Tuesday, October 27, 2009
The most significant change in America during the years immediately following World War II was the massive suburbanization of the nation's major cities. This process had been underway since the late 19th century, but kicked into high gear in 1946.
This was the year that BELLEVUE SHOPPING SQUARE, in suburban Seattle, was dedicated. It is noteworthy for being the first of America's post-war "regional shopping centers" and is the oldest shopping complex inducted into the MALL HALL OF FAME.
This was the year that BELLEVUE SHOPPING SQUARE, in suburban Seattle, was dedicated. It is noteworthy for being the first of America's post-war "regional shopping centers" and is the oldest shopping complex inducted into the MALL HALL OF FAME.
Seattle-based Frederick and Nelson's first store at BELLEVUE SHOPPING
SQUARE was dedicated in August 1946. The fledgling retail complex it
anchored added a J.C. Penney in 1955, larger Frederick and Nelson in
1956, Nordstrom's Shoes in 1958 and Nordstrom Best department store
in 1967. Most of the shopping center was demolished in 1980, when a 2-
level, fully-enclosed mall was built.
America's second post-war shopping center was located in the southwest
environs of Los Angeles. BROADWAY-CRENSHAW CENTER, anchored
by So-Cal-based The Broadway and a May Company California (seen
above), opened in stages in 1947 and 1948. Like BELLEVUE SQUARE,
the majority of the original complex was razed and replaced by a 2-
level, interior mall. Dubbed BALDWIN HILLS-CRENSHAW PLAZA,
it was completed in 1988.
In 1949, two more Stateside suburban shopping venues opened.
September brought the dedication of the TOWN AND COUNTRY
DRIVE-IN SHOPPING CENTER, in Whitehall, a newly-incorporated
satellite city of Columbus, Ohio. December saw the first stores come
inline in southside Chicago's PARK FOREST PLAZA. The Goldblatt
Brothers store seen above was added in 1953.
First photo from Malls of America Blogspot
Second photo from http://muse.jhu.edu
All shopping venues above were designed as simple strip centers, with linear-lined storefronts placed along the edges of a large automobile parking area...the exception being ChiTown's PARK FOREST PLAZA, which was more along the lines of a cluster-type shopping complex.
As the 1940s came to a close, and a new decade began, a radical concept in retail was also introduced. The new idea was to place two rows of stores facing each other -not a street or parking lot- with a broad concourse in between. The shopping mall was born!
King County / Seattle's NORTHGATE CENTER was the very first retail venue in America to feature this shopping mall concept. When the center opened in April 1950, patrons were, unwittingly, parking their cars in the actual mall concourse....nobody had seen anything like this before!
However, it didn't take long for consumers in the Jet Age to catch on. Within ten years, the major metropolitan areas in the USA would each have their first shopping mall, albeit, one of the open-air variety.
The innovations in post-war retail were just beginning. Now, follow along as we explore America's EARLY MALLS...
As the 1940s came to a close, and a new decade began, a radical concept in retail was also introduced. The new idea was to place two rows of stores facing each other -not a street or parking lot- with a broad concourse in between. The shopping mall was born!
King County / Seattle's NORTHGATE CENTER was the very first retail venue in America to feature this shopping mall concept. When the center opened in April 1950, patrons were, unwittingly, parking their cars in the actual mall concourse....nobody had seen anything like this before!
However, it didn't take long for consumers in the Jet Age to catch on. Within ten years, the major metropolitan areas in the USA would each have their first shopping mall, albeit, one of the open-air variety.
The innovations in post-war retail were just beginning. Now, follow along as we explore America's EARLY MALLS...
Seattle's Northgate Center
America's first quote / unquote "shopping mall anchor store", Seattle-
based The Bon Marche. The tri-level structure originally encompassed
200,000 square feet of retail area.
America's first quote / unquote "shopping mall anchor store", Seattle-
based The Bon Marche. The tri-level structure originally encompassed
200,000 square feet of retail area.
America's very first shopping mall, decorated with its very first
Christmas tree, in December 1950.
Photo from Malls Of America Blogspot
A vintage postcard shot of the Totem Pole and Main Entrance, at the
north end of the mallway. A Butler Brothers nameplate is partially
visible.
Photo From Malls Of America Blogspot
NORTHGATE CENTER in 1965. The original mall had
been expanded with second and third anchors; Best
apparel (across from Bon Marche) and a "New Look"
Penney's (on the south end).
A 1960s aerial of the mall site, showing the newly-constructed Penney's
and recently-opened Interstate 5 expressway.
Photo from Malls of America Blogspot
Aerial shot of NORTHGATE MALL, taken in the early 2000s. J.C.Penney
is seen in the lower right. The old cinema and clinic (razed in 2005) are
in the upper left corner.
Photo from www.simon.com
NORTHGATE MALL, as it stands today. The 1950 structure is
indicated in black. A 1965 addition is shown in dark gray, with
the new lifestyle component expansion indicated in light gray.
An early 2000s view of the Totem Pole and Main Entrance, at the north
end of the mall. The pole was taken down in 2007.
Photo from Wikipedia / "Marcusaxavier77"
A contemporary view of the center's "Miracle Mall" main corridor.
Photo from Wikipedia / "Marcusaxavier77"
NORTHGATE CENTER
Northeast Northgate Way and 5th Avenue Northeast
Seattle, Washington
Noteworthy as America's first shopping mall, Seattle's NORTHGATE CENTER was the first retail complex to be arranged around a lengthwise mall corridor, with stores facing each other on either side. Its north-south concourse, the "Miracle Mall", was also the first commercial concourse to be referred to in a mall-wise manner.
Originally an open-air structure with a single retail level and service basement, NORTHGATE was designed by Seattle's John Graham, Jr. . The complex, developed by New York City-based Allied Stores, was located 7.5 miles north of center city Seattle, on a 62 acre tract in the (then) unincorporated Maple Leaf community.
The grand opening was held April 21, 1950, with the retail hub anchored by a 3-level (200,000 square foot), Seattle-based Bon Marche ["bon mar-shay"].
There were seventeen other businesses coming inline then, including an A & P supermarket, Nordstrom Shoes, and J.J. Newberry 5 and 10. The following year, a 4-level medical and dental clinic joined the directory.
NORTHGATE was the first shopping venue in the nation to have a "mall movie house". It had a single screen, seating for an audience of one thousand five hundred and opened in September 1951.
New stores at NORTHGATE were dedicated in groups of five or so, with much fanfare. By 1952, all eighty spaces were leased. At this time, local sculptor Dudley C. Carter completed work on a 59 foot tall totem pole.
This was installed in a fountain / plaza area -the mall's Main Entrance- along NE 110 Street. In 1954, the mall and its surrounding area were annexed into the Seattle city limits.
In 1965, the Interstate 5 expressway was completed to points north, with an interchange installed at NE Northgate Way (formerly NE 110 Street).
This spurred construction of a 10 million dollar -twenty-five store- addition, which included a 2-level (168,000 square foot) J.C. Penney and 4-level (Nordstrom-owned) Best Apparel. This 124,300 square foot store, along with an expansion of the existing Bon Marche, filled in the open Central Court area of the mall.
In 1967, the Best store was rebranded as a Nordstrom Best. It became a full fledged Nordstrom with a subsequent rebranding in 1973.
NORTHGATE was fully-enclosed and climate-controlled in 1974. Soon after, a portion of the northeast section of the original structure was torn out. A fourth anchor store, Bellevue-based Lamonts, opened in this location in 1977. With these renovations, the mall housed over one hundred and twenty-three stores.
The first commercial competitor of NORTHGATE had been completed in 1960. AURORA VILLAGE CENTER [August 2008 archive] was located north of NORTHGATE, in the Shoreline area. Next came ALDERWOOD MALL, in Lynwood, and EVERETT MALL, in Everett. Both of these malls opened in 1979.
At the turn of the century, NORTHGATE MALL was going through more changes. Lamonts was rebranded by the Fresno-based Gottschalks chain in 1995, who closed the location in 2006. The Bon Marche (now encompassing 308,800 square feet) was rebranded under the Bon-Macy's moniker in August 2003. In January 2005, the entire Seattle-based chain was "Macy-ated".
In late 2005, the theatre and medical clinic buildings were razed. In their space, a part of an open-air, lifestyle component was constructed. This 100,000 square foot addition was built on the western side of the mall and included ten new stores and eateries, as well as a multi-level parking garage.
The old Lamonts / Gottschalks building was also gutted and rebuilt into a new DSW Shoe Warehouse (lower level) and Bed, Bath and Beyond (upper level). This latest group of renovations increased the GLA of NORTHGATE to 984,000 leasable square feet.
Seattle's center, due to its long history, is surely the "grandaddy of theMALL". The shopping center is owned and operated by the Indianapolis-based Simon Property Group, who acquired the property in 1987.
Sources:
"Northgate Mall" article on Wikipedia
"Bon Marche' " article on Wikipedia
"Gottschalk's" article on Wikipedia
http://www.historylink.org/ / Essay # 3186 / "Northgate Shopping Mall Opens On April 21, 1950" / David Wilma /August 2, 2001 / Essay # 228 / "Northgate Beginnings: Jim Douglas Remembers" / Jim Douglas /Jan 1, 1999
http://www.northgateshoppingctr.com/
http://www.cinematreasures.com/ / "Northgate Theatre" article
http://www.simon.com/
King County, Washington tax assessor website
*************************************************
A more detailed NORTHGATE article may be found in
the August 2008 archive.
*************************************************
Northeast Northgate Way and 5th Avenue Northeast
Seattle, Washington
Noteworthy as America's first shopping mall, Seattle's NORTHGATE CENTER was the first retail complex to be arranged around a lengthwise mall corridor, with stores facing each other on either side. Its north-south concourse, the "Miracle Mall", was also the first commercial concourse to be referred to in a mall-wise manner.
Originally an open-air structure with a single retail level and service basement, NORTHGATE was designed by Seattle's John Graham, Jr. . The complex, developed by New York City-based Allied Stores, was located 7.5 miles north of center city Seattle, on a 62 acre tract in the (then) unincorporated Maple Leaf community.
The grand opening was held April 21, 1950, with the retail hub anchored by a 3-level (200,000 square foot), Seattle-based Bon Marche ["bon mar-shay"].
There were seventeen other businesses coming inline then, including an A & P supermarket, Nordstrom Shoes, and J.J. Newberry 5 and 10. The following year, a 4-level medical and dental clinic joined the directory.
NORTHGATE was the first shopping venue in the nation to have a "mall movie house". It had a single screen, seating for an audience of one thousand five hundred and opened in September 1951.
New stores at NORTHGATE were dedicated in groups of five or so, with much fanfare. By 1952, all eighty spaces were leased. At this time, local sculptor Dudley C. Carter completed work on a 59 foot tall totem pole.
This was installed in a fountain / plaza area -the mall's Main Entrance- along NE 110 Street. In 1954, the mall and its surrounding area were annexed into the Seattle city limits.
In 1965, the Interstate 5 expressway was completed to points north, with an interchange installed at NE Northgate Way (formerly NE 110 Street).
This spurred construction of a 10 million dollar -twenty-five store- addition, which included a 2-level (168,000 square foot) J.C. Penney and 4-level (Nordstrom-owned) Best Apparel. This 124,300 square foot store, along with an expansion of the existing Bon Marche, filled in the open Central Court area of the mall.
In 1967, the Best store was rebranded as a Nordstrom Best. It became a full fledged Nordstrom with a subsequent rebranding in 1973.
NORTHGATE was fully-enclosed and climate-controlled in 1974. Soon after, a portion of the northeast section of the original structure was torn out. A fourth anchor store, Bellevue-based Lamonts, opened in this location in 1977. With these renovations, the mall housed over one hundred and twenty-three stores.
The first commercial competitor of NORTHGATE had been completed in 1960. AURORA VILLAGE CENTER [August 2008 archive] was located north of NORTHGATE, in the Shoreline area. Next came ALDERWOOD MALL, in Lynwood, and EVERETT MALL, in Everett. Both of these malls opened in 1979.
At the turn of the century, NORTHGATE MALL was going through more changes. Lamonts was rebranded by the Fresno-based Gottschalks chain in 1995, who closed the location in 2006. The Bon Marche (now encompassing 308,800 square feet) was rebranded under the Bon-Macy's moniker in August 2003. In January 2005, the entire Seattle-based chain was "Macy-ated".
In late 2005, the theatre and medical clinic buildings were razed. In their space, a part of an open-air, lifestyle component was constructed. This 100,000 square foot addition was built on the western side of the mall and included ten new stores and eateries, as well as a multi-level parking garage.
The old Lamonts / Gottschalks building was also gutted and rebuilt into a new DSW Shoe Warehouse (lower level) and Bed, Bath and Beyond (upper level). This latest group of renovations increased the GLA of NORTHGATE to 984,000 leasable square feet.
Seattle's center, due to its long history, is surely the "grandaddy of theMALL". The shopping center is owned and operated by the Indianapolis-based Simon Property Group, who acquired the property in 1987.
Sources:
"Northgate Mall" article on Wikipedia
"Bon Marche' " article on Wikipedia
"Gottschalk's" article on Wikipedia
http://www.historylink.org/ / Essay # 3186 / "Northgate Shopping Mall Opens On April 21, 1950" / David Wilma /August 2, 2001 / Essay # 228 / "Northgate Beginnings: Jim Douglas Remembers" / Jim Douglas /Jan 1, 1999
http://www.northgateshoppingctr.com/
http://www.cinematreasures.com/ / "Northgate Theatre" article
http://www.simon.com/
King County, Washington tax assessor website
*************************************************
A more detailed NORTHGATE article may be found in
the August 2008 archive.
*************************************************
A 1951 site plan of Boston's revolutionary commercial
complex, which comprised the nation's second mall-
type shopping venue. The "spaceship" Jordan Marsh
had a kiosk in the southeast parking area. Patrons could
enter and travel, through a small tunnel, into the main
store structure.
A cut-away view of the north end of the stair and escalatorless, bi-level
shopping center. Customers went between the two retail floors using a
series of ramps. This made the mall handicapped-accessible years
before this was mandated.
A circa-1974 physical layout of Massachusetts' first mall.
By this time, the north end of the complex had been
reconfigured with a 4-plex cinema and Jordan Marsh
Basement store. This would be the final footprint of the
shopping complex, which was razed in late 1994.
The distinctive, space-age Jordan Marsh anchor store, bulldozed -for
the construction of a new power center-format complex- in 1994. The
wanton destruction of this amazing structure is indicative of an almost
criminal disregard for America's mid-20th century history. If the demo-
lition of such buildings continues...what will be left from this era?
SHOPPERS' WORLD
Worcester ["woos-ter"] Turnpike and Cochituate ["kuh-chich-oo-it"] Road
Framingham, Massachusetts
The nation's second shopping mall" was the result of eight years of planning by a consortium of four architectural firms, with additional input from a retail consulting service.
Construction on SHOPPERS' WORLD got underway in April 1950. The grand opening was held in October 1951; officiated by Massachusetts Governor Paul A. Dever. The new era, open-air retail center was heralded as "a palace from another world".
SHOPPERS' WORLD was built on a 70 acre tract, nestled between two major highways, which was 18 miles southwest of downtown Boston. The 6 million dollar center featured forty-four stores in its first phase and had six thousand parking spaces.
The complex was anchored by a huge, spaceship-shaped, Jordan Marsh, which was the first suburban branch of the Boston-based department store chain. This 165,000 square foot, "flying saucer store" sat at the southern end of the center. It was 227 feet in diameter, 54 feet in height and served as a major landmark for the entire region.
The shopping center, itself, consisted of two 2-level retail wings, which extended north from the Jordan Marsh. These had a 100 foot-wide courtyard area at the center; a green, with fountains, flowers, shrubbery and trees. On three sides, ran 15 foot-wide walkways, with store entrances coming off of them. On the fourth (open) side, was an area with kiddie rides.
One of the more interesting design features of the original SHOPPERS' WORLD was the absence of stairways or escalators between floors. Patrons entered from the parking lot and took ramps
-going either up or down- to the get to the two retail levels.
A one thousand four hundred seat, single-screen cinema was also opened at SHOPPERS' WORLD, in October 1951. This cinema is sometimes cited as being the first "mall movie house" in the United States.
However, a similar cinema at Seattle, Washington's NORTHGATE CENTER [see article above] opened a few weeks before the one at SHOPPERS' WORLD. So, with no further revelations, this makes the cinema at SHOPPERS' WORLD the nation's second "mall movie house".
In 1960, a Stop and Shop supermarket was added to the north end of the complex. Jordan Marsh was also expanded (into a 250,000 square foot store) on its west side and a Car Care Center built as a peripheral structure. This was followed by an enlargement of the existing cinema, into a twin-auditorium venue, which was completed in 1964.
Soon after, a large, enclosed area was built on the north end of the mall, which became a venue for concerts and other promotions. A Jordan Marsh Basement store was added, as well.
The final expansion of the mall, completed in 1974, entailed the addition of two more auditoriums to the cinema complex. In 1982, the first two auditoriums were also split into...for a total of six. The mall proper now encompassed 710,000 leasable square feet.
The completion of the new, fully-enclosed, NATICK ["nay-tik"] MALL in 1966 did not significantly impact business at SHOPPERS' WORLD, even though the complexes were only a quarter mile apart. However, as the years progressed, stores relocated from SHOPPERS' WORLD to the newer venue.
In the early 1980s, a plan was devised, whereby SHOPPERS' WORLD would be redeveloped into an upscale, fully-enclosed shopping center. NATICK MALL was to be rebuilt into an open-air power center. After several changes -and a contentious lawsuit between interested parties- this plan was abandoned.
Chicago-based Homart Development bought both properties in 1992. They reversed the previous redevelopment plan, rebuilding the NATICK property into an upscale interior mall. SHOPPERS' WORLD was demolished in December 1994 and reconstructed as a power center.
The new NATICK MALL had been dedicated in November 1994. Stores in the SHOPPERS' WORLD power center opened during 1995 and 1996. These included Toys "R" Us, Jordan Marsh (Later Macy's) Furniture Gallery, T.J Maxx, DSW Shoe Warehouse, Marshalls, Nobody Beats The Wiz Electronics and Barnes and Noble.
Today, SHOPPERS' WORLD encompasses 778,400 leasable square feet and is tenanted by such stores as Old Navy, Best Buy, PetSmart, Sports Authority and Office Depot. The center was acquired by Beachwood, Ohio-based Developers Diversified Realty in November 1995.
Sources:
"Shoppers' World" article on Wikipedia
"Massachusetts Turnpike" article on Wikipedia
http://www.framinghamnatickretail.com/ / Justin Tardiff webmaster http://framingham.wordpress.com/
Impressions of Craig Brickey, former Shoppers' World patron
"Shoppers' World" / Framingham News / October, 1951
*************************************************
A more detailed SHOPPERS' WORLD article may be found in
the September 2008 archive.
*************************************************
Worcester ["woos-ter"] Turnpike and Cochituate ["kuh-chich-oo-it"] Road
Framingham, Massachusetts
The nation's second shopping mall" was the result of eight years of planning by a consortium of four architectural firms, with additional input from a retail consulting service.
Construction on SHOPPERS' WORLD got underway in April 1950. The grand opening was held in October 1951; officiated by Massachusetts Governor Paul A. Dever. The new era, open-air retail center was heralded as "a palace from another world".
SHOPPERS' WORLD was built on a 70 acre tract, nestled between two major highways, which was 18 miles southwest of downtown Boston. The 6 million dollar center featured forty-four stores in its first phase and had six thousand parking spaces.
The complex was anchored by a huge, spaceship-shaped, Jordan Marsh, which was the first suburban branch of the Boston-based department store chain. This 165,000 square foot, "flying saucer store" sat at the southern end of the center. It was 227 feet in diameter, 54 feet in height and served as a major landmark for the entire region.
The shopping center, itself, consisted of two 2-level retail wings, which extended north from the Jordan Marsh. These had a 100 foot-wide courtyard area at the center; a green, with fountains, flowers, shrubbery and trees. On three sides, ran 15 foot-wide walkways, with store entrances coming off of them. On the fourth (open) side, was an area with kiddie rides.
One of the more interesting design features of the original SHOPPERS' WORLD was the absence of stairways or escalators between floors. Patrons entered from the parking lot and took ramps
-going either up or down- to the get to the two retail levels.
A one thousand four hundred seat, single-screen cinema was also opened at SHOPPERS' WORLD, in October 1951. This cinema is sometimes cited as being the first "mall movie house" in the United States.
