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Lifestyle center, as used
in commercial development in the United States,
a is a shopping center or mixed-used commercial
development that combines the traditional retail
functions of a shopping mall but with leisure
amenities oriented towards upscale consumers.
Lifestyle centers, which were first labelled as
such by Memphis developers Poag & McEwen in
the late 1980s [1] and emerged as a retailing
trend in the late 1990s, are sometimes labeled
"boutique malls" and are often located
in affluent suburban areas. The proliferation
of lifestyle centers in the United States accelerated
in the 2000s, with number going from 30 in 2002
to 120 at the end of 2004 [2]. Lifestyle centers
are sometimes depicted as occupying the upscale
end of the spectrum of commercial development,
at the opposite end of the outlet mall, which
typically caters to a wider range of income with
bargain prices. The growth of lifestyle centers
had occurred at the same time of an acceleration
of the shutting down of traditional shopping malls,
which typically require large sites over 70 acres
(283,000 m²) at a time when land prices are
escalating. The construction of lifestyle centers
usually require less land and generate higher
revenue margins, often generating close to 500
dollars per square foot, compared to an average
of 330 dollars per square foot for a traditional
mall [citation needed]. Typical amenities at lifestyle
centers include plush chairs instead of traditional
plastic seating in common areas.
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