Transformall: Redeveloping the Suburban Retail Space to Save It From Decay

Author

• Tate Trushenski

Files

Date of Award

5-2026

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Architecture

College

Arts and Sciences

Department

Architecture

Faculty Advisor

Ganapathy Mahalingam

Studio Coordinator

Stephen Wischer

Faculty Chair

Susan Kliman

Publisher

North Dakota State University

Rights

NDSU policy 190.6.2

URI

https://www.ndsu.edu/fileadmin/policy/190.pdf

Abstract

The decline of traditional retail has left behind expansive "Greyfield" sites underutilized shopping malls that disrupt the suburban fabric. This thesis presents Transformall, a comprehensive master plan for the Albertville Mall site in Minnesota, reimagining the 430,000 square foot footprint as a resilient, mixed-use town center. By employing adaptive reuse and strategic densification, the project transitions the site from a car-centric retail island into a walkable, community-oriented district.

Key interventions include the preservation of existing structural grids, the introduction of diverse housing typologies, and the implementation of green infrastructure. The resulting master plan demonstrates that suburban redevelopment can move beyond simple demolition, instead utilizing the inherent value of Greyfield’s to create high-density, carbon-conscious urban environments. This study provides a scalable framework for revitalizing declining commercial infrastructure across the American Midwest.

Recommended Citation

Trushenski, Tate, "Transformall: Redeveloping the Suburban Retail Space to Save It From Decay" (2026). Architecture Theses. 77.
https://digitalcommons.ndsu.edu/architecture-theses/77