Friday, April 04, 2008
Atlanta's central city is ringed by several huge, suburban centers
of commercialism and commerce. The largest of these, LENOX,
PERIMETER and CUMBERLAND-GALLERIA, are in the region's
northern environs.
ATLANTA'S EDGE CITY CENTERS
The undisputed capital city of the Southland has been on a growing binge for the past sixty-two years. The metropolitan area's expansion kicked into high gear during the Post-World War II era, and has had few respites since that time.
First fueled by the completion of the region's early expressways during the 1950s, the urban sprawl became centered in three particular areas; LENOX, PERIMETER and CUMBERLAND-GALLERIA. Of course, a regional shopping mall was at the epicenter of each of these newly-built edge cities.
The LENOX edge city was the first...centered on LENOX SQUARE SHOPPING CENTER, which opened in the summer of 1959. Ten years later, a second -very upscale- mall was added to Atlanta's auxiliary downtown, PHIPPS PLAZA.
PERIMETER's edge city was the second to emerge, following the dedication of PERIMETER MALL, in the summer of 1971. Driving through the area now, it seems unbelievable that -only thirty-five years ago- it was nothing more than fields, farms and an occasional tract house.
A visit in the present-day reveals a humongous, 1.5 million square foot shopping center, surrounded by towering office buildings, condos and hotels. The commanding skyline of PERIMETER dwarfs that of a medium-sized, US city such as Dayton, Ohio.
The newest -and largest- of Atlanta's edge cities is centered on CUMBERLAND MALL and COBB GALLERIA CENTRE. The CUMBERLAND-GALLERIA suburban nucleus got growing with the summer 1973 dedication of CUMBERLAND MALL. The area now has more office space than downtown Miami.
As the map above indicates, the greatest concentration of urban expansion in and -around- Atlanta has been to points north. The southern environs, although playing host to the enormous Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, still come off like the city's red-headed stepchild suburbs.
Even MARTA, the region's rail rapid transit system, favors the northlands...with service from two major rail lines. The south city suburbs have only one such connection.
The undisputed capital city of the Southland has been on a growing binge for the past sixty-two years. The metropolitan area's expansion kicked into high gear during the Post-World War II era, and has had few respites since that time.
First fueled by the completion of the region's early expressways during the 1950s, the urban sprawl became centered in three particular areas; LENOX, PERIMETER and CUMBERLAND-GALLERIA. Of course, a regional shopping mall was at the epicenter of each of these newly-built edge cities.
The LENOX edge city was the first...centered on LENOX SQUARE SHOPPING CENTER, which opened in the summer of 1959. Ten years later, a second -very upscale- mall was added to Atlanta's auxiliary downtown, PHIPPS PLAZA.
PERIMETER's edge city was the second to emerge, following the dedication of PERIMETER MALL, in the summer of 1971. Driving through the area now, it seems unbelievable that -only thirty-five years ago- it was nothing more than fields, farms and an occasional tract house.
A visit in the present-day reveals a humongous, 1.5 million square foot shopping center, surrounded by towering office buildings, condos and hotels. The commanding skyline of PERIMETER dwarfs that of a medium-sized, US city such as Dayton, Ohio.
The newest -and largest- of Atlanta's edge cities is centered on CUMBERLAND MALL and COBB GALLERIA CENTRE. The CUMBERLAND-GALLERIA suburban nucleus got growing with the summer 1973 dedication of CUMBERLAND MALL. The area now has more office space than downtown Miami.
As the map above indicates, the greatest concentration of urban expansion in and -around- Atlanta has been to points north. The southern environs, although playing host to the enormous Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, still come off like the city's red-headed stepchild suburbs.
Even MARTA, the region's rail rapid transit system, favors the northlands...with service from two major rail lines. The south city suburbs have only one such connection.
Atlanta's Lenox Square
The earliest of Atlanta's edge cities, LENOX started with the completion
of LENOX SQUARE SHOPPING CENTER in August 1959. High rise
buildings were popping up by the mid-'60s. The completion of a second
shopping center, PHIPPS PLAZA, in 1969-1970 gave additional incentive
for the over-development of the area.
The earliest of Atlanta's edge cities, LENOX started with the completion
of LENOX SQUARE SHOPPING CENTER in August 1959. High rise
buildings were popping up by the mid-'60s. The completion of a second
shopping center, PHIPPS PLAZA, in 1969-1970 gave additional incentive
for the over-development of the area.
The Mall Level Rich's Court, seen from the opposite end. Yononah's
Restaurant is in the distance.
Photo from Malls of America Blogspot
An early '60s shot of the Plaza Level Court. The S.S. Kresge 5 and dime
is seen on the lower level of the mall.
Marquee of the original, single-screen Lenox Square Theatre.
Considering the film being shown, the photo must have been
taken in early 1965. And...yes...that's an Aston Martin DB5,
similar to the one driven by 007 in the film.
Photo from Stan Malone Collection
The original shopping center site. The mall, itself, was
situated on three levels; Mall, Plaza and Market. The
"spaceship" Gulf station was eventually torn down. In the
early 1980s, East Paces Ferry Road was shifted north,
occupying the site of the old filling station.
A circa-'59 physical layout. At the time, the mall had two
anchor stores and a supermarket. A Market Level, beneath
the Colonial and Plaza Level Court, included a bowling alley.
