North Hills & Easton Town Center Named Among America’s Top 10 Outdoor Malls by Islands Magazine Through Ci Design Projects
As consumer preferences continue to evolve, traditional indoor shopping malls are steadily losing their appeal. In their place, open-air retail districts that combine shopping, dining, entertainment, residential living, and workplace environments are emerging as the future of commercial development. These mixed-use destinations are redefining how people interact with retail spaces, creating vibrant community-centered environments that encourage visitors to stay longer and engage more deeply with their surroundings.
Recognizing this growing trend, Islands magazine, an internationally respected travel and lifestyle publication, recently named North Hills in Raleigh, North Carolina, and Easton Town Center in Columbus, Ohio, among the 10 best outdoor malls in America. Both developments were designed with the involvement of the founding principals of Ci Design, Inc., an award-winning architecture and design firm known for creating innovative mixed-use and experiential environments across the United States.
The recognition highlights not only the success of these two destinations but also the broader transformation taking place in retail and urban development. Rather than functioning solely as shopping centers, modern outdoor malls are becoming lifestyle hubs that blend commerce, entertainment, hospitality, and public gathering spaces into cohesive experiences.
North Hills stands as one of the clearest examples of this transformation. Located in Raleigh, North Carolina, the development has evolved into one of the region’s premier destinations for shopping, dining, working, and residential living. What was once a struggling enclosed mall has been completely reimagined as a thriving urban district that operates around the clock.
The redevelopment reflects changing consumer expectations. Today’s visitors are looking for more than rows of retail stores hidden inside enclosed buildings. They want walkable environments, outdoor gathering areas, unique dining experiences, wellness amenities, and spaces that feel connected to the surrounding community. North Hills successfully delivers all of these elements while maintaining a sophisticated and welcoming atmosphere.
In its coverage, Islands magazine noted the dramatic shift from the outdated mall experience of the past. The publication described how the former indoor retail corridors have been replaced by expansive green spaces, stylish storefronts, shaded pedestrian plazas, and inviting commons designed to encourage social interaction and exploration.
According to the article by Kareem Gantt for Islands, the development has become a modern interpretation of Southern urban living, blending contemporary architecture with community-focused public spaces. The destination now serves as a central gathering point for residents, professionals, visitors, and families throughout the Raleigh area.
The founding principals of Ci Design played a major role in shaping this vision from the beginning. Working alongside Kane Realty Corporation, they helped master plan both the Main District and the Lassiter District at North Hills. Their planning strategy focused on creating a long-term framework capable of adapting to evolving market demands while maintaining a strong sense of identity and connectivity.
Nearly two decades after the original vision was established, Ci Design returned to contribute to the Main District Expansion. This new phase added more than 2 million square feet of development, including office towers, residential units, retail spaces, hospitality offerings, and outdoor public gathering areas. The expansion further strengthened North Hills as a dynamic mixed-use district where people can seamlessly live, work, and socialize in one integrated environment.
The success of North Hills demonstrates how thoughtful planning and experience-driven architecture can revitalize aging retail properties and transform them into economically sustainable community destinations. Instead of relying solely on traditional retail traffic, developments like North Hills create multiple reasons for visitors to return regularly, from dining and entertainment to wellness activities and professional opportunities.
Easton Town Center in Columbus, Ohio, represents another milestone in the evolution of American retail design. Widely recognized as one of the earliest and most influential lifestyle centers in the country, Easton helped redefine what shopping centers could become.
Islands magazine described Easton Town Center as a project that “ushered in a new era for the American shopping mall.” Rather than continuing the model of large indoor retail complexes, Easton introduced an outdoor, pedestrian-friendly concept that feels more like a carefully preserved American town than a conventional mall.
The development’s design incorporates tree-lined streets, brick walkways, public squares, and intimate gathering spaces that encourage visitors to wander naturally between shops, restaurants, entertainment venues, and community spaces. The environment creates a sense of authenticity and comfort that traditional indoor malls often lacked.
Today, Easton Town Center is widely considered the social and cultural heartbeat of Columbus. The destination attracts millions of visitors each year who come not only to shop but also to dine, attend events, meet friends, and enjoy the walkable atmosphere. The combination of architecture, landscaping, and placemaking has helped Easton remain relevant even as many traditional malls across the country continue to struggle.
The recognition from Islands magazine reinforces the importance of experience-focused design in today’s retail landscape. Consumers increasingly value destinations that provide emotional connection, convenience, entertainment, and a strong sense of place. Successful developments are no longer measured only by the number of retail stores they contain but by how effectively they create memorable experiences for visitors.
Ci Design’s involvement in both North Hills and Easton Town Center reflects the firm’s long-standing commitment to creating people-centered environments that adapt to changing lifestyles and market trends. By blending architecture, urban planning, and placemaking strategies, the firm has helped shape developments that continue to thrive in a rapidly evolving retail environment.
As the retail industry continues to transform, outdoor mixed-use developments are expected to play an even larger role in shaping the future of cities and communities. Projects like North Hills and Easton Town Center demonstrate that retail destinations can become far more than shopping centers. They can serve as cultural hubs, economic drivers, and vibrant gathering places that bring communities together.
The growing popularity of these open-air environments signals a lasting shift away from isolated indoor malls toward integrated destinations designed around human experience, connectivity, and community engagement. Through visionary planning and innovative design, developments such as North Hills and Easton Town Center are helping define the next generation of American retail and urban living.
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