A metropolitan real-estate magnate has purchased an abandoned warehouse in the city's transitional zone, and is converting it on the street level to a mall with chic boutiques, while making the upper floors into condominiums. Which of the following stages of city evolution applies to this inner-city development?

A) suburban city
B) corporate city
C) peri-urbanized city
D) urban city

The conversion of an abandoned warehouse to a mixed-use building that includes both commercial and residential spaces is characteristic of the corporate city stage of city evolution. This stage is marked by the emergence of large-scale corporations and a focus on economic growth as the main driver of urban development. The creation of the mall and condominiums also suggests an emphasis on consumption and lifestyle amenities, further supporting the classification of this development as a corporate city project.