Winning Relationships

Earlier this month a project that’s near and dear to my heart received one of the retail industry’s highest honors: Westfield Galleria at Roseville earned gold at ICSC’s U.S. Design and Development Awards. There are few professional experiences that rival the satisfaction gained from (figuratively) building positive client relationships and (literally) building projects together, brick by brick. So when Westfield and Gensler were jointly honored with this award for our collaboration on the retail center in Roseville, California, David Moore – Westfield’s Executive Vice President of Design and Product Development – and I were thrilled.

Westfield Galleria at Roseville won its gold award in the Renovation or Expansion of an Existing Project category. This award recognizes retail properties for their overall design qualities and creativity in development as it relates to a project involving an entire shopping center, such as an enclosure, or a single facet of a center, like an addition. The Westfield Galleria at Roseville expansion project was carried out in two phases and united the existing and new elements to create a preeminent shopping center serving Sacramento and the surrounding region. The new design offers a mosaic of spaces that support a variety of experiences and interests. At the heart of the newly renovated center is an outdoor promenade offering activities for all members of the family, a gathering place for local culture, a community garden and a grand entry from the west approach to the Galleria.

Recently, a portion of the Westfield Galleria at Roseville suffered damage in a fire, and given the resulting outpouring of support, the value the shopping center provides to its community has never been more evident. The goal of all of our retail work is to create a “third place” where shoppers want to be, as well as functional retail space for tenants and owners. We think we achieved that in this case, and we look forward to our continuing partnership with Westfield.

Pictured above (from left to right): Gordon T. "Skip" Greeby, Jr., ICSC Trustee and Chair of the ICSC U.S. Design and Development Awards Committee; Maureen Boyer; David Moore, Westfield's Executive Vice President of Design and Product Development; Michael P. Kercheval, ICSC President and CEO.

Maureen Boyer is co-leader of Gensler’s global retail centers practice and a senior associate in our San Francisco office with over 25 years of experience in design, project management and construction management. Maureen focuses on reinventing and redeveloping retail environments, with a balanced emphasis between architecture and interior design. Through her continuous research of ever-changing consumer behavior and shopping trends, Maureen executes a uniquely customized, integrated multi-channel solution for her clients and their customers. Contact her at maureen_boyer@gensler.com.