Subterranean Commercial Development
The world underground — some believe -- might hold special riches and pleasures; and indeed it can. Besides constructing subways to move people under rivers and buildings, urban planners are discovering many other uses for the ground beneath their feet.
The reasons people come to town usually involve work, but also to meet, shop, dine and generally enjoy themselves. At street-level, weather can often be a deterrent. But underground, areas can be made bright, shiny and made uplifting yearlong. Prime examples of outstanding subterranean commercial development can be found in Atlanta, Georgia; Montreal and Toronto, Canada; and Kansas City, Missouri.
Take a look down at Underground Atlanta beneath the streets of Atlanta, Georgia. There you will find a $142 million entertainment and shopping complex. The revitalized Underground Atlanta reopened in 1989 and has become a major attraction for visitors as well as Atlanta residents, drawing over one million people its first weekend. The new Underground Atlanta covers approximately six city blocks and includes aboveground buildings. Very important to the success of this complex, are the city’s MARTA rapid transit system and 1,250 parking space garage which allows visitors easy access.
(Photo courtesy of Sasquatch Books, Seattle)
Underground Toronto
It is not always necessary to dig up an entire area to construct something that is eye-pleasing and useful. The City of Toronto has constructed an underground shopping walkway between buildings. It connects 38 office buildings, 3 major hotels, a commuter railway and 5 subway stations along its length. There are over 1000 stores and dining establishments.
Another "Must See" underground development in Canada is the Golden Square Mile in downtown Montreal. Like the one in Toronto, it connects a series of downtown buildings and museums. The difference between the two is size. Montreal boasts having the world’s largest protected downtown pedestrian network.
Photo courtesy Montreal Tourism Board
What can you do with an old mine? Why you make it into a city, of course. At least that is what Hunt Midwest Enterprises, Inc. did — and very successfully. The company has developed Sub Tropolis, the world’s largest underground business complex. Of the 40 million square feet of earth that has been mined out under Kansas City, Missouri/Kansas area, the company has constructed 4 million sq. ft. of facilities that house over 1300 people working for businesses that include warehousing, distribution, cold storage, light manufacturing and office facilities. Sub Tropolis is completely dry, brightly lighted, with miles of wide, paved streets, and is entered at street level.
Drawing courtesy Hunt Midwest
Created by Karen A. Young, Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, MI.
December 8, 1999.
| Physical Improvements | Pedestrian Malls |
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Other Links to
Underground Commercial Development
American Underground Construction Association (http://www.auca.org)
Underground Seattle, WA (http://www.ohwy.com/wa/u/undertou.htm)
