Withee Malcolm Architects

Withee Malcolm – A BSB Design Studio has, for most of the firm’s history, been delivering community-centric mixed-use projects to neighborhoods in Southern and Northern California. With the addition of Dan Torres in 2020 the firm has increased the development potential of these projects by integrating in-depth retail and hospitality knowledge into early planning and design. We’re already seeing the benefits of this more data-driven approach, for developers as well as future tenants. 

Ground level retail in mixed-use developments have historically been planned as drop-in modules; standard-sized square footages placed and divided as infill among other ground floor residential access and amenity spaces. Withee Malcolm’s approach puts these revenue-building venues on equal footing in the planning process through infrastructure and workflow know-how. Devising location, sizing and integration strategies early in the process creates a more balanced living environment and better leasing opportunities.

The firm does this by planning for the following elements: 

Utilities – water, electric, gas and refuse service for restaurants can be one of the largest determining factors for corporate tenant leases. 

Ventilation – shaft locations and tie-ins can greatly affect improvement requirements and tenant improvement timeframes, ultimately costing tenants and developers money.  

Access/parking/street patios – evaluating these in the yield study stage  ensures balanced community design and, in some cases, quicker City approvals.

Safety – separation between residents and tenants and customers for ingress, egress and parking translates to happier customers and tenants. Even patio spaces that need to be safe and secure and pleasing to be in.

By applying our awareness of these components from the smallest 5,000 sf spaces to multi-level 18,000 sf build-outs is helping municipalities, developers and the team reap the following benefits: 

• Increasing pre-lease potential for all commercial space 

• Reducing tenant improvement fees 

• Improving revenue potential for municipalities 

• Offering community outreach and marketing devices