Malling Around
All of the Big Three merchandising chains delved into the construction of shopping malls at one time or another. The Homart Development Company, a real estate arm of Sears & Roebuck, was formed in 1959. It became the largest and most prominent of the Big Three-derived mall development entities.
Operating out of Chicago, Homart built its first shopping mall in Fort Worth, Texas. SEMINARY SOUTH CENTER was officially dedicated in March 1962. By 1992, Homart had been a player in the creation of eighty shopping malls. The concern was sold to Chicago's General Growth Properties in late 1995.
JCP Realty, as its name would imply, was a real estate arm of the J.C. Penney Company. The concern was formed in 1971 and, during its early years, was headquartered in New York City. As a cost-cutting measure, the entire operations of the J.C. Penney Company were moved to Plano, Texas in the spring of 1988.
Montgomery Ward, in joint ventures with Indianapolis' Melvin Simon & Associates, co-developed several shopping malls in the mid-to-late 1960s, although no specific Montgomery Ward-based real estate division was ever formed.
HOMART-DEVELOPED MALLS:
*SEMINARY SOUTH CENTER, Fort Worth, TX (1962)
All of the Big Three merchandising chains delved into the construction of shopping malls at one time or another. The Homart Development Company, a real estate arm of Sears & Roebuck, was formed in 1959. It became the largest and most prominent of the Big Three-derived mall development entities.
Operating out of Chicago, Homart built its first shopping mall in Fort Worth, Texas. SEMINARY SOUTH CENTER was officially dedicated in March 1962. By 1992, Homart had been a player in the creation of eighty shopping malls. The concern was sold to Chicago's General Growth Properties in late 1995.
JCP Realty, as its name would imply, was a real estate arm of the J.C. Penney Company. The concern was formed in 1971 and, during its early years, was headquartered in New York City. As a cost-cutting measure, the entire operations of the J.C. Penney Company were moved to Plano, Texas in the spring of 1988.
Montgomery Ward, in joint ventures with Indianapolis' Melvin Simon & Associates, co-developed several shopping malls in the mid-to-late 1960s, although no specific Montgomery Ward-based real estate division was ever formed.
HOMART-DEVELOPED MALLS:
*SEMINARY SOUTH CENTER, Fort Worth, TX (1962)
*CORONADO CENTER, Albuquerque, NM (1965)
*FLORENCE MALL, Florence, KY (1977)
JCP REALTY-DEVELOPED MALLS:
*PINELLAS SQUARE [joint venture with the Edward J. DeBartolo Corporation], Pinellas Park, FL (1977)
*SARASOTA SQUARE, [joint venture with Arlen Shopping Centers], Sarasota County, FL (1977)
*VISTA RIDGE MALL [joint venture with the Homart Development Company], Lewisville, TX (1989)
WARDS / SIMON-DEVELOPED MALLS:
*UNIVERSITY PLAZA, Fort Collins, CO (1964)
*MOUNDS MALL, Anderson, IN (1965)
*THE MALL (UNIVERSITY MALL), Little Rock, AR (1967)
In the 1960s, shopping malls began to be simultaneously anchored by combinations of Sears, J.C. Penney and Montgomery Ward stores. Here we have Southwestern Ohio's DAYTON MALL, which held its grand opening in early 1970. It featured Sears on one end and J.C. Penney on the other. Greater Detroit's SUMMIT PLACE MALL (1990) was anchored by all Big Three retailers.
*FLORENCE MALL, Florence, KY (1977)
JCP REALTY-DEVELOPED MALLS:
*PINELLAS SQUARE [joint venture with the Edward J. DeBartolo Corporation], Pinellas Park, FL (1977)
*SARASOTA SQUARE, [joint venture with Arlen Shopping Centers], Sarasota County, FL (1977)
*VISTA RIDGE MALL [joint venture with the Homart Development Company], Lewisville, TX (1989)
WARDS / SIMON-DEVELOPED MALLS:
*UNIVERSITY PLAZA, Fort Collins, CO (1964)
*MOUNDS MALL, Anderson, IN (1965)
*THE MALL (UNIVERSITY MALL), Little Rock, AR (1967)
In the 1960s, shopping malls began to be simultaneously anchored by combinations of Sears, J.C. Penney and Montgomery Ward stores. Here we have Southwestern Ohio's DAYTON MALL, which held its grand opening in early 1970. It featured Sears on one end and J.C. Penney on the other. Greater Detroit's SUMMIT PLACE MALL (1990) was anchored by all Big Three retailers.
Two of our Big Three mega merchandisers operated solely as mail-order houses during their formative years. Montgomery Ward & Company issued their first catalog (basically a single-sheet price list) in 1872. By the time of their 1895 Catalog, there were over 500 pages and 8,000 illustrations. Wards would discontinue its general merchandise catalog in December 1985.
