Dillingham Square Shopping Center: Creating Major Curb Appeal

First impressions are everything, especially when it comes to a shopping center.

The property needs to be well maintained, inviting, clean, lush and attractive to keep shoppers coming back — something Rappaport Management Company knows firsthand.

Rappaport provides professional real estate services for the DC-metro area and knows what it takes for a commercial property to be successful.

So when Rappaport was looking for a commercial landscape maintenance company to manage the Dillingham Square Shopping Center, they had high expectations.

Property Breakdown

Located in Woodbridge, Va., at the intersection of Old Bridge Road and Smoketown Road, Dillingham Square is home to several growing businesses.



This 235,020-square-foot community shopping center is anchored by Food Lion and Gold’s Gym and has a variety of stores, businesses and restaurants — like BB&T, Pet Nutrition Center, Dairy Queen, Dental Spa and Village Skis & Bikes.

Dillingham Square recently completed a multi-million-dollar renovation, including upgrades to the facade, landscaping and signage, which improved the visibility from Old Bridge Road.

Bringing New Life to the Property

Developed in the early 1990s, Dillingham Square was in good condition but had become dated. So, Rappaport planned to upgrade the look with a multi-million-dollar renovation.

“This was necessary to retain and draw additional tenants and customers to the property,” says Larry Spott, CDP, executive vice president of Rappaport.

During the renovation, they replaced the parking lot, upgraded signage, enhanced the facade and installed new landscaping throughout. The landscaping included removing overgrown plant materials that blocked visibility to the property, Spott explains.

They chose Level Green Landscaping for the project because of their pricing and experience with large-scale projects, he adds.

“It is a pleasure to work with Level Green on these types of projects,” Spott says. “Level Green understands that as a retail property, we must maintain a safe environment for our customers and tenants. They take care to minimize any impacts on the customers and tenants, while providing a first-class project.”

Making a Good Impression

To attract and keep shoppers and customers coming back, Rappaport makes the shopping center’s curb appeal a top priority.

“Landscaping comes to the forefront of this topic and is what kicks off the first impression to most visitors,” says JD Brakefield, senior property manager, Rappaport.

They wanted to find a commercial landscaping company that understood those needs and could enhance, update and maintain the space. So, Rappaport turned to Level Green Landscaping to handle their landscaping and snow removal services.

“Curb appeal is an integral aspect to our management style, and Level Green has done a tremendous job servicing our properties,” Brakefield says.

Beyond focusing on improving and maintaining the property’s curb appeal, having a landscaping partner that takes initiative with all of their work was a must for Brakefield.

“I look for a company that is going to be proactive instead of reactive — approaching landscape maintenance or snow removal services with an attention to detail that eventually leads to reducing operating expenses,” Brakefield says.

That could mean upgrading irrigation systems to increase efficiency, re-mulching beds to prevent weeds and erosion, installing native plants or pre-wetting with salt brine during the winter.

Finding the Right Partner

This high-traffic shopping center is constantly looking for ways to improve its visitor experience, and that starts with the property’s landscape.

It’s one of the first things shoppers see when they reach Dillingham Square, so it was important to find the right landscaping partner to manage the site. Brakefield says they chose Level Green Landscaping because of their attention to detail, adding it’s been a pleasure to work with them.

“Rappaport Management Company has been working with Level Green for many years,” Brakefield says, “and they have played a very important role in maintaining meticulous landscape designs, implementing complete landscape renovation enhancement projects and providing snow removal services.”

Having a maintenance company that understands the property’s needs and is passionate about what they do can really make a difference. The landscaping team should also put the client’s priorities — like Rappaport’s focus on the details and curb appeal — at the forefront of everything they do with the property.

“Level Green demonstrates professionalism and is focused on maximizing the value that landscape maintenance provides,” Brakefield says. “Their attention to detail, focus on reducing operating expenses and improvement of customer relations is impressive and has been a great fit with our company.”

The Rappaport and Level Green Landscaping partnership is built on trust, understanding and knowing they are both working toward the same goal of having a high-quality shopping center.

“We have worked with many landscaping companies all over the DC-metro area, and Level Green, simply stated, is a pleasure to work with,” Brakefield says.

Looking to take your commercial property to the next level? CONTACT US today and see how Level Green Landscaping can help.