The mall's first Theatre opened on this level in 1963. There
was (is) also a subterannean, sub-level parking deck that has
never been utilized.
An eastern (Lenox Road) elevation of the mall site, showing how the
three levels of the original mall were configured.
Uncle Remus author Joel Chandler Harris and two of his granddaughters
officiate at the dedication of the LENOX SQUARE statues, in November
1959. Seen here are Br'er Fox and Br'er Frog/Br'er Bear. By the early
'70s, these figures had become rather politically incorrect. They were
unceremoniously removed during the mall's enclosure/renovation.
Photo from www.wrensnestonline.com / "Iain"
Br'er Frog and Br'er Bear in their present-day
home, at the Morgan County Public Library in
Madison, Georgia.
Photo from www.wrensnestonline.com / "Iain"
Br'er Rabbit scolds the Tar Baby. This former
LENOX SQUARE statue also resides at the
Morgan County Public Library in Madison.
Photo from www.wrensnestonline.com / "Iain"
1972 and LENOX SQUARE becomes an enclosed complex. The
Mall Level Concourse, between the Peachtree Road Main Entrance
and Davison's, was roofed-in. A West Wing and Neiman Marcus,
and Davison's, was roofed-in. A West Wing and Neiman Marcus,
the sixth store in the Dallas-based chain, were also added. The
Plaza Level Court remained in the rain until it was demolished
(and replaced with a new Food Court area) in 1979-1980.
A circa-'72 view of the open-air Plaza Court, showing the Delta Kiosk, a
fixture there for several years. In front of Davison's is the south end of
the fully-enclosed Mall Level concourse.
Photo from www.simon.com (Simon Property Group)
Please pardon the quality here. Above and below are two shots
from one of my first visits to LENOX SQUARE, in 1986. These
show the original, 3-level Food Court at the rear of the mall. This
was a 1979-1980 renovation of the open Plaza Court seen above.
In this photo, we see the circa-1986 Food Court entrance to the mall's
first Macy's (previously Davison's, now Bloomingdale's). By the way,
the Food Court was extensively renovated during the mid-'90s. It
looks nothing like this today.
The mall's Main Entrance, which faces Peachtree Road, as it appears
today.
Photo from www.simon.com (Simon Property Group)
A contemporary view of the Mall Level and Upper Level concourses.
This part of the shopping center was double-decked in 1994-1995.
Photo from www.simon.com (Simon Property Group)
Photo from Malls of America Blogspot
Yesterday and today aerial views of LENOX SQUARE, showing the
degree of change that has occurred over the forty-nine year history
of the mall.
Photo from Wikipedia / "Fsunoles"
2008 physical layout of the Mall Level at LENOX SQUARE. The
center encompasses 1,477,600 leasable square feet, making it
Georgia's third-largest enclosed mall. Over the years, there have
been four renovations. The original mall is indicated in black. The
1971-'72 addition appears in dark gray. The expansion of 1979-'80
is indicated in medium gray. Changes made in 1994-'95 are shown
in light gray.
LENOX SQUARE SHOPPING CENTER
Peachtree and Lenox Roads
Atlanta, Georgia
Originally conceived as a middle-market venue, LENOX SQUARE has evolved into one of the most upscale shopping centers in the southeast.
The 32 million dollar, open-air shopopolis was constructed 8.6 miles northeast of Atlanta's Five Points, on a 75 acre site which had been the estate of John K. Ottley.
Developed by Edward E. Noble (under the auspices of Noble Properties) and designed by Joe Amisano, the complex opened August 3, 1959 with fifty-two retailers. There were two Atlanta-based department stores as its anchors; a 3-level (180,000 square foot) Rich's and 2-level (120,000 square foot) Davison-Paxon.
The original LENOX SQUARE also included several 2-level inline stores; Haverty's Furniture, Muse's, J.P Allen, Parks-Chambers and an S.S. Kresge 5 and 10.
1-level stores and services included Dipper Dan's Ice Cream Parlor, Merle Norman Cosmetics, Zachary For Men and a 31,500 square foot Colonial supermarket, at the time, the largest grocery store in the South. An outparcel Gulf service station, in the southeast parking area, resembled a spaceship.
Encompassing 800,000 leasable square feet, the shopping center was built on 3 levels. The Mall Level, coming off the Peachtree Road (upper level) lot, had the Rich's store, an open court area, and landscaped corridor with several statues depicting characters in the Uncle Remus stories.
At the southeast end of the Mall Level corridor (in front of Davison's) was an escalator descent onto a second open court, the Plaza Level, which had tree planters and two fountains. An entrance to Davison's lower level was situated on this court, as were entries to the Kresge 5 & 10 and Colonial supermarket.
The Market Level and sub-level parking deck were situated beneath the Plaza Level Court and Colonial. In June 1963, the single-screen Lenox Theatre opened on this floor of the shopping center, with its marque facing the southern end of East Paces Ferry Road.
In 1967, an adjacent indoor golf-driving range was refitted as an additional movie house. Eventually, there were six auditoriums in operation within the mall's cinema complex.
By the early 1970s, LENOX -still an open-air center- was experiencing competition from newer, fully-enclosed shopping venues in the northern suburbs of Atlanta. PHIPPS PLAZA [April 2008 archive] opened in 1969, and was located across Peachtree Road. PERIMETER MALL [also in the April 2008 Archive] was completed in 1971, and was 5 miles northeast.
