Landscape Architect Articles

The Shoppes at Belmont12-19-25 | Feature

The Shoppes at Belmont

Bridging History and Community
by RGS Associates and Headline Consultants - Photo Credit: Tennison Photography

Drawing on a 25-year relationship between commercial real estate developer Waters Retail Group and Pennsylvania-based landscape architecture and civil engineering firm RGS Associates, land that once encompassed a quarry and 19th-century lime kilns was transformed into a retail center called The Shoppes at Belmont. Opened in 2018, this 71-acre, mixed-use development in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, melds stores and restaurants into the surrounding countryside containing nine acres of wetlands. RGS Associates provided site design, land use entitlements, civil engineering, and landscape architecture services.

The roundabout, fountain, and decorative paver crosswalks provide traffic calming and safer pedestrian circulation along the main street and central plaza.

The development's central roundabout utilizes Brussel Block pavers by Unilock in a basketweave pattern on the roadway as well as fired clay pavers in a 45-degree herringbone pattern on the center island and crosswalk. The fountain was built with 6-inch gunite walls overlaid with a brick veneer and capped with coping. A classic bubbler was selected for the waterworks. Pedestrian-scale lighting is provided by 168 LED acorn luminaires on 14-foot-tall posts. Site amenities also included 95 decorative bollards.

Pedestrian pavers laid in radial patterns thematically link the central plaza with the roundabout and streetscape, totaling 15,360 square feet of pavers throughout the project. The pavilion's decorative cupola and standing seam roof mirror the area's Pennsylvania Dutch architecture while promoting public transportation in its additional role as a bus shelter. Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica x fauriei 'Natchez') trees create an enclosed space with floral color in the spring and summer while their distinctive bark (see inset) provides visual interest in winter.

The new development incorporates a streetscape emulating those found in the area's small villages. Distinctive features include wide sidewalks, extensive landscaping, and coordinated street furniture, like the all-black benches and trash receptacles with elevated lids.

This pond and fountain also function as a stormwater management facility with a below-ground, engineered stormwater treatment and pollutant trap, paired with a water quality inlet filter and skimmer box. The illuminated sign, designed by the landscape architecture team, incorporates letters with acrylic faces and aluminum backs installed on an arched concrete support. The turf areas feature a seed mix supplied by Ernst Conservation Seeds with three types of tall fescue and an annual ryegrass. The boulders across the pond were installed to retain the plant beds on the slope.

The entrances are marked by piers and stone walls built with CMU block cores, veneered with decorative brick and stone in coordination with the architectural materials, and topped with cast concrete capstones. Stone plaques engraved with the letter "B" were specified to enhance the site's sense of place.

The quarry - originally four acres in size - was partially infilled with compacted stone. At the far right is a floodplain area totaling nine acres that includes a stream and wetlands in addition to serving as a natural buffer for the surrounding neighborhoods. The addition of an extensive trail network resulted in more than a mile of pedestrian access to and through The Shoppes at Belmont. Area and parking lights total 21 single luminaires, 49 double luminaires, and 10 tri-luminaires on 35-foot-tall poles.

One of the project's objectives was preserving the quarry's existing lime kilns. During excavation, this larger, especially intact kiln was discovered. To save it, the team redesigned the road alignment and incorporated the kiln into the trail system. Traditional-looking, black spear aluminum fencing reminiscent of ironwork from the site's 18th-century cemetery was supplied and installed by local contractors.

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When The Shoppes at Belmont opened in 2018, it redefined what a retail center could be in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. The 71-acre development combines national retailers and restaurants with preserved history, restored landscapes, and new neighborhoods. What began as a complex, historically sensitive site became one of the most recognizable projects in the region and a model for mixed-use development. Local landscape architecture firm RGS Associates provided site design, land use entitlements, civil engineering, and landscape architecture for long-time partner and project developer, Waters Retail Group.

From Quarry and Farmland to Community Hub
The Belmont site was once known as the Hess tracts: farmland that included a four-acre quarry, 19th-century lime kilns, a family graveyard, and a tree that had become a landmark fixture in the neighborhood. The property is located at the intersection of one of the busiest corridors in Lancaster. Converting this site into a thriving retail center required more than grading and infrastructure. From the earliest planning phases, the design team worked to integrate historic features into the plan, weaving them into the experience of shopping, dining, and walking through Belmont.