Graphic from "Wild West Mercantile"
Graphic from Sears, Roebuck & Company Annual Report 1940
For several years, J.C. Penney was strictly a brick & mortar retailer. They did not enter the catalog sales business until August 1963, when their Fall and Winter 1963 Catalog was issued. Catalog operations were initially established in eight states, with nation-wide sales instituted in 1979. The Penney's Catalog, a.k.a. "Big Book," was discontinued in 2010.
Graphic from https://christmas.musetechnical.com
Atlanta's Northlake Mall
Greater Atlanta's twelfth mall-type shopping hub opened, in October 1971, as its largest. At the time of its official dedication, NORTHLAKE covered 1 million leasable square feet and contained ninety-three stores under its roof.
Graphic from Northlake Mall Associates
Sears' 200,000 square foot mercantile was the mall's first operational tenant. It opened for business in July 1971.
Drawing from Sears, Roebuck & Company
The NORTHLAKE Sears' included a freestanding Auto Center. It could simultaneously service twenty-eight autos.
Drawing from Sears, Roebuck & Company
Sears' 200,000 square foot mercantile was the mall's first operational tenant. It opened for business in July 1971.
Drawing from Sears, Roebuck & Company
The NORTHLAKE Sears' included a freestanding Auto Center. It could simultaneously service twenty-eight autos.
Drawing from Sears, Roebuck & Company
The NORTHLAKE Davison's was the Atlanta-based chain's ninth branch. It was officially dedicated, along with the mall, in October 1971.
Drawing from R.H. Macy & Company
Muse's, the "Style Center of the South," was a high-end Atlanta-based clothier. Their 2-level NORTHLAKE operation was one of the mall's largest inline stores.
Drawing from Toombs, Amisano & Wells Architects
NORTHLAKE was the first 3-anchor mall in Greater Atlanta. The interior of the 25 million dollar complex was decorated in the most opulent '70s mod fashion. Common area floors were covered in parquet and "riotously-colored carpet." The decor featured fountains, magnolia trees, dark wood surfaces and "earth tone" colors. The were free parking provisions for 4,500 autos.
NORTHLAKE MALL TENANTS 1971:
SEARS (with Embassy House cafeteria, bakery and freestanding Auto Center ) / J.C. PENNEY (with Coffee Shop, Beauty Salon and attached Auto Center) / DAVISON'S (with Beauty Salon) / McCORY 5 & 10 (with luncheonette) / AAA World Wide Travel Agency / Allen & Bean Magnavox / Andrew of New York Beauty Salon / Armers / Atlantic Wig Import / Bailey, Banks & Biddle Jewelers / Baron's men's wear / Baskin-Robbins Ice Cream / Bathique / Beach Comber / Bland Terry / Brooks / Butler's Shoes / Card Mart / Chandler's Shoes / Chess King / Discoveries / Docktor Pet Center / El Chico Restaurant / Esquire Formal Wear Shoppe / Fabric Tree / Farrell's Ice Cream Parlour / Federal Bake Shop / Flagg Brothers Shoes / Florsheim Shoes / Franklin Simon / Frederick's of Hollywood / Foxmoor Casuals / Georgia Power / Greenway Piano & Organ / Hahne's Shoes / Health Cross Shoes / Hess Stride-Rite Bootery / Hoffritz / Hot Pants / Interior Systems / J. Riggings / J.P. Allen ladies' wear / J.P.'s East / Jarman Shoes / Joseph R. Harris / Kingsrow Fireplace Shop / Kinney Shoes / Lane Bryant / Lerner Shops / Life Uniform / Lillie Rubin / Little Norway Shop / Merle Norman Cosmetic Studio / Merry Go Round / Mistletoe Frame Shop / Mori Luggage & Gifts / Muse's apparel / My Maternity / National Shirt Shops / Nature Food Centers / Northlake Stamp & Coin / Orange Bowl / The Play Shop / Parklane Hosiery / Patti Carr / Pearle Vision Center / Piccadilly Cafeteria / R. Alexander & Son / Rag Bag / Record Bar / Russell Stover Candies / Sandbar Fashions / Schwobilt Clothes / Singer Sewing Center / Spencer Gifts / Storehouse / Susie's Casuals / Tall & Big Men's Shop / Tall Fashions / Tell-Us-Now / The Limited / The Swiss Colony / The Vogue / Thom McAn Shoes / Tinder Box Tobacconist / Tip Top Ties / Ups 'N Downs / Waldenbooks / Wicks 'N Sticks / Wilbar's / World Bazaar / Zachry For Men / Zales Jewelers
The mall's first renovation was done in 1987. As part of the face lift, the original '70s Mod decor was replaced with Post Modern elements. The Main Entrance and front facade were rebuilt. On the interior, colored glass skylights and terrazzo flooring were installed. Center Court was also refurbished with a new clock tower elevator and fountain.
Photo from https://archinect.com
By 1987, one of the original NORTHLAKE anchors had been rebranded. Davison's (which had been an R.H. Macy subsidiary since 1925) was formally "Macy-ated" in 1985. A small Food Court had been installed in the Northwest entrance corridor the year before. With the 1987 renovation, it became the Food Allee. The mall now housed 115 stores.