In response to these new centers, the Mall Level at LENOX was enclosed in 1971-1972, with the soaring concrete arches overhead being ripped out. An adjacent West Wing was added, with a 2-level (153,700 square foot), Dallas-based Neiman Marcus at its end. Two parking garages were also built.
Another major renovation began in 1979, when the open-air, Plaza Level court was demolished. The Colonial supermarket, by then a Big Star, was razed and a new 3-level Food Court and retail area was built, incorporating parts of the previously-existing Market Level.
This was joined by a Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority / MARTA rapid transit station, located near the mall's new Food Court entrance, which opened in December 1984.
In 1994, a major interior and exterior renovation began. The Mall Level had an Upper Level added, with forty new stores. A third parking garage was also added.
Anchor store rebrandings had got underway in the 1980s. Davison's became Macy's in 1986 and a Bloomingdale's in 2003. The Rich's moniker remained until 2003 when it morphed into Rich's-Macy's. In 2005, the Rich's name was retired, with all stores in the chain rebranded as simply Macy's. The LENOX Neiman Marcus has retained its nameplate since the store opened.
During the more recent remodelings of the mall, its two original anchor stores were expanded. The Rich's / Macy's building was enlarged to 433,300 square feet and the Davison's / Macy's / Bloomingdale's to 274,000 square feet.
The latest renovation of the shopping center entailed the addition of a new Upper Level of retail over the existing West Wing. The 153,700 square foot Neiman Marcus was expanded to 205,700 square feet and 36,000 square feet of inline store space was added to the mall. This project was completed in late 2007.
Today, LENOX SQUARE encompasses 1,477,600 leasable square feet, boasts 4 levels of retail, and houses over two hundred and forty stores. The Indianapolis-based Simon Property Group acquired the mall in September 1998.
Sources:
Mall memories of Stan Malone
Personal recollection of the author
Malls Of America Blogspot
Georgia Retail Memories Blog
http://www.lenoxsquare.com/
http://www.itsmarta.com/
http://www.library.gsu.edu/
Cinema Treasures website
"Lenox Square" article on Wikipedia
"Rich's" article on Wikipedia
"Davison's" article on Wikipedia
Peachtree and Lenox Roads
Atlanta, Georgia
Originally conceived as a middle-market venue, LENOX SQUARE has evolved into one of the most upscale shopping centers in the southeast.
The 32 million dollar, open-air shopopolis was constructed 8.6 miles northeast of Atlanta's Five Points, on a 75 acre site which had been the estate of John K. Ottley.
Developed by Edward E. Noble (under the auspices of Noble Properties) and designed by Joe Amisano, the complex opened August 3, 1959 with fifty-two retailers. There were two Atlanta-based department stores as its anchors; a 3-level (180,000 square foot) Rich's and 2-level (120,000 square foot) Davison-Paxon.
The original LENOX SQUARE also included several 2-level inline stores; Haverty's Furniture, Muse's, J.P Allen, Parks-Chambers and an S.S. Kresge 5 and 10.
1-level stores and services included Dipper Dan's Ice Cream Parlor, Merle Norman Cosmetics, Zachary For Men and a 31,500 square foot Colonial supermarket, at the time, the largest grocery store in the South. An outparcel Gulf service station, in the southeast parking area, resembled a spaceship.
Encompassing 800,000 leasable square feet, the shopping center was built on 3 levels. The Mall Level, coming off the Peachtree Road (upper level) lot, had the Rich's store, an open court area, and landscaped corridor with several statues depicting characters in the Uncle Remus stories.
At the southeast end of the Mall Level corridor (in front of Davison's) was an escalator descent onto a second open court, the Plaza Level, which had tree planters and two fountains. An entrance to Davison's lower level was situated on this court, as were entries to the Kresge 5 & 10 and Colonial supermarket.
The Market Level and sub-level parking deck were situated beneath the Plaza Level Court and Colonial. In June 1963, the single-screen Lenox Theatre opened on this floor of the shopping center, with its marque facing the southern end of East Paces Ferry Road.
In 1967, an adjacent indoor golf-driving range was refitted as an additional movie house. Eventually, there were six auditoriums in operation within the mall's cinema complex.
By the early 1970s, LENOX -still an open-air center- was experiencing competition from newer, fully-enclosed shopping venues in the northern suburbs of Atlanta. PHIPPS PLAZA [April 2008 archive] opened in 1969, and was located across Peachtree Road. PERIMETER MALL [also in the April 2008 Archive] was completed in 1971, and was 5 miles northeast.
In response to these new centers, the Mall Level at LENOX was enclosed in 1971-1972, with the soaring concrete arches overhead being ripped out. An adjacent West Wing was added, with a 2-level (153,700 square foot), Dallas-based Neiman Marcus at its end. Two parking garages were also built.
Another major renovation began in 1979, when the open-air, Plaza Level court was demolished. The Colonial supermarket, by then a Big Star, was razed and a new 3-level Food Court and retail area was built, incorporating parts of the previously-existing Market Level.
This was joined by a Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority / MARTA rapid transit station, located near the mall's new Food Court entrance, which opened in December 1984.
In 1994, a major interior and exterior renovation began. The Mall Level had an Upper Level added, with forty new stores. A third parking garage was also added.
