A redevelopment proposal for America’s dying shopping centers
The Problem
American shopping centers are a dying industry in the country that has the most retail stores per capita in the world. Shopping malls are experiencing closures across the country as online retailers capture most of the market share.
As a result, companies such as Brookfield Asset Management, with a portfolio of 100+ shopping centers, are searching for profitable ways to redevelop these spaces. Current efforts include converting these areas into mixed commercial/ residential communities or Amazon distribution centers.
Additionally, there are parallel trends with remote work due to the COVID 19 pandemic, a trend that is forecasted to continue beyond the pandemic.
User Persona
Welcome to a Sandbox
These abandoned spaces are a blank canvas for a thriving think tank.
The Value Proposition
A Live Testbed
Spaces can serve as live test beds where people and businesses can co-create products with the availability of live testing. Businesses can collect feedback on their products from any Sandbox member that visits the space.
These former shopping centers, with their large scale, can be anchored by companies ranging from Tesla, to Lego, to Microsoft, who stand to benefit from live user testing- this means real-time free feedback in the product development and innovation process.
Participants include both companies in these sandbox spaces that can benefit from the inspiration they get from end user co-creation and feedback, and individuals like Jo who seek a lively place to do work, feel inspired, and showcase their work. Jo has the opportunity to be at the forefront of trying new products and services.
A central place to work, share thoughts, seek inspiration, entertain, and inspire in suburban communities.
A shopping center, once a hub for consumption of goods...
transforms into a think tank for exchanging diverse thoughts and feedback
Sandbox offers the opportunity for companies and people like Jo to:
Gather Inspiration, Fuel Innovation, and Drive Iteration
The Money Plan
a.k.a. How to avoid a WeWork-esque downfall
