A Rather Lofty Supermarket

As more grocers are trying to enter urban markets, Safeway is creating stores that actually fit the urban fabric. The new store replaces a traditional big box store across the street. Although the main goal for the project is to achieve LEED certification for energy efficiency and sustainable construction, it also includes many features complementary to a lively, urban atmosphere. All of the parking is underground, there are apartments and townhouses above the store, and three sides of the store are lined with windows to allow street browsing and fill the store with natural light. The climate control and freezers and computer controlled to conserve energy. Although the company has built similar stores in Boston and San Francisco, this type is not planned to be the new model for other stores.

Thanks to Peter Christensen