However, a similar cinema at Seattle, Washington's NORTHGATE CENTER [see article above] opened a few weeks before the one at SHOPPERS' WORLD. So, with no further revelations, this makes the cinema at SHOPPERS' WORLD the nation's second "mall movie house".
In 1960, a Stop and Shop supermarket was added to the north end of the complex. Jordan Marsh was also expanded (into a 250,000 square foot store) on its west side and a Car Care Center built as a peripheral structure. This was followed by an enlargement of the existing cinema, into a twin-auditorium venue, which was completed in 1964.
Soon after, a large, enclosed area was built on the north end of the mall, which became a venue for concerts and other promotions. A Jordan Marsh Basement store was added, as well.
The final expansion of the mall, completed in 1974, entailed the addition of two more auditoriums to the cinema complex. In 1982, the first two auditoriums were also split into...for a total of six. The mall proper now encompassed 710,000 leasable square feet.
The completion of the new, fully-enclosed, NATICK ["nay-tik"] MALL in 1966 did not significantly impact business at SHOPPERS' WORLD, even though the complexes were only a quarter mile apart. However, as the years progressed, stores relocated from SHOPPERS' WORLD to the newer venue.
In the early 1980s, a plan was devised, whereby SHOPPERS' WORLD would be redeveloped into an upscale, fully-enclosed shopping center. NATICK MALL was to be rebuilt into an open-air power center. After several changes -and a contentious lawsuit between interested parties- this plan was abandoned.
Chicago-based Homart Development bought both properties in 1992. They reversed the previous redevelopment plan, rebuilding the NATICK property into an upscale interior mall. SHOPPERS' WORLD was demolished in December 1994 and reconstructed as a power center.
The new NATICK MALL had been dedicated in November 1994. Stores in the SHOPPERS' WORLD power center opened during 1995 and 1996. These included Toys "R" Us, Jordan Marsh (Later Macy's) Furniture Gallery, T.J Maxx, DSW Shoe Warehouse, Marshalls, Nobody Beats The Wiz Electronics and Barnes and Noble.
Today, SHOPPERS' WORLD encompasses 778,400 leasable square feet and is tenanted by such stores as Old Navy, Best Buy, PetSmart, Sports Authority and Office Depot. The center was acquired by Beachwood, Ohio-based Developers Diversified Realty in November 1995.
Sources:
"Shoppers' World" article on Wikipedia
"Massachusetts Turnpike" article on Wikipedia
http://www.framinghamnatickretail.com/ / Justin Tardiff webmaster http://framingham.wordpress.com/
Impressions of Craig Brickey, former Shoppers' World patron
"Shoppers' World" / Framingham News / October, 1951
*************************************************
A more detailed SHOPPERS' WORLD article may be found in
the September 2008 archive.
*************************************************
A circa-1949 rendering of the prospective May Company LAKEWOOD
CENTER store.
Rendering from www.dshistory.com
An early 1950s view of the complex, which was America's third shopping
mall, taken before the two South Mall store blocks had been built.
Photo from www.cityoflakewood.com
1954. The nucleus of LAKEWOOD CENTER -May Co., Butler Brothers
and the West and East blocks of the NORTH MALL- is completed. A
supermarket anchors the north and south ends of the complex and the
FACULTY SHOPS, the first of many eastern outparcels, are dedicated.
LAKEWOOD CENTER TENANTS 1951:
BUTLER BROTHERS / HIRAM'S SUPERMARKET
NEW TENANTS 1952:
MAY COMPANY / F.W. Woolworth (with lunch counter) / Bond Clothes / Boys Market / Choates Bakery / Currie's Ice Cream / Hartfield's apparel / Hody's Family Restaurant / Leed's Shoes / Lee's Department Store (with beauty salon and sales basement) / People's Bank / Rhodes Jewelers / Sav-on Drug / See's Candies
OUTPARCELS:
Miller Car Wash / Standard Oil Station
NEW TENANTS 1953:
U.S. Post Office / Milton's Cleaners / Lakewood Center Laundromat / Ariotti's Shoe Repair / Armstrong Nurseries / Lakewood Bowl
NEW TENANTS 1954:
Holiday Shoes / Thom McAn Shoes / C.H. Baker Shoes / Comar's Children's Shoes / Lakewood Center Liquors / Melody Dress Shop / Aggy's Fashions / Beale's Home Furnishings / Choates Donuts / Gilbert's Hobbies and Crafts / Gordon's Barber Shop / Lynn Hawkins Photographers / Jac's Paint and Wallpaper / Jon's Chow Mein / Judy's / Lakewood Center Sporting Goods / Rattanland / Lakewood City Hall / Lakewood Center Stationers / Slenderella / Tastee Freeze Ice Cream / Taylor's Meats / Caltex Curtains / deCannis Hairstyling / W.P. Fuller and Company / Gallenkamp Shoes / Home Savings and Loan Association / Kirby's Delicatessen / Norm Meager's Store For Men / Orange Julius / Pfaff Sewing Center / Helen Grace Candies / The Herald American / Jean Ryan Fashions / Hobby Horse / The Independent Press-Telegram / Eldridge Men's Shop / The Smart Shop / Marsha's Kiddie Shop / Al Kalie Music Company / Chic Accessories / Los Angeles County Public Library / Mobil Television Sales and Service
NEW TENANTS 1955:
W.T. GRANT (42,500 square feet) / Harris and Frank apparel / Franklin Stores ladies apparel / Innes Shoes / Clifton's Cafeteria / Moss Stores / Zukor's apparel / Chandler's Shoes
Two views of the completed, 355,600 square foot "May's Lakewood"
department store. At its early 1952 opening, locals were thrilled that
such a sophistocated retail establishment had been built in their city.
First photo from Malls Of America Blogspot
Second Photo from www.dshistory.com
A frontal view of the NORTH MALL at LAKEWOOD CENTER. Sav-on
Drug is in the foreground. The ginormous May Company, the original
mall's sole anchor, is seen in the distance.
Photo from www.yesterdayla.com
A view in the opposite direction, this time looking northward from May
Company. In the foregound is the center's 25,300 square foot F.W.
Woolworth. Far in the background is the 2-level Butler Brothers variety
store.
Photo from Malls of America Blogspot
1962. The SOUTH MALL store blocks, dedicated during 1955 and 1956,
complete the basic footprint of the shopping center. Hiram's supermarket
(on the north end) has been rebranded by Lucky Stores.
Ronald Reagan addresses a crowd of supporters in the rear parking area
of LAKEWOOD CENTER, during his California gubernatorial bid of 1966.
The outparcel Bullock's is visible in the background.
Photo from UCLA Library Digital Archive / L.A. Times
1978. Obviously, much has been added since 1962! J.C. Penney's newly-
built store -on the south end of the mall proper- opened in January 1967.
Bullock's and Buffums' had dedicated "back of beyond" (by decree of
May Co.) stores in April and August of 1965. Ward's -on the north end of
the mall proper- came inline in March 1975. The center was enclosed and
climate-controlled during 1977 and 1978.
1983. The mall proper is expanded with a new East Wing, anchored by
a 2-level, 80,000 square foot Mervyn's.
Montgomery Ward was shuttered in 2001, demolished in 2002 and
replaced by a 160,000 square foot Target in 2003.
Photo from www.mitchglaser.com
The grand dame of So-Cal suburban stores, May Co / Macy's at
LAKEWOOD. This gargantuan structure dates back to a time when
a 300,000+ square foot store was feasible as an outlying, shopping
center location. Following a thirteen year stint as a Robinsons-May,
the old "May's Lakewood" was "Macy-ated"in July 2006. Macy's
uses only a portion of the 4-level building.
2009. The eastern end of the mall site was reconfigured in the 1990s.
Buffums', shuttered in 1991, became a 9-plex cinema. Bullock's was
bulldozed and replaced by Home Depot. The original cinema, in the
northeast quadrant, was expanded -into a 16-plex- in 1999. The East
Wing of the mall proper was expanded with new Macy's and Mervyn's
stores in 2000. These were shuttered in 2006 and 2009 and replaced
with a Costco Warehouse and large-format Forever 21.
LAKEWOOD CENTER
Lakewood and Del Amo Boulevards
Lakewood, California
America's third shopping mall was built in the post-World War II boomtown of Lakewood, California, which had made the transition from lima bean fields to a major, big city suburb in less than ten years.
Originally open-air in configuration, LAKEWOOD CENTER was comprised of a single level of stores, with a service basement below. Situated on a 154 acre tract, 21 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles, the center was designed by I. Herman Kanner and developed by Joseph K. Eichenbaum.
Ground was broken for the first phase of the shopping center on October 14, 1950. This "Northwest Mall" segment was to extend between a 4-level (355,670 square foot) May Company on the south and 2-level (86,000 square foot) Butler Brothers on the north.
In October 1951, the Butler Brothers store became the first retailer in the mall to open. It was soon followed by a 1-level (45,500 square foot) Hiram's supermarket, which -at the time- was reputed to be the nation's largest grocery store.
In February 1952, May Company opened for business. Then, on October 3, 1952, an official grand opening was held for the entire mall, which, by then, featured eighteen stores. These included Sav-On Drug, F.W. Woolworth, Leed's Qualicraft Shoes and See's Candies.
The festivities, typical of the opening of a new, ultra-modern merchandising mecca in the mid-20th century, included a complete circus and banquet-style dinner.
Stores in a second store block, the "Northeast Mall", were open by 1954. In September of that year, ground was broken for the third store block, the "Southwest Mall", which was dedicated in the summer of 1955.
By 1956, the fourth -and final- store block, the "Southeast Mall", was finished. LAKEWOOD CENTER now encompassed 750,000 leasable square feet and featured seventy-four stores, including W.T. Grant, Clifton's Cafeteria, Harris and Frank apparel and Orange Julius.
Moreover, there were parking accomodations for over ten thousand cars. The parking area was monitored in an observation tower, with a system of colored lights, at the ends of rows, indicating empty spaces.
The rear area of the 154 acre tract was developed during the 1960s. Outparcel stores were built which were part of the shopping center, but not connected into the mall proper.
A 4-level (250,000 square foot), Los Angeles-based Bullock's opened April 26, 1965, with a 2-level (72,800 square foot), Long Beach-based Buffums' beginning business on August 2 of the same year. In the mall proper, J.C. Penney opened a 2-level (173,000 square foot) store at the mall's south end, in January 1967.
The mall's first movie house, originally known as the Lakewood Center Theatre, opened January 17, 1968. The 1 million dollar movie palace was an outparcel, located in the northeast quadrant of the mall site. It was expanded to a 3-plex -and then a 4-plex- during 1974, taking on the name Lakewood Center 4.
In September 1971, the first phase of LOS CERRITOS CENTER [December 2008 archive] was completed. The new mall was only 3 miles away, in Cerritos. This fully-enclosed complex provided direct competition to LAKEWOOD CENTER, which was still open-air.
Montgomery Ward opened their 2-level (155,000 square foot) store on March 3, 1975. It had been built on the site of the old Butler Brothers location and included an adjacent Auto Center.
The New York City-based Macerich Company bought LAKEWOOD CENTER in 1975. At the time, the twenty-three year-old exterior mall was rather dowdy-looking and badly in need of renovation.
Macerich embarked upon a 10 million dollar refurbishment in May 1977, which consisted of enclosing the north and south concourses and filling in several mall entryways with new retail space. This project, completed in 1978, added twenty-two stores to the enclosed part of the center and repositioned it as one of the premier shopping venues in Greater Los Angeles.
This "buy and rebuild" concept was a new field of endeavor for Macerich, now based out of Santa Monica, California. Up to this time, the company had been concerned with developing smaller, community-type, strip centers and, then, managing shopping malls [see WHITE LAKES MALL, March 2008 archive]. With the success of the LAKEWOOD redevelopment, Macerich gained the retail industry nickname of "Mall Doctor".
The refurbishment and expansion of LAKEWOOD continued. In September 1982, construction was completed on a new mall corridor, added east of the May Company store. This East Wing extended to a 2-level (80,000 square foot) Mervyn's.
By this time, a three-screen multiplex cinema had opened, which was adjacent to Buffums'. With the shuttering of Buffums', in 1991, its space was renovated into a 6-screen venue. These theaters (encompassing 9 auditoriums) were known as the Lakewood Center South.
The existing Lakewood Center 4 was gutted and expanded. It reopened (as a 16-screen, stadium seating venue) in March 1999, which was known as the Lakewood Center North.
Eventually, all of the twenty-five auditoriums at LAKEWOOD CENTER were renamed as Pacific Theatres. The North complex became the Pacific Theatres North I and North IV. The south complex became the Pacific Theaters II and III.
During a subsequent renovation in 2000-2001, the East Wing of the mall proper was lengthened. Mervyn's was sectioned into a longer corridor, with stores on either side, and its second level made into a Food Court. A new 1-level (80,000 square foot) Mervyn's and 2-level (210,000 square foot) Macy's were built to the north and east, respectively.
Montgomery Ward closed in 2001. The store -and its Auto Center- were demolished and replaced by a 2-level (160,000 square foot) Target, which opened in October 2003.
May Company, by then operating under the Robinsons-May nameplate, was rebranded as Macy's in July 2006. The original Macy's, at the end of the East Wing, was vacated. The building was gutted and rebuilt as a 159,000 square foot, Issaquah, Washington-based Costco Warehouse. This store was dedicated February 26, 2009.
The demise of the Mervyn's chain, in 2009, resulted in the shuttering of their LAKEWOOD store. It became a large-format Forever 21 February 26, 2009.
Today, LAKEWOOD CENTER is owned and operated by a joint venture of Macerich Company and Toronto-based Cadillac Fairview. The enclosed mall encompasses 1,500,000 leasable square feet and has two hundred and six retail spaces.
There are currently sixty-four outparcel stores, with a gross leasable area of 725,000 square feet, for a grand total of 2,225,000 leasable square feet in the entire complex.
Sources:
"Evolution of the Shopping Center" / Steven E. Schoenherr / history.sandiego.edu
http://www.laalmanac.com/
http://www.lakewoodcity.org/
Malls America Of Blogspot / "Lakewood Center" Post
http://www.shoplakewoodcenter.com/
http://www.shoploscerritoscenter.com/
http://www.city-data.com/ / Los Angeles Forum / "Dennismpat" and "Kathy/Kawi33"
http://www.groceteria.com/ Message Board / History: Non-Grocery Retail". "Jeff" and "J-Man" http://www.cinematreasures.com/
Largest Malls In The USA" list on Wikipedia
"Bullock's" article on Wikipedia
"Buffum's" article on Wikipedia
Lakewood and Del Amo Boulevards
Lakewood, California
America's third shopping mall was built in the post-World War II boomtown of Lakewood, California, which had made the transition from lima bean fields to a major, big city suburb in less than ten years.
Originally open-air in configuration, LAKEWOOD CENTER was comprised of a single level of stores, with a service basement below. Situated on a 154 acre tract, 21 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles, the center was designed by I. Herman Kanner and developed by Joseph K. Eichenbaum.
Ground was broken for the first phase of the shopping center on October 14, 1950. This "Northwest Mall" segment was to extend between a 4-level (355,670 square foot) May Company on the south and 2-level (86,000 square foot) Butler Brothers on the north.
In October 1951, the Butler Brothers store became the first retailer in the mall to open. It was soon followed by a 1-level (45,500 square foot) Hiram's supermarket, which -at the time- was reputed to be the nation's largest grocery store.
In February 1952, May Company opened for business. Then, on October 3, 1952, an official grand opening was held for the entire mall, which, by then, featured eighteen stores. These included Sav-On Drug, F.W. Woolworth, Leed's Qualicraft Shoes and See's Candies.
The festivities, typical of the opening of a new, ultra-modern merchandising mecca in the mid-20th century, included a complete circus and banquet-style dinner.
Stores in a second store block, the "Northeast Mall", were open by 1954. In September of that year, ground was broken for the third store block, the "Southwest Mall", which was dedicated in the summer of 1955.
By 1956, the fourth -and final- store block, the "Southeast Mall", was finished. LAKEWOOD CENTER now encompassed 750,000 leasable square feet and featured seventy-four stores, including W.T. Grant, Clifton's Cafeteria, Harris and Frank apparel and Orange Julius.
Moreover, there were parking accomodations for over ten thousand cars. The parking area was monitored in an observation tower, with a system of colored lights, at the ends of rows, indicating empty spaces.
The rear area of the 154 acre tract was developed during the 1960s. Outparcel stores were built which were part of the shopping center, but not connected into the mall proper.
A 4-level (250,000 square foot), Los Angeles-based Bullock's opened April 26, 1965, with a 2-level (72,800 square foot), Long Beach-based Buffums' beginning business on August 2 of the same year. In the mall proper, J.C. Penney opened a 2-level (173,000 square foot) store at the mall's south end, in January 1967.
The mall's first movie house, originally known as the Lakewood Center Theatre, opened January 17, 1968. The 1 million dollar movie palace was an outparcel, located in the northeast quadrant of the mall site. It was expanded to a 3-plex -and then a 4-plex- during 1974, taking on the name Lakewood Center 4.
In September 1971, the first phase of LOS CERRITOS CENTER [December 2008 archive] was completed. The new mall was only 3 miles away, in Cerritos. This fully-enclosed complex provided direct competition to LAKEWOOD CENTER, which was still open-air.
Montgomery Ward opened their 2-level (155,000 square foot) store on March 3, 1975. It had been built on the site of the old Butler Brothers location and included an adjacent Auto Center.
The New York City-based Macerich Company bought LAKEWOOD CENTER in 1975. At the time, the twenty-three year-old exterior mall was rather dowdy-looking and badly in need of renovation.
Macerich embarked upon a 10 million dollar refurbishment in May 1977, which consisted of enclosing the north and south concourses and filling in several mall entryways with new retail space. This project, completed in 1978, added twenty-two stores to the enclosed part of the center and repositioned it as one of the premier shopping venues in Greater Los Angeles.
This "buy and rebuild" concept was a new field of endeavor for Macerich, now based out of Santa Monica, California. Up to this time, the company had been concerned with developing smaller, community-type, strip centers and, then, managing shopping malls [see WHITE LAKES MALL, March 2008 archive]. With the success of the LAKEWOOD redevelopment, Macerich gained the retail industry nickname of "Mall Doctor".
The refurbishment and expansion of LAKEWOOD continued. In September 1982, construction was completed on a new mall corridor, added east of the May Company store. This East Wing extended to a 2-level (80,000 square foot) Mervyn's.
By this time, a three-screen multiplex cinema had opened, which was adjacent to Buffums'. With the shuttering of Buffums', in 1991, its space was renovated into a 6-screen venue. These theaters (encompassing 9 auditoriums) were known as the Lakewood Center South.
The existing Lakewood Center 4 was gutted and expanded. It reopened (as a 16-screen, stadium seating venue) in March 1999, which was known as the Lakewood Center North.
Eventually, all of the twenty-five auditoriums at LAKEWOOD CENTER were renamed as Pacific Theatres. The North complex became the Pacific Theatres North I and North IV. The south complex became the Pacific Theaters II and III.
During a subsequent renovation in 2000-2001, the East Wing of the mall proper was lengthened. Mervyn's was sectioned into a longer corridor, with stores on either side, and its second level made into a Food Court. A new 1-level (80,000 square foot) Mervyn's and 2-level (210,000 square foot) Macy's were built to the north and east, respectively.
Montgomery Ward closed in 2001. The store -and its Auto Center- were demolished and replaced by a 2-level (160,000 square foot) Target, which opened in October 2003.
May Company, by then operating under the Robinsons-May nameplate, was rebranded as Macy's in July 2006. The original Macy's, at the end of the East Wing, was vacated. The building was gutted and rebuilt as a 159,000 square foot, Issaquah, Washington-based Costco Warehouse. This store was dedicated February 26, 2009.
The demise of the Mervyn's chain, in 2009, resulted in the shuttering of their LAKEWOOD store. It became a large-format Forever 21 February 26, 2009.
Today, LAKEWOOD CENTER is owned and operated by a joint venture of Macerich Company and Toronto-based Cadillac Fairview. The enclosed mall encompasses 1,500,000 leasable square feet and has two hundred and six retail spaces.
There are currently sixty-four outparcel stores, with a gross leasable area of 725,000 square feet, for a grand total of 2,225,000 leasable square feet in the entire complex.
