King of Prussia Town Center is following the growing national trend of building suburban neighborhoods that feel like traditional town centers, writes Michaelle Bond for Philly.com.
The area in the Village at Valley Forge has been carefully designed built to fill the growing demand for one-stop environments. This benefits both the developer and the home owners as mixed-use developments usually bring a higher return on investment.
These types of developments focus on the pedestrian, concealing parking behind buildings and constructing a “Main Street” that is lined with storefronts and parallel parking spots.
They also place office spaces and residences close to shops, and add public gathering places and pockets of green space.
It is expected that the Village at Valley Forge will eventually see around 1,250 housing units rim its restaurants and shops. Once fully occupied, this should increase the number of residents by another 10 to 15 percent.
“They’re trying to replicate the role historic town centers have had,” said Andrew Svekla, associate manager of smart growth at the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission.
“I see these new ones as hybrids: the traditional downtown and the evolution of shopping centers.”
Read more about the boom in suburban town centers at Philly.com by clicking here.