A larger culinary complex was added to the mall. The Food Garden was dedicated in October 1992. Work would soon get underway on a fourth anchor store. A shuttered Piccadilly Cafeteria, and adjacent stores, were gutted. A Parisian was built, which opened for business in November 1994. There were now 125 stores and around 1,063,000 leasable square feet.
In 2008, the latest additions to the store directory were Old Navy (2000) and Kohl's (2008). Kohl's would shutter their NORTHLAKE store in June 2016, with Sears following suit in September 2018. J.C. Penney would close for good in late 2020.
A circa-2009 view of the front facade of the shopping center, which faces Briarcliff Road. The Main Entrance, seen here, provides access to the mall's Upper Level.
Photo from www.simon.com / Simon Property Group
A view of the double-decked NORTHLAKE shopping concourse. By the 2010s, the once-vibrant mall was in a pronounced state of decline. In late 2018, the it housed just seventy-seven stores.
Photo from www.eyecorp.com
A Dallas-based company bought the bulk of NORTHLAKE MALL in February 2016. They also acquired the soon-to-be-vacant Sears. It was said that the struggling mall was going to be redeveloped as an open-air venue. However, in October 2019, it was revealed that a local university had leased over 200,000 square feet of vacant store space. This was reconfigured as a medical office campus.
Graphic from http://northlakemall.com
NORTHLAKE MALL
Briarcliff and Lavista Roads
Dekalb County, Georgia
Two major shopping malls opened in Atlanta's Dekalb County suburbs during 1971. PERIMETER MALL, in the Dunwoody area, held its formal opening in August . NORTHLAKE MALL, in the Northlake community, was dedicated on October 9th. The 2-level, fully-enclosed complex was built on 63.9 acres, lying 13 miles northeast of the center city. The area and its mall were named after North Lake, a small body of water in the area.
NORTHLAKE MALL was designed by Atlanta's Toombs, Amisano & Wells firm and developed by a joint venture of Atlanta's Frank Carter and Ewell Pope, Dallas' Trammell Crow and Baltimore's Monumental Properties.
Encompassing 2 levels of retail and 1,000,000 leasable square feet, NORTHLAKE was anchored by three department stores. A 2-level (200,000 square foot) Sears opened for business July 14, 1971. A 2-level (179,000 square foot) J.C. Penney and 3-level (187,000 square foot), Atlanta-based Davison's began business October 6th. The mall was also dedicated on this day, with Governor Jimmy Carter (D) officiating at the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
There would be ninety-seven inline stores in the fully-leased shopping center. These included Hickory Farms of Ohio, Lerner Shops, Mori Luggage & Gifts, Muse's, Thom McAn Shoes, Allen & Bean Magnavox, El Chico mexican restaurant, Frederick's of Hollywood, a Piccadilly Cafeteria and J.G. McCrory 5 & 10.
A freestanding movie theater, the General Cinema Corporation Northlake Mall Cinemas I-II-III, was installed in a northwestern outparcel convenience center. The first features were shown at the venue on June 25, 1976.
The nearest regional-class competitors for NORTHLAKE MALL were LENOX SQUARE (1959) {6 miles west, in Atlanta}, PERIMETER MALL (1971) {6.7 miles northwest, in Dekalb County} and -eventually- GWINNETT PLACE MALL (1984) {10.4 miles northeast, in Gwinnett County}.
A 9-bay Food Court opened in the mall's northwest entrance corridor in May 1984. The first major renovation of NORTHLAKE MALL commenced in April 1987. During the multi-million-dollar project, the front facade and Main Entrance were remodeled. The interior was redone in a Post Modern motif with Italianate touches. A clock tower elevator now graced Center Court, the Macy's Court resembled a tropical jungle and the restaurant area had been renamed Food Allee.
Briarcliff and Lavista Roads
Dekalb County, Georgia
Two major shopping malls opened in Atlanta's Dekalb County suburbs during 1971. PERIMETER MALL, in the Dunwoody area, held its formal opening in August . NORTHLAKE MALL, in the Northlake community, was dedicated on October 9th. The 2-level, fully-enclosed complex was built on 63.9 acres, lying 13 miles northeast of the center city. The area and its mall were named after North Lake, a small body of water in the area.
NORTHLAKE MALL was designed by Atlanta's Toombs, Amisano & Wells firm and developed by a joint venture of Atlanta's Frank Carter and Ewell Pope, Dallas' Trammell Crow and Baltimore's Monumental Properties.