Anchor store rebrandings had got underway in the 1980s. Davison's became Macy's in 1986 and a Bloomingdale's in 2003. The Rich's moniker remained until 2003 when it morphed into Rich's-Macy's. In 2005, the Rich's name was retired, with all stores in the chain rebranded as simply Macy's. The LENOX Neiman Marcus has retained its nameplate since the store opened.
During the more recent remodelings of the mall, its two original anchor stores were expanded. The Rich's / Macy's building was enlarged to 433,300 square feet and the Davison's / Macy's / Bloomingdale's to 274,000 square feet.
The latest renovation of the shopping center entailed the addition of a new Upper Level of retail over the existing West Wing. The 153,700 square foot Neiman Marcus was expanded to 205,700 square feet and 36,000 square feet of inline store space was added to the mall. This project was completed in late 2007.
Today, LENOX SQUARE encompasses 1,477,600 leasable square feet, boasts 4 levels of retail, and houses over two hundred and forty stores. The Indianapolis-based Simon Property Group acquired the mall in September 1998.
Sources:
Mall memories of Stan Malone
Personal recollection of the author
Malls Of America Blogspot
Georgia Retail Memories Blog
http://www.lenoxsquare.com/
http://www.itsmarta.com/
http://www.library.gsu.edu/
Cinema Treasures website
"Lenox Square" article on Wikipedia
"Rich's" article on Wikipedia
"Davison's" article on Wikipedia
Atlanta's Phipps Plaza
PHIPPS PLAZA's original north anchor, Lord and Taylor. The store
closed in 2004.
PHIPPS PLAZA's original north anchor, Lord and Taylor. The store
closed in 2004.
Once a country estate, with the palatial Phipps Mansion, the site
was bulldozed in the mid-1960s in anticipation of the construction
of Atlanta's first multi-level, fully-enclosed mall. When completed
in 1970, PHIPPS PLAZA encompassed 518,000 leasable square
feet and was anchored by the 28th Saks Fifth Avenue.
The mall's first movie house, the single-screen Phipps Plaza Theatre,
has been twinned by the time that this photo was taken (in the mid-
1970s).
In 1973, a third-level cinema was added to the center. Known
as the Phipps Penthouse, it was demolished -along with the
original Northwest Wing- in 1990.
Photos from the Stan Malone Collection
Contemporary interior views of Atlanta's posh PHIPPS PLAZA,
the city's most upscale shopping center.
Photo from www.simon.com (Simon Property Group)
A current aerial of the mall, with some of the LENOX edge city skyline
in view.
Photo from www.simon.com (Simon Property Group)
The Peachtree Road facade of the PLAZA.
Photo from www.simon.com (Simon Property Group)
The mall's only remaining charter anchor, Saks Fifth Avenue,
opened in August 1968. The store was expanded (by 48,000
square feet) during the 1992 renovation.
Photo from www.simon.com (Simon Property Group)
PHIPPS' new Nordstrom, which replaced the shuttered Lord and
Taylor in March 2005.
Photo from www.simon.com (Simon Property Group)
A 2008 site plan of PHIPPS PLAZA. The 1992 expansion (replacing
the original Northwest Wing cinemas) is indicated in medium gray
gray. The original, circa-60s, mall is shown in black.
PHIPPS PLAZA
Peachtree Road Northeast and Lenox Road Northeast
Atlanta, Georgia
The seventh regional-class shopping center in Atlanta was built across the road from LENOX SQUARE. PHIPPS PLAZA was situated on a 29.4 acre plot, 8.6 miles northeast of Atlanta's Five Points.
Conceived as a high-fashion shopping venue, PHIPPS PLAZA was designed by Atlanta's Finch, Alexander, Barnes, Rothschild and Pascal. It was Georgia's first fully-enclosed, bi-level mall, situated with its retail levels sitting on top of a multi-level parking garage.
The first anchor, a 2-level (100,000 square foot) Saks Fifth Avenue, opened for business August 12, 1968. Inline stores in the mall opened during 1969. A second anchor, a 2-level (153,700 square foot) Lord and Taylor, was built in 1970.
Originally spanning 518,000 square feet, the complex included the single-screen Phipps Plaza Theatre. A second auditorium, the single-screen Phipps Penthouse, was added (as a third level to the mall) in 1973.
In 1991, the theatres, and the northwest wing that they were a part of, were demolished. A 140 million dollar expansion was undertaken which included a new, 3-level (170,000 square foot), Birmingham-based Parisian, thirty-four inline stores, a 9-bay Food Court and AMC Phipps Plaza multiplex.
Saks Fifth Avenue was also expanded -to 148,645 square feet- with the construction of a northwest addition and third level. The mall renovation was completed in late 1992. It increased the GLA of the center to 819,000 square feet, with a retail roster of ninety-five inline stores.
The Indianapolis-based Simon Property Group acquired New York City-based Corporate Property Investors in September 1998. Along with the deal, Simon took possession of several Metro Atlanta malls, including PHIPPS PLAZA and LENOX SQUARE.
The new century brought two anchor rebrandings to PHIPPS PLAZA. Lord and Taylor was shuttered in 2004. The building was remodeled and reopened as a 2-level (153,700 square foot) Nordstrom on March 11, 2005. The PHIPPS Parisian was rebranded by Charlotte-based Belk on September 12, 2007.