Sources:
"Evolution of the Shopping Center" / Steven E. Schoenherr / history.sandiego.edu
http://www.laalmanac.com/
http://www.lakewoodcity.org/
Malls America Of Blogspot / "Lakewood Center" Post
http://www.shoplakewoodcenter.com/
http://www.shoploscerritoscenter.com/
http://www.city-data.com/ / Los Angeles Forum / "Dennismpat" and "Kathy/Kawi33"
http://www.groceteria.com/ Message Board / History: Non-Grocery Retail". "Jeff" and "J-Man" http://www.cinematreasures.com/
Largest Malls In The USA" list on Wikipedia
"Bullock's" article on Wikipedia
"Buffum's" article on Wikipedia
San Francisco's Stonestown Center
The original, open-air mall concourse, looking south. The palm trees
had been brought in from Los Angeles.
The original, open-air mall concourse, looking south. The palm trees
had been brought in from Los Angeles.
The "Big E" of the Emporium at STONESTOWN CENTER was a local
landmark for many years. The store was rebranded by Macy's in 1996.
The fourth "Early Mall" in the nation was formally
dedicated in November 1952. It housed over 700,000
leasable square feet and was the nucleus of the massive
Stonestown residential development.
A 1950s shot of the south end of the mall. The "JM" trademark, seen
on the store in the middle of the photo, indicates a Joseph Magnin
location. This specialty retailer was a San Francisco tradition during
the mid-century years. The chain was dissolved in 1984.
Photo from "ChrisPixel"
As shown in the diagram above, the store block south of Winston Drive
was razed in the late 1970s and replaced with a structure housing a
174,000 square foot Bullock's (a store in the North division of the Los
Angeles-based chain). This location was shuttered in 1983.
A late '70s view of the open-air mallway at STONESTOWN, showing
the stairs and escalators that accessed the entrance into the second
level of Bullock's.
Photo from Malls of America Blogspot
Level One at today's STONESTOWN GALLERIA. The
original single level of retail was double-decked in the
late 1980s, with an 11-bay Food Court built on the new
second level. Existing basement space was also utilized
as a subterannean parking deck. The south anchor,
previously a Bullock's, was rebranded by that veritable
Seattle-based retailer in April 1988.
A contemporary view of the opulently appointed Central Court
at STONESTOWN GALLERIA.
Photo from Scott P. / "BigMallRat"
A northeastern view from Level Two.
Photo from Scott P. / "BigMallRat"
STONESTOWN CENTER
20th Avenue and Winston Drive
San Francisco, California
The fourth mall in the nation, and the first in the San Francisco Bay Area, was officially dedicated November 6, 1952. STONESTOWN CENTER was situated on a 65 acre parcel, 6 miles southwest of Union Square, in the Lake Merced district of "The City". The site was formerly a cabbage patch.
The original open-air mall consisted of a main retail level and a total of 777,000 leasable square feet. A service / basement level included a small concourse of stores.
Designed by Angus McSweeney and Welton Becket and Associates, STONESTOWN was developed by San Fran's Stoneson Brothers. Promoted as "a city within a city", the complex was anchored by a 3-level (265,000 square foot) Bay Area-based Emporium, which had held its grand opening July 16, 1952. This store occupied the north end of the mall.
A 3-level (95,000 square foot) Butler Brothers variety store was situated at the southwest corner, across Winston Drive from the mall proper. There were also an F.W. Woolworth 5 and 10, Walgreen Drug, Stonestown Market grocery, GallenKamp Shoes, Chandler's Shoes, Singer Sewing Center, Red Chimney Restaurant and Bank Of America. A 2-level Joseph Magnin opened in March 1953.
Later on, STONESTOWN housed a Portals Of Music record store and subterranean Golden Venus Health Club. The Butler Brothers department store closed and became a City Of Paris ladies apparel in 1960; the Stonestown grocery was, by then, a QFI Market.
More changes took place during the 1970s. A single-screen theater, the United Artists Stonestown Cinema, was built as a northwestern outparcel. It showed its first feature in November 1970 and was twinned 2 years later...assuming the name United Artists Stonestown Twin.
The southside block of stores, which included the Butler Brothers / City Of Paris store, grocery and Walgreen Drug, was torn down. A 3-level (174,000 square foot), Bullock's North (a No-Cal branch of the Los Angeles-based retailer) opened October 29, 1977. It was connected to the main mall via an elevated, glass-enclosed walkway over Winston Drive.
By the 1980s, the mall -still open-air- was beginning to show its age. A major renovation, designed by architect John Field, was started in 1986. The existing mall was enclosed, and a second concourse level built on top of the first. The basement became a subterannean parking deck.
The refurbished mall, christened STONESTOWN GALLERIA, held its grand re-opening October 28, 1987. The old Bullock's, vacated in 1983, had been remodeled. It opened as a Nordstrom April 15, 1988.
Today, STONESTOWN GALLERIA encompasses 862,000 leasable square feet and features over one hundred and thirty stores and services. It is anchored by Macy's, which rebranded The Emporium in early 1996. Other present-day tenants include Borders Books, Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn and Ann Taylor.
The shopping center is owned and operated by Chicago-based General Growth Properties, who acquired a one hundred percent interest in the venue in August 2004.
Sources:
http://www.outsidelands.org/ / Stonestown Memories /Contributors: Virginia Southas, "Michele", "Lambone In Auburn", "Paul" and "BJ"
Scott / "BigMallRat"
"Bullock's" article on Wikipedia
"Nordstrom" article on Wikipedia
http://www.shopstonestown.com/
20th Avenue and Winston Drive
San Francisco, California
The fourth mall in the nation, and the first in the San Francisco Bay Area, was officially dedicated November 6, 1952. STONESTOWN CENTER was situated on a 65 acre parcel, 6 miles southwest of Union Square, in the Lake Merced district of "The City". The site was formerly a cabbage patch.
The original open-air mall consisted of a main retail level and a total of 777,000 leasable square feet. A service / basement level included a small concourse of stores.
Designed by Angus McSweeney and Welton Becket and Associates, STONESTOWN was developed by San Fran's Stoneson Brothers. Promoted as "a city within a city", the complex was anchored by a 3-level (265,000 square foot) Bay Area-based Emporium, which had held its grand opening July 16, 1952. This store occupied the north end of the mall.
A 3-level (95,000 square foot) Butler Brothers variety store was situated at the southwest corner, across Winston Drive from the mall proper. There were also an F.W. Woolworth 5 and 10, Walgreen Drug, Stonestown Market grocery, GallenKamp Shoes, Chandler's Shoes, Singer Sewing Center, Red Chimney Restaurant and Bank Of America. A 2-level Joseph Magnin opened in March 1953.
Later on, STONESTOWN housed a Portals Of Music record store and subterranean Golden Venus Health Club. The Butler Brothers department store closed and became a City Of Paris ladies apparel in 1960; the Stonestown grocery was, by then, a QFI Market.
More changes took place during the 1970s. A single-screen theater, the United Artists Stonestown Cinema, was built as a northwestern outparcel. It showed its first feature in November 1970 and was twinned 2 years later...assuming the name United Artists Stonestown Twin.
The southside block of stores, which included the Butler Brothers / City Of Paris store, grocery and Walgreen Drug, was torn down. A 3-level (174,000 square foot), Bullock's North (a No-Cal branch of the Los Angeles-based retailer) opened October 29, 1977. It was connected to the main mall via an elevated, glass-enclosed walkway over Winston Drive.
By the 1980s, the mall -still open-air- was beginning to show its age. A major renovation, designed by architect John Field, was started in 1986. The existing mall was enclosed, and a second concourse level built on top of the first. The basement became a subterannean parking deck.
The refurbished mall, christened STONESTOWN GALLERIA, held its grand re-opening October 28, 1987. The old Bullock's, vacated in 1983, had been remodeled. It opened as a Nordstrom April 15, 1988.
Today, STONESTOWN GALLERIA encompasses 862,000 leasable square feet and features over one hundred and thirty stores and services. It is anchored by Macy's, which rebranded The Emporium in early 1996. Other present-day tenants include Borders Books, Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn and Ann Taylor.
The shopping center is owned and operated by Chicago-based General Growth Properties, who acquired a one hundred percent interest in the venue in August 2004.
Sources:
http://www.outsidelands.org/ / Stonestown Memories /Contributors: Virginia Southas, "Michele", "Lambone In Auburn", "Paul" and "BJ"
Scott / "BigMallRat"
"Bullock's" article on Wikipedia
"Nordstrom" article on Wikipedia
http://www.shopstonestown.com/
Philadelphia's Levittown Shop-A-Rama
A Pottstown-based Pomeroy's was the main draw at Greater Philadel-
phia's LEVITTOWN SHOP-A-RAMA. The store sported two other
nameplates during its commercial life; Ports Of The World and Boscov's.
A Pottstown-based Pomeroy's was the main draw at Greater Philadel-
phia's LEVITTOWN SHOP-A-RAMA. The store sported two other
nameplates during its commercial life; Ports Of The World and Boscov's.
The fifth of America's "Early Malls", the SHOP-A-RAMA, downtown
of the Levittown planned community and the Keystone State's first
mall-type complex. It was completed in stages between 1953 and
1955 and incorporated 500,000 leasable square feet.
A late 1950s aerial of the complex with the Pomeroy's anchor
prominently positioned at its epicenter.
Photo from Malls of America Blogspot
A vintage view of the SHOP-A-RAMA. Here we see the South
Promenade. The Pomeroy's anchor store is off in the distance.
Photo From www.mywebpages.comcast.net/"Levittown Relics"
Another shot of the wide, landscaped mall promenade at LEVITTOWN
SHOP-A-RAMA.
Photo from Malls of America Blogspot
Fast forwarding to the present, we have a plan for the new LEVITTOWN
TOWN CENTER. The old SHOP-A-RAMA was leveled in 2002, with
plans for an open-air power-format complex announced. A prospectus,
from 2004, included spaces for tenants that eventually bailed out of the
project. However, a Wal-Mart Supercenter was signed and the site plan
ammended. The Bentonville retailer started building their store in early
'08. It was completed in July 2009. If all goes well, the remainder of the
complex should be finished by 2010.
LEVITTOWN SHOP-A-RAMA
Bristol Pike and Levittown Parkway
Borough of Tullytown, Pennsylvania
Once having over seventy thousand inhabitants, Levittown, Pennsylvania sprang from former farmland -20 miles northeast of Philadelphia's Center City- almost overnight.
The entire community of seventeen thousand three hundred homes was built between 1952 and 1958. Everything to make suburban living more convenient was planned for -and provided by- William Levitt and Sons, the developers.
Serving as the downtown for this moderne metropolis was one of the new, suburban shopping centers that were changing the face of retail in mid-century America. This one was officially known as the LEVITTOWN SHOPPING CENTER, but was soon renamed (but never commonly referred to as) the SHOP-A-RAMA.
The single-level, open-air center was situated on a 55 acre site. A grand opening was held, for the twenty-six store First Phase, October 14, 1953.
A 3-level (125,000 square foot) Pottstown, Pennsylvania-based Pomeroy's came inline in May 1955, signalling the completion of the original, 500,000 square foot shopping complex.
The completed -ninety store- SHOP-A-RAMA was comprised of eight seperate buildings, featuring a community center with two public auditoriums. The retail mix included a 2-level Sears and 1-level (dry goods only) J.C. Penney.
There were also a W.T. Grant variety store and F.W. Woolworth and S.S. Kresge 5 & 10's, Penn Fruit and Food Fair supermarkets, a Singer Sewing Center, Alston's Hallmark, Sun Ray Drug, Cappy's "Stride-Rite" Shoes, M & M Sporting Goods, Lerner Shop, Thom McAn Shoes, Towne Theatre cinema, U.S Post Office and State Liquor Store.
In 1973, the fully-enclosed OXFORD VALLEY MALL opened, which was located 7 miles northwest of the SHOP-A-RAMA. The older center fell into decline, a condition that it was never to recover from.
Along with this, the demographics of the Levittown community, as a whole, changed over the years. The baby boomers, who had been born and raised in Levittown, grew up and moved on, leaving many empty nest households behind.
Several of the original SHOP-A-RAMA tenants had either moved to newer centers or gone out of business. The Pomeroy's anchor was rebranded -first- as Ports of the World, a discount branch of Reading, Pennsylvania-based Boscov's. It was eventually given a bona fide Boscov's nameplate. The Kresge and Woolworth chains went bankrupt. Soon, the SHOP-A-RAMA was deserted.
The shopping center was razed in 2002. A plan was put forth by Tarrytown, New York-based DLC Management Corporation, owners of the "tired and outdated asset". Construction on an all-new power center got underway.
Known as LEVITTOWN TOWN CENTER, its first tenant -Home Depot- opened in 2004. The implementation of the remainder of the center went slowly. Redner's Warehouse Markets, a proposed anchor, pulled out of the project. A Wal-Mart Supercenter was eventually signed to take its place.
Thirty-eight tenants are planned. Five are currently in business; Taco Bell, Subway, Wachovia ["wah-koh-vee-ah"] Bank, Ross Dress For Less and the Wal-Mart Supercenter (which opened July 15, 2009).
Sources:
Mywebpages.comcast.net / "Levittown Relics" / Posts by Doris (Hill) Caucci, Lou Brooks, Ken Deitz, Mindy Feinberg, Tom Merlia, Laura Kapelle Bradbard, Bryan Carrick and Terry Davis
"Levittown" article on Wikipedia
"Boscov's" article on Wikipedia
Cinema Treasures website / "Towne Theatre" article / Contributed by Glenn Kephartwww.dlcmgmt.com
Bristol Pike and Levittown Parkway
Borough of Tullytown, Pennsylvania
Once having over seventy thousand inhabitants, Levittown, Pennsylvania sprang from former farmland -20 miles northeast of Philadelphia's Center City- almost overnight.
The entire community of seventeen thousand three hundred homes was built between 1952 and 1958. Everything to make suburban living more convenient was planned for -and provided by- William Levitt and Sons, the developers.
Serving as the downtown for this moderne metropolis was one of the new, suburban shopping centers that were changing the face of retail in mid-century America. This one was officially known as the LEVITTOWN SHOPPING CENTER, but was soon renamed (but never commonly referred to as) the SHOP-A-RAMA.
The single-level, open-air center was situated on a 55 acre site. A grand opening was held, for the twenty-six store First Phase, October 14, 1953.
A 3-level (125,000 square foot) Pottstown, Pennsylvania-based Pomeroy's came inline in May 1955, signalling the completion of the original, 500,000 square foot shopping complex.
The completed -ninety store- SHOP-A-RAMA was comprised of eight seperate buildings, featuring a community center with two public auditoriums. The retail mix included a 2-level Sears and 1-level (dry goods only) J.C. Penney.
There were also a W.T. Grant variety store and F.W. Woolworth and S.S. Kresge 5 & 10's, Penn Fruit and Food Fair supermarkets, a Singer Sewing Center, Alston's Hallmark, Sun Ray Drug, Cappy's "Stride-Rite" Shoes, M & M Sporting Goods, Lerner Shop, Thom McAn Shoes, Towne Theatre cinema, U.S Post Office and State Liquor Store.
In 1973, the fully-enclosed OXFORD VALLEY MALL opened, which was located 7 miles northwest of the SHOP-A-RAMA. The older center fell into decline, a condition that it was never to recover from.
Along with this, the demographics of the Levittown community, as a whole, changed over the years. The baby boomers, who had been born and raised in Levittown, grew up and moved on, leaving many empty nest households behind.
Several of the original SHOP-A-RAMA tenants had either moved to newer centers or gone out of business. The Pomeroy's anchor was rebranded -first- as Ports of the World, a discount branch of Reading, Pennsylvania-based Boscov's. It was eventually given a bona fide Boscov's nameplate. The Kresge and Woolworth chains went bankrupt. Soon, the SHOP-A-RAMA was deserted.
The shopping center was razed in 2002. A plan was put forth by Tarrytown, New York-based DLC Management Corporation, owners of the "tired and outdated asset". Construction on an all-new power center got underway.
Known as LEVITTOWN TOWN CENTER, its first tenant -Home Depot- opened in 2004. The implementation of the remainder of the center went slowly. Redner's Warehouse Markets, a proposed anchor, pulled out of the project. A Wal-Mart Supercenter was eventually signed to take its place.
Thirty-eight tenants are planned. Five are currently in business; Taco Bell, Subway, Wachovia ["wah-koh-vee-ah"] Bank, Ross Dress For Less and the Wal-Mart Supercenter (which opened July 15, 2009).
Sources:
Mywebpages.comcast.net / "Levittown Relics" / Posts by Doris (Hill) Caucci, Lou Brooks, Ken Deitz, Mindy Feinberg, Tom Merlia, Laura Kapelle Bradbard, Bryan Carrick and Terry Davis
"Levittown" article on Wikipedia
"Boscov's" article on Wikipedia
Cinema Treasures website / "Towne Theatre" article / Contributed by Glenn Kephartwww.dlcmgmt.com
Denver's Cherry Creek Center
The Denver Dry Goods Company (a.k.a. "The Denver" or "Denver Dry")
opened its first branch store at CHERRY CREEK CENTER in 1953. It
encompassed approximately 95,200 square feet and was in business
until 1987, when it was rebranded as a May-Daniels and Fisher ("May-
D & F").
The Denver Dry Goods Company (a.k.a. "The Denver" or "Denver Dry")
opened its first branch store at CHERRY CREEK CENTER in 1953. It
encompassed approximately 95,200 square feet and was in business
until 1987, when it was rebranded as a May-Daniels and Fisher ("May-
D & F").
The sixth in our series of America's "Early Malls", in its original -mid-
1950s- incarnation. The 192,000 square foot complex was added to an
existing Denver Dry Goods store and included "The Two Double-U's"...
Woolworth and Walgreen's, staples of many a mid-century center.
CHERRY CREEK CENTER in 1968. By this time, the eastern half of
the land parcel had been developed, with a twin-screen cinema and
supermarket. These were razed in the late 1980s.
The 35-year-old CHERRY CREEK CENTER was joined by the 836,000
square foot CHERRY CREEK MALL in August 1990. Since this time,
the mall has been expanded to 1,037,000 leasable square feet and has
become the most upscale shopping venue in the entire region.
Photo from Wikipedia / "Vertigo700"
A 1995 physical layout of Denver's first shopping mall. The complex,
which had been more or less abandoned by the time the super chic
CHERRY CREEK MALL was completed, was eventually renovated
and retenanted, as seen here. It was bestowed a new mall moniker,
CHERRY CREEK WEST. The only differences in its layout today are
that Tower Records is The Container Store, Foley's Home is a Macy's
Home and the Macaroni Grill is a Brio Tuscan Grill.
The existing Sears across the way was worked into a swanky shopping,
residential and office complex, known as CLAYTON LANE, in the mid-
2000s.
Photo from www.claytonlaneretail.com
A current bird's eye view of the CHERRY CREEK WEST complex (in the
lower left). A portion of the newer CHERRY CREEK MALL may be seen
in the lower right, with the CLAYTON LANE development occupying the
top of the photo.
Photo from www.live.com
CHERRY CREEK CENTER
East First Avenue And University Boulevard
Denver, Colorado
The Mile High City's first suburban shopping center was originally conceived around the year 1925. Temple Buell, a nationally-famous Denver architect, purchased a 57 acre tract, formerly a garbage dump, that was located 3 miles southeast of Denver's Central Business District.
The urbanization of Colorado's Capital was rapidly spreading eastward, and Buell wanted to take advantage of this. Unfortunately, an economic depression -and then a World War- delayed construction of Buell's shopping center for almost twenty years.
Formal plans for the COLODEN MOOR SHOPPING CENTER were announced in 1946. There were years of additional delays, due to zoning hassles and problems with the department of highways. Finally, in 1950, ground was broken.
The completed merchandising mecca, by then known as CHERRY CREEK CENTER, occupied the western half of the site. It was open-air in design, incorporated 191,500 leasable square feet and was situated around a wide, landscaped court area.
The main anchor was a 3-level (95,200 square foot) Denver Dry Goods department store, which opened in 1953. The bulk of the complex, including an F.W. Woolworth 5 and 10, Walgreen Drug and Baur's Restaurant, came inline in 1955.
In 1954, a Sears anchor store had opened, which was located along the north side of East First Avenue. Sears and the retail complex were connected via an underground tunnel beneath East First Avenue in 1955. This pedestrian passage was in use until the 1970s.
CHERRY CREEK CENTER expanded eastward during the late 1950s and 1960s, consuming the remainder of the original land parcel. New businesses included a Safeway (later Del Farm) supermarket, Skaggs Drug, Wyatt's Cafeteria and the Cherry Creek Twin Cinema.
The center served as a catalyst for further commercial development in the area and did not experience a drastic change in local demographics during the 1970s and 1980s; a problem experienced by several of America's early regional shopping centers.
