West Ridge Mall Management Selects Architects for Renovation Project

West Ridge Mall owners, Advisors Excel Co-founders Cody Foster and David Callanan, and Lead Developer Terrence Maiden of Russell Glen have selected two architectural firms to work jointly on the mall's transformation. RDC will be responsible for the retail, entertainment, and restaurant components, with Hufft focusing on Advisors Excel's new headquarters.

RDC and Hufft were selected for their depth of experience in mixed-use design and mall redevelopment. RDC has over 50 years of extensive experience with large-scale mixed-use projects across the country and in China. Hufft, with offices in Kansas City and Bentonville, AR, has Topeka ties with their previous work on the interior design and fabrication of The Pennant restaurant located downtown.

"Given West Ridge's importance to Topeka and the complexities involved with reimagining a mall, we wanted to ensure that we found the right design firm with substantial experience and belief in our vision," said Maiden. "It was a very competitive process with many firms interested in the project, but we ultimately decided that Hufft + RDC collaboration was the best fit."

Both firms are actively refining conceptual designs that can attract the attention of national retailers and restaurants.

"RDC is part of a collaborative team that is creating a new place at West Ridge Mall," said Sean Slater, AIA, Senior Principal with RDC. "Our focus is on creating open-air retail districts on the site of what was once enclosed retail and repairing the urban fabric with connections to the surrounding neighborhood."

"We are honored and excited to revise and revitalize the West Ridge Mall into a new community asset and center for Topeka. Saving buildings like this is a wonderful sustainable strategy that will create a very special and unique place for the community," said Matthew Hufft, Hufft Principal and Creative Director.

"In the end, I believe the mall will bring value to the community as a place to gather and access great retail, restaurants, and entertainment," said Foster. "From an employer standpoint, it will make an amazing, cohesive workspace for our 1,000-strong workforce."