Encompassing 2 levels of retail and 1,000,000 leasable square feet, NORTHLAKE was anchored by three department stores. A 2-level (200,000 square foot) Sears opened for business July 14, 1971. A 2-level (179,000 square foot) J.C. Penney and 3-level (187,000 square foot), Atlanta-based Davison's began business October 6th. The mall was also dedicated on this day, with Governor Jimmy Carter (D) officiating at the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
There would be ninety-seven inline stores in the fully-leased shopping center. These included Hickory Farms of Ohio, Lerner Shops, Mori Luggage & Gifts, Muse's, Thom McAn Shoes, Allen & Bean Magnavox, El Chico mexican restaurant, Frederick's of Hollywood, a Piccadilly Cafeteria and J.G. McCrory 5 & 10.
A freestanding movie theater, the General Cinema Corporation Northlake Mall Cinemas I-II-III, was installed in a northwestern outparcel convenience center. The first features were shown at the venue on June 25, 1976.
The nearest regional-class competitors for NORTHLAKE MALL were LENOX SQUARE (1959) {6 miles west, in Atlanta}, PERIMETER MALL (1971) {6.7 miles northwest, in Dekalb County} and -eventually- GWINNETT PLACE MALL (1984) {10.4 miles northeast, in Gwinnett County}.
A 9-bay Food Court opened in the mall's northwest entrance corridor in May 1984. The first major renovation of NORTHLAKE MALL commenced in April 1987. During the multi-million-dollar project, the front facade and Main Entrance were remodeled. The interior was redone in a Post Modern motif with Italianate touches. A clock tower elevator now graced Center Court, the Macy's Court resembled a tropical jungle and the restaurant area had been renamed Food Allee.
When the refurbished mall was officially re-dedicated, on November 16, 1987, it housed 115 stores and services. A physical expansion of the shopping hub commenced in 1992. It would enlarge the southwest and northwest corners. The 12-bay Food Garden was built adjacent to the west side of J.C. Penney. This food facility opened on October 14, 1992.
The second stage of the mall expansion extended southward from the Sears Wing. A 2-level (100,000 square foot), Birmingham-based Parisian was added, using gutted mall space and a 52,000 square foot addition. Parisian was officially dedicated on November 5, 1994. NORTHLAKE MALL now encompassed approximately 1,063,000 leasable square feet.
Davison's had been the first NORTHLAKE anchor to be rebranded. The store became a Davison's-Macy's in February 1985 and full-fledged Macy's on November 17 of the same year. It was rebannered as a Rich's-Macy's on February 2, 2003. On March 6, 2005, it -again- sported a bona fide Macy's moniker.
Meanwhile, the mall had changed hands in September 1998. Indianapolis' Simon Property Group acquired the assets of New York City-based Corporate Property Investors, taking in twenty-three shopping hubs. These included NORTHLAKE MALL, as well as Atlanta's LENOX SQUARE, Greater New York City's ROOSEVELT FIELD MALL and Greater Boston's SOUTH SHORE PLAZA.
A (24,700 square foot) Old Navy opened at NORTHLAKE MALL on September 27, 2000. Parisian pulled up stakes in June 2007 and was succeeded by a Wisconsin-based Kohl's in early 2008. This store closed for good in June 2016. By this time, the mall had been in a downward spiral for some time.
The Simon Property Group created a spin-off Real Estate Investment Trust in May 2014. Known as the Washington Prime Group, it assumed ownership of forty-four of Simon's "Grade B" malls, including the NORTHLAKE property. Dallas, Texas' ATR Corinth Partners bought the complex in February 2016. In November of the following year, they also acquired the Sears building.
Sears at NORTHLAKE MALL went dark in September 2018. In October 2019, it was announced that Emory Healthcare had leased the vacant Sears, and an additional 25,000 square feet of idle store space. This was redeveloped as the Emory Healthcare Northlake Office Complex. The 30 million dollar renovation was completed in late 2021.
Sources:
https://archinect.com
www.cinematreasures.org
The second stage of the mall expansion extended southward from the Sears Wing. A 2-level (100,000 square foot), Birmingham-based Parisian was added, using gutted mall space and a 52,000 square foot addition. Parisian was officially dedicated on November 5, 1994. NORTHLAKE MALL now encompassed approximately 1,063,000 leasable square feet.
Davison's had been the first NORTHLAKE anchor to be rebranded. The store became a Davison's-Macy's in February 1985 and full-fledged Macy's on November 17 of the same year. It was rebannered as a Rich's-Macy's on February 2, 2003. On March 6, 2005, it -again- sported a bona fide Macy's moniker.
Meanwhile, the mall had changed hands in September 1998. Indianapolis' Simon Property Group acquired the assets of New York City-based Corporate Property Investors, taking in twenty-three shopping hubs. These included NORTHLAKE MALL, as well as Atlanta's LENOX SQUARE, Greater New York City's ROOSEVELT FIELD MALL and Greater Boston's SOUTH SHORE PLAZA.
A (24,700 square foot) Old Navy opened at NORTHLAKE MALL on September 27, 2000. Parisian pulled up stakes in June 2007 and was succeeded by a Wisconsin-based Kohl's in early 2008. This store closed for good in June 2016. By this time, the mall had been in a downward spiral for some time.