Temple Buell, under the auspices of Buell Development, proposed a major renovation of the CHERRY CREEK property, into a 3 million square foot retail and office complex, in 1979. A joint venture, between Buell, Chicago-based Jacobs / Kahan and Company and Michigan-based Taubman Centers, was formed.
Between 1982 and 1986, this redevelopment plan was opposed by community and City of Denver leaders. In the middle of litigation, Jacobs / Kahan was removed from the project.
In December 1986, Buell Development and Taubman Centers gained approval to build a 1.2 million square foot, fully-enclosed mall. The original, circa-1950s, complex was to be eventually demolished as part of the redevelopment (this hasn't taken place).
In 1987, the freestanding stores and multiplex, built on the east section of the site in the late '50s and '60s, were demolished. Construction of the enclosed mall got underway soon after.
CHERRY CREEK MALL was officially dedicated August 17, 1990. Its original anchors were May D & F and Saks Fifth Avenue. Neiman Marcus joined the directory in 1991. May D & F became a Houston-based Foley's in 1993 and a Macy's in 2006. Nordstrom had opened a newly-built store at the mall in 2001.
The original open-air complex, on the west portion of the mall site, had been in various stages of abandonment since the late 1970s. Along with the completion of the enclosed mall to the east, it was renamed CHERRY CREEK WEST.
The original "Denver Dry", which had been rebranded as a May D & F in 1987, was vacated when the store relocated into the new mall in 1990. 5 years later, CHERRY CREEK WEST was renovated and retenanted. Stores now fronted toward the outside of the complex, with entries along the central court area sealed off.
The Denver Dry / May D & F became a Bed, Bath & Beyond. The north store block now housed an Elway's Steakhouse, Tower Records and Romano's Macaroni Grill. The south block featured a Foley's Home Store, grand-opened May 4, 1995, and Cost Plus World Market, dedicated June 1.
In the mid-2000s, the circa-1954 Sears (north of CHERRY CREEK WEST) was remodeled and incorporated into a high-end, mixed-use development. Encompassing the entire 9.5 acre Sears site, CLAYTON LANE was built by the Denver-based Nicholas Partnership and dedicated in November 2004.
In addition to Sears, the 700,000 square foot complex included a four star J.W. Marriott hotel, Janus Capital World Headquarters office tower and 5-floor luxury condominium. Within its 334,800 square feet of retail were stores such as Crate and Barrel, Bose, Orvis and Whole Foods.
CLAYTON LANE was acquired by a joint partnership of Stamford, Connecticut-based AmCap, Incorporated and Los Angeles-based Hart Realty Advisors in 2006.
As for the CHERRY CREEK WEST complex, its Foley's Home Store was "Macy-ated" in 2006. Tower Records closed in 2007 and re-opened as The Container Store. Romano's Macaroni Grill was shuttered in January 2009, with Brio Tuscan Grill taking its place the following fall.
Sources:
www.leonardleonard.com/cherrycreek/index.shtml /
Leonard & Leonard Real Estate Website
http://ccneighbors.com http://bromwell.dpsk12.org / Denver Public Schools / Bromwell Elementary School website
"Cherry Creek Mall" article on Wikipedia
http://www.shopcherrycreek.com/
http://www.taubman.com/
http://www.amcap.com/
http://www.futuregringo.com/
East First Avenue And University Boulevard
Denver, Colorado
The Mile High City's first suburban shopping center was originally conceived around the year 1925. Temple Buell, a nationally-famous Denver architect, purchased a 57 acre tract, formerly a garbage dump, that was located 3 miles southeast of Denver's Central Business District.
The urbanization of Colorado's Capital was rapidly spreading eastward, and Buell wanted to take advantage of this. Unfortunately, an economic depression -and then a World War- delayed construction of Buell's shopping center for almost twenty years.
Formal plans for the COLODEN MOOR SHOPPING CENTER were announced in 1946. There were years of additional delays, due to zoning hassles and problems with the department of highways. Finally, in 1950, ground was broken.
The completed merchandising mecca, by then known as CHERRY CREEK CENTER, occupied the western half of the site. It was open-air in design, incorporated 191,500 leasable square feet and was situated around a wide, landscaped court area.
The main anchor was a 3-level (95,200 square foot) Denver Dry Goods department store, which opened in 1953. The bulk of the complex, including an F.W. Woolworth 5 and 10, Walgreen Drug and Baur's Restaurant, came inline in 1955.
In 1954, a Sears anchor store had opened, which was located along the north side of East First Avenue. Sears and the retail complex were connected via an underground tunnel beneath East First Avenue in 1955. This pedestrian passage was in use until the 1970s.
CHERRY CREEK CENTER expanded eastward during the late 1950s and 1960s, consuming the remainder of the original land parcel. New businesses included a Safeway (later Del Farm) supermarket, Skaggs Drug, Wyatt's Cafeteria and the Cherry Creek Twin Cinema.
The center served as a catalyst for further commercial development in the area and did not experience a drastic change in local demographics during the 1970s and 1980s; a problem experienced by several of America's early regional shopping centers.
Temple Buell, under the auspices of Buell Development, proposed a major renovation of the CHERRY CREEK property, into a 3 million square foot retail and office complex, in 1979. A joint venture, between Buell, Chicago-based Jacobs / Kahan and Company and Michigan-based Taubman Centers, was formed.
Between 1982 and 1986, this redevelopment plan was opposed by community and City of Denver leaders. In the middle of litigation, Jacobs / Kahan was removed from the project.
In December 1986, Buell Development and Taubman Centers gained approval to build a 1.2 million square foot, fully-enclosed mall. The original, circa-1950s, complex was to be eventually demolished as part of the redevelopment (this hasn't taken place).
In 1987, the freestanding stores and multiplex, built on the east section of the site in the late '50s and '60s, were demolished. Construction of the enclosed mall got underway soon after.
CHERRY CREEK MALL was officially dedicated August 17, 1990. Its original anchors were May D & F and Saks Fifth Avenue. Neiman Marcus joined the directory in 1991. May D & F became a Houston-based Foley's in 1993 and a Macy's in 2006. Nordstrom had opened a newly-built store at the mall in 2001.
The original open-air complex, on the west portion of the mall site, had been in various stages of abandonment since the late 1970s. Along with the completion of the enclosed mall to the east, it was renamed CHERRY CREEK WEST.
The original "Denver Dry", which had been rebranded as a May D & F in 1987, was vacated when the store relocated into the new mall in 1990. 5 years later, CHERRY CREEK WEST was renovated and retenanted. Stores now fronted toward the outside of the complex, with entries along the central court area sealed off.
The Denver Dry / May D & F became a Bed, Bath & Beyond. The north store block now housed an Elway's Steakhouse, Tower Records and Romano's Macaroni Grill. The south block featured a Foley's Home Store, grand-opened May 4, 1995, and Cost Plus World Market, dedicated June 1.
In the mid-2000s, the circa-1954 Sears (north of CHERRY CREEK WEST) was remodeled and incorporated into a high-end, mixed-use development. Encompassing the entire 9.5 acre Sears site, CLAYTON LANE was built by the Denver-based Nicholas Partnership and dedicated in November 2004.
In addition to Sears, the 700,000 square foot complex included a four star J.W. Marriott hotel, Janus Capital World Headquarters office tower and 5-floor luxury condominium. Within its 334,800 square feet of retail were stores such as Crate and Barrel, Bose, Orvis and Whole Foods.
CLAYTON LANE was acquired by a joint partnership of Stamford, Connecticut-based AmCap, Incorporated and Los Angeles-based Hart Realty Advisors in 2006.
As for the CHERRY CREEK WEST complex, its Foley's Home Store was "Macy-ated" in 2006. Tower Records closed in 2007 and re-opened as The Container Store. Romano's Macaroni Grill was shuttered in January 2009, with Brio Tuscan Grill taking its place the following fall.
Sources:
www.leonardleonard.com/cherrycreek/index.shtml /
Leonard & Leonard Real Estate Website
http://ccneighbors.com http://bromwell.dpsk12.org / Denver Public Schools / Bromwell Elementary School website
"Cherry Creek Mall" article on Wikipedia
http://www.shopcherrycreek.com/
http://www.taubman.com/
http://www.amcap.com/
http://www.futuregringo.com/
Friday, October 23, 2009
Springfield, Illinois' White Oaks Mall
An aerial of the capital city's newly-completed shopping mall. Sears is
seen in the foreground. Veterans Parkway (on the right) is yet to be
completed and extends only a small distance north of the Iles Avenue
intersection.
Photo from www.springfieldrewind.com / Sangamon Valley Collection
An aerial of the capital city's newly-completed shopping mall. Sears is
seen in the foreground. Veterans Parkway (on the right) is yet to be
completed and extends only a small distance north of the Iles Avenue
intersection.
Photo from www.springfieldrewind.com / Sangamon Valley Collection
A plan of the original -circa-1977- mall. Housing
896,000 leasable square feet, it was promoted as
the largest fully-enclosed shopping center in
Downstate Illinois. However, the 984,000 square
foot ST. CLAIR SQUARE, in Fairview Heights, had
88,000 more square feet.
WHITE OAKS MALL TENANTS 1977:
FAMOUS-BARR / MONTGOMERY WARD / MYERS BROTHERS / SEARS / BRESSMER'S / The Carousel / Osco Drug / National Shirt Shop / Jean Nicole / Circus World Toys / Gallery Sea Food / Star of India / The Cookie Factory / Hickory Farms of Ohio / Edward's Keepsake Diamond Center / Flowerama / Lowery Organ / Shaver’s World / Kinney's Shoes / Brooks Fashion / Jo-Ann Fabrics / Printer’s Ink Bookstore / Keepsake Photos / Aladdin’s Castle Video Arcade / Spencer Gifts / Lober’s / Swiss Pretzel Shop / Florsheim Shoes / Buster Brown Shoes / Mermod, Jaccard & King / Topps & Trousers / Gordon Jewelers / Endicott Shoes / Winston’s / Susie's Casuals / Petrie's / Foxmoor Casuals / Waldenbooks / Nobil Shoes / Wag’s Restaurant / Byerly Music / So-Fro Fabric / Casual Corner / Kirlin’s Candies / Murray Shoes / J. Riggings / Claire's Boutique / Helzberg Diamonds / GNC / Musicland / Orange Julius / Life Stride / Bressler’s 33 Flavors Ice Cream / Air Step / Silverman’s / Motherhood Maternity / The Ranch / Service Optical / Tanneberg & Sandorwitz Deli / Merry-Go-Round / Zales / Tinderbox Tobacconist / Hanover Shoes / The Bottom Half / Gingiss Formalwear / Oriental Gifts / Herndon’s / Maling Shoes / Paul Harris / The County Seat / Just Pants / MCL Cafeteria / IPCO Optical / Roberts Brothers / The Hub / Illini Sporting Goods / Baker's Shoes / Union Jack / The Children’s Shop / McDonald’s / Hotdog on a Stick / The Book Market / White Oaks Cinema (August 1977) / Luca Pizza
Now we begin a series of black and white Polaroid shots that were taken
by the Sangamon County Assessor's Office in 1977. These show WHITE
OAKS MALL as it looked when brand-spanking new. Here, we see the
mallway entrance of the Myers Brothers anchor. This nameplate was
short lived, being replaced by a Bergner's trademark in -or around-
1978.
Photo from http://tax.co.sangamon.il.us (Sangamon County property
tax assessor)
A vintage view of Center Court at WHITE OAKS, with the nameplate
of Sears, the north anchor, in the distance.
Photo from http://tax.co.sangamon.il.us (Sangamon County property
Photo from http://tax.co.sangamon.il.us (Sangamon County property
tax assessor)
Spencer Gifts, a 1977 charter tenant still in operation at the mall in 2009.
Photo from http://tax.co.sangamon.il.us (Sangamon County property
tax assessor)
Edward's Keepsake Diamonds Center, one of many original stores no
longer in business.
Photo from http://tax.co.sangamon.il.us (Sangamon County property
tax assessor)
An early 1994 shot showing the east entrance of Famous-Barr, which
was in the throes of expansion. 26,000 square feet were being added
to the existing store.
Photo from http://tax.co.sangamon.il.us (Sangamon County property
tax assessor)
A shot taken some months later, after the expansion was completed.
The store structure now encompassed 162,000 square feet.
Photo from http://tax.co.sangamon.il.us (Sangamon County property
Photo from http://tax.co.sangamon.il.us (Sangamon County property
tax assessor)
At the same time that Famous-Barr was being enlarged, Bergner's,
across the mall, was also being renovated and expanded. Here we see
a contemporary view of the remodeled store, which houses 129,200
square feet.
Photo source unknown
WHITE OAKS MALL as it was configured after the
mid-1990s renovations. The center now incorporated
945,300 leasable square feet. The south side Bressmer's
space, converted to a Kohl's in 1982, was now a Food
Court (Upper Level) and inline stores (on the Lower).
A current view of Center Court. The carousel was a feature installed
during one of the mall's remodeling projects.
Photo from www.eyecorp.com
A site plan current to 2006. This shows the original
reconfiguration of Ward's, which had been vacated in
March 2001. It was divided three ways, with Linens 'n
Things and World Market sharing the first level and
Dick's Sporting Goods occupying the second. The two
tenants on the bottom floor closed in 2008, leaving the
space currently up for grabs.
WHITE OAKS MALL
Wabash Avenue / US 36 and South Veterans Parkway
Springfield, Illinois
The first -and only- shopping mall in -or around- Illinois' capital city was developed by a consortium of Indianapolis-based Melvin Simon and Associates (today's Simon Property Group), Springfield-based Park Realty Company and Chicago-based Arthur Rubloff.
Originally conceived as WESTROADS MALL, the proposed complex was renamed WHITE OAKS MALL in honor of the Illinois State Tree. Occupying an 80 acre plot, located 3.3 miles southwest of the Illinois Statehouse, WHITE OAKS MALL was officially dedicated August 24, 1977, with a roster of eighty-six stores and services.
Encompassing 896,200 leasable square feet, the 2-level shopopolis was anchored by a 2-level (117,300 square foot), Springfield-based Myers Brothers, 2-level (104,200 square foot), St. Louis-based Famous-Barr, 2-level (143,500 square foot) Montgomery Ward and predominantly 2-level (186,000 square foot) Sears.
There was also a 2-level (60,000 square foot), Springfield-based Bressmer's (as a junior anchor) and inline stores such as Osco Drug, Topps and Trousers, Bressler's 33 Flavors Ice Cream, an MCL Cafeteria and mallway-adjacent (5-screen) White Oaks Cinema.
The first nameplate conversion at WHITE OAKS MALL took place after March 1978, when Myers Brothers was acquired by Bergner's, then based in Peoria. Bressmer's folded in the early 1980s, with its space taken by Menomenee Falls, Wisconsin-based Kohl's in 1982.
A 14 million dollar renovation of the property began in early 1993, with the interior given an update. An 11-bay Food Court was installed in Upper Level space that had been vacated in 1992, when Kohl's relocated into WHITE OAKS PLAZA, across Veterans Parkway from the mall. Two anchor stores at WHITE OAKS MALL were also enlarged.
Bergner's was expanded by 25,000 square feet, into a 129,200 square foot store. Famous-Barr's addition increased its area to 162,000 square feet, with the newly-revamped store holding its grand re-opening August 12, 1994.
The shuttering of Montgomery Ward, on March 4, 2001, created a vacancy that was not filled until July 28, 2004. Dick's Sporting Goods opened their WHITE OAKS location then, which occupied the second floor of the old Ward's space.
Later in the year, Linens 'n Things and World Market dedicated their stores, which occupied the first floor of the building.
A second anchor rebranding at the mall was completed September 9, 2006, when Famous-Barr became a Macy's.
The economic meltdown of 2007 may have contributed to the shutterings of several stores in the mall. The aforementioned Linens 'n Things and World Market, along with the White Oaks Theatre, were shuttered late in 2008.
These closings were followed by Borders Express and F.Y.E., in 2009. The Borders space has been retenanted by Zumiez, with F.Y.E.'s becoming an Aerie. The old cinema reopened as an Iworship sanctuary and Paintball Heaven.
Today, WHITE OAKS MALL is 81 percent Simon-owned. It encompasses 945,300 leasable square feet, with one hundred and ten store spaces.
Sources:
http://www.springfieldrewind.com/
Comment post by Brandon
http://www.simon.com/
Sangamon County, Illinois property tax assessor website
Wabash Avenue / US 36 and South Veterans Parkway
Springfield, Illinois
The first -and only- shopping mall in -or around- Illinois' capital city was developed by a consortium of Indianapolis-based Melvin Simon and Associates (today's Simon Property Group), Springfield-based Park Realty Company and Chicago-based Arthur Rubloff.
Originally conceived as WESTROADS MALL, the proposed complex was renamed WHITE OAKS MALL in honor of the Illinois State Tree. Occupying an 80 acre plot, located 3.3 miles southwest of the Illinois Statehouse, WHITE OAKS MALL was officially dedicated August 24, 1977, with a roster of eighty-six stores and services.
Encompassing 896,200 leasable square feet, the 2-level shopopolis was anchored by a 2-level (117,300 square foot), Springfield-based Myers Brothers, 2-level (104,200 square foot), St. Louis-based Famous-Barr, 2-level (143,500 square foot) Montgomery Ward and predominantly 2-level (186,000 square foot) Sears.
There was also a 2-level (60,000 square foot), Springfield-based Bressmer's (as a junior anchor) and inline stores such as Osco Drug, Topps and Trousers, Bressler's 33 Flavors Ice Cream, an MCL Cafeteria and mallway-adjacent (5-screen) White Oaks Cinema.
The first nameplate conversion at WHITE OAKS MALL took place after March 1978, when Myers Brothers was acquired by Bergner's, then based in Peoria. Bressmer's folded in the early 1980s, with its space taken by Menomenee Falls, Wisconsin-based Kohl's in 1982.
A 14 million dollar renovation of the property began in early 1993, with the interior given an update. An 11-bay Food Court was installed in Upper Level space that had been vacated in 1992, when Kohl's relocated into WHITE OAKS PLAZA, across Veterans Parkway from the mall. Two anchor stores at WHITE OAKS MALL were also enlarged.
Bergner's was expanded by 25,000 square feet, into a 129,200 square foot store. Famous-Barr's addition increased its area to 162,000 square feet, with the newly-revamped store holding its grand re-opening August 12, 1994.
The shuttering of Montgomery Ward, on March 4, 2001, created a vacancy that was not filled until July 28, 2004. Dick's Sporting Goods opened their WHITE OAKS location then, which occupied the second floor of the old Ward's space.
Later in the year, Linens 'n Things and World Market dedicated their stores, which occupied the first floor of the building.
A second anchor rebranding at the mall was completed September 9, 2006, when Famous-Barr became a Macy's.
The economic meltdown of 2007 may have contributed to the shutterings of several stores in the mall. The aforementioned Linens 'n Things and World Market, along with the White Oaks Theatre, were shuttered late in 2008.
These closings were followed by Borders Express and F.Y.E., in 2009. The Borders space has been retenanted by Zumiez, with F.Y.E.'s becoming an Aerie. The old cinema reopened as an Iworship sanctuary and Paintball Heaven.
Today, WHITE OAKS MALL is 81 percent Simon-owned. It encompasses 945,300 leasable square feet, with one hundred and ten store spaces.
Sources:
http://www.springfieldrewind.com/
Comment post by Brandon
http://www.simon.com/
Sangamon County, Illinois property tax assessor website
Peoria, Illinois' Northwoods Mall
The Main Entrance of Peoria's NORTHWOODS MALL, as it appeared
between 1985 and 2006.
Photo from www.labelscar.com / "Prange Way"
The Main Entrance of Peoria's NORTHWOODS MALL, as it appeared
between 1985 and 2006.
Photo from www.labelscar.com / "Prange Way"
The original layout of NORTHWOODS, circa-1973. Comprising
684,000 leasable square feet, the center was the only regional-
class shopping option to play in Peoria for many years. In the
original incarnation, seen here, the mall is anchored by Carson's
Montgomery Ward and Penney's.
A late '90s site plan. The mall is basically the same size as in
the circa-'73 plan, only with an additional 10,000 square feet on
its east anchor store. Some of the department store nameplates
have changed. Carson's is rebranded as a St. Louis Famous-Barr
and Ward's has morphed into Sears.
A "Prange Way" view of the mall's north concourse, with Center Court
in the distance.
Photo from www.labelscar.com / "Prange Way"
A "Simon-ized" view of the Food Court at NORTHWOODS MALL.
Photo from www.simon.com
The present-day look of the Main Entrance, which was altered from
its appearance in the opening photo when that veritable Manhattan
mercantile engulfed the May Company -then- Federated-owned
Famous-Barr chain in 2006.
