How Mixed-Use Can Build Real Communities

For decades, office life often had a mildly bleak, mundane twist baked in. Think the set of The Office, with coworkers commiserating and bonding through routines around fluorescent-lit cubicles. Retail and residential were, of course, literal miles away.

While the live-work-play revolution shook up the old cliches, today’s placemakers are taking the office-anchored mixed-use project more steps forward. Whether they’re architects, developers or property managers, the people shaping how such destinations look and are used today—and tomorrow—are turning into curators working for the community on a more personal level. Belonging and community have entered the chat.

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By blending in art exhibitions, fitness classes, seasonal markets, charity events and the like, these spaces become more than corporate campuses or a simple mix of their individual components.

Bell Works’ “metroburb” model

One concept working on redefining the office park is Bell Works. Ralph Zucker, president & CEO of Inspired by Somerset Development, coined the term “metroburb” to describe his vision: a metropolis within suburbia.

The model first came to life in 2008, when Bell Works turned the Bell Labs campus in Holmdel, N.J., into a mixed-use destination. The success of Holmdel inspired expansions into the Chicago area, as well as Fort Monmouth, N.J. Each redevelopment follows the same guiding principle of creating spaces where people don’t just work, but want to spend their time, and has become a brand for the company.

In Chicagoland, a 1.6 million-square-foot former AT&T campus is being reborn as a walkable community with office, retail, dining and gathering spaces. The design team behind Holmdel of Wright & Co., Alexander Gorlin Architects and npz studio+ carried over the philosophy of blending functionality and vibrancy.

Programming is at the heart of Bell Works’ success. Monthly calendars showcase fitness classes, block parties, concerts, and even pet-friendly events. Larger gatherings, such as the Illinois Vintage Fest and seasonal craft fairs, attract visitors from across the region and are events Bell Works plans to continue hosting.

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Venues like the Bell Market and The Square host everything from casual coffee catch-ups to social hours. An on-site gym, FitLab, is open to the public, making it not just a tenant amenity, but a resource for the wider area.

Plans at Bell Works Chicagoland include the opening of the West side of the property featuring expanded conference facilities, an indoor turf field, as well as an outdoor patio with a bar, all designed to make pedestrian areas more social and engaging.

As Zucker puts it, “We create the canvas for people to paint the picture of their daily lives.” In practice, that means creating spaces that bring some of that inclusive town square vibe.

Community connections in Bellevue

On the opposite coast, Bellevue, Wash., offers another case study of how mixed-use can redefine neighborhoods. The Spring District, developed by Wright Runstad & Co. and Shorenstein Properties, spans 36 acres and is designed around accessibility and open space.

With 6,000 employees, 800 apartments and a newly opened light rail stop, The Spring District aims to be an active community. Seasonal programming helps anchor that identity. In the summer, a weekly farmers’ market supported by grants and sponsorships raised money for Bellevue’s Renewal Food Bank. Other free public events include outdoor movie nights and concerts with local musicians, where food trucks and vendors are invited to create a “market-type” atmosphere. This winter, the district will hold its holiday market aiming to bring residents and visitors together.

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Green space is central to The Spring District’s appeal. Its great lawn and fountain are big magnets, serving as a backdrop for family picnics, frisbee games and casual meetups. During the day, swings and colorful tables offer places for employees to take calls, hold small meetings or simply recharge outdoors.

By prioritizing green spaces and community-driven programming, The Spring District shows how mixed-use projects can create sustainable, people-centered urban environments.

“Bellevue loves its parks and third-place options,” said Wright Runstad & Co. President Andy Bench. “Our most popular space is the great lawn and fountain. On any given evening, kids are splashing in the water, frisbees are flying, and neighbors are gathered on the grass. During the day, the same space becomes an outdoor office or art studio.”

Art and Innovation at BRiC

In Boca Raton, Fla., CP Group has transformed an historic IBM research facility into the Boca Raton Innovation Campus, or BRiC. Once closed to the public, the property is now a multitenant “micro-city” and creative hub.

When CP Group acquired BRiC in 2018, it launched a $100 million renovation. The goal wasn’t just to modernize, but to foster innovation and connection. According to Giana Pacinelli, CP Group’s director of communications, the idea was to bring “Google campus-type amenities” to multitenant office owners.

An original aspect of the campus, which includes the community, shows up along BRiC’s hallways. The property is home to “the longest hallway in the Western Hemisphere,” which doubles as an artistic space featuring works from local students. Opening receptions for these exhibitions bring parents, teachers and children into a professional environment where their work is celebrated.

CP Group also partners with local museums, colleges and art organizations on its Art on BRiC Walls program. These rotating exhibits are part of a collaboration with the Boca Raton Museum of Art. The annual exhibition, which marked its fifth edition in September, has gained city partnership, complete with unveiling receptions for local professionals within the city and the local art community.