Virginia's Parkington Center
A pre-construction rendering portrays Virginia's first post-war, suburban shopping center. It would also be the first retail complex in America built around a parking garage.
Drawing from the Parkington Development and Hecht Companies
In the early days, the proposed facility was referred to as the "Hecht Shopping Center."
Graphic from the Parkington Development and Hecht Companies
By 1951, it had been officially renamed the "Parkington Shopping Center." This was a homage to the large parking garage at the center of the center.
Graphic from the Parkington Development and Hecht Companies
The central store at the PARKINGTON development was a 5-level (counting basement), 250,000 square foot Hecht's. It was promoted as "a magnificent vista of fashion."
Drawing from the Hecht Company
Hecht's Parkington held its grand opening in November 1951. There were 147 departments and a basement restaurant. At the time, the building housed the largest suburban department store on the east coast.
Advert from the Hecht Company
The original shopping complex included a mall-like Arcade of stores.
Drawing from the Parkington Development and Hecht Companies
One of the junior-sized anchors at PARKINGTON was a 2-level Grants. This variety store opened its doors in August 1952.
Drawing and Graphic from the W.T. Grant Company
We were indeed fortunate to find diagrams of the PARKINGTON Grants. Above, we see the Street Floor (or ground level).
Drawing from the W.T. Grant Company
The Downstairs Store (or basement level) is depicted above. One might note that the PARKINGTON Grants did not have a luncheonette.
Drawing from the W.T. Grant Company
One of the original PARKINGTON CENTER outparcels was The Hecht Company Arcadian Gardens, a "garden supermarket."
Drawing from the Hecht Company
The original shopping complex also included The Hecht Company Mobiloil Service Station.
Drawing from the Hecht Company
In its original state, PARKINGTON CENTER covered approximately 430,800 leasable square feet and housed thirty store spaces. The adjacent parking garage accommodated 2,500 autos at one time.
PARKINGTON CENTER TENANTS 1952:
THE HECHT COMPANY (with Virginia Room Restaurant, Beauty Salon, Public Auditorium and Bridal Consultant) / GIANT FOOD supermarket / J.G. McCRORY 5 & 10 (with luncheonette) / W.T. GRANT / A.S. Beck Shoes / Brentano's Books / Casual Corner ladies' wear / Classic Valet Shop / Crawford Clothes / Franc Jewelry / Hecht Company Arcadian Gardens Florists, Garden Shop & Greenhouse (outparcel) / Hecht Company Auto Accessories & Hardware / Holtzman & Platt Restaurant & Delicatessen / Hub Furniture / Jerry's Youth Center / Joseph DeYoung Shoes / Mobiloil Service Station (outparcel) / The Cotton Shop ladies' wear / Walgreen Drug (with Walgreen Grill ) / Wilbur Rogers Women's Wear
