Winthrop Town Centre has stayed true to the original vision developed in 2000 to be a mixed use community where people can live, work and play.
Winthrop Town Centre located at the intersection of Bloomingdale Ave. and Providence Rd. in Riverview is booming and thriving. The mixed use community which is the picture of modern urbanism, an alternative to the modern, automobile oriented planning, is growing in its development.
It seems that there is always something new opening in Winthrop Town Centre. Some of the newest occupants include Brandon Lakes Animal Hospital located at6151 Delancey Station St. Dr. Mark Woodside and his staff celebrated their grand opening on Saturday, April 14. Kathy Woodside, co-owner said, “We moved the practice to Winthrop because we wanted to be in an upscale area, and in a place that has a community feel.”
The Family Medical Center of Riverview now has a second office located at 6037 Winthrop Commerce St., Ste 201. State Representative Rachel Burgin (District 56) also has an office located at Unit A, 11256 Winthrop Main St.
With a grand opening held on Wednesday, May 2, President Obama’s Organizing For America recently opened an office in Winthrop at 11215 Bloomingdale Ave.
Because a mixed-use community considers the concept of the ability to walk from home to business to retail a big factor in planning, there are schools, restaurants and retail establishments located throughout. Parks and open spaces are strategically spaced throughout the development.
Winthrop Charter Elementary School opened for the 2011-2012 school year, and in August the Winthrop Charter Middle School will be open. Both schools have a waiting list.
According to visionary and developer, John Sullivan, “Winthrop Town Centre was designed over a seven day period in 2000. We have not deviated from the master plan except to move building placement within the community.” This seven day planning period is called a charette and included Andres Duany of DPZ, a leader in the practice and direction of urban planning. DPZ developed the famed community of Seaside, FL.
Good planning and development have paid off for Winthrop Town Center. In this down economy, the area is growing. Sullivan said, “Seven houses closed last month. We have no empty spaces. We are in a better place now than ever.”
Over the remaining months of 2012, you can expect to see even more development in Winthrop. According to Sullivan there are plans to develop a public square with benches. They are looking to add more residential space such as apartments and live work spaces (those charming spaces above and next to retail and other merchants) as well as additional restaurants and buildings along Bloomingdale. “We are looking for a dentist, a breakfast place and a high end Italian night restaurant,” said Sullivan. All of these establishments would compliment the numerous restaurants, retail and professional businesses already located in Winthrop.
Sullivan purchased the 148 acres in early 1999. At the time, it was a dairy farm owned by the Hobbs family who had owned it since 1941. At present, the land is 20 percent developed.
For info on Winthrop Town Centre, visit www.winthroptowncentre.net.