The Simon Property Group created a spin-off Real Estate Investment Trust in May 2014. Known as the Washington Prime Group, it assumed ownership of forty-four of Simon's "Grade B" malls, including the NORTHLAKE property. Dallas, Texas' ATR Corinth Partners bought the complex in February 2016. In November of the following year, they also acquired the Sears building.
Sears at NORTHLAKE MALL went dark in September 2018. In October 2019, it was announced that Emory Healthcare had leased the vacant Sears, and an additional 25,000 square feet of idle store space. This was redeveloped as the Emory Healthcare Northlake Office Complex. The 30 million dollar renovation was completed in late 2021.
Sources:
The Atlanta Constitution
The Atlanta Journal
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Atlanta Business Chronicle
Dekalb County, Georgia tax assessor websitehttps://archinect.com
www.cinematreasures.org
https://impactdm.com
"Northlake Mall" article on Wikipedia
"Northlake Mall" article on Wikipedia
Cobb County's CUMBERLAND complex was Greater Atlanta's first 4-anchor shopping mall. Officially dedicated in August 1973, it originally housed 110 stores and services.
Graphic from Crow, Carter & Associates
Rich's built their ninth location at CUMBERLAND MALL. It was inaugurated just days before the shopping center, in August 1973. Above, we see a full-page newspaper ad promoting the new store.
Advert from Rich's, Incorporated
Photo from Rich's Annual Report 1973
Atlanta's Zachry men's wear emporium established their seventh location at CUMBERLAND MALL.
Drawing from Thompson, Ventulett, Stainback & Associates
Photo from Aerial Photography Services
A circa-1973 Lower Level layout. The 1,135,000 square foot complex was Greater Atlanta's first superregional mall. Its vast parking area had accommodations for 5,600 autos.
CUMBERLAND MALL TENANTS 1973:
DAVISON'S (with Beauty Salon, First Class restaurant and Time Out snack bar) / J.C. PENNEY (with Beauty Salon, Coffee Shop and freestanding Auto Center) / RICH'S (with Beauty Salon, The Four Corners restaurant and Bakery) / SEARS (with Cafeteria, Bake Shop, Community Room and freestanding Auto Center) / Allen & Bean Magnavox / Atlanta Federal Savings / Atlantic Wig Imports / B. Dalton Bookseller / Back Street / Baron's men's wear / Bathique / Baskin-Robbins Ice Cream / Bell Brothers Shoes / Bland Terry Shoes / Brook's ladies' wear / Butler's Shoes / CDS Drug / Casual Corner ladies' wear / Chandler's Shoes / Chess King / Chick-Fil-A / Collector's Cove / County Seat / Docktor Pet Center / El Chico restaurant / Farrell's Ice Cream Parlour / Florsheim Shoes / Foxmoor Casuals / Franklin Simon ladies' wear / Frederick's of Hollywood / Gingiss Formal Wear / Hahn Shoes / Hardy Shoes / Hess Red Barn Bootery / Holloway Card Shop / House of Clocks / Isle of Italy Gifts / J. Riggings men's wear / J.P. Allen ladies' wear / Jarman Shoes / Jason's ladies' wear / Johnny Walker, Incorporated men's wear / Joseph R. Harris ladies' wear / Kings Row Fireplace Shop / Kinney Shoes / Lerner Shops ladies' wear / Little Norway Shop / Magic Pan Creperie / Maier & Berkele Jewelers / Marianna's ladies' wear / McDonald's / Merle Norman Cosmetic Studio / Mori Luggage & Gifts / Morrow's Nut House / Muse's / Oshman's Sporting Goods / Pace's Crossing (mall within a mall) / Pant-A-Rama / Piccadilly Cafeteria / Richman Brothers men's wear / T. Edwards / Tammey Jewels / The Craft Showcase / The Limited / The Shop of John Simmons / The Swiss Colony / Thompson, Boland & Lee Shoes / Tie 'N Tac Shack / Tinder Box Tobacconist / Toy City / Sandbar Casuals / Singer Sewing Center / Size 5-7-9 Shop / Spencer Gifts / Stamp & Coin / Waldenbooks / Woman's World Shops ladies' wear / World Bazaar / Zachry For Men / Zales Jewelers
For its first 10 years, CUMBERLAND was one of the preeminent malls in Greater Atlanta. It took a direct hit from TOWN CENTER AT COBB in 1986. As a keeping up measure, an interior refurbishment was performed in 1989. The quirky '70s Mod interior was smeared over with gaudy Post Modern decor. A new logo was also commissioned.
Graphic from MEPC American Properties
By the 21st century, CUMBERLAND MALL was in another downward spiral. It was time for another mall mall makeover. A 65 million dollar remodeling was planned. Above, we see a refashioned Center Court, where "every interior tactile surface (will have been) touched with contemporary warmth."
