Indoor malls are becoming relics of the past as today’s consumers gravitate toward curated, open-air destinations that offer far more than shopping. Islands, an international travel publication, recently named North Hills and Easton Town Center among the 10 best examples of this new era in outdoor retail. The founding principals of Ci Design, Inc., an award-winning architecture firm, helped bring both destinations to life and continue to shape mixed-use developments across the United States.

North Hills in Raleigh, North Carolina has emerged as one of the most sought-after destinations to shop, live, work, and play. Once a struggling enclosed mall, the site has been transformed into a vibrant, 24/7 urban district—reflecting a broader shift in consumer expectations.

“Gone are the dated, fluorescent corridors of the old mall, and in their place are lush commons, sophisticated boutiques, and shaded plazas,” writes Kareem Gantt for Islands.

Ci’s founding principals master planned both the Main District and Lassiter District in partnership with Kane Realty Corporation, establishing the framework for long-term success. Nearly two decades later, Ci resumed the design with the Main District Expansion, adding more than 2 million square feet of office, residential, retail, and outdoor gathering spaces.

The original North Hills Mall may be gone, but in its place stands what Islands calls a “refined slice of the modern South”—a testament to the enduring power of thoughtful, experience-driven design.

“Easton Town Center ushered in a new era for the American shopping mall—one that moved away from indoor monoliths to outdoor promenades that feel less like traditional malls and more like a carefully preserved American village,” Islands notes.

Today, Islands describes Easton as the heartbeat of Columbus, Ohio’s social scene. The “town within a city” features manicured brick pathways, tree-lined streets, and intimate gathering spaces that encourage exploration across retail, dining, and entertainment.

About Ci Design, Inc.

Founded in 2009, Ci Design, Inc. (Ci) is an award-winning architecture firm shaping diverse project types, from dynamic mixed-use developments and residential communities to state-of-the-art science and technology facilities and 24/7 mission critical environments. Located in six office locations across the United States, our multidisciplinary team provides exceptional services in architecture, planning, interiors, procurement, lab and manufacturing planning, experiential graphics and branding, and landscape design.

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The original North Hills Mall may be gone, but in its place stands what Islands calls a “refined slice of the modern South”—a testament to the enduring power of thoughtful, experience-driven design.