Southlands

To embrace a more natural look in its Rocky Mountain environment, LandDesign set out to soften the experience of the built environment. The design combines layered planting, contemporary paving, and flexible public spaces to create an active public realm that strengthens Southlands’ identity and supports year-round programming.

Along with the upgraded landscape on Main Street, the design included key gathering areas, Town Square and The Cub Hub. These areas were designed for people to linger and come together in comfortable outdoor spaces. New amenities were introduced in Town Square to provide year-round activation of the space, including a splash pad for families, amphitheater seating, a flex lawn for community events, and a linear fire feature. In addition, the central space also allows for the largest outdoor skating rink in the Denver metro to be installed every winter, attracting people from across the region. The Cub Hub was converted to a more child-friendly play zone and a mid-block respite for shoppers. Select hardscape elements, like existing stone walls, were preserved throughout the project while existing boulders were surveyed, modeled, and repurposed as decorative elements and seating throughout the main entrance and Town Square. Additionally, the understory planting was replaced and existing mature trees remained to maintain the sense of place.

Renovating Southlands required elevating key public spaces within the constraints of an active retail environment. The client’s budget was strategically concentrated on Main Street, the main entrance, The Cub Hub, and Town Square, calling for informed decision making about what to retain and where to intervene. Much of the existing hardscape remained, while grade changes within The Cub Hub and Town Square were carefully matched and integrated with the existing features.

Throughout construction, retail remained open to the public, requiring phased implementation and continuous coordination to minimize disruptions to day-to-day operations. The most significant challenge was timing, as the project unfolded during the pandemic and required modified site visits, distancing protocols, and adaptable communication. Despite these challenges, the project presented an opportunity to strategically elevate Southlands’ primary gathering spaces, creating new opportunities for community programming and renewed visitor engagement.