Liberty Center was envisioned as a premium retail center when it opened in 2015, but the concept has evolved with expanded residential options and a burst of newly-arriving national retailers. It’s no secret that brick-and-mortar retail, particularly shopping malls, continue to weather challenges competing with online conveniences and adjusting to post-pandemic consumer behavior that further reduces already declining foot traffic.
Five years ago, Coresight Research projected that 25 percent of U.S. malls would close by 2025. Since then, there’s been a rapid readjustment around the shopping mall concept. A later Coresight study revealed that store occupancy rates in 2022 bounced back, almost level with pre-pandemic occupancy levels.
Liberty Center, located on 64 acres off of I-75 in Butler County’s Liberty Township, is among those defying this decline by diversifying the property and adding living options so residents can live where they shop and dine. This trend is reshaping shopping-centric developments, creating a built-in customer base where people can live, work, shop, and dine in one general location.
Creating communities rather than mere shopping destinations is saving many malls. These lifestyle centers create activity throughout the day and evening, unlike retail-only spaces that are empty after business hours. A 24/7 environment ultimately improves safety, increases overall visibility, and creates more vibrant environments that are appealing to a variety of consumers.
Liberty Center residents have access to Elevate Office Suites co-working spaces and F45 Training, a workout facility. Then there are restaurants like The Cheesecake Factory, Agave and Rye, Starbucks, Graeter’s Ice Cream, and Columbus-based Northstar Cafe along with shopping and entertainment options including Dillard’s, H&M, Warby Parker, CMX Cinemas, and Funny Bone Comedy Club.
Liberty Center is adding to its tenant portfolio with new hospitality and residential options to add to the existing AC Hotel by Marriott and Liberty Flats Apartments at the Center.
The national Sweetgreen restaurant group makes its Cincinnati debut later this year, with plans to expand throughout Ohio. Sweetgreen has more than 240 stores focused on high-quality ingredients and prioritizes organic, regenerative, and local sourcing, with a mission to connect people to real food. (Read more about Sweetgreen in “An Influx of National Brands.”)
A long-awaited $76-million multi-family apartment project is set to begin construction at Liberty Center this year. The five-story building will add 264 luxury units to the corner of Gibson Street and Niederman Way. Apollo Global Management secured $7.6 million in Transformational Mixed-Use Development (TMUD) tax credits, signaling confidence in the development’s new direction. The apartment building will take over a site currently occupied by a multi-tenant building slated for demolition.