Drawing from www.ggp.com / General Growth Properties
As part of the renovation, a 77,000 square foot "Lifestyle Village" would be built in place of an abandoned (and demolished) department store. Open-air in format, it would house nine sit-down restaurants and retail stores.
Drawing from www.ggp.com / General Growth Properties
Center Court, as it appeared after the mall's early 2000s makeover.
Photo from http://winter-construction.com / Winter Construction
And the completed Lifestyle Village. Its trendy tenants opened for business in November 2006.
Photo from http://winter-construction.com / Winter Construction
A circa-2006 site plan of Cobb County's CUMBERLAND. As one can see, abandoned Penney's and Davison's / Macy's anchor stores have been surgically removed and replaced with a Costco Warehouse and Lifestyle Village (in medium gray).
An aerial view of the now Penny-less shopping hub. Costco, a "shadow anchor" which is not connected into the interior mallway, is seen on the right.
Photo from www.bing.com
Cobb Parkway / US 41 and Akers Mill Road Southeast
Cobb County, Georgia
Ground was broken on May 20, 1972 for what would become Greater Atlanta's first 4-anchor shopping center. The complex was built on a 100-acre plot. This was located 11.6 miles northwest of Atlanta's Five Points, in a section of unincorporated Cobb County known as Cumberland. The site was adjacent to the northern rim of the Interstate 285 "Perimeter" ring road.
CUMBERLAND MALL was developed by Crow, Carter & Associates, a joint venture of Atlanta's Frank Carter and Ewell Pope, Dallas' Trammel Crow Company and New York City's Centennial Equities, Incorporated. The mall was designed by Atlanta's Thompson, Ventulett, Stainback & Associates, Chicago's Skidmore, Owings & Merrill and Stevens & Wilkinson, of Marietta. The complex, which was the largest enclosed shopping mall in the state, covered approximately 1,135,000 leasable square feet and housed 110 stores and services.
Promoted as a "shopping resort," CUMBERLAND was a showplace in its day, featuring high-end '70s Mod decor and a stunning Center Court area. Its interior featured three fountains and a network of light-diffusing skylights. The double-decked shopping concourse was shaded by ficus and schefflera trees. Planters were filled with philodendron.
A 2-level (211,000 square foot) Sears was the first operational store. It began business on July 11, 1973, followed by a 2-level (200,000 square foot), Atlanta-based Rich's, which opened its doors August 6th. A 2-level (160,000 square foot), Atlanta-based Davison's welcomed first shoppers on August 8th and was officially dedicated along with the mall. The final operational anchor store, a 2-level (161,000 square foot) J.C. Penney, made its debut October 31, 1973.
Charter tenants included Muse's, Baron's men's wear, Frederick's of Hollywood, B. Dalton Bookseller, Docktor Pet Center, Hess Red Barn Bootery, Allen & Bean Magnavox, Lerner Shops, Franklin Simon ladies' wear, The County Seat, a Piccadilly Cafeteria, Magic Pan Creperie and Farrell's Ice Cream Parlour & Restaurant.
One of the many interesting features of the 36 million dollar mall was Pace's Crossing. This 14-tenant mall-within-a-mall was decorated in a 19th century motif. Three boutiques were leased on a permanent basis, with the remainder being short-term in nature. Vendors included Decorator's Show House and Truffles Gourmet Cook Ware.
Major retail hubs in the vicinity of CUMBERLAND MALL included LENOX SQUARE (1959) {6.2 miles southeast, in Atlanta} and the aforementioned PERIMETER MALL (1971) {7.6 miles northeast}.
The CUMBERLAND MALL Davison's was rebranded as a Davison's-Macy's in February 1985 and became a full-fledged Macy's on November 17 of the same year. The shopping center was soon to experience major competition from a newer and more fashionable rival. TOWN CENTER AT COBB {10.6 miles northwest, in Cobb County} was dedicated in February 1986.
As a keeping up measure, CUMBERLAND MALL was given a 4 million dollar face lift during 1989. As part of the "magic in the making" refurbishment, the quirky '70s Mod interior was redone in Post Modern decor, which included additional lighting, brass handrails and Victorian-style benches. Marble flooring covered the original brown tile and a glass-enclosed elevator and merry-go-round were installed in Center Court.
Between May and November of 1991, existing space on the Upper Level of the Sears Wing was reconfigured as a 10-bay food court. The Garden included two retail stores and a sit-down restaurant. Unfortunately, by the late '90s, CUMBERLAND MALL was no longer a destination-type shopping center. Several of its national tenants had pulled up stakes, with space being leased to mom & pop-type stores. Chicago's General Growth Properties became mall's new owner when it acquired the holdings of Dallas' MEPC American Properties in June 1998.
The downward spiral of CUMBERLAND MALL was exacerbated by the shuttering of its original Macy's (nee' Davison's), in April 2003. Rich's had been rebranded as Rich's-Macy's on February 2, 2003. The store became a full-fledged Macy's on March 6, 2005. The Rich's name was retired at this time. J.C. Penney was shuttered on June 4, 2005, leaving the mall with two vacant anchor spaces.