Sources:
"Phipps Plaza" article on Wikipedia
www.simon.com
Cinema Treasures / Memories of Stan Malone
www.georgiaencylclopedia.org
Comment post by "Dea41396"
Fulton County, Georgia tax assessor website
Atlanta Business Journal / March 5, 1999 / Article by Nancy Groves
www.georgiaencyclopedia.org
Peachtree Road Northeast and Lenox Road Northeast
Atlanta, Georgia
The seventh regional-class shopping center in Atlanta was built across the road from LENOX SQUARE. PHIPPS PLAZA was situated on a 29.4 acre plot, 8.6 miles northeast of Atlanta's Five Points.
Conceived as a high-fashion shopping venue, PHIPPS PLAZA was designed by Atlanta's Finch, Alexander, Barnes, Rothschild and Pascal. It was Georgia's first fully-enclosed, bi-level mall, situated with its retail levels sitting on top of a multi-level parking garage.
The first anchor, a 2-level (100,000 square foot) Saks Fifth Avenue, opened for business August 12, 1968. Inline stores in the mall opened during 1969. A second anchor, a 2-level (153,700 square foot) Lord and Taylor, was built in 1970.
Originally spanning 518,000 square feet, the complex included the single-screen Phipps Plaza Theatre. A second auditorium, the single-screen Phipps Penthouse, was added (as a third level to the mall) in 1973.
In 1991, the theatres, and the northwest wing that they were a part of, were demolished. A 140 million dollar expansion was undertaken which included a new, 3-level (170,000 square foot), Birmingham-based Parisian, thirty-four inline stores, a 9-bay Food Court and AMC Phipps Plaza multiplex.
Saks Fifth Avenue was also expanded -to 148,645 square feet- with the construction of a northwest addition and third level. The mall renovation was completed in late 1992. It increased the GLA of the center to 819,000 square feet, with a retail roster of ninety-five inline stores.
The Indianapolis-based Simon Property Group acquired New York City-based Corporate Property Investors in September 1998. Along with the deal, Simon took possession of several Metro Atlanta malls, including PHIPPS PLAZA and LENOX SQUARE.
The new century brought two anchor rebrandings to PHIPPS PLAZA. Lord and Taylor was shuttered in 2004. The building was remodeled and reopened as a 2-level (153,700 square foot) Nordstrom on March 11, 2005. The PHIPPS Parisian was rebranded by Charlotte-based Belk on September 12, 2007.
Sources:
"Phipps Plaza" article on Wikipedia
www.simon.com
Cinema Treasures / Memories of Stan Malone
www.georgiaencylclopedia.org
Comment post by "Dea41396"
Fulton County, Georgia tax assessor website
Atlanta Business Journal / March 5, 1999 / Article by Nancy Groves
www.georgiaencyclopedia.org
Dekalb County's Perimeter Mall
Northeastern Atlanta's PERIMETER edge city began its explosive growth after the 1971 completion of its "auxiliary downtown", PERIMETER MALL. First-time visitors, viewing the area from a freeway, might be fooled into thinking that they were seeing the skyline of downtown Atlanta......which is actually 14 miles away!
Northeastern Atlanta's PERIMETER edge city began its explosive growth after the 1971 completion of its "auxiliary downtown", PERIMETER MALL. First-time visitors, viewing the area from a freeway, might be fooled into thinking that they were seeing the skyline of downtown Atlanta......which is actually 14 miles away!
The metro-Atlanta shopping center that James Rouse built. PERIMETER
was the region's second "OTP" (Outside The Perimeter) mall and the 8th
regional mall in -or around- Atlanta. At the time of this 1971 site plan,
the 2-level complex had only two anchor's; Rich's and J.C. Penney. Third
and fourth department stores were eventually added.
A circa-1986 site plan. The new West Wing had been completed in
1982. It included a 235,000 square foot Davison's, which had
morphed into Macy's by the time of this depiction. The Rich's had
just been expanded with a 93,000 square foot Furniture Showroom.
The total GLA of the center was now 1,222,000 square feet.
Just in time for the August-September 1996 Summer Games, MARTA's
new North Line Extension -to Dunwoody/Perimeter Mall- was dedicated.
In this view, the original Macy's location (previously Davison's) may be
seen.
Two interior views of the PERIMETER complex. The first shows the
mall entrance to Bloomingdale's. Originally a Davison's added in 1982,
it housed the mall's first Macy's between 1986 and 2003. Nordstrom,
in the second photo, opened in early 1998.
Photos from www.ggp.com (General Growth Properties)
The bucolic Garden Court / Restaurant Row at PERIMETER was
completed in June 2000. It added several new upper crust bistros,
as well as Z Gallerie and Chico's retail stores.
Photo from http://www.ggp.com/ (General Growth Properties)
Today's sprawling PERIMETER MALL. In 1998, the center's 3-level
Nordstrom was added. As a part of some merchandising musical chairs,
Macy's moved, with the original location reopening as a Bloomingdale's.
The original mall's J.C. Penney, outpostioned when the mall became too
toney, fell to the wrecking ball and was replaced with a newly-built
Dillard's in 2005.
PERIMETER MALL
Ashford-Dunwoody Road and Hammond Drive
Dekalb County, Georgia
Construction started on Atlanta's circular, bypass expressway in 1957. The first sections were in service by 1962, with the completed Interstate 285 / "Perimeter" beltway being dedicated in October 1969.
By this time, Maryland's Rouse Company was developing a suburban shopping center adjacent to the northern rim of Atlanta's new ring road expressway. PERIMETER MALL was built on 90.6 acre parcel, located 13.8 miles northeast of Atlanta's Five points, in the unincorporated Dekalb County community of Dunwoody.
