Sama Sama Kitchen, Lama Dog, Sama San Roque, Lama Sama
The site was
an aging shopping center with low visibility, making it impossible to attract quality tenants. Spaces were outdated, the façade was tired, and the property lacked a clear identity. The client needed a way to reposition the center to draw stronger tenants and breathe new life into the mall.
We began by studying
the surrounding neighborhood and identifying the type of customers the center could serve. This research showed the neighborhoods surrounding the area were populated with young families and professional couples. They all wanted to be able to walk to unique retail, gyms and restaurants. Through a visioning process, we reimagined the property as a lively neighborhood hub with a variety of tenants to serve the immediate neighborhoods. The façade and signage were refreshed and opened up. Updated tenant spaces were reconfigured to make way for a new gym and restaurant. With the renderings and the proposed plans in hand, our studio introduced the project to our network of food-and-beverage operators. Long time local favorites; Lama Dog Tap Room and Sama Sama Kitchen were among the first to commit to spaces in the revitalized center.
Today, the once-dated
and struggling mall has been transformed into a vibrant destination anchored by local favorites like Lama Dog Tap Room and Sama Sama Kitchen. The refreshed design and curated tenant mix have reestablished the center not only as a neighborhood gathering place but a location worth traveling to. By driving consistent foot traffic and elevating the property’s long-term value, what was once overlooked is now one of the area’s most active and desirable destinations.
"KMA helped us see the potential of the property and delivered a vision that transformed the center into one of Santa Barbara's most active destinations."
