Bridge Street Town Centre
Bridge Street Town Centre is an open-air shopping and entertainment complex in Huntsville's Cummings Research Park that opened in 2007. The architecture has a European feel with cobblestone walkways, arched colonnades, and decorative stonework that gives it more visual character than a typical shopping centre. A five-acre lake sits at the centre of the property with a walking trail around it and Venetian gondola rentals on the water. The Westin hotel tower rises eleven storeys behind the retail buildings, and the whole scene reflects in the lake on calm days. There is a carousel that photographs well at night when it is lit up, and an interactive children's fountain with pop jets that catches the light nicely during the day. The arched walkways create strong repeating lines and frame the storefronts and sky beyond them. Evening is when the place comes alive photographically. The buildings, bridges, and walkways are all lit, and the reflections off the lake and wet cobblestone pull everything together. During the holiday season the centre goes heavy on decorations, including a large Christmas tree and festive lighting throughout. It is open daily and free to walk around. The property covers about 40 hectares so there is plenty of space to move around without feeling like you are shooting in a mall. (Huntsville, Alabama, USA)