Photo from www.simon.com
Today's NORTHWOODS. The complex houses over ninety
inline stores...including The Buckle, Aeropostale, DEB Shop,
Maurice's and C.J. Banks.
A birds-eye view of the central state shopopolis, showing the west-
facing front of the complex. This accesses the mall's Upper Level.
Photo from www.live.com
NORTHWOODS MALL
West War Memorial Drive / US 150 and West Scenic Drive
Peoria, Illinois
The first fully-enclosed shopping center in Greater Peoria was located in Tazewell County, in the southern sector of the metropolitan area. PEKIN MALL, encompassing approximately 500,000 leasable square feet, opened in 1972.
At the same time, a second mall was under construction on a 56 acre site, lying 13.7 miles north. NORTHWOODS MALL, located 3.2 miles northwest of center city Peoria, was developed by Indianapolis-based Melvin Simon and Associates (today's Simon Property Group).
The bi-level complex, officially dedicated in September 1973, encompassed 684,000 leasable square feet. It immediately assumed the position of dominant mall in the region.
NORTHWOODS was originally anchored by a 2-level (155,500 square foot) store, operated from a division of Chicago-based Carson Pirie Scott. There were also a 2-level (156,400 square foot) J.C. Penney and 2-level (149,800 square foot) Montgomery Ward. Inline stores included Radio Shack, Lane Bryant, a Farrell's Ice Cream Parlor and Peoria Inn Restaurant.
Anchor rebrandings began rather early on. Carson's closed in 1984, with its space becoming a St. Louis-based Famous-Barr in 1985. The Ward's location became the next anchor to change nameplates. It was shuttered November 15, 1997.
The mall's position as the preeminent shopping venue in the area had been threatened in 1988, when a downtown mall was proposed for Peoria's center city. This project was eventually abandoned.
Plans for a 900,000 square foot RIVER CITY GALLERIA, to be built in the city's northwestern environs, were announced in May 1997. This project became a hotly-contested issue for years to come.
Simon had been wanting to expand its NORTHWOODS property for some time, but was thwarted by the city government, who felt that the mall site was not large enough to accomodate any substantial enlargement of the existing structure. However, a small addition to Famous-Barr, increasing its area to 165,500 square feet, had been allowed in the early 1990s.
By 1998, plans for the fully-enclosed RIVER CITY GALLERIA had been scraped and replaced with designs for an open-air shopopolis, tentatively named THE PROMENADE. Meanwhile, Simon was conducting a 20 million dollar renovation of NORTHWOODS MALL.
A 10-bay Food Court was installed at the Upper Level Main Entrance, seating areas and fountains removed, new lighting installed and the interior given a facelift.
Morover, the vacant Montgomery Ward was remodeled. It opened, as a Sears, September 19, 1998. New inline stores, such as Eddie Bauer, Pacific Sunwear, GapKids, Abercrombie and Fitch and The Disney Store, also came to the mall.
Immediately after the turn of the century, following years of failed attempts, NORTHWOODS was presented with a regional-class retail rival. THE SHOPPES AT GRAND PRAIRIE, built on the prospective GALLERIA / PROMENADE site 3.3 miles northwest of NORTHWOODS, opened in April 2003. The open-air, lifestyle-format venue encompassed 500,000 leasable square feet and seventy stores and services.
Today, NORTHWOODS MALL, whose Famous-Barr was rebranded by Macy's September 9, 2006, houses 694,000 leasable square feet and over ninety inline stores.
Sources:
http://www.labelscar.com/ / "Prange Way"
http://www.simon.com/
http://www.eyecorp.com/
Comment post by Randy
Peoria County, Illinois property tax assessor website
West War Memorial Drive / US 150 and West Scenic Drive
Peoria, Illinois
The first fully-enclosed shopping center in Greater Peoria was located in Tazewell County, in the southern sector of the metropolitan area. PEKIN MALL, encompassing approximately 500,000 leasable square feet, opened in 1972.
At the same time, a second mall was under construction on a 56 acre site, lying 13.7 miles north. NORTHWOODS MALL, located 3.2 miles northwest of center city Peoria, was developed by Indianapolis-based Melvin Simon and Associates (today's Simon Property Group).
The bi-level complex, officially dedicated in September 1973, encompassed 684,000 leasable square feet. It immediately assumed the position of dominant mall in the region.
NORTHWOODS was originally anchored by a 2-level (155,500 square foot) store, operated from a division of Chicago-based Carson Pirie Scott. There were also a 2-level (156,400 square foot) J.C. Penney and 2-level (149,800 square foot) Montgomery Ward. Inline stores included Radio Shack, Lane Bryant, a Farrell's Ice Cream Parlor and Peoria Inn Restaurant.
Anchor rebrandings began rather early on. Carson's closed in 1984, with its space becoming a St. Louis-based Famous-Barr in 1985. The Ward's location became the next anchor to change nameplates. It was shuttered November 15, 1997.
The mall's position as the preeminent shopping venue in the area had been threatened in 1988, when a downtown mall was proposed for Peoria's center city. This project was eventually abandoned.
Plans for a 900,000 square foot RIVER CITY GALLERIA, to be built in the city's northwestern environs, were announced in May 1997. This project became a hotly-contested issue for years to come.
Simon had been wanting to expand its NORTHWOODS property for some time, but was thwarted by the city government, who felt that the mall site was not large enough to accomodate any substantial enlargement of the existing structure. However, a small addition to Famous-Barr, increasing its area to 165,500 square feet, had been allowed in the early 1990s.
By 1998, plans for the fully-enclosed RIVER CITY GALLERIA had been scraped and replaced with designs for an open-air shopopolis, tentatively named THE PROMENADE. Meanwhile, Simon was conducting a 20 million dollar renovation of NORTHWOODS MALL.
A 10-bay Food Court was installed at the Upper Level Main Entrance, seating areas and fountains removed, new lighting installed and the interior given a facelift.
Morover, the vacant Montgomery Ward was remodeled. It opened, as a Sears, September 19, 1998. New inline stores, such as Eddie Bauer, Pacific Sunwear, GapKids, Abercrombie and Fitch and The Disney Store, also came to the mall.
Immediately after the turn of the century, following years of failed attempts, NORTHWOODS was presented with a regional-class retail rival. THE SHOPPES AT GRAND PRAIRIE, built on the prospective GALLERIA / PROMENADE site 3.3 miles northwest of NORTHWOODS, opened in April 2003. The open-air, lifestyle-format venue encompassed 500,000 leasable square feet and seventy stores and services.
Today, NORTHWOODS MALL, whose Famous-Barr was rebranded by Macy's September 9, 2006, houses 694,000 leasable square feet and over ninety inline stores.
Sources:
http://www.labelscar.com/ / "Prange Way"
http://www.simon.com/
http://www.eyecorp.com/
Comment post by Randy
Peoria County, Illinois property tax assessor website
Rockford, Illinois' Mall At CherryVale
Graphic from www.cherryvale.com (Internet Archive Wayback Machine)
Graphic from www.cherryvale.com (Internet Archive Wayback Machine)
A physical layout of Greater Rockford's MALL AT CHERRYVALE, as
it was configured upon its 1973 dedication. Enveloping 713,900 leasable
square feet, the bi-level complex featured a retail roster of over one
hundred and twenty stores and services.
A yuletide shot of Center Court at the shopping venue, which is now
going as CHERRYVALE MALL.
Photo from www.malletin.com
J.C. Penney opened a 93,000 square foot store in August 2004. The
single-level structure connects into the mall's Upper Level.
Photo from "Dave 3441"
In November 2007, the owners of CHERRYVALE, Chattanooga's CBL
and Associates, completed the thirteen store DISTRICT AT CHERRY-
VALE "lifestyle component". The northern portion, built in front of
Bergner's and the mall's Southwest Entrance, is seen in this wintery
shot.
Photo from www.malletin.com
Today's CHERRYVALE MALL. With the addition of its new Penney's,
the complex featured four anchors and 806,900 leasable square feet.
Factoring in the 75,000 square foot DISTRICT, there is now a total of
881,900 square feet of shopping space.
CHERRYVALE MALL
Harrison Avenue and Perryville Road
Cherry Valley, Illinois
Rockford, Illinois' mall-related metamorphosis started, with the completion of its MEADOW MART (a strip-type center), in 1954. Next came NORTH TOWNE CENTER (a strip complex eventually made into a mall, of sorts), in 1956. COLONIAL VILLAGE CENTER (another strip center later remodeled into a partially-enclosed mall) was dedicated in 1962.
The first regional-class, fully-enclosed complex in the metro area was (most likely) developed by Cleveland's Richard E. Jacobs Group and built on 75 acres, which were part of a 233 acre site. This was located 5.8 miles southeast of center city Rockford, in suburban Cherry Valley.
Work got underway on the 2-level -713,900 square foot- MALL AT CHERRYVALE in January 1972. The center's 3-level (154,000 square foot), Chicago-based Marshall Field and Company was dedicated, along with the first inline stores, on October 1, 1973.
The two other original anchors were a 2-level (129,000 square foot), Sheboygan-based Prange's and predominantly 2-level (121,900 square foot) Sears.
Inline stores in the early '70s mall included Lane Bryant, Brentano's and Kroch's Booksellers and a Prange Way discount mart.
A freestanding movie house, the CherryVale Cinema 1-2-3, was built adjacent to the northeast parking area. Its first features were shown in July 1975. A second cinematic venue, the CherryVale Mall IV, opened, inside the mall proper, in April 1983. The CherryVale 1-2-3 was in business until 1999. The inside 4-plex closed in early 2000.
Rockford's DOWNTOWN MALL (1975-2009) never provided any kind of commercial competition for MALL AT CHERRYVALE. The only other fully-enclosed, regional-class rival, MACHESNEY PARK MALL, was located 8 miles northwest, in suburban Machesney Park. This complex, completed in 1978, eventually fell on hard times, leaving CHERRYVALE as the area's preeminent retail venue.
The first renovation of the property, now known as simply CHERRYVALE MALL, was done in the mid-1980s. As expected, the interior's early '70s decor was updated. In addition, a 9-bay Food Court was installed in vacated Prange Way space on the Lower Level.
Anchor rebrandings commenced after the April 1992 acquisition of the Prange's chain by Des Moines-based Younkers. The mall's west anchor was rebranded by Younkers and sported the trademark until being converted to a Peoria-based Bergner's in the late 1990s.
Chattanooga-based CBL and Associates acquired the shopping complex in January 2001. They conducted a second renovation of the property between March and November 2004.
New lighting, ceilings and an additional escalator were installed, along with a glass elevator in the Center Court. New inline stores were brought in, such as Ann Taylor Loft, Hollister Company, Charlotte Russe and Dress Barn.
The highlight of this project was the construction of a 1-level (93,000 square foot) J.C. Penney, at the old Main Entrance. This store held its grand opening August 4, 2004. The GLA of the mall now stood at 806,900 square feet.
On September 9, 2006, the third anchor rebranding to take place at CHERRYVALE MALL converted Marshall Field's into a Macy's.
A third renovation of the mall got underway in 2007. A 75,000 square foot lifestyle component, THE DISTRICT AT CHERRYVALE, was constructed in the southwest parking area.
This included retailers such as Coldwater Creek, Barnes and Noble, Jos. A. Bank, Chico's and Talbots. A sit-down bistro, Granite City Food and Brewery, was included in the tenant mix. THE DISTRICT was officially dedicated in November 2007.
Today, CHERRYVALE MALL and its DISTRICT AT CHERRYVALE encompass 881,900 leasable square feet and one hundred and twenty store spaces.
Sources:
"CherryVale Mall" article on Wikipedia
Comment posts by Brandon and Randy
http://www.cinematreasures.com/
http://www.deadmalls.com/ / "Machesney Park Mall" article
http://www.malletin.com/
http://www.cblproperties.com/ (CBL and Associates Properties)
Harrison Avenue and Perryville Road
Cherry Valley, Illinois
Rockford, Illinois' mall-related metamorphosis started, with the completion of its MEADOW MART (a strip-type center), in 1954. Next came NORTH TOWNE CENTER (a strip complex eventually made into a mall, of sorts), in 1956. COLONIAL VILLAGE CENTER (another strip center later remodeled into a partially-enclosed mall) was dedicated in 1962.
The first regional-class, fully-enclosed complex in the metro area was (most likely) developed by Cleveland's Richard E. Jacobs Group and built on 75 acres, which were part of a 233 acre site. This was located 5.8 miles southeast of center city Rockford, in suburban Cherry Valley.
Work got underway on the 2-level -713,900 square foot- MALL AT CHERRYVALE in January 1972. The center's 3-level (154,000 square foot), Chicago-based Marshall Field and Company was dedicated, along with the first inline stores, on October 1, 1973.
The two other original anchors were a 2-level (129,000 square foot), Sheboygan-based Prange's and predominantly 2-level (121,900 square foot) Sears.
Inline stores in the early '70s mall included Lane Bryant, Brentano's and Kroch's Booksellers and a Prange Way discount mart.
A freestanding movie house, the CherryVale Cinema 1-2-3, was built adjacent to the northeast parking area. Its first features were shown in July 1975. A second cinematic venue, the CherryVale Mall IV, opened, inside the mall proper, in April 1983. The CherryVale 1-2-3 was in business until 1999. The inside 4-plex closed in early 2000.
Rockford's DOWNTOWN MALL (1975-2009) never provided any kind of commercial competition for MALL AT CHERRYVALE. The only other fully-enclosed, regional-class rival, MACHESNEY PARK MALL, was located 8 miles northwest, in suburban Machesney Park. This complex, completed in 1978, eventually fell on hard times, leaving CHERRYVALE as the area's preeminent retail venue.
The first renovation of the property, now known as simply CHERRYVALE MALL, was done in the mid-1980s. As expected, the interior's early '70s decor was updated. In addition, a 9-bay Food Court was installed in vacated Prange Way space on the Lower Level.
Anchor rebrandings commenced after the April 1992 acquisition of the Prange's chain by Des Moines-based Younkers. The mall's west anchor was rebranded by Younkers and sported the trademark until being converted to a Peoria-based Bergner's in the late 1990s.
Chattanooga-based CBL and Associates acquired the shopping complex in January 2001. They conducted a second renovation of the property between March and November 2004.
New lighting, ceilings and an additional escalator were installed, along with a glass elevator in the Center Court. New inline stores were brought in, such as Ann Taylor Loft, Hollister Company, Charlotte Russe and Dress Barn.
The highlight of this project was the construction of a 1-level (93,000 square foot) J.C. Penney, at the old Main Entrance. This store held its grand opening August 4, 2004. The GLA of the mall now stood at 806,900 square feet.
On September 9, 2006, the third anchor rebranding to take place at CHERRYVALE MALL converted Marshall Field's into a Macy's.
A third renovation of the mall got underway in 2007. A 75,000 square foot lifestyle component, THE DISTRICT AT CHERRYVALE, was constructed in the southwest parking area.
This included retailers such as Coldwater Creek, Barnes and Noble, Jos. A. Bank, Chico's and Talbots. A sit-down bistro, Granite City Food and Brewery, was included in the tenant mix. THE DISTRICT was officially dedicated in November 2007.
Today, CHERRYVALE MALL and its DISTRICT AT CHERRYVALE encompass 881,900 leasable square feet and one hundred and twenty store spaces.
Sources:
"CherryVale Mall" article on Wikipedia
Comment posts by Brandon and Randy
http://www.cinematreasures.com/
http://www.deadmalls.com/ / "Machesney Park Mall" article
http://www.malletin.com/
http://www.cblproperties.com/ (CBL and Associates Properties)
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
With the paucity of info available on Montana's first shopping mall, the
depiction above will need to suffice as a circa-1959 site plan. We known
for certain that the original complex was anchored by Montgomery
Ward, with Albertson's and Skaggs Drug stores at its opposite end.
Presumably, HOLIDAY VILLAGE CENTER was also an open-air venue
when it opened for business.
By the end of the 1960s, the center included two Buttrey's stores; a
Food and Drug (on the Lower Level) and Suburban department store
(on the Upper).
So-Cal-based Macerich bought HOLIDAY VILLAGE in the late '70s and
renovated the structure. A 2-level Herberger's was added. It is likely that
a heretofore open-air venue was also made into a fully-enclosed struc-
ture at this time.
Great Fall's second regional-class shopping venue, GREAT FALLS
MARKETPLACE, opened in 1997. Developed by The Management
Company and then Macerich (who also owned HOLIDAY VILLAGE
MALL), it did not become a true retail rival until 2006, when the
HOLIDAY VILLAGE property was sold to another shopping center
operator.
Photo from http://www.loopnet.com/
A present-day plan of HOLIDAY VILLAGE. Penney's moved into the
vacated Buttrey's Suburban space in the early '80s. Herberger's jumped
to the West Wing of the mall, after Ward's went belly-up. East Wing
stores changed nameplates between 2000 and 2007.
A present-day cut-away view of HOLIDAY VILLAGE. The Lower Level
mallway is indicated in light gray, with the Upper Level's enclosed con-
course shown in medium gray.
A pre-2000 shot of the West Wing, with a Montgomery Ward nameplate
seen in the background.
Photo from www.gkdevelopment.com
A contemporary view of the mallway entrance of the west anchor. In
this shot, the store is sporting the Herberger's nameplate installed in
2000.
Photo from www.labelscar.com / "Prange Way"
Photo from www.labelscar.com / "Prange Way"
An exterior view of the present-day Herberger's.
Photo from http://www.labelscar.com/ / "Prange Way"
The original Herberger's location, in operation between 1979 and 2000.
The structure sat vacant (as seen here) until Fargo-based Scheels
opened a store, in February 2007.
Photo from http://www.rdolson.com/
HOLIDAY VILLAGE CENTER
10th Avenue South / US 89 and 9th Street South
Great Falls, Montana
It appears that the first mall-type shopping center in the Treasure State was HOLIDAY VILLAGE CENTER. Built upon 41.6 acres, .8 miles southeast of the center city of Great Falls, it encompassed 337,000 leasable square feet and was, more than likely, an open-air venue.
Accounts mention 1959 as the year of its opening, but another source says that construction of a mall-type shopping center in Great Falls was to commence in early 1967. Until further notice, when more detailed info can be found, the following article will stand as a description of Montana's first shopping mall.
Anchoring the bi-level HOLIDAY VILLAGE CENTER was a 1-level (81,900 square foot) Montgomery Ward, at the west end of the Lower Level. There were also an Albertson's supermarket and Skaggs Drug, at the east end of the Upper Level.
An expansion was done in the 1960s, adding a 1-level (45,000 square foot) Buttrey Food and Drug to the center's north side. A 1-level (65,300 square foot), Havre, Montana-based Buttrey Suburban department store was also built as a continuation of the Upper Level of the complex, covering half the lower level mallway. The shopping center now housed 447,300 leasable square feet.
Santa Monica-based Macerich acquired the venue in 1978. Known as the "mall doctor", Macerich performed a second expansion of the structure. It was probably at this time that the center was enclosed and climate-controlled.
St. Cloud, Minnesota-based Herberger's was brought in as a third anchor in 1979. They built a 2-level (101,100 square foot) store on the north side of the complex, which was now known as HOLIDAY VILLAGE MALL. With this addition, it encompassed 548,500 leasable square feet.
By the early 1980s, the Buttrey Suburban had been replaced by J.C. Penney and Skaggs had been rebranded as a Chicago-based Osco Drug. The Buttrey Food and Drug had been rebranded as Buttrey-Osco Food and Drug...giving the mall two different Osco locations.
In 1991-1992, the Buttrey-Osco Food and Drug was demolished and replaced by a 1-level (75,400 square foot) Sears. HOLIDAY VILLAGE MALL now encompassed 579,000 leasable square feet and ninety-three store spaces.
The center had no competitors during its early years. Other shopping centers in the area, such as WESTGATE MALL, EVERGREEN MALL or AGRI-VILLAGE CENTER, were community-class (or even smaller) properties.
It wasn't until 1997 that anything resembling regional retail rivalry came about. However, GREAT FALLS MARKETPLACE, a power center-format complex 3.1 miles southwest, was owned by Macerich.
At the turn of the century, many changes were in the works. Montgomery Ward had been shuttered in 1999. Herberger's moved into its space in 2000, with their old store sitting vacant for seven years. Albertsons also vacated the mall in 2000.
Osco Drug was rebranded, as a Woonsocket, Rhode, Island-based CVS, in late 2006. The mall, itself, had changed hands in December of the same year. Barrington, Illinois-based GK Development became the new proprietor.