The 2-level, fully-enclosed structure opened in August 1971. It was designed by Atlanta's Katzman and Associates and Marietta-based Stevens and Wilkinson. It encompassed 865,000 leasable square feet and housed one hundred and twelve stores and services.
Original anchors of PERIMETER MALL were a 3-level (261,500 square foot), Atlanta-based Rich's and 2-level (100,000 square foot) J.C. Penney. The 3-plex, Perimeter Mall Theatre opened December 21, 1973 as a northeast parking area outparcel.
Inline stores in the circa-'70s center included Spencer Gifts, Chess King, The Limited, B. Dalton Bookseller, Franklin Music, Lerner Shops, Wicks-n-Sticks, Chick-Fil-A and Ollie's Trolley Restaurant. The Airport, a large women's apparel store, was located in the center of the mall.
The first expansion was completed in 1982, when a West Wing and 3-level (235,000 square foot), Atlanta-based Davison's were added. A Food Court was also installed on the lower level of the original structure, taking the space previously occupied by The Airport store.
In 1986, Rich's was enlarged with a 93,000 square foot Furniture Showroom addition. PERIMETER MALL's first anchor rebranding also took place in 1986, when Davison's received a Macy's nameplate. The center now housed 1,222,000 leasable square feet.
A new commercial competitor came on the scene in 1993. NORTHPOINT MALL, in Alpharetta, spanned 1,370,000 leasable square feet, with one hundred and eighty inline stores.
PERIMETER MALL became rapid-transit-accessible June 8, 1996, with the completion of MARTA's Northwest Line Extension. The Dunwoody station was built in the shopping center's southwest parking area.
The third expansion at PERIMETER MALL included Georgia's first Nordstrom. A 3-level (230,000 square foot) store, part of 20 million dollar expansion of the existing West Wing, opened in February 1998. It included a large, multi-level parking garage.
A fourth expansion of mall space came inline in June 2000. A 20 million dollar, 78,000 square foot "Restaurant Row" was built onto the original main mall entrance, facing Ashford-Dunwoody Road. This addition included Cheescake Factory, Maggiono's Little Italy and nine other restaurants and retailers.
Another cycle of anchor rebrandings commenced in April 2003, when Macy's was shuttered. The Rich's became Rich's-Macy's and the original (shuttered) Macy's reopened as a Bloomingdale's in October 2003. The Rich's name was retired in 2005.
The mall changed ownership in August 2004, when Chicago-based General Growth Properties acquired the Rouse Company.
The most recent alteration of the mall structure transpired in August 2001, when J.C. Penney closed. The store had been outpositioned as the mall had became more upscale. After sitting vacant for several years, the building was razed and replaced by a 3-level (120,000 square foot) Dillard's, which opened in the spring of 2005.
With the completion of this project, PERIMETER MALL encompassed 1,560,000 leasable square feet with one hundred and ninety-five inline stores. It is currently the state's second-largest enclosed mall. Buford, Georgia's 1,786,000 square foot MALL OF GEORGIA (1999) occupies the top spot.
Sources:
"Perimeter Mall" article on Wikipedia
"MARTA" article on Wikipedia
www.ggp.com (General Growth Properties)
Comment posts by Clay, Todd Long and "Dea41396"
Dekalb County, Georgia tax assessor website
Cinema Treasures / Memories of Stan Malone
http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/
Ashford-Dunwoody Road and Hammond Drive
Dekalb County, Georgia
Construction started on Atlanta's circular, bypass expressway in 1957. The first sections were in service by 1962, with the completed Interstate 285 / "Perimeter" beltway being dedicated in October 1969.
By this time, Maryland's Rouse Company was developing a suburban shopping center adjacent to the northern rim of Atlanta's new ring road expressway. PERIMETER MALL was built on 90.6 acre parcel, located 13.8 miles northeast of Atlanta's Five points, in the unincorporated Dekalb County community of Dunwoody.
The 2-level, fully-enclosed structure opened in August 1971. It was designed by Atlanta's Katzman and Associates and Marietta-based Stevens and Wilkinson. It encompassed 865,000 leasable square feet and housed one hundred and twelve stores and services.
Original anchors of PERIMETER MALL were a 3-level (261,500 square foot), Atlanta-based Rich's and 2-level (100,000 square foot) J.C. Penney. The 3-plex, Perimeter Mall Theatre opened December 21, 1973 as a northeast parking area outparcel.
Inline stores in the circa-'70s center included Spencer Gifts, Chess King, The Limited, B. Dalton Bookseller, Franklin Music, Lerner Shops, Wicks-n-Sticks, Chick-Fil-A and Ollie's Trolley Restaurant. The Airport, a large women's apparel store, was located in the center of the mall.
The first expansion was completed in 1982, when a West Wing and 3-level (235,000 square foot), Atlanta-based Davison's were added. A Food Court was also installed on the lower level of the original structure, taking the space previously occupied by The Airport store.
In 1986, Rich's was enlarged with a 93,000 square foot Furniture Showroom addition. PERIMETER MALL's first anchor rebranding also took place in 1986, when Davison's received a Macy's nameplate. The center now housed 1,222,000 leasable square feet.
A new commercial competitor came on the scene in 1993. NORTHPOINT MALL, in Alpharetta, spanned 1,370,000 leasable square feet, with one hundred and eighty inline stores.
