The Old Mill Northernmost Shops project elegantly ties the center to the Deschutes River, and elevates the shopping experience through strategic pedestrian circulation.
SERVICES PROVIDED:
Architecture
Structural Engineering
Land Use Planning
Landscape Architecture
This lifestyle retail development included three buildings and site design in Bend’s renowned Old Mill District. The original 270-acre master plan concept was developed by a separate firm decades ago. The vision was a set of buildings based on the historic context of the old lumber mill that once occupied the site. The first challenge the team faced was a design that reflected the historic context that was also attractive to the high-end retailers targeted for the new development.
The development is a community hub of this outdoor-centric city. Mackenzie led the Phase II master plan and provided a full complement of services to execute the vision. Mackenzie's design achieved both the goals of the owner and those of the retail broker.
DESIGN DRIVERS
The Old Mill District Northernmost Shops fit seamlessly into the overall development, embracing the adjacency to the Deschutes River, and emphasizing pedestrian-oriented experience.
The buildings, which reflect a historic lumber mill aesthetic, are 4-sided with multiple entry points, allowing pedestrians to easily explore the entire site via meandering pathways separated from parking.
The Old Mill Pond has been reimagined as a step-down water feature that connects the shopping environment to the Deschutes River, bringing the river into the site, and creating a loop path for pedestrian shoppers.
The Old Mill District is centered around an outdoor experience. Streetscapes emphasize pedestrians over cars, while plazas and amenities provide access to ponds and the adjacent Deschutes River. These all contribute to a vibrant and active district.