By 2007, all major vacancies in the mall were retenanted. Fargo-based Scheels All Sports opened, in the old Herberger's spot, February 10. Union, New Jersey-based Bed, Bath and Beyond took their old location in the East Wing. The Albertsons space became a Pleasanton, California-based Ross Dress for Less on April 12.
Sources:
"Holiday Village Mall" article on Wikipedia
www.labelscar.com / "Prange Way"
www.gkdevelopment.com
10th Avenue South / US 89 and 9th Street South
Great Falls, Montana
It appears that the first mall-type shopping center in the Treasure State was HOLIDAY VILLAGE CENTER. Built upon 41.6 acres, .8 miles southeast of the center city of Great Falls, it encompassed 337,000 leasable square feet and was, more than likely, an open-air venue.
Accounts mention 1959 as the year of its opening, but another source says that construction of a mall-type shopping center in Great Falls was to commence in early 1967. Until further notice, when more detailed info can be found, the following article will stand as a description of Montana's first shopping mall.
Anchoring the bi-level HOLIDAY VILLAGE CENTER was a 1-level (81,900 square foot) Montgomery Ward, at the west end of the Lower Level. There were also an Albertson's supermarket and Skaggs Drug, at the east end of the Upper Level.
An expansion was done in the 1960s, adding a 1-level (45,000 square foot) Buttrey Food and Drug to the center's north side. A 1-level (65,300 square foot), Havre, Montana-based Buttrey Suburban department store was also built as a continuation of the Upper Level of the complex, covering half the lower level mallway. The shopping center now housed 447,300 leasable square feet.
Santa Monica-based Macerich acquired the venue in 1978. Known as the "mall doctor", Macerich performed a second expansion of the structure. It was probably at this time that the center was enclosed and climate-controlled.
St. Cloud, Minnesota-based Herberger's was brought in as a third anchor in 1979. They built a 2-level (101,100 square foot) store on the north side of the complex, which was now known as HOLIDAY VILLAGE MALL. With this addition, it encompassed 548,500 leasable square feet.
By the early 1980s, the Buttrey Suburban had been replaced by J.C. Penney and Skaggs had been rebranded as a Chicago-based Osco Drug. The Buttrey Food and Drug had been rebranded as Buttrey-Osco Food and Drug...giving the mall two different Osco locations.
In 1991-1992, the Buttrey-Osco Food and Drug was demolished and replaced by a 1-level (75,400 square foot) Sears. HOLIDAY VILLAGE MALL now encompassed 579,000 leasable square feet and ninety-three store spaces.
The center had no competitors during its early years. Other shopping centers in the area, such as WESTGATE MALL, EVERGREEN MALL or AGRI-VILLAGE CENTER, were community-class (or even smaller) properties.
It wasn't until 1997 that anything resembling regional retail rivalry came about. However, GREAT FALLS MARKETPLACE, a power center-format complex 3.1 miles southwest, was owned by Macerich.
At the turn of the century, many changes were in the works. Montgomery Ward had been shuttered in 1999. Herberger's moved into its space in 2000, with their old store sitting vacant for seven years. Albertsons also vacated the mall in 2000.
Osco Drug was rebranded, as a Woonsocket, Rhode, Island-based CVS, in late 2006. The mall, itself, had changed hands in December of the same year. Barrington, Illinois-based GK Development became the new proprietor.
By 2007, all major vacancies in the mall were retenanted. Fargo-based Scheels All Sports opened, in the old Herberger's spot, February 10. Union, New Jersey-based Bed, Bath and Beyond took their old location in the East Wing. The Albertsons space became a Pleasanton, California-based Ross Dress for Less on April 12.
Sources:
"Holiday Village Mall" article on Wikipedia
www.labelscar.com / "Prange Way"
www.gkdevelopment.com
Apparently, the Peace Garden State's first bona fide shopping
mall originally consisted of two sections that were not intercon-
nected. The southern portion of SOUTH FORKS CENTER featured
the nation's first shopping mall anchor K-Mart, while the north
housed a 50,000 square foot Sears.
By the mid-'80s, the mall, known as SOUTH FORKS PLAZA
since November 1973, had been connected into one entity.
Additions done in the 1970s (shown in darker shades of gray)
made all points of the complex accessible from its interior mall-
way. A mini convention center, called The Pavilion, anchored
the west end.
A shot taken in the circa-'64, south mall structure. Del's Coffee Shop,
seen on the left, was a charter tenant.
Photo from http://www.labelscar.com/ / "Prange Way"
The north-south mallway in the 1973 expansion. Budget Drug opened
as part of the addition, along with the Plaza Twin Cinemas. Both of these
businesses are no longer in business.
Photo from http://www.labelscar.com/ / "Prange Way"
Photo from http://www.labelscar.com/ / "Prange Way"
In April 1999, the Hope Evangelical Covenant Church moved into their
new sanctuary at the mall, seen here. It utilized space previously
occupied by The Pavilion. The concept of a shopping mall church came
about in the early '60s, when a sanctuary opened at Boston's NORTH-
SHORE CENTER. There are also mall churches at Philly's PLYMOUTH
MEETING MALL and New Jersey's BERGEN MALL...to name a few.
Photo from http://www.hopecovenantchurch.org/
A circa-2001 shot of the Mid-Mod Sears structure, at the newly-named
GRAND CITIES MALL. The 50,000 square foot space was eventually
subdivided and leased to tenants such as Big Lots and Family Dollar.
Photo from www.labelscar.com / "Prange Way"
A 2002 physical layout of GRAND CITIES MALL. The original
K-Mart was expanded, into a Big K-Mart-format store, in 1991.
Big Lots, a new junior anchor in '02, pulled the plug in mid-2007.
SOUTH FORKS CENTER
South Washington Street / US 81 and 17th Avenue South
Grand Forks, North Dakota
The northeast corner of the Peace Garden State was the location for its first bona fide shopping mall. An enclosed shopping arcade, known as NORTHBROOK CENTER, had opened, in Bismarck, days before SOUTH FORKS CENTER, in 1964.
However the NORTHBROOK property was so small that it's entire area (of 84,370 square feet) would almost have fit inside the south anchor store at SOUTH FORKS CENTER.
SOUTH FORKS CENTER was developed, by South Forks' H. Grant Jensen, on a 34 acre parcel, located 1.5 miles southwest of downtown Grand Forks.
Originally encompassing approximately 243,400 leasable square feet, the center opened in stages. A 1-level (71,000 square foot) K-Mart came inline February 8, 1964. The second anchor, a 1-level (50,000 square foot) Sears was dedicated October 8.
At the time, the fully-enclosed SOUTH FORKS CENTER consisted of two sections, with their mallways not connecting. Most stores had interior and exterior entries. Charter tenants included Del's Coffee Shop, Stonegate Pets, Merle Norman Cosmetics and Kinney Shoes.
The two sections -and their mallways- were connected with an addition dedicated in November 1973; this including a twin cinema and a new name for the shopping venue, SOUTH FORKS PLAZA. A second expansion, completed in 1977, expanded the center's GLA to 275,200 square feet.
A major retail rival came on the scene in August 1978. The Dayton-Hudson Corporation's COLUMBIA MALL [June 2009 archive], was built 1 mile southwest of SOUTH FORKS PLAZA. Housing 571,800 leasable square feet, COLUMBIA MALL established itself as the mall in the region, relegating the SOUTH FORKS property to secondary status.
A 51,000 square foot addition was built onto SOUTH FORKS PLAZA in 1985. Known as The Pavilion, it was a convention-type facility, which hosted various shows and pageants.
The next expansion of the complex came inline in 1991. The existing K-Mart was renovated into a Big K-Mart-format store, increasing its area to 95,000 square feet. The mall now encompassed 351,400 leasable square feet.
Rumors of the Sears at SOUTH FORKS PLAZA moving to COLUMBIA MALL surfaced in early 1988. However, the store was remodeled between May and September, putting the rumors to rest....for a while.
Eventually, the rumors were confirmed. Sears opened at its new, 108,400 square foot, COLUMBIA MALL store August 12, 2000. The old 50,000 square foot location at SOUTH FORKS PLAZA was subdivided into five smaller stores, including a Columbus, Ohio-based Big lots, which opened in 2002.
SOUTH FORKS PLAZA had changed hands in January 1996. Its new owners were the Chattanooga-based Provident Life and Accident Insurance Company. They, in turn, sold the property to Denver-based J. Herzog and Sons, in June 1997.
A local congregation, the Hope Evangelical Covenant Church, had opened a temporary sanctuary in the mall in October 1995. After the shuttering of The Pavilion, they purchased it and converted it into a 50,000 square foot worship hall, which was dedicated in April 1999.
A facelift was performed on SOUTH FORKS PLAZA in mid-to-late 1998. Another renovation was completed in August 2001. Costing 250,000 dollars, it entailed revamping the interior with a "turn-of-the-century" motif.
A carousel was installed in Center Court. Moreover, the official name of the complex was changed to GRAND CITIES MALL. Six years later, Big Lots bit the proverbial dust.
In 2009, the mall houses tenants such as Zimmerman's Furniture, Burgraff's Ace Hardware, the Faith Presbyterian Church, Cherished Moments and Family Dollar.
Sources:
"Grand Cities Mall" article on Wikipedia
Grand Forks County, North Dakota property tax assessor website
www.jherzog.com
http://www.hopecovenantchurch.org/
South Washington Street / US 81 and 17th Avenue South
Grand Forks, North Dakota
The northeast corner of the Peace Garden State was the location for its first bona fide shopping mall. An enclosed shopping arcade, known as NORTHBROOK CENTER, had opened, in Bismarck, days before SOUTH FORKS CENTER, in 1964.
However the NORTHBROOK property was so small that it's entire area (of 84,370 square feet) would almost have fit inside the south anchor store at SOUTH FORKS CENTER.
SOUTH FORKS CENTER was developed, by South Forks' H. Grant Jensen, on a 34 acre parcel, located 1.5 miles southwest of downtown Grand Forks.
Originally encompassing approximately 243,400 leasable square feet, the center opened in stages. A 1-level (71,000 square foot) K-Mart came inline February 8, 1964. The second anchor, a 1-level (50,000 square foot) Sears was dedicated October 8.
At the time, the fully-enclosed SOUTH FORKS CENTER consisted of two sections, with their mallways not connecting. Most stores had interior and exterior entries. Charter tenants included Del's Coffee Shop, Stonegate Pets, Merle Norman Cosmetics and Kinney Shoes.
The two sections -and their mallways- were connected with an addition dedicated in November 1973; this including a twin cinema and a new name for the shopping venue, SOUTH FORKS PLAZA. A second expansion, completed in 1977, expanded the center's GLA to 275,200 square feet.
A major retail rival came on the scene in August 1978. The Dayton-Hudson Corporation's COLUMBIA MALL [June 2009 archive], was built 1 mile southwest of SOUTH FORKS PLAZA. Housing 571,800 leasable square feet, COLUMBIA MALL established itself as the mall in the region, relegating the SOUTH FORKS property to secondary status.
A 51,000 square foot addition was built onto SOUTH FORKS PLAZA in 1985. Known as The Pavilion, it was a convention-type facility, which hosted various shows and pageants.
The next expansion of the complex came inline in 1991. The existing K-Mart was renovated into a Big K-Mart-format store, increasing its area to 95,000 square feet. The mall now encompassed 351,400 leasable square feet.
Rumors of the Sears at SOUTH FORKS PLAZA moving to COLUMBIA MALL surfaced in early 1988. However, the store was remodeled between May and September, putting the rumors to rest....for a while.
Eventually, the rumors were confirmed. Sears opened at its new, 108,400 square foot, COLUMBIA MALL store August 12, 2000. The old 50,000 square foot location at SOUTH FORKS PLAZA was subdivided into five smaller stores, including a Columbus, Ohio-based Big lots, which opened in 2002.
SOUTH FORKS PLAZA had changed hands in January 1996. Its new owners were the Chattanooga-based Provident Life and Accident Insurance Company. They, in turn, sold the property to Denver-based J. Herzog and Sons, in June 1997.
A local congregation, the Hope Evangelical Covenant Church, had opened a temporary sanctuary in the mall in October 1995. After the shuttering of The Pavilion, they purchased it and converted it into a 50,000 square foot worship hall, which was dedicated in April 1999.
A facelift was performed on SOUTH FORKS PLAZA in mid-to-late 1998. Another renovation was completed in August 2001. Costing 250,000 dollars, it entailed revamping the interior with a "turn-of-the-century" motif.
A carousel was installed in Center Court. Moreover, the official name of the complex was changed to GRAND CITIES MALL. Six years later, Big Lots bit the proverbial dust.
In 2009, the mall houses tenants such as Zimmerman's Furniture, Burgraff's Ace Hardware, the Faith Presbyterian Church, Cherished Moments and Family Dollar.
Sources:
"Grand Cities Mall" article on Wikipedia
Grand Forks County, North Dakota property tax assessor website
www.jherzog.com
http://www.hopecovenantchurch.org/
A circa-'68 site plan of the Mount Rushmore State's first true shopping
mall. Housing 350,000 leasable square feet and fifty-two stores and
services, WESTERN MALL was officially dedicated in 1968.
Best Buy originally inhabited the space previously
leased by Brill's and Sioux Falls-based Shriver's. In
the late '90s, they moved to the larger anchor box
(seen here), which had been a Tempo supermarket
and -then- a Phar-Mor Drug.
Photo from www.bestbuy.com
A contrived floorplan of the mall, as it exists in the present. This one
is a "ghost mall", of sorts. It has no website and info -such as who even
owns it- is nowhere to be found. We do know that a new Scheels
replaced the old Ward's building in late 2002 and that one of the major
draws to the mall these days is the West Mall 7 multiplex.
WESTERN MALL
West 41st Street and South Western Avenue
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
The first regional-class shopping mall in the Mount Rushmore State was dedicated in 1968. A much smaller (138,800 square foot) structure had been completed, in Aberdeen, in 1964. However, this SUPER CITY MALL was an enclosed retail arcade of sorts, with no bona fide anchor store.
WESTERN MALL, developed by Minnesota's Crawford-Mertz Company, occupied 34.8 acres, 2.4 miles southwest of downtown Sioux Falls. The single-level, fully-enclosed complex encompassed 350,000 leasable square feet.
Original anchors were a 1-level (78,100 square foot) Montgomery Ward, 1-level (56,700 square foot) Tempo supermarket and 1-level (35,500 square foot) Brill's apparel.
Among the fifty-two store spaces were Maurice's, Three Sisters, Walgreen Drug, the Fireside Lounge, Coast To Coast Hardware, Musicland, Bostwick's apparel, Stewart's Beauty Salon and the Western Mall Theatre I and II.
The glory days for WESTERN MALL were short, however. In 1975, EMPIRE MALL [March 2007 archive] was completed, which was only .6 miles west of WESTERN.
EMPIRE MALL quickly established itself as the region's preeminent mall. Expansions, completed in 1978 and 1988, increased its GLA to 1,056,000 square feet. On the other hand, WESTERN MALL was never physically enlarged from its original footprint.
The first major store change at WESTERN MALL took place on March 25, 1979, when the 35,500 square foot Brill's space reopened as a Sioux Falls-based Shriver's. This store lasted until April 1986. The space eventually became a Richfield, Minnesota-based Best Buy.
Montgomery Ward closed their WESTERN MALL location in the 1990s. This was replaced by an Omaha-based Gordman's 1/2 Price Store.
By the turn of the century, the Gordman's store was gone and Best Buy had relocated into the larger Tempo space, which had recently been occupied by Phar-Mor Drug.
The old Ward's / Gordman's 1/2 Price building was demolished and replaced with a 3-level (109,000 square foot), Fargo-based Scheels All Sports Megastore. This opened in November 2002.
Today, the eastern corridors at WESTERN MALL are closed off, with store areas, and a multiplex cinema, having expanded into their space. Moreover, eastern entries into the interior mall are also sealed.
Stores in operation within the mall proper include Champ's Restaurant, South Dakota Furniture Mart, Ashley's, Hallmark, Carpet One, Hancock Fabrics, Papa Murphy's Take 'n Bake Pizza, Tha Spot, Curves For Women, Tuesday Morning and the West Mall Cinema 7 multiplex.
Sources:
www.greetingsfromsiouxfalls.com
Minnehaha County, South Dakota property tax assessor website
www.bestbuy.com
West 41st Street and South Western Avenue
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
The first regional-class shopping mall in the Mount Rushmore State was dedicated in 1968. A much smaller (138,800 square foot) structure had been completed, in Aberdeen, in 1964. However, this SUPER CITY MALL was an enclosed retail arcade of sorts, with no bona fide anchor store.
WESTERN MALL, developed by Minnesota's Crawford-Mertz Company, occupied 34.8 acres, 2.4 miles southwest of downtown Sioux Falls. The single-level, fully-enclosed complex encompassed 350,000 leasable square feet.
Original anchors were a 1-level (78,100 square foot) Montgomery Ward, 1-level (56,700 square foot) Tempo supermarket and 1-level (35,500 square foot) Brill's apparel.
Among the fifty-two store spaces were Maurice's, Three Sisters, Walgreen Drug, the Fireside Lounge, Coast To Coast Hardware, Musicland, Bostwick's apparel, Stewart's Beauty Salon and the Western Mall Theatre I and II.
The glory days for WESTERN MALL were short, however. In 1975, EMPIRE MALL [March 2007 archive] was completed, which was only .6 miles west of WESTERN.
EMPIRE MALL quickly established itself as the region's preeminent mall. Expansions, completed in 1978 and 1988, increased its GLA to 1,056,000 square feet. On the other hand, WESTERN MALL was never physically enlarged from its original footprint.
The first major store change at WESTERN MALL took place on March 25, 1979, when the 35,500 square foot Brill's space reopened as a Sioux Falls-based Shriver's. This store lasted until April 1986. The space eventually became a Richfield, Minnesota-based Best Buy.
Montgomery Ward closed their WESTERN MALL location in the 1990s. This was replaced by an Omaha-based Gordman's 1/2 Price Store.
By the turn of the century, the Gordman's store was gone and Best Buy had relocated into the larger Tempo space, which had recently been occupied by Phar-Mor Drug.
The old Ward's / Gordman's 1/2 Price building was demolished and replaced with a 3-level (109,000 square foot), Fargo-based Scheels All Sports Megastore. This opened in November 2002.
Today, the eastern corridors at WESTERN MALL are closed off, with store areas, and a multiplex cinema, having expanded into their space. Moreover, eastern entries into the interior mall are also sealed.
Stores in operation within the mall proper include Champ's Restaurant, South Dakota Furniture Mart, Ashley's, Hallmark, Carpet One, Hancock Fabrics, Papa Murphy's Take 'n Bake Pizza, Tha Spot, Curves For Women, Tuesday Morning and the West Mall Cinema 7 multiplex.
Sources:
www.greetingsfromsiouxfalls.com
Minnehaha County, South Dakota property tax assessor website
www.bestbuy.com
The Granite State's first mall was built 4.2 miles north
of the Massachusetts Line, in sales tax-free New Hampshire.
Originally known as GATE CITY MALL, it was one of the
many Woolco-anchored, mid-tier malls built across the
United States during the 1960s and '70s.
By the late 1980s, Woolco was history. Its space was
retenanted by Mass-based Bradlees, with the Almy's,
on the south end of the center, re-emerging as a
Burlington Coat Factory. The official name of the complex
had been changed to NASHUA MALL by the mid-'80s.
An interior shot of the mall, before its wrecking ball renovation.
This was done in phases between 2001 and 2003.
Photo from www.deadmalls.com / Chris S.
When redevelopment got underway in 2001, tenants in the NASHUA
MALL and NASHUA PLAZA structures relocated into the north end
of the original complex. This newly-built structure, on the west-facing
side of the emerging power center, was completed in 2003. Existing
inline tenants then relocated into it.
Photo from www.mapleleafnh.com (Maple-Leaf Construction Company)
Maine-based L.L. Bean's 17,000 square foot store, which opened in
September 2004.
Photo from www.mapleleafnh.com (Maple-Leaf Construction Company)
*
Today's 285,700 square foot NASHUA MALL POWER
CENTER. The Burlington Coat Factory, indicated in black,
is the sole remaining vestige of the 1960s mall.
GATE CITY MALL
Broad Street and Coliseum Avenue
Nashua, New Hampshire
The Granite State's first mall-type center started out with the official moniker of GATE CITY MALL in March 1969. The 220,800 square foot, fully-enclosed venue was developed by the Londonderry, New Hampshire-based Vickerry Realty Trust. It sat on 32.6 acres, 1.5 miles northwest of downtown Nashua, the "Gate City" into New Hampshire.
