HAMBURG: Love or Hate

[censusdata]

Before Hamburg Pavilion, Lexington had NO good shopping areas off I-75/ I-64. HP's location is much easier for people from Eastern KY to reach than is Nicholasville Rd.

That said, it could have been designed much better, such as having outdoor pedestrian malls btw buildings instead of just parking lots. Walking or biking to HP is a high risk activity.

Personally, I like those buildings that front very close to road and have parking hidden in the rear of the building, like that new thing at Winslow and Limestone

[KerryB]

Hate it for the most part. I lived in Andover for years before hamburg got really big & could feel it getting worse & worse.

Its not pedestrian friendly, the shops are just OK, nothing really high end there, its a nightmare to get in & out of, & it just keeps growing.

Lex has some nice spots around town that they could put other retail, but they love to plop everything in one single area. Its a suburban market & it shows.

[teebird1012]

Hamburg is much more convenient for me than Fayette Mall and that is the only reason I go there. The variety of shopping decent, but nothing high end. Traffic is a huge pain to deal with but it moves nevertheless. I don't think it's anything to write home about and it sure could have been better planned. In Indianapolis is a similar area called Clay Terrace but the major difference is that Clay Terrace is MUCH more pedestrian friendly unlike Hamburg.

[bluegrassgirl]

Hamburg really isn't an outdoor mall IMO. It's like a traditional Shopping center. I visited a new outdoor mall in Huntsville, AL a few weeks ago. The place has all of its parking at the entrance, including some underground parking. You then enter at the entrance and truly walk from every store to store just like you would at an indoor mall. There is a man made lake at one part with gondolas in it - you can rent! There's also a carousel with rides. There will eventually be a water taxi to take you to a new addition to the mall. I think the developers of Hamburg were thinking small and in a very old box.

[KerryB]

Originally Posted by bluegrassgirl

Hamburg really isn't an outdoor mall IMO. It's like a traditional Shopping center. I visited a new outdoor mall in Huntsville, AL a few weeks ago. The place has all of its parking at the entrance, including some underground parking. You then enter at the entrance and truly walk from every store to store just like you would at an indoor mall. There is a man made lake at one part with gondolas in it - you can rent! There's also a carousel with rides. There will eventually be a water taxi to take you to a new addition to the mall. I think the developers of Hamburg were thinking small and in a very old box.

I agree. Outdoor malls are kinda all the rage right now. Its so nice being able to park your car & roam around "inside" an outdoor mall. It feels a lot more open & not so "mallish". This is one of my favorite malls ever. Its in San Antonio.

I imagine though that this would be tuff to do in KY with the wild weather patterns & all. Most of those outdoor malls are done in warmer climates.

[Bostonredsock5]

We live in Andover as well, and the traffic stinks. During the Holidays, man it gets bad. On a side note doesn anyone know what they are building by the Liquir Barn in Hamburg? It looks like a big ol' building with a big tower in front?

[Nthayer]

While I like the stores somewhat - I don't like going to Hamburg shopping centers often. I live off leestown so it's more of a hassle going there then going to the Fayette Mall and Nicholasville Rd. I just hate traffic. I just hate it!

[dpaquin]

i have no real preference and no way biased. i live in the hood....Woodhill and i am probably just as likely to drive there as i am Richmond Rd. I hate those lights in Hamburg, and driving down that strip by Regal sucks but other than that....it's a nice shortcut to the Winchester Rd Walmart. HAHA

[nlschr0]

I like having the range of stores and restaurants clustered (even if they are all chains), and I like its proximity to the interstate.

However, I also think that the recent trend of modern lifestyle centers, which is what Hamburg wants to be considered, leaves a lot to be desired there. I agree that the developers missed a lot of potential and just kinda stuck a bunch of stuff around. I would love a more walkable, parkable, aesthetic area as the core, much like other cities have.