A 65 million dollar "extreme mall makeover" was announced in April 2005. The old Davison's was demolished, with the empty Penney's building being bulldozed soon after. A portion of space previously occupied by Penney's was used for a 1-level (149,600 square foot), Washington state-based Costco. This store was built as a freestanding structure and was not physically connected into the mall. It made its debut on November 15, 2006.
The demolished Davison's was replaced by a (77,000 square foot) Lifestyle Plaza, similar to that that General Growth Properties had added to PERIMETER MALL in the year 2000. This new addition included P.F. Chang's China Bistro, Maggiano's Little Italy, Stoney River Legendary Steaks, The Cheesecake Factory, Ted's Montana Grill and Chico and Soma retail stores.
An official grand opening was held on November 17, 2006. CUMBERLAND MALL now spanned approximately 1,106,000 leasable square feet and contained 150 stores and services under its roof. One of these went dark 12 years later. The mall's 45-year-old Sears was shuttered in November 2018.
Meanwhile, Brookfield Property Partners, based in Hamilton, Bermuda, had acquired a share of General Growth Properties in 2016. In August 2018, Brookfield established 100 percent ownership of the corporation. Hence, CUMBERLAND MALL became part of the Brookfield retail center portfolio.
Sources:
ww.ggp.com / General Growth Properties
http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org
"Cumberland Mall" article on Wikipedia
The downward spiral of CUMBERLAND MALL was exacerbated by the shuttering of its original Macy's (nee' Davison's), in April 2003. Rich's had been rebranded as Rich's-Macy's on February 2, 2003. The store became a full-fledged Macy's on March 6, 2005. The Rich's name was retired at this time. J.C. Penney was shuttered on June 4, 2005, leaving the mall with two vacant anchor spaces.
A 65 million dollar "extreme mall makeover" was announced in April 2005. The old Davison's was demolished, with the empty Penney's building being bulldozed soon after. A portion of space previously occupied by Penney's was used for a 1-level (149,600 square foot), Washington state-based Costco. This store was built as a freestanding structure and was not physically connected into the mall. It made its debut on November 15, 2006.
The demolished Davison's was replaced by a (77,000 square foot) Lifestyle Plaza, similar to that that General Growth Properties had added to PERIMETER MALL in the year 2000. This new addition included P.F. Chang's China Bistro, Maggiano's Little Italy, Stoney River Legendary Steaks, The Cheesecake Factory, Ted's Montana Grill and Chico and Soma retail stores.
An official grand opening was held on November 17, 2006. CUMBERLAND MALL now spanned approximately 1,106,000 leasable square feet and contained 150 stores and services under its roof. One of these went dark 12 years later. The mall's 45-year-old Sears was shuttered in November 2018.
Meanwhile, Brookfield Property Partners, based in Hamilton, Bermuda, had acquired a share of General Growth Properties in 2016. In August 2018, Brookfield established 100 percent ownership of the corporation. Hence, CUMBERLAND MALL became part of the Brookfield retail center portfolio.
Sources:
The Atlanta Constitution
The Atlanta Journal
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
http://www.globest.comww.ggp.com / General Growth Properties
http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org
"Cumberland Mall" article on Wikipedia
The SHOPPING GALLERY, heart of downtown Atlanta's towering Peachtree Center complex, was dedicated in March 1974. In this vintage photo, we see some of the "super graphics" that once adorned the center city shopopolis.
Photo from Portman Archives / "Peachtree Center Evolution 1961-1988"
The Regency Hyatt House, Peachtree Center's first first luxury hotel, was officially dedicated in May 1967. Its revolving Polaris Restaurant, sitting atop the structure, provided stunning birds-eye views of the surrounding city.
Photo from Wikipedia / Conner Carey
The hotel's 22-story Atrium Lobby was the first such structure in the world. At the time of its completion, the Regency Hyatt House was said to "usher in the space age" in Atlanta. The name of the hotel was changed to Hyatt Regency in February 1972.
Photo from Wikipedia / Stan Satin
By 1968, a great deal has been added to what existed just 3 years before! There was now the 800-room Regency Hyatt House and 27-story Gas Light Tower, which was the first new structure built on the Peachtree Center core block.
A view of two core Peachtree Center office buildings, with their Promenade in the middle. The structure on the left, originally known as the Gas Light Tower (now the Peachtree Center North Tower), was completed in 1968. On the right is the Peachtree Center South Tower, whose first tenants moved in in 1970.
Photo from http://portmanholdings.com / Portman Holdings
In a skyward vista we see what was originally the Peachtree Center Tower on the left, along with a small section of the Merchandise Mart. A skybridge connects the Mart with the Gas Light Tower (or North Tower) across the street.
Photo from http://portmanholdings.com / Portman Holdings
A retail component of Peachtree Center opened in March 1974. The PEACHTREE CENTER SHOPPING GALLERY mini-mall encompassed 200,000 leasable square feet of boutiques and bistros.