Original anchors were a 1-level (80,000 square foot), Columbus, Ohio-based Woolco and 1-level (70,000 square foot), Salem, Massachusetts-based Almy. There were also thirty-one inline stores, including Andersen-Little, Cherry and Webb and Fanny Farmer Candies.
An outparcel structure was built in the south parking area, which included an Alexander's supermarket and -eventually- an Avon, Massachusetts-based Child World toy outlet. The Nashua Cinema, a single-screen movie house in the northeastern periphery of the mall proper, predated it by 4 years. The theater was eventually expanded into a 4-plex. Montgomery Ward opened a 1-level (95,800 square foot) store in 1972. This was in the southwestern periphery of the shopping complex.
The mall's only real commercial competitor, PHEASANT LANE MALL, opened in 1986. It was 5 miles southeast of the older venue. Perhaps as a keeping up measure, the official name of GATE CITY MALL was changed to NASHUA MALL. The south parking area outparcel became known as NASHUA PLAZA.
Woolco had closed, along with the chain, in January 1983. It reopened, as a Braintree, Massachusetts-based Bradlees, in 1985. "Almy's" was shuttered in 1987 and leased to Burlington Coat Factory. Bradlees shut down in December 2000.
NASHUA MALL was substantially dead by this time. A redevelopment plan, taking several years to complete, got underway with the demolition of the Woolco / Bradlees structure, in 2001. It was replaced by a 1-level (93,800 square foot) Kohl's, which was dedicated April 7, 2002.
Remaining mall tenants relocated into 55,700 square feet, in the north end of the mall. The southern half, adjacent to Burlington Coat Factory, was razed in March 2002. In its place was built a 1-level (50,000 square foot) Christmas Tree Shop. It came inline August 29, 2002.
Meanwhile, a 17,200 square foot strip center was built on the west side of the remaining north mall structure. When it was finished, mall tenants, such as Hallmark and Radio Shack, relocated and the north section of the old mall was bulldozed.
In its place, a 1-level (37,000 square foot) Babies "R" Us and 1-level (13,700 square foot) L.L. Bean were built. These opened in September and October of 2004. A new name, of sorts, began to be heard; NASHUA MALL POWER CENTER. The old NASHUA PLAZA structure had also been demolished and replaced by a 1-level (116,000 square foot) Home Depot. Its grand opening day was July 25, 2002.
Ward's, shuttered in 1997, housed a Rocky Hill, Connecticut-based Ames till that chain went bust in 2002. The southern half of the building was renovated into a Chunky's Cinema and Pub, which opened in January 2007.
The old Nashua Cinema, at the opposite end of the mall site, closed in March 2003. It was demolished, with Wendy's and a Bugaboo Creek Steakhouse opening, on its space, in December 2003.
Sources:
www.deadmalls.com / Post by Chris S.
www.labelscar.com / "Caldor"
http://sites.google.com/site/zayre88/Nashua-mall
Hillsborough County, New Hampshire tax assessor website
Broad Street and Coliseum Avenue
Nashua, New Hampshire
The Granite State's first mall-type center started out with the official moniker of GATE CITY MALL in March 1969. The 220,800 square foot, fully-enclosed venue was developed by the Londonderry, New Hampshire-based Vickerry Realty Trust. It sat on 32.6 acres, 1.5 miles northwest of downtown Nashua, the "Gate City" into New Hampshire.
Original anchors were a 1-level (80,000 square foot), Columbus, Ohio-based Woolco and 1-level (70,000 square foot), Salem, Massachusetts-based Almy. There were also thirty-one inline stores, including Andersen-Little, Cherry and Webb and Fanny Farmer Candies.
An outparcel structure was built in the south parking area, which included an Alexander's supermarket and -eventually- an Avon, Massachusetts-based Child World toy outlet. The Nashua Cinema, a single-screen movie house in the northeastern periphery of the mall proper, predated it by 4 years. The theater was eventually expanded into a 4-plex. Montgomery Ward opened a 1-level (95,800 square foot) store in 1972. This was in the southwestern periphery of the shopping complex.
The mall's only real commercial competitor, PHEASANT LANE MALL, opened in 1986. It was 5 miles southeast of the older venue. Perhaps as a keeping up measure, the official name of GATE CITY MALL was changed to NASHUA MALL. The south parking area outparcel became known as NASHUA PLAZA.
Woolco had closed, along with the chain, in January 1983. It reopened, as a Braintree, Massachusetts-based Bradlees, in 1985. "Almy's" was shuttered in 1987 and leased to Burlington Coat Factory. Bradlees shut down in December 2000.
NASHUA MALL was substantially dead by this time. A redevelopment plan, taking several years to complete, got underway with the demolition of the Woolco / Bradlees structure, in 2001. It was replaced by a 1-level (93,800 square foot) Kohl's, which was dedicated April 7, 2002.
Remaining mall tenants relocated into 55,700 square feet, in the north end of the mall. The southern half, adjacent to Burlington Coat Factory, was razed in March 2002. In its place was built a 1-level (50,000 square foot) Christmas Tree Shop. It came inline August 29, 2002.
Meanwhile, a 17,200 square foot strip center was built on the west side of the remaining north mall structure. When it was finished, mall tenants, such as Hallmark and Radio Shack, relocated and the north section of the old mall was bulldozed.
In its place, a 1-level (37,000 square foot) Babies "R" Us and 1-level (13,700 square foot) L.L. Bean were built. These opened in September and October of 2004. A new name, of sorts, began to be heard; NASHUA MALL POWER CENTER. The old NASHUA PLAZA structure had also been demolished and replaced by a 1-level (116,000 square foot) Home Depot. Its grand opening day was July 25, 2002.
Ward's, shuttered in 1997, housed a Rocky Hill, Connecticut-based Ames till that chain went bust in 2002. The southern half of the building was renovated into a Chunky's Cinema and Pub, which opened in January 2007.
The old Nashua Cinema, at the opposite end of the mall site, closed in March 2003. It was demolished, with Wendy's and a Bugaboo Creek Steakhouse opening, on its space, in December 2003.
Sources:
www.deadmalls.com / Post by Chris S.
www.labelscar.com / "Caldor"
http://sites.google.com/site/zayre88/Nashua-mall
Hillsborough County, New Hampshire tax assessor website
Site plan of the original shopping center, named for the newly-estab-
lished Bangor International Airport across the road. Over the years,
its 232,000 square feet have not been expanded...only most of the
stores are different now.
Here we see what was the mallway entry into the Bangor-based Freese's
anchor store. Back in the days, it might have been possible to catch
Victoria Winters or Doctor Julia Hoffman picking out a new mini-dress
there (hee hee).
Photo from http://sites.google.com/site/zayre88/Airport-mall
Maine-based Hannaford Brothers Company rebranded the Doug's Stop
'n Save supermarket at AIRPORT MALL in 2001.
Photo from www.wprealty.com
A late 2002 aerial view of AIRPORT MALL. The east anchor (on the
right), which had housed an Ames between 1998 and 2002, was in the
process of being renovated into three junior anchor spaces. The first
of these opened, in November 2003, as a Marshalls.
Photo from www.choosebangor.com
AIRPORT MALL
Union Street and Griffin Road
Bangor, Maine
Construction started on the Pine Tree State's first mall in August 1968. The single-level, fully-enclosed structure was developed by a joint venture of Epstein Commercial Real Estate, Saul Coppelman and Theodore Berenson and Associates.
The center was situated on 20 acres, 2.2 miles northwest of center city Bangor. It built across the road from Dow Air Force Base, which closed in 1968 and opened, as Bangor International Airport, in 1969, the same year that AIRPORT MALL was completed.
Housing 232,400 leasable square feet and approximately twenty-five stores and services, AIRPORT MALL was anchored by a 1-level (77,300 square foot) Woolco and 1-level (57,600 square foot), Bangor-based Freese's.
Charter tenants included Fleet Bank, Twin City Coin, Standard Shoe, Mr. Paperback, Radio Shack and the Union Street Stop and Shop supermarket.
Woolco was shuttered in January 1983, with its space being reopened, as a Salem, Massachusetts-based Rich's discount mart, the following May. Freese's closed in 1987 and was eventually subdivided into Bensalem, Pennsylvania-based Fashion Bug, Framingham, Massachusetts-based Staples, Weight Watchers and a Doug's Stop 'n Save supermarket (this also occupying the original -smaller- supermarket space).
Rich's went out of business in January 1997, with Rocky Hill, Connecticut-based Ames setting up shop September 24, 1998. This store lasted until 2002. Doug's Shop 'n Save was rebranded by the Hannaford supermarket chain in 2001.
The Woolco / Rich's / Ames space was sectioned into three retail spaces. A 30,000 square foot, Framingham, Massachusetts-based Marshalls opened November 1, 2003. Chesapeake, Virginia-based Dollar Tree, encompassing 19,800 square feet, came inline May 30, 2008 and a 27,500 square foot, North Kingston, Rhode Island-based Ocean State Job Lot began business July 10, 2008.
Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania-based WP Realty acquired AIRPORT MALL in August 1998.
Sources:
http://sites.google.com/site/zayre88/Airport-mall
www.wprealty.com
http://www.chartweb.com/filecabinet/CenterPages/Airport_Mall-Bangor,ME.htm
"Bangor International Airport" article on Wikipedia
www.choosebangor.com
Union Street and Griffin Road
Bangor, Maine
Construction started on the Pine Tree State's first mall in August 1968. The single-level, fully-enclosed structure was developed by a joint venture of Epstein Commercial Real Estate, Saul Coppelman and Theodore Berenson and Associates.
The center was situated on 20 acres, 2.2 miles northwest of center city Bangor. It built across the road from Dow Air Force Base, which closed in 1968 and opened, as Bangor International Airport, in 1969, the same year that AIRPORT MALL was completed.
Housing 232,400 leasable square feet and approximately twenty-five stores and services, AIRPORT MALL was anchored by a 1-level (77,300 square foot) Woolco and 1-level (57,600 square foot), Bangor-based Freese's.
Charter tenants included Fleet Bank, Twin City Coin, Standard Shoe, Mr. Paperback, Radio Shack and the Union Street Stop and Shop supermarket.
Woolco was shuttered in January 1983, with its space being reopened, as a Salem, Massachusetts-based Rich's discount mart, the following May. Freese's closed in 1987 and was eventually subdivided into Bensalem, Pennsylvania-based Fashion Bug, Framingham, Massachusetts-based Staples, Weight Watchers and a Doug's Stop 'n Save supermarket (this also occupying the original -smaller- supermarket space).
Rich's went out of business in January 1997, with Rocky Hill, Connecticut-based Ames setting up shop September 24, 1998. This store lasted until 2002. Doug's Shop 'n Save was rebranded by the Hannaford supermarket chain in 2001.
The Woolco / Rich's / Ames space was sectioned into three retail spaces. A 30,000 square foot, Framingham, Massachusetts-based Marshalls opened November 1, 2003. Chesapeake, Virginia-based Dollar Tree, encompassing 19,800 square feet, came inline May 30, 2008 and a 27,500 square foot, North Kingston, Rhode Island-based Ocean State Job Lot began business July 10, 2008.
Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania-based WP Realty acquired AIRPORT MALL in August 1998.
Sources:
http://sites.google.com/site/zayre88/Airport-mall
www.wprealty.com
http://www.chartweb.com/filecabinet/CenterPages/Airport_Mall-Bangor,ME.htm
"Bangor International Airport" article on Wikipedia
www.choosebangor.com
Alaska's first shopping mall originally spanned 294,000
leasable square feet. It was developed under the auspices
of Walter Joseph Hickel, who served as the state's governor
between 1966-1969 and 1990-1994. Details on the early
days of this mall are nowhere to be found. I am surmising
that the locations of Lamonts and Pay 'n Save, depicted
here, are correct. If anyone out there recalls, please post...
A recent shot of the mall's north junior anchor, originally a Safeway supermarket.
Photo from www.loopnet.com
By the mid-1980s, UNIVERSITY CENTER had four retail
rival malls...with a fifth under construction. A 92,000 square
foot South Wing was added, which included a 6-plex cinema.
Unfortunately, the keeping up measure wasn't successful.
By the late 1990s, the shopping center was on life support.
A retail resuscitation was done to the mall in the early 2000s.
A portion was redeveloped as a satellite campus for the University
of Alaska Anchorage. The remainder was repositioned, with two
large furniture stores as its anchors. Here, we see the La-Z-Boy
Furniture Gallery.
Photo from KTUU / Brad Hillwig
Sadler's Home Furnishings, the second anchor in the revitilized
UNIVERSITY CENTER.
Photo from http://www.universitycentermall.wordpress.com/
Photo from http://www.universitycentermall.wordpress.com/
UNIVERSITY CENTER MALL
Old Seward Highway and East 38th Avenue
Anchorage, Alaska
Anchorage was the location for the first shopping mall in The Land of the Midnight Sun. UNIVERSITY CENTER MALL, built by Anchorage-based Hickel Development, was completed in 1972. It was situated on 32 acres, 2 miles southeast of downtown Anchorage, in the Midtown district of the city.
Encompassing approximately 294,000 leasable square feet, the single-level center was anchored by a 1-level, Bellevue, Washington-based Lamonts and 1-level, Seattle-based Pay 'n Save Drug.
Charter tenants included Kinney Shoes, Bering Sea Originals, Michael's Jewelry and a Safeway supermarket.
With the harsh winter weather of Anchorage, it was a given that several interior malls would follow UNIVERSITY CENTER. In 1977, two were dedicated; DIMOND CENTER [November 2007 archive] {2.7 miles south} and BONIFACE MALL {2.9 miles northeast}.
1980 saw the completion of two more; MALL AT SEARS {.4 miles northwest} and NORTHWAY MALL {2.5 miles northeast}. The most recent interior mall dedication was held in 1987, when downtown's FIFTH AVENUE MALL opened its doors.
A 66,000 square foot expansion was added to the south end of UNIVERSITY CENTER in 1985. It included the Festival Cinemas 6 multiplex and increased the GLA of the complex to 360,000 square feet. The late '80s also brought the first anchor rebranding. Pay 'n Save became a Los Angeles-based PayLess Drug.
With all of the competition, it wasn't long before UNIVERSITY CENTER began to suffer. The oil pipeline boom of the 1970s, which was an impetus for the mall's development, went bust in the 1980s. The mall's decline was exacerbated by new big box stores built in the 1990s. By 1998, UNIVERSITY CENTER had become a dead property.
Amongst the commercial carnage wrought by all of the mall's vacant storefronts was the rebranding of Lamonts, by Fresno-based Gottschalks, in September 2000. This store was shuttered in May 2001.
By this time, PayLess had been rebranded by Camp Hill, Pennsylvania-based Rite Aid Drug. This store eventually closed, creating another vacancy. The Safeway closed in 1999 and was replaced by the Natural Pantry, for a time.
UNIVERSITY CENTER was placed on the open market in October 2001. In December, a new owner was announced; a joint venture of Anchorage-based Furniture Enterprises Alaska and JL Properties.
In May 2002, a 92,000 square foot section of the mall (mostly comprised of the 1985 expansion) was sold to the University of Alaska Anchorage. They refashioned the area into classrooms, administrative offices and a Student Services Center (in the old cinema). The satellite campus was dedicated in January 2003.
At the same time, the retail area of the mall was refurbished, with a small warehouse addition built at the rear of the structure. The vacant anchors now housed a Sadler's Home Furnishings store and La-Z-Boy Furniture Gallery.
Other stores and services in the renewed -and retenanted- UNIVERSITY CENTER included Museum Source, Peppercini's Deli House, Seams Like Home Quilt Shop, Wind River Silks and La Bodega Wine and Spirits.
Sources:
"Malled To Death" / Anchorage Press, 2000
"Local Companies Purchase University Center Mall" / Alaska Business Monthly, February 2002
www.universitycentermall.wordpress.com
Old Seward Highway and East 38th Avenue
Anchorage, Alaska
Anchorage was the location for the first shopping mall in The Land of the Midnight Sun. UNIVERSITY CENTER MALL, built by Anchorage-based Hickel Development, was completed in 1972. It was situated on 32 acres, 2 miles southeast of downtown Anchorage, in the Midtown district of the city.
Encompassing approximately 294,000 leasable square feet, the single-level center was anchored by a 1-level, Bellevue, Washington-based Lamonts and 1-level, Seattle-based Pay 'n Save Drug.
Charter tenants included Kinney Shoes, Bering Sea Originals, Michael's Jewelry and a Safeway supermarket.
With the harsh winter weather of Anchorage, it was a given that several interior malls would follow UNIVERSITY CENTER. In 1977, two were dedicated; DIMOND CENTER [November 2007 archive] {2.7 miles south} and BONIFACE MALL {2.9 miles northeast}.
1980 saw the completion of two more; MALL AT SEARS {.4 miles northwest} and NORTHWAY MALL {2.5 miles northeast}. The most recent interior mall dedication was held in 1987, when downtown's FIFTH AVENUE MALL opened its doors.
A 66,000 square foot expansion was added to the south end of UNIVERSITY CENTER in 1985. It included the Festival Cinemas 6 multiplex and increased the GLA of the complex to 360,000 square feet. The late '80s also brought the first anchor rebranding. Pay 'n Save became a Los Angeles-based PayLess Drug.
With all of the competition, it wasn't long before UNIVERSITY CENTER began to suffer. The oil pipeline boom of the 1970s, which was an impetus for the mall's development, went bust in the 1980s. The mall's decline was exacerbated by new big box stores built in the 1990s. By 1998, UNIVERSITY CENTER had become a dead property.
Amongst the commercial carnage wrought by all of the mall's vacant storefronts was the rebranding of Lamonts, by Fresno-based Gottschalks, in September 2000. This store was shuttered in May 2001.
By this time, PayLess had been rebranded by Camp Hill, Pennsylvania-based Rite Aid Drug. This store eventually closed, creating another vacancy. The Safeway closed in 1999 and was replaced by the Natural Pantry, for a time.
UNIVERSITY CENTER was placed on the open market in October 2001. In December, a new owner was announced; a joint venture of Anchorage-based Furniture Enterprises Alaska and JL Properties.
In May 2002, a 92,000 square foot section of the mall (mostly comprised of the 1985 expansion) was sold to the University of Alaska Anchorage. They refashioned the area into classrooms, administrative offices and a Student Services Center (in the old cinema). The satellite campus was dedicated in January 2003.
At the same time, the retail area of the mall was refurbished, with a small warehouse addition built at the rear of the structure. The vacant anchors now housed a Sadler's Home Furnishings store and La-Z-Boy Furniture Gallery.
Other stores and services in the renewed -and retenanted- UNIVERSITY CENTER included Museum Source, Peppercini's Deli House, Seams Like Home Quilt Shop, Wind River Silks and La Bodega Wine and Spirits.
Sources:
"Malled To Death" / Anchorage Press, 2000
"Local Companies Purchase University Center Mall" / Alaska Business Monthly, February 2002
www.universitycentermall.wordpress.com
Thursday, October 01, 2009
Portland's Lloyd Center
A vintage view of the circular staircase on the East Mall of LLOYD
CENTER.
Photo from Malls Of America Blogspot.
A vintage view of the circular staircase on the East Mall of LLOYD
CENTER.
Photo from Malls Of America Blogspot.
Level 2 of the circa-'60 center. The giant shopping venue housed nearly
one hundred stores and -at the time of its completion- was one of the
largest shopping centers in the nation.
THE LARGEST OPEN-AIR SHOPPING
MALLS IN THE UNITED STATES, 1960:
1. GARDEN STATE PLAZA, Paramus, NJ
2. NORTHLAND CENTER, Southfield, MI
3. LLOYD CENTER, Portland, OR
4. ROOSEVELT FIELD CENTER, Town of Hempstead, NY
5. BERGEN MALL, Paramus & Maywood, NJ
An aerial of the mall and surrounding area, taken soon after the August
1960 dedication of the complex. On the left is the Banfield Expressway,
which had opened, as Oregon's first freeway, in October 1955. It was
later redesignated as Interstate 84.
Photo from Malls of America Blogspot
The Ice Chalet, on the first level of LLOYD CENTER. Ice rinks were a
common feature in America's early malls and were included in Long
Island's ROOSEVELT FIELD, LA's TOPANGA PLAZA, San Fran's
SUNVALLEY and Houston's GALLERIA, to name a few. Today, only
rinks at LLOYD CENTER and the GALLERIA remain. The other malls
mentioned removed theirs in the 1970s or '80s.