PERIMETER MALL became rapid-transit-accessible June 8, 1996, with the completion of MARTA's Northwest Line Extension. The Dunwoody station was built in the shopping center's southwest parking area.
The third expansion at PERIMETER MALL included Georgia's first Nordstrom. A 3-level (230,000 square foot) store, part of 20 million dollar expansion of the existing West Wing, opened in February 1998. It included a large, multi-level parking garage.
A fourth expansion of mall space came inline in June 2000. A 20 million dollar, 78,000 square foot "Restaurant Row" was built onto the original main mall entrance, facing Ashford-Dunwoody Road. This addition included Cheescake Factory, Maggiono's Little Italy and nine other restaurants and retailers.
Another cycle of anchor rebrandings commenced in April 2003, when Macy's was shuttered. The Rich's became Rich's-Macy's and the original (shuttered) Macy's reopened as a Bloomingdale's in October 2003. The Rich's name was retired in 2005.
The mall changed ownership in August 2004, when Chicago-based General Growth Properties acquired the Rouse Company.
The most recent alteration of the mall structure transpired in August 2001, when J.C. Penney closed. The store had been outpositioned as the mall had became more upscale. After sitting vacant for several years, the building was razed and replaced by a 3-level (120,000 square foot) Dillard's, which opened in the spring of 2005.
With the completion of this project, PERIMETER MALL encompassed 1,560,000 leasable square feet with one hundred and ninety-five inline stores. It is currently the state's second-largest enclosed mall. Buford, Georgia's 1,786,000 square foot MALL OF GEORGIA (1999) occupies the top spot.
Sources:
"Perimeter Mall" article on Wikipedia
"MARTA" article on Wikipedia
www.ggp.com (General Growth Properties)
Comment posts by Clay, Todd Long and "Dea41396"
Dekalb County, Georgia tax assessor website
Cinema Treasures / Memories of Stan Malone
http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/
Cobb County's Cumberland Mall
Forming the commercial core of northwestern Atlanta's CUMBERLAND-
GALLERIA edge city, CUMBERLAND MALL was the impetus for the
unchecked urbanization that followed its 1973 grand opening.
Forming the commercial core of northwestern Atlanta's CUMBERLAND-
GALLERIA edge city, CUMBERLAND MALL was the impetus for the
unchecked urbanization that followed its 1973 grand opening.
The stunning, post-space-age Center Court. In its
early days, the mall was a mid-century showplace,
drawing crowds from hundreds of miles away.
Photo From Malls of America Blogspot
A circa-1973 Lower Level layout. The 1.2 million square foot complex,
featuring four anchor stores, was Atlanta's first superregional mall.
The mall's 3-level, 278,000 square foot, Rich's. After a brief stint
as Rich's-Macy's, the store was fully "Macy-ated" in 2005.
Photos from Georgia Retail Memories Blog / "JT"
One of CUMBERLAND's four original anchors, J.C. Penney. The store was
shuttered -and demolished- in 2005.
Photos from Georgia Retail Memories Blog / "JT"
CUMBERLAND'S Center Court, following a 1989 renovation. During
this project, the mall's Mid-Mod, early '70s decor had been stripped out.
Of course, during a subsequent remodeling, this interior motif was also
replaced.
Photo from Georgia Retail Memories Blog / "JT"
General Growth Properties' 2004-2006 "Extreme Mall Makeover" included
a lifestyle format Restaurant Row, built on the site of the demolished
Davison's. The renovation was an astounding success, resulting in a
retail revival at the past-its-prime shopping center.
Photo from www.ggp.com (General Growth Properties)
The latest incarnation of Cobb County's CUMBERLAND. As one can see,
the Penney's and Davison's anchors have been removed and replaced
with a new outparcel Costco Warehouse and open-air Restaraunt Row.
CUMBERLAND MALL
Cobb Parkway / US 41 and Akers Mill Road Southeast
Cobb County, Georgia
Metro Atlanta's first "OTP" (Outside the Perimeter) Mall, COBB COUNTY SHOPPING CENTER [June 2008 Archive], opened in 1963. PERIMETER MALL [April 2008 Archive] came along in 1971. The third in line was Cobb County's CUMBERLAND MALL, which was dedicated August 8, 1973.
The center occupied a 100 acre plot -adjacent to the Interstate 285 / Perimeter beltway- which was located 11.6 miles northwest of Atlanta's Five Points. It was designed by Atlanta's Thompson, Ventulett, Stainback and Associates and developed by the Carter Company.
At the time the largest enclosed shopping mall in the state, the 1,135,000 million square foot, bi-level complex housed one hundred and twenty-two stores and services. It was anchored by a 3-level (278,000 square foot), Atlanta-based Rich's, 2-level (194,500 square foot) Sears, 2-level (171,900 square foot), Atlanta-based Davison's and 2-level (148,600 square foot) J.C. Penney.
Inline stores included Muse's apparel, Radio Shack, Farrell's Ice Cream, Waldenbooks, The County Seat apparel, Lerner Shops, Piccadilly Cafeteria and the Magic Pan Restaurant.
The mall was quite a showplace in its day, featuring high-end, early-'70s decor and a stunning, spaceship-style Center Court. Unfortunately, these design elements were removed during a 1989 renovation.
CUMBERLAND MALL was joined by COBB GALLERIA, a smaller, specialty shopping center, built across Cobb Parkway in 1982. Three years later, Davison's was rebranded by Macy's.
By this time, the center was also feeling the pinch from a newer and more fashionable retail rival, TOWN CENTER AT COBB (1986), which had opened in nearby Kennesaw.
By the 1990s, CUMBERLAND MALL was no longer a destination center. Several of its major tenants had moved on, with more of its store spaces being leased to local, mom and pop chains.
Chicago's General Growth Properties had acquired the ailing mall when it bought holdings owned by Dallas-based MEPC America Properties in late 1999.
The downward spiral of the mall was exacerbated by the shuttering of its Macy's in April 2003. The Rich's, rebranded Rich's-Macy's in 2003, became a full-fledged Macy's when the Rich's name was retired in 2005. At this juncture in time, the J.C. Penney was also shuttered, leaving the mall with two vacant anchor spots.
A 65 million dollar "extreme mall makeover" was in order. The old Davison's / Macy's was demolished in December 2004. Penney's bit the dust soon after.
A portion of the space previously taken by Penney's was utilyzed by a 1-level (149,600 square foot), Issaquah, Washington-based Costco Warehouse. The new store was built as an outparcel and was not physically connected into the mall proper.
The Davison's / Macy's was replaced by a 77,000 square foot Restaurant Row, similar to that that GGP had built at its PERIMETER MALL in the year 2000. This new front-facing addition included P.F. Chang's China Bistro, Maggiano's Little Italy, Cheesecake Factory and Ted's Montana Grill. Its grand opening was held November 17, 2006.
With its latest renovation/additions, CUMBERLAND MALL houses 1,106,000 leasable square feet and one hundred and fifty inline stores.
Sources:
Georgia Retail Memories / "J.T." webmaster
"Cumberland Mall" article on Wikipedia
ww.ggp.com (General Growth Properties)
Malls of America Blogspot / Keith Milford webmaster
http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/
Cobb Parkway / US 41 and Akers Mill Road Southeast
Cobb County, Georgia
Metro Atlanta's first "OTP" (Outside the Perimeter) Mall, COBB COUNTY SHOPPING CENTER [June 2008 Archive], opened in 1963. PERIMETER MALL [April 2008 Archive] came along in 1971. The third in line was Cobb County's CUMBERLAND MALL, which was dedicated August 8, 1973.
The center occupied a 100 acre plot -adjacent to the Interstate 285 / Perimeter beltway- which was located 11.6 miles northwest of Atlanta's Five Points. It was designed by Atlanta's Thompson, Ventulett, Stainback and Associates and developed by the Carter Company.
At the time the largest enclosed shopping mall in the state, the 1,135,000 million square foot, bi-level complex housed one hundred and twenty-two stores and services. It was anchored by a 3-level (278,000 square foot), Atlanta-based Rich's, 2-level (194,500 square foot) Sears, 2-level (171,900 square foot), Atlanta-based Davison's and 2-level (148,600 square foot) J.C. Penney.
Inline stores included Muse's apparel, Radio Shack, Farrell's Ice Cream, Waldenbooks, The County Seat apparel, Lerner Shops, Piccadilly Cafeteria and the Magic Pan Restaurant.
The mall was quite a showplace in its day, featuring high-end, early-'70s decor and a stunning, spaceship-style Center Court. Unfortunately, these design elements were removed during a 1989 renovation.
CUMBERLAND MALL was joined by COBB GALLERIA, a smaller, specialty shopping center, built across Cobb Parkway in 1982. Three years later, Davison's was rebranded by Macy's.
By this time, the center was also feeling the pinch from a newer and more fashionable retail rival, TOWN CENTER AT COBB (1986), which had opened in nearby Kennesaw.
By the 1990s, CUMBERLAND MALL was no longer a destination center. Several of its major tenants had moved on, with more of its store spaces being leased to local, mom and pop chains.
Chicago's General Growth Properties had acquired the ailing mall when it bought holdings owned by Dallas-based MEPC America Properties in late 1999.
The downward spiral of the mall was exacerbated by the shuttering of its Macy's in April 2003. The Rich's, rebranded Rich's-Macy's in 2003, became a full-fledged Macy's when the Rich's name was retired in 2005. At this juncture in time, the J.C. Penney was also shuttered, leaving the mall with two vacant anchor spots.
A 65 million dollar "extreme mall makeover" was in order. The old Davison's / Macy's was demolished in December 2004. Penney's bit the dust soon after.
A portion of the space previously taken by Penney's was utilyzed by a 1-level (149,600 square foot), Issaquah, Washington-based Costco Warehouse. The new store was built as an outparcel and was not physically connected into the mall proper.
The Davison's / Macy's was replaced by a 77,000 square foot Restaurant Row, similar to that that GGP had built at its PERIMETER MALL in the year 2000. This new front-facing addition included P.F. Chang's China Bistro, Maggiano's Little Italy, Cheesecake Factory and Ted's Montana Grill. Its grand opening was held November 17, 2006.
With its latest renovation/additions, CUMBERLAND MALL houses 1,106,000 leasable square feet and one hundred and fifty inline stores.
Sources:
Georgia Retail Memories / "J.T." webmaster
"Cumberland Mall" article on Wikipedia
ww.ggp.com (General Growth Properties)
Malls of America Blogspot / Keith Milford webmaster
http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/
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