While many smart homebuilders and developers have been combining village-style shopping experiences with urban condos and lofts, RIck Caruso of Los Angeles-based Caruso Affiliates has brought this luxury lifestyle to the next level with mini communities that are almost like villages from a forgotten era.

A recent article at CNN spoke about Caruso’s luxury malls, like The Grove in Los Angeles and the new Americana in nearby Glendale. Apparently, local residents and visitors alike are falling in love with the mixture of parks, promenades, fountains and plazas integrated with upscale retail and are spending serious money during their experiences.

Reading the mood of today’s savvy consumer, these developments utilize the richest materials and design integrity to create meticulously detailed environments that feel inviting, safe and comfortable for families and people of all ages.

The Americana development adds a new component — 300 condos and apartments above the shops as Caruso says that they are in the place-creation business, not just retail developers. The setting is complete with curbs and street lights, fountains and a little trolley that runs through the project.

Smart homebuilding developers take note — The Grove attracts 25 million shoppers a year and sales receipts have shown the typical shopper spends twice as much as consumers going to indoor malls. With gas prices on the rise, visitors and residents alike are finding these little slices of Americana to be exactly the type of relief, entertainment and lifestyle they’ve been looking for.