Photo from Malls of America Blogspot
LLOYD CENTER had -and has- three levels. The first was originally
utilized as a service basement and the ice rink seen in the previous
photo. The second level of the mall, seen here, was devoted entirely
to retail stores. The third level was leased as office spaces.
Photo from Malls of America Blogspot
Mr. C's Hippopotamus Restaurant was a favorite eatery in the circa-'60s
center.
Photo from Malls of America Blogspot
The outparcel J.J. Newberry 5 & 10, located in the back blocks of the
complex. Today, it is a Dollar Tree.
Photo from Malls Of America Blogspot
A circa-'60 view of the Meier & Frank anchor store, at the front
of LLOYD CENTER.
Mark Moore Collection / www.pdxhistory.com
The same view, but taken thirty-five years later.
Photo by kind permission of Mark Bozanich.
PDX's Metropolitan Area Express ("MAX") opened a station at LLOYD
CENTER in September 1986.
Photo from Wikipedia / "Alphalife"
Today's West Wing and Nordstrom mall entrance. The interior of the
shopping venue was given a makeover in 2006.
Photo from www.glimcher.com (Glimcher Realty Trust)
An exterior shot of the present-day mall. This shows
the southwest mall entrance and south-facing facade
of Nordstrom.
Photo from Wikipedia / "Cacophony"
Photo from Wikipedia / "Cacophony"
LLOYD CENTER Level 2, in 2007. Amazingly enough, all stores shown
here are the same in 2009! The mall was indeed fortunate to not be
anchored by any of the many retailers that went belly-up in the late
2000s.
LLOYD CENTER
Northeast Multnomah Street and Northeast 9th Avenue
Portland, Oregon
Portland -and Oregon's- first shopping mall took over thirty-five years to get from conception to reality. Envisioned in the 1920s by Ralph B. Lloyd, a California oil company executive and real estate entrepreneur, LLOYD CENTER eventually opened for business August 2, 1960.
The complex, designed by Seattle's John Graham, Jr., encompassed 1,200,000 leasable square feet and was one of the largest shopping centers in the United States. It was situated on a 50 acre tract, 1 mile northeast of Portland's downtown area, in the city's Lloyd community.
The open-air mall consisted of three levels. The first, an underground parking deck, included basements for the major anchor stores and the Ice Chalet rink. The second level was devoted entirely to retail. The third housed leased office spaces.
Portland-based Meier And Frank occupied a 5-level (300,000 square foot) department store at the center of the mall. Seattle-based Best Apparel had a 2-level (48,600 square foot) store at the end of the West Wing, which was the chain's first branch. A Nordstrom's Shoes location was across the mallway.
There were over ninety other retail tenants, including a 2-level (96,000 square foot) J.C. Penney and 2-level (62,000 square foot) F.W. Woolworth.
Lerner Shops, Stevens and Son Jewelers, Van Duyns Candies and Mr. C's Hippopotamus Restaurant were some of the other businesses operating in the original complex. Outparcels included Pay 'n Save Drug, a Safeway supermarket and 2-level (91,000 square foot) J. J. Newberry 5 and 10.
Early shopping malls in the vacinity of LLOYD CENTER were built on a smaller scale, hence, they did not provide any measurable degree of commercial competition. The first, EASTPORT PLAZA {4.4 miles southwest, in Portland} was dedicated in late 1960. MALL 205 {4.3 miles southeast, also in Portland} was completed in 1971.
The first formidable retail rival, VANCOUVER MALL {9.1 miles northeast, in Vancouver, Washington} came along in 1977. This was followed by CLACKAMAS TOWN CENTER {7.4 miles southeast, in Clackamas} in 1981.
In 1963, Nordstrom had acquired Best Apparel and rebranded their LLOYD CENTER location as Nordstrom Best. Its official name was truncated to simply Nordstrom in 1973.
Portland-based Lipman and Wolfe built a store at the end of the West Wing. In February 1979, the chain, now known as simply Lipmans, was rebranded by Seattle-based Frederick and Nelson.
In August 1987, the Frederick and Nelson nameplate gave way to that of Spokane-based The Crescent. This store lasted less than a year. It was rebranded by Bellevue, Washington-based Lamonts in July 1988.
LLOYD CENTER had become rail transit accessible in September 1986, with the opening of the initial -15 route mile- Metropolitan Area Express ("MAX") light rail line. A station was located 1 block south of the mall, at Northeast 11th Avenue and Holladay Street.
The mall was sold to Indianapolis-based Melvin Simon and Associates (today's Simon Property Group) in 1987. They announced a major renovation of the property in October.
This 200 million dollar project entailed enclosing the shopping center's three concourses. The basement parking deck was converted into an additional level of store spaces. Two parking garages were built; one at the northwest corner of the mall, another at the southeast corner.
The Lipmans / Frederick and Nelson building was demolished and replaced with a 3-level (150,000 square foot) Nordstrom; consolidating the two adjacent stores in the West Wing. This new Nordstrom held its official grand opening August 24, 1990.
With this addition, LLOYD CENTER attained the status of largest enclosed shopping mall in the state; a title held by Tigard's WASHINGTON SQUARE since 1974. The two-year-long renovation culminated with the installation of a Food Court and multiplex cinema on the third level of the North Wing. The newly-enclosed -and completely renovated- mall held its grand re-opening August 21, 1991.
Apparently, Lamonts, in the west Wing, moved to another location in the North Wing of the mall in the late 1980s. This store was shuttered in January 1995. The outparcel Safeway supermarket was renovated and expanded in 1996. In 1998, the entire shopping center was sold to the Columbus, Ohio-based Glimcher Realty Trust.
In June 1999, J.C. Penney (now a 3-level, 144,000 square foot store) moved out. Its space re-opened as a Sears the following October. Woolworth closed in 1997, reopening as a Marshalls in 1999.
The vacant Lamonts was divided between new Ross Dress For Less and Barnes and Noble locations. J.J. Newberry was shuttered in 2001, soon reopening as a Dollar Tree. In May 2006, Meier and Frank was "Macy-ated".
In September 2009, it was announced the Glimcher Realty Trust, which had become financially strapped as a result of the late 2000s economic meltdown, was selling the mall to California-based Merlone Geier Partners. The deal is expected to close by December of the year.
LLOYD CENTER presently encompasses 1,472,000 leasable square feet and houses one hundred and fifty stores, as well as forty offices.
Sources:
"Lloyd Center" article on Wikipedia
"Meier and Frank" article on Wikipedia
"Lipman and Wolfe" article on Wikipedia
www.angelfire.com / "Meier and Frank - Lloyd Center - Portland, Oregon / Mark Bozanich
Malls Of America Blogspot / Comments by "Rainblessed", "Anonymous" and "Steve"
http://www.glimcher.com/
http://www.trimet.org/
Northeast Multnomah Street and Northeast 9th Avenue
Portland, Oregon
Portland -and Oregon's- first shopping mall took over thirty-five years to get from conception to reality. Envisioned in the 1920s by Ralph B. Lloyd, a California oil company executive and real estate entrepreneur, LLOYD CENTER eventually opened for business August 2, 1960.
The complex, designed by Seattle's John Graham, Jr., encompassed 1,200,000 leasable square feet and was one of the largest shopping centers in the United States. It was situated on a 50 acre tract, 1 mile northeast of Portland's downtown area, in the city's Lloyd community.
The open-air mall consisted of three levels. The first, an underground parking deck, included basements for the major anchor stores and the Ice Chalet rink. The second level was devoted entirely to retail. The third housed leased office spaces.
Portland-based Meier And Frank occupied a 5-level (300,000 square foot) department store at the center of the mall. Seattle-based Best Apparel had a 2-level (48,600 square foot) store at the end of the West Wing, which was the chain's first branch. A Nordstrom's Shoes location was across the mallway.
There were over ninety other retail tenants, including a 2-level (96,000 square foot) J.C. Penney and 2-level (62,000 square foot) F.W. Woolworth.
Lerner Shops, Stevens and Son Jewelers, Van Duyns Candies and Mr. C's Hippopotamus Restaurant were some of the other businesses operating in the original complex. Outparcels included Pay 'n Save Drug, a Safeway supermarket and 2-level (91,000 square foot) J. J. Newberry 5 and 10.
Early shopping malls in the vacinity of LLOYD CENTER were built on a smaller scale, hence, they did not provide any measurable degree of commercial competition. The first, EASTPORT PLAZA {4.4 miles southwest, in Portland} was dedicated in late 1960. MALL 205 {4.3 miles southeast, also in Portland} was completed in 1971.
The first formidable retail rival, VANCOUVER MALL {9.1 miles northeast, in Vancouver, Washington} came along in 1977. This was followed by CLACKAMAS TOWN CENTER {7.4 miles southeast, in Clackamas} in 1981.
In 1963, Nordstrom had acquired Best Apparel and rebranded their LLOYD CENTER location as Nordstrom Best. Its official name was truncated to simply Nordstrom in 1973.
Portland-based Lipman and Wolfe built a store at the end of the West Wing. In February 1979, the chain, now known as simply Lipmans, was rebranded by Seattle-based Frederick and Nelson.
In August 1987, the Frederick and Nelson nameplate gave way to that of Spokane-based The Crescent. This store lasted less than a year. It was rebranded by Bellevue, Washington-based Lamonts in July 1988.
LLOYD CENTER had become rail transit accessible in September 1986, with the opening of the initial -15 route mile- Metropolitan Area Express ("MAX") light rail line. A station was located 1 block south of the mall, at Northeast 11th Avenue and Holladay Street.
The mall was sold to Indianapolis-based Melvin Simon and Associates (today's Simon Property Group) in 1987. They announced a major renovation of the property in October.
This 200 million dollar project entailed enclosing the shopping center's three concourses. The basement parking deck was converted into an additional level of store spaces. Two parking garages were built; one at the northwest corner of the mall, another at the southeast corner.
The Lipmans / Frederick and Nelson building was demolished and replaced with a 3-level (150,000 square foot) Nordstrom; consolidating the two adjacent stores in the West Wing. This new Nordstrom held its official grand opening August 24, 1990.
With this addition, LLOYD CENTER attained the status of largest enclosed shopping mall in the state; a title held by Tigard's WASHINGTON SQUARE since 1974. The two-year-long renovation culminated with the installation of a Food Court and multiplex cinema on the third level of the North Wing. The newly-enclosed -and completely renovated- mall held its grand re-opening August 21, 1991.
Apparently, Lamonts, in the west Wing, moved to another location in the North Wing of the mall in the late 1980s. This store was shuttered in January 1995. The outparcel Safeway supermarket was renovated and expanded in 1996. In 1998, the entire shopping center was sold to the Columbus, Ohio-based Glimcher Realty Trust.
In June 1999, J.C. Penney (now a 3-level, 144,000 square foot store) moved out. Its space re-opened as a Sears the following October. Woolworth closed in 1997, reopening as a Marshalls in 1999.
The vacant Lamonts was divided between new Ross Dress For Less and Barnes and Noble locations. J.J. Newberry was shuttered in 2001, soon reopening as a Dollar Tree. In May 2006, Meier and Frank was "Macy-ated".
In September 2009, it was announced the Glimcher Realty Trust, which had become financially strapped as a result of the late 2000s economic meltdown, was selling the mall to California-based Merlone Geier Partners. The deal is expected to close by December of the year.
LLOYD CENTER presently encompasses 1,472,000 leasable square feet and houses one hundred and fifty stores, as well as forty offices.
Sources:
"Lloyd Center" article on Wikipedia
"Meier and Frank" article on Wikipedia
"Lipman and Wolfe" article on Wikipedia
www.angelfire.com / "Meier and Frank - Lloyd Center - Portland, Oregon / Mark Bozanich
Malls Of America Blogspot / Comments by "Rainblessed", "Anonymous" and "Steve"
http://www.glimcher.com/
http://www.trimet.org/
Portland's Eastport Plaza
The second mall in the "Rose City" opened for business a little
over two months after its LLOYD CENTER, in 1960. EASTPORT
PLAZA was a much smaller, community-class complex. It was,
however, a fully-enclosed structure...the first in the Pacific
Northwest, as a matter of fact.
Photo from www.loopnet.com
The second mall in the "Rose City" opened for business a little
over two months after its LLOYD CENTER, in 1960. EASTPORT
PLAZA was a much smaller, community-class complex. It was,
however, a fully-enclosed structure...the first in the Pacific
Northwest, as a matter of fact.
Photo from www.loopnet.com
A physical layout of the original, 293,000 square foot,
center. Forty stores lined its 400 foot mallway, covered
by a shell-shaped, reinforced concrete roof. The main
anchor was PDX-based Lipman and Wolfe. There were
also a dry goods-only Penney's and Newberry's 5 and
dime. I was unable to determine exactly how these two
stores were situated within the mall. If anyone recalls,
please post.
The same mall as it was configured after a late '70s
expansion. The original anchor, Lipman and Wolfe
("Lipmans"), had just been rebranded by Mervyn's.
It was joined by a G.I. Joe's Sports and Automotive.
The shopping venue now encompassed 393,800
leasable square feet.
After languishing as a dead mall for several years, the PLAZA was
unceremoniously demolished in 1996, leaving only three structures
standing (these are highlighted in blue). In 1997 and '98, stores in a
new power center were completed. These included Wal-Mart,
Albertsons and a 12-plex cinema.
Drawing from www.eastportplaza.com
EASTPORT PLAZA
Southeast 82nd Avenue and Southeast Holgate Boulevard
Portland, Oregon
Portland's second shopping mall occuped 28 acres, 4.9 miles southeast of the center city. The site, in the Lents community, had been the A.V. Folkman farm. It was bought by the Pacific Coast League Portland Beavers baseball team in 1945, with plans for an eventual stadium.
The stadium plan never panned out and the property was acquired by the US National Bank in 1955, who sold it to two San Francisco-based developers; E. Phillip Lyon and Edward Meltzer. Ground was broken for their EASTPORT PLAZA October 20, 1959.
A 5 million dollar, forty store shopping center was dedicated October 27, 1960. Encompassing 293,000 leasable square feet, EASTPORT PLAZA was the first fully-enclosed mall in the Pacific Northwest.
The center consisted of a single retail level, with most of its stores having basements. A 2-level (70,000 square foot), Portland-based Lipman and Wolfe anchored the complex, with J.C. Penney and a J.J. Newberry 5 and 10 as it junior anchors.
Charter tenants included Fabric House, Pay 'n Save Drug, J.K. Gill Stationers, Kinney Shoes, Lerner Shops, Orange Julius, the King's Table Buffet, US National Bank and an S and H Green Stamps Redemption Center. An Albertson's supermarket was a southwestern outparcel.
Shopping malls in the immediate vacinity included LLOYD CENTER (1960), which was 4.4 miles northwest, and MALL 205 (1971), 1.5 miles northeast.
EASTPORT PLAZA was expanded in the late 1970s. A 1-level (55,100 square foot), Wilsonville, Oregon-based G.I Joe's Sports and Automotive was built in the northeast parking area, which was joined to the existing mall by a 35,700 square foot addition.
The new anchor store opened for business in March 1979. With the new mall space, EASTPORT PLAZA housed 393,800 leasable square feet. Lipman and Wolfe, now known as simply Lipmans, was shuttered around this time and soon reopened as a Hayward, California-based Mervyn's.
Just outside the G.I. Joe's mall entrance was an arcade area with a large waterslide. This attraction was shut down in the 1980s by lawsuits filed by parents of children injured during a waterslide mishap.
EASTPORT PLAZA began to decline after the 1981 completion of CLACKAMAS TOWN CENTER, 3.6 miles south, in Clackamas. The older mall held on for some years, but the 1986 defection of Mervyn's can now be viewed as a nail in its proverbial coffin.
Penney and Newberry's bailed out in the early 1990s, leaving only G.I. Joe's and eleven inline stores in business. A redevelopment was announced in April 1995. The mall was demolished the following year, leaving G.I. Joe's and two smaller peripheral structures standing.
A power center-format venue was built, anchored by the existing G.I. Joe's, a 1-level (137,000 square foot) Wal-Mart and 1-level (55,000 square foot) Albertsons supermarket.
The new stores opened in 1997. The center's Century 12 megaplex was dedicated November 12, 1998. EASTPORT PLAZA now encompassed 406,600 leasable square feet and thirty-five stores and services.
A few changes have taken place since the new-style center was completed. G.I. Joe's closed in March 2005. Its space was divided, with a Jo-Ann Fabric Superstore occupying 35,000 square feet. Albertsons pulled out the mall, for a second time, in September 2006. Its space became an LA Fitness in August 2008.
Today, EASTPORT PLAZA is managed by San Francisco-based MMR Realty Services.
Sources:
www.easportplaza.com
http://blogswweek.com
www.deadmalls.com / Posts by Mike Koller and "A.J."
www.loopnet.com
Southeast 82nd Avenue and Southeast Holgate Boulevard
Portland, Oregon
Portland's second shopping mall occuped 28 acres, 4.9 miles southeast of the center city. The site, in the Lents community, had been the A.V. Folkman farm. It was bought by the Pacific Coast League Portland Beavers baseball team in 1945, with plans for an eventual stadium.
The stadium plan never panned out and the property was acquired by the US National Bank in 1955, who sold it to two San Francisco-based developers; E. Phillip Lyon and Edward Meltzer. Ground was broken for their EASTPORT PLAZA October 20, 1959.
A 5 million dollar, forty store shopping center was dedicated October 27, 1960. Encompassing 293,000 leasable square feet, EASTPORT PLAZA was the first fully-enclosed mall in the Pacific Northwest.
The center consisted of a single retail level, with most of its stores having basements. A 2-level (70,000 square foot), Portland-based Lipman and Wolfe anchored the complex, with J.C. Penney and a J.J. Newberry 5 and 10 as it junior anchors.
Charter tenants included Fabric House, Pay 'n Save Drug, J.K. Gill Stationers, Kinney Shoes, Lerner Shops, Orange Julius, the King's Table Buffet, US National Bank and an S and H Green Stamps Redemption Center. An Albertson's supermarket was a southwestern outparcel.
Shopping malls in the immediate vacinity included LLOYD CENTER (1960), which was 4.4 miles northwest, and MALL 205 (1971), 1.5 miles northeast.
EASTPORT PLAZA was expanded in the late 1970s. A 1-level (55,100 square foot), Wilsonville, Oregon-based G.I Joe's Sports and Automotive was built in the northeast parking area, which was joined to the existing mall by a 35,700 square foot addition.
The new anchor store opened for business in March 1979. With the new mall space, EASTPORT PLAZA housed 393,800 leasable square feet. Lipman and Wolfe, now known as simply Lipmans, was shuttered around this time and soon reopened as a Hayward, California-based Mervyn's.
Just outside the G.I. Joe's mall entrance was an arcade area with a large waterslide. This attraction was shut down in the 1980s by lawsuits filed by parents of children injured during a waterslide mishap.
EASTPORT PLAZA began to decline after the 1981 completion of CLACKAMAS TOWN CENTER, 3.6 miles south, in Clackamas. The older mall held on for some years, but the 1986 defection of Mervyn's can now be viewed as a nail in its proverbial coffin.
Penney and Newberry's bailed out in the early 1990s, leaving only G.I. Joe's and eleven inline stores in business. A redevelopment was announced in April 1995. The mall was demolished the following year, leaving G.I. Joe's and two smaller peripheral structures standing.
A power center-format venue was built, anchored by the existing G.I. Joe's, a 1-level (137,000 square foot) Wal-Mart and 1-level (55,000 square foot) Albertsons supermarket.
The new stores opened in 1997. The center's Century 12 megaplex was dedicated November 12, 1998. EASTPORT PLAZA now encompassed 406,600 leasable square feet and thirty-five stores and services.
A few changes have taken place since the new-style center was completed. G.I. Joe's closed in March 2005. Its space was divided, with a Jo-Ann Fabric Superstore occupying 35,000 square feet. Albertsons pulled out the mall, for a second time, in September 2006. Its space became an LA Fitness in August 2008.
Today, EASTPORT PLAZA is managed by San Francisco-based MMR Realty Services.
Sources:
www.easportplaza.com
http://blogswweek.com
www.deadmalls.com / Posts by Mike Koller and "A.J."
www.loopnet.com
Portland's Mall 205
The city's eastside was the site of its fourth mall-type
endeavor. Named for a freeway that wouldn't be
completed for twelve years, MALL 205 was anchored
by Montgomery Ward and So-Cal-based White Front.
Graphic from http://www.centercal.com/
The city's eastside was the site of its fourth mall-type
endeavor. Named for a freeway that wouldn't be
completed for twelve years, MALL 205 was anchored
by Montgomery Ward and So-Cal-based White Front.
Graphic from http://www.centercal.com/
Dