Tag Archives: topography

First Impressions

Where is the Landing?

Figure 1. From 63rd , looking across Troost Ave.: The Landing Appears to be a small commercial strip. The majority of the complex is hidden by topographical changes. Photo by Tom Meyer

When arriving from the north, the first impression of The Landing shopping center is rather misleading. The first thing you will see is a small strip of commercial activity with a deep setback from Troost Ave. and abundant parking. From the corner of 63rd and Troost (Figure 1) it could easily be mistaken for the extent of the development. However, if you traveled further south on Troost or east on 63rd, you would see that the ground level drops dramatically in each direction revealing the majority of the mall which lies below the ground level of this prominent corner.

Figure 2. From Meyer Blvd, looking across Troost. The mall’s setback from Meyer Blvd is so deep that it makes little visual impact from this major corner. Photo by Dayna Meyer

From the intersection of Meyer Blvd and Troost Ave, a block to the south, the topography and other elements of the site continue to mask the view of the large complex (Figure 2). The rise of Troost and the deep parking lot fronting Meyer Blvd. obscure the storefronts at the west of the site. The parking lot, a fast food restaurant, and large trees hide the rest of the mall as it stretches east.

The lack of a strong visual presence may be negatively impacting the prospects of the retail activity conducted on the mall’s premises. People who pass the site may not be aware of the commercial opportunities hidden by topography and the low-rise structures.

Future developments could remedy this effect by siting buildings closer to the street. The low-elevation could also be countered with taller structures.

However, the topography which helps to hide the mall can also be seen as an advantage when taken together with elements of the built environment surrounding the site. Three vertical landmarks are easily, and pleasantly, visible from many points on the site. To the west the pinnacle of the Rockhill Plaza office building and the tower of the U.S. Bank building rise high enough that they can be seen from almost anywhere on the southern and eastern sides of the site (Figure 3).

Figure 3. Looking northwest from the Mall’s southern parking lot, the towers of Rockhill Plaza and the U.S. Bank building are easily visible. Photo by Dayna Meyer

To the east, the dramatic tower and red roof of the Convent of Christ the King can be seen from almost anywhere on the site, excepting the northwest corner (Figure 4).

Figure 4. Looking to the east, the Tower of the Christ the King Convent is visible from almost any vantage point of the mall site. Photo by Tom Meyer

In both directions the views of these landmarks are made possible by the topography of the site. The mall is sited in a relatively deep bowl of a valley and the verticality of the towers is enhanced by their siting on the surrounding higher ground (Figure 5).

A section of the site and surrounding area shows how the topography highlights the surrounding towers and de-emphasizes the large mall site. Diagram by Tom Meyer

Future development on the site could take advantage of this unique topography by preserving the excellent views off of the site.