Tackling Stormwater and Site Design Complexities
One of the project's defining challenges was the quarry. Nearly four acres in size and 30 feet deep, the quarry sat at the center of the site. Rather than treat it as a liability, the team turned it into a functional and aesthetic feature. Some portions were filled with compacted stone while other areas were preserved and reimagined as stormwater management facilities, a walking trail, and a scenic platform.

The floodplain along the eastern boundary of the property presented another challenge. Water routinely backed up into a low-lying area that was developed into the residential section of the site. The Landscape Architects reconfigured the floodplain plans to align with the natural stream corridor and designed a bypass system that carries stormwater safely through the site. This addressed regulatory requirements and created nine acres of wetlands that serve as a natural buffer for the surrounding neighborhoods.

Traffic and access were equally complex. The design team collaborated with traffic engineers and PennDOT to create two signalized entrances as well as interior circulation patterns that balance pedestrian and vehicular flow. The central roundabout became a focal point for Belmont's interior "main street," framed by a fountain, stage, and seating areas.

Preserving and Showcasing Historic Features
The quarry was only part of the site's history. While the project originally proposed to save one known lime kiln on site, additional lime kilns were discovered during excavation. Instead of removing them, the design team adjusted road alignments to preserve the kilns and incorporate them into the trail system, where interpretive panels now share their legacy with visitors.

A historic family cemetery, established in 1725, and its signature oak tree were also carefully preserved in their original locations. Certified arborists helped ensure the tree's survival and heritage as a living landmark by employing advanced aeration methods and root protection systems. Fencing modeled after the cemetery's 18th-century ironwork was installed throughout The Shoppes at Belmont, and stone piers from a historic barnyard on the property were meticulously dismantled and reassembled onsite as striking entry features near the apartments.

A Walkable Environment
At the heart of Belmont is a pedestrian-oriented main street. Shops and restaurants line a streetscape designed to feel like many of Lancaster County's small villages. Two pedestrian boulevards connect the main street to the inline anchor stores, making it safe and convenient for walking throughout. More than a mile of sidewalks and trails weaves across the property, linking Belmont to the surrounding Glen Moore suburban neighborhood.

Materials and Craftsmanship
Both the developer and Landscape Architect placed a strong emphasis on attention to detail and specifying materials that honor Belmont's historic charm rather than settling for cost-saving, alternate materials. Unilock pavers were used all through the site, with heavier brick used in vehicular crosswalks and decorative patterns in pedestrian zones. This material choice also reflects the city of Lancaster's old-fashioned character, as it is home to one of the nation's largest historic districts. Stone retaining walls were a natural alternative to modular block, echoing the region's tradition of limestone construction. Street furniture and decorative bollards were also specified to complement the historic personality of the community. Lighting fixtures echo the traditional quality of the development and tie the project together, creating continuity from beginning to end. Seasonal planters, coordinated signage, and custom fencing complete the streetscape.

Building Community Through Mixed Use
While retail anchors the project, Belmont was always envisioned as a mixed-use community. Thirteen single-family homes, seventy-four townhomes, and seventy-two apartments were built along the edges of the development, creating a transition from a commercial hub to the existing residential neighborhoods. This integration underscores The Shoppes at Belmont's role as a community gathering place. Concerts at the fountain, walks along the quarry trail, and everyday errands blend to create a destination for connection.

A Partnership Built on Trust
The Belmont project reflects the 25-year collaboration between Waters Retail Group and RGS Associates and stands out as a model of shared vision. Waters' commitment to long-term property ownership meant investing in quality and durability, while RGS's leadership carried the project through every phase, from site design and landscape architecture to land use entitlements and approvals. RGS Principal Alex Piehl, PLA, led the team through years of planning and conditional use hearings, navigating the complexities of municipal review and community engagement. His persistence for more than a decade was essential to moving the Belmont project forward.

As seen in LASN magazine, December 2025.