LIFESTYLE VILLAGE

Lifestyle Villages were developed to combine the traditional activities of sale of a large shopping center with multifunctional structures devoted to entertainment and leisure time, by creating spaces with different opportunities for use. The Lifestyle Village formula combines the experience of shopping with the lifestyles most widespread in the surrounding urban context, and is congenial for a heterogeneous clientele that can satisfy its needs in a single setting for the entire day.

The structure of the Lifestyle Village, or Lifestyle Shopping Center, is usually built near residential districts, occupies an area of at least 5,000 sq.mt. of shopping area and also includes activities of food service, entertainment, designer environments and areas devoted to relaxation.

The idea of the Lifestyle Shopping Center came in response to the changing behavior and expectations of consumers, who demand more than to shop for consumer goods, but who wish to become users of services, offerings and customized experiences. The Lifestyle Village is thus an environment in which business proposals are completed by other initiatives that are usually available in traditional urban contexts.

Official ICSC (International Council of Shopping Centers) definition (2004):
"Lifestyle Center: Most often located near affluent residential neighborhoods, this center type caters to the retail needs and “lifestyle” pursuits of consumers in its trading area. It has an open-air configuration and typically includes at least 50,000 square feet of retail space occupied by upscale national chain specialty stores. Other elements differentiate the lifestyle center in its role as a multi-purpose leisure-time destination, including restaurants, entertainment, and design ambience and amenities such as fountains and street furniture that are conducive to casual browsing. These centers may be anchored by one or more conventional or fashion specialty department stores."