Premier Properties USA Inc. Chairman and CEO Christopher P. White's modern design inclinations spurred the development of one of the nation's most progressive lifestyle centers.

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The $127 million first phase of Metropolis Shopping Center in Plainfield, Ind., was completed in late October. Construction on the second phase will begin once a few vacant spots in the center are filled.

"A lot of outdoor lifestyle centers have an urban character, but not this kind of ultramodern look," said Frederic McCoy, project architect of Metropolis.

And Dick Whicker, senior project manager of Indianapolis-based Premier Properties, added, "Mr. White's eye is one that's more contemporary, hence the name Metropolis."

The urban character distinguishes Premier's lifestyle center from others, yet the design is not trendy or futuristic, said McCoy, principal of Farmington Hills, Mich.-based JPRA Architects.

"It's not predictable," he said. "The buildings are not themed in a way that would make them dated. It's open air tying in with an upscale downtown atmosphere. The material and building forms call for a big-city look."

Some of those materials include metal panels, cast stone, brick, EFIS and glass. In addition to a variety of scales, the buildings are also taller than most outdoor lifestyle centers. "You see distinct buildings because of their architecture," Whicker said.

"There are different kinds of windows and trellises; some are 40-ft. tall and some are 25-ft. tall. The streets are gently curved."

Two of the buildings have a second floor for the mall's offices, as well as 35,000 sq. ft. that's being marketed for office use.

"Mr. White's vision is that there will be some nonretail businesses drawn to this environment," Whicker said. "There's a lot of energy there and businesses can feed off that. There would be a certain amount of walk-in clientele."

Lights, Sound, Action

A lot of that energetic spirit stems from the center's Futura Park Plaza where choreographers synchronized light-emitting-diode, color-changing lighting; music; and special effects with 30-ft.-high jets of water.

"The technology of that kind of system will take some time to fully exploit," McCoy said.

The LED images appear on pylons and on transparent wire mesh screens mounted on light framework several feet in front of the retail storefronts. Patterned concrete block, urban landscaping and 28- to 38-ft.-tall steel towers housing lights and speakers surround the fountain.

"A shopper may think they came to a rock concert," Whicker said. "We created a vibrant environment whether you want to hang out or shop. Out of the sheer numbers that go there, many go into the stores and buy something or eat at the restaurants."

Metropolis includes upscale retailers unique to Indianapolis' west side, including Ann Taylor Loft, Finish Line, Victoria's Secret, Lane Bryant, Kirkland's, Ulta, DSW, Jos. A. Banks, Coldwater Creek, Pacific Sunwear, Vera Bradley and Yankee Candle. The center's best-in-class restaurants include Stone Creek Dining Company and Claddagh's Irish Pub.

In total, Metropolis encompasses 12 buildings within 650,000 sq. ft., including anchors JCPenney's, an 18-screen Rave Theatre and a two-level Dick's Sporting Goods.

Phase one included building the central plaza, 150,000 sq. ft. of specialty retail space, 70,000 sq. ft. of office space, the movie theater and the sporting goods store on 75 acres.

The four-building second phase will complete Metropolis. "There are some retailers we want to lure into the next phase and a few more anchor stores we're negotiating with," Whicker said. He estimated that Metropolis is about 80 percent occupied.

The Fast Track

Phase one construction began in January 2005, and the grand opening was Oct. 28.

"The schedule was extremely fast," said Butch Alder, project executive of Indianapolis-based Pepper Construction Co. of Indiana, the general contractor. "We had nine months to build 10 buildings from a bare field."

Premier contracted mass excavation, utility and infrastructure work and road improvements. Utilities for the fountain and lights were put in underground concrete pits.

"We didn't start off with finished plans," Whicker said. "A lot of the buildings were in the conceptual stage, but the architect stepped up and partnered with us on solutions, and our contractor never said 'We can't do this.' Management and ownership were behind getting it done."

Alder said the central plaza area, which is almost as long as a football field and half as wide, wasn't designed until August. "We worked double shifts seven days a week to get it done by the grand opening."

Expansion Planned

Across the street, Premier offers more pragmatic shopping at Plainfield Commons, which includes Target, Kohl's and Wal-Mart. Sometime in the next two years, Premier plans to expand the big-box center on a 70-acre site. Plainfield Commons 4 will include 228,000 sq. ft. within nine buildings.

However, before the next phases of construction begin at either Metropolis or Plainfield Commons 4, Premier must get permits from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers because some of the land must undergo wetland mitigation.

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