacts, with the primary goal to create a healthier environment, reduce operation and maintenance costs, and address issues such as habitat restoration and historic preservation,” explains Bill Sampson, senior vice president, commercial properties, Castle & Cooke.

Addressing landscape sustainability was a two-fold process—plant selection and water demands. Native and indigenous plant species help to meet these integral aspirations and were incorporated as common elements. It is essential that plants be grouped by hydrozones—based on water requirements — and selected based on micro climates created by exposure facing north, east, west, or south.

An important part of any sustainable landscape architecture program is educating maintenance personnel.

Sustainability will only succeed when education and operation go hand-in-hand to accomplish the goals associated with conserving water in the design and maintenance of landscape.

There were other challenges too. When dealing with the ecologically sensitive areas that were part of the project site, NUVIS had to­­­ address a number of issues including suitability analysis, existing material avoidance/protection, restoration/enhancement, and edge transition/buffering. Numerous innovative mitigation measures had to be ­incorporated into the landscape architecture plan. The St. Joseph Wash, which is adjacent to the retail center site, had to be restored because of its designation as an environmentally sensitive area.

NUVIS was also responsible for relocating 15 highly prized oak trees that were on the site, some of which were hundreds of years old. This was no easy task. One of the oaks was so large that two 18-wheel truck beds had to be welded together to haul it across the site. But it was important to save the oaks despite the difficulties and cost of removing and relocating them.

“We all believed it was well worth the effort, and these beautiful trees have ­established a mature landscape character for the entire retail center,” says ­Sampson.

Once the basic project infrastructure was in place, the oaks were planted at strategic locations on site. Two huge oaks were placed at the entrances of the center, while others were planted at key intersections and throughout the site to maintain the landscaping theme.

Oaks are rarely used for this type of development, so this was a real test but a successful one.

A large number of Crepe Myrtle trees also populate The Crossings site, joining with the stately oaks to provide substantial shade during those warm summer months that are typical for this region. Elegant Chrysler Imperial Roses are planted around the center and intricate brickwork by Pacific Clay adds texture to the landscaping. The center’s spectacle of trees and botanicals complement The Crossings’ backdrop of rustic hills and arroyos.

Esthetically, the landscape architecture plan melds with The Crossings’ ­colors, materials, and architectural elements to form the visual fabric of the ­retail center.

NUVIS created functional and stylish activity hubs by combining natural materials with creative designs to ensure the landscaping offers beauty, shade and a sense of space. Care was also taken to provide attractive “people gathering” places within the center, which include such features as covered paseos, plazas, arbors, fountains and sitting areas.

In planning The Crossings, Castle & Cooke also had some very unique ideas about creating a great retail place.

They recognized the importance of landscaping to establish a visual statement and sense of place, and the need to soften the project’s edges, especially around the big-box retail outlets. It’s very important to provide continuity, yet minimize the visual impact of these large structures.

“We wanted to go over the top­ ­esthetically at The Crossings,” says Sampson. “We build and hold our projects so it’s important for us to do it right. It has definitely helped us attract tenants and I think it has also enhanced our ­reputation.”

The Crossings at Corona has proven to be a very successful retail center and is nearly 100 percent leased. It is the newest and largest retail center to open in Riverside County, which has been one of the nation’s fastest growing areas during the last five years.

“For many tenants, The Crossings has the best store in their chains. There was definitely a pent-up demand for these stores,” Sampson notes. “When I first met with the city, the first question was ‘What restaurants are you going to bring in?’ Since there was such a need for upscale retail, the city was, and is, very supportive of the project, which helped the entitlement and permitting process. ­Nobody opposed us.”

National and local programs encouraging green development are growing and reporting successes. As part of the Castle & Cooke team, NUVIS was in the unique position to look at new and different ways to develop a more sustainable retail center. A product of the best practices in sustainability, The Crossings provides a tangible example of what green development within a retail environment can accomplish in terms of comfort, esthetics, energy and resource efficiency, and ultimately, marketing and sales success.

The Crossings Retail Summary
The Crossings was developed by ­Castle & Cook. At 1.2 million square feet, The Crossings is a state-of-the-industry retail and entertainment ­center in Corona, Calif., a rapidly ­growing community of 138,000 in Riverside County. The development features many quality retailers including Kohl’s Department Store, Target, Cost Plus, Barnes & Nobles, Bed Bath & Beyond, Sportsmart, Michaels Arts & Crafts, Best Buy, and an 18-screen ­Edwards Cinema, Chili’s Grill & Bar, Macaroni Grill, and On The Border.

The Crossings is estimated to ­employ 2,000-3,000 people and ­generate an estimated annual taxable sales base of $300 million. The total project costs are approximately $100 million. The center has proven to be very successful and is now nearly 100 percent leased. It is the newest and largest retail center to open in Riverside County, which has been one of the nation’s fastest growing areas ­during the last five years.

“There are four ingredients necessary for a successful retail center: a great location, a strong marketplace, a selection of successful retail tenants, and the support of the surrounding community,” says Bruce Freeman, president of Castle & Cooke in California. “We are thrilled with the support we have experienced from the city, community leaders and residents, and we look forward to becoming an ­increasingly vital part of this dynamic area.”

Landscape Architecture Summary
The landscape architecture plan for The Crossings accomplished several goals, including developing ­ecological associations, reducing water consumption, utilizing recycled hardscape materials, restoring ­sensitive habitat areas, and creating serene pathway and garden environments that provide “shade and beauty.” Some of the landscaping innovations include extensive use of native plant materials, habitat ­restoration of the adjacent St. Joseph Wash, and the ­relocation of 15 ­mature oak trees on the site.

Landscape Architect Opinion
“Today, there aren’t many retail centers in the U.S. with this level of very intelligent landscaping architecture, from both sustainable and esthetic viewpoints. For instance, about 80 percent of The Crossings’ landscaping is native or water-efficient plant material, which will help keep maintenance and irrigation costs down significantly.

Addressing this issue is a two-fold process revolving around plant selection and water demands. Now, more than ever, native and indigenous plant species are meeting these integral aspirations and are being incorporated as common elements. National and local programs encouraging green development are growing and reporting successes.

“As part of the Castle & Cooke team, NUVIS was in the unique position to look at new and different ways to develop a more sustainable retail center. There aren’t many retail developers and owners who are using these types of sustainable practices at the same level as Castle & Cooke. However, we believe that in the future, more commercial and retail developers will want to go green, especially as they better understand and embrace the cost savings, good will and other benefits associated with sustainable development. The Crossings provides a tangible example of what green development within a retail environment can accomplish in terms of comfort, esthetics, and energy and resource efficiency.” - Leslee Temple
SLDT