Graphic from John Portman & Associates
SHOPPING GALLERY STORES 1974:
Bel Posto cocktail bar / Brentano's Books / Britches of Georgetown / Cafe Mediterranean / Cardland / Cheese Villa / Citizens & Southern Bank / Clare-Voyance / Eastern Newstand / Fitzgerald's / Frablel Glass / Franklin Simon ladies' wear / Gine's Leather Shop / Jamaica House / Konditorei dessert shop / Little Norway Shop / Midnight Sun Bake Shop / Ming's Jewelry / Rich's II / Ronson's / Signature Shop / Sportique / The Little Mermaid Garden Cafe / The Music Shop / The Power Company / Trust Company Bank
Peachtree Center, circa-1976. Construction on the core block has been completed. It now plays host to four office towers, as well as the 3-level SHOPPING GALLERY. Moreover, the Hyatt hotel has been expanded with the cylindrical Ivy Tower (1971). A second luxury hotel, the 1,068 room Western International Peachtree Plaza, has just opened.
The Western International Peachtree Plaza was dedicated in January 1976. The structure extended upward for 723 feet -and 73 floors- and was briefly the world's tallest hotel. Its revolving Sun Dial restaurant, occupying the top 3 floors, offered stunning views of the surrounding terrain. The building was renamed, as a (quote-unquote) Westin operation, in 1980.
SHOPPING GALLERY STORES 1974:
Bel Posto cocktail bar / Brentano's Books / Britches of Georgetown / Cafe Mediterranean / Cardland / Cheese Villa / Citizens & Southern Bank / Clare-Voyance / Eastern Newstand / Fitzgerald's / Frablel Glass / Franklin Simon ladies' wear / Gine's Leather Shop / Jamaica House / Konditorei dessert shop / Little Norway Shop / Midnight Sun Bake Shop / Ming's Jewelry / Rich's II / Ronson's / Signature Shop / Sportique / The Little Mermaid Garden Cafe / The Music Shop / The Power Company / Trust Company Bank
Peachtree Center, circa-1976. Construction on the core block has been completed. It now plays host to four office towers, as well as the 3-level SHOPPING GALLERY. Moreover, the Hyatt hotel has been expanded with the cylindrical Ivy Tower (1971). A second luxury hotel, the 1,068 room Western International Peachtree Plaza, has just opened.
The Western International Peachtree Plaza was dedicated in January 1976. The structure extended upward for 723 feet -and 73 floors- and was briefly the world's tallest hotel. Its revolving Sun Dial restaurant, occupying the top 3 floors, offered stunning views of the surrounding terrain. The building was renamed, as a (quote-unquote) Westin operation, in 1980.
Downtown Atlanta's OMNI INTERNATIONAL COMPLEX was built less than a mile southwest of Peachtree Center. The OMNI megastructure, also dedicated in early 1976, featured an indoor ice rink, as well as various boutiques, bistros and cocktail lounges. Moreover, there were two office towers, a luxury hotel and multiplex cinema. The World of Sid & Marty Kroft, on the upper levels, was the world's second indoor amusement park.
The 80 million dollar complex housed 8 million square feet of enclosed space. Its 205-foot-long escalator originally ascended to the top floor of the 5-level World of Sid & Marty Kroft (which was in business for only 5 months). In September 1986, the OMNI INTERNATIONAL COMPLEX was renamed CNN CENTER.
MARTA, the rail facet of the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority, began revenue service in June 1979. The heavy rail system, built between 1975 and 2000, now extends for 47.6 route miles and serves thirty-eight stations.
MARTA's Peachtree Center Station was blasted out of solid granite 120 feet below street level. Dedicated in September 1982, the 45 million dollar subway stop received the Outstanding Civil Engineering Award from the American Society of Civil Engineers in 1983. A 175-foot-long escalator connected it with the PEACHTREE CENTER SHOPPING GALLERY above.
Photo from Wikipedia / Max Shirley
A cut-away view of Peachtree Center, showing the orientation of its subway station, office towers, mart and mall.
A circa-1986 view of Peachtree Center, taken from a glass-enclosed elevator in the Westin Peachtree Plaza. The Marriott Marquis is seen in the upper left. The white building next door is the Atlanta Hilton (1974). The tan towers of Peachtree Center share a unified exterior design aesthetic.
The various structures in Peachtree Center are connected via a system of Skywalks, which permit patrons to traverse the complex above street level, with no interference from vehicular traffic. These days, this invokes the ire of various city planners, who criticize the concept for (quote-unquote) "discouraging pedestrian street life."
Photo from Wikipedia / Lee Coursey
A rendering of the imposing Peachtree Center complex. Some of its major components are indicated, such as the Westin Peachtree Plaza hotel, original Merchandise Mart and PEACHTREE CENTER MALL.
Original drawing from http://portmanholdings.com / Portman Holdings
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