Lynchburg, Virginia is abuzz with excitement for the renovations to the River Ridge Mall. The mall became an instant landmark in the city after its opening in 1980. Over the years, the 423,000-square-foot space has grown outdated. Today’s redesign plans will transform the mall into what Craig Pettitt, vice president of retail real estate at Liberty University (which owns River Ridge), calls a “retail destination.”
The Lighting Practice is collaborating with NELSON and the design team to create a dramatic atmosphere and a one-of-a-kind destination for shoppers that is not typical in most regional malls. The client’s goal is to create a unique central gathering space that gives guests the feeling of being outdoors. To accomplish this task, Jered Widmer, Evan Wilson, and Angela Myers are blending lighting strategies normally found in outdoor applications into the interior environment while working to achieve the ambient light levels and wayfinding elements that provide a functional indoor shopping experience.
The renovation will consist of three phases. As part of Phase I, The Lighting Practice will design the lighting for the center court, or “the Great Space”. TLP will also develop lighting solutions for the mall’s interior and exterior circulation and amenity spaces. Phase I is slated for completion by the end of this summer, the renovations will add stadium seating, a fireplace, water features, trees, public restrooms, and new decorative feature lighting. TLP is also part of the design team for subsequent renovation phases.
New development plans for River Ridge mall announced
The News & Advance | June 2019
An indoor amphitheater, a wine bar and new fire and water features are part of a two-year redevelopment plan that will be underway this summer at River Ridge mall.
River Ridge, along with mall owners Liberty University, have announced plans that also will include a kiosk for food and beverages, cell phone charging stations and new amenities such as new flooring, soft seating and greenery, general manager of the mall, Louise Dudley, said in a news release.
The first stage of renovations will take place in what is referred to as “The Great Space,” located near American Eagle Outfitters, Belk, News York & Company and the SeaQuest Interactive Aquarium set to open by the end of the summer.
All stores will remain open during the remodel.