Assignment 3: Angelica

Along Buford Highway, there are a number of recycled strip malls that illustrate author Timothy Davis' arguments in his article “The Miracle Mile Revisited.” Davis' essay states that the strip mall has evolved to adapt to the economic trends, the architectural fashions, and the social conditions of the surrounding area. Strip malls such as the Northeast Plaza became centers for a variety of businesses, both old and new, with affordable rents for small business tenants. Since there many working class hispanic residents in this area, most of the businesses cater to hispanic customers with affordable prices.

The second picture shows the variety of small businesses, especially restaurants, that are present in this strip mall. The restaurants range from Ethiopian, Chinese, Salvadorian, Peruvian, and Mexican cuisine among others. It is easy to get to these restaurants because parking is free and there is plenty of it. Although the buildings are not exactly attractive, the businesses have adapted the buildings to fit their social and economic needs.

The recycling and adaptive use of the strip mall is even more evident in the ballroom facility of this mall. A worker in the ballroom mentioned that many hispanic weddings and Quinceaneras (similar to sweet 16 parties) are held in this ballroom. Thus, making the buildings have a social significance to the community with establishments that allow them to continue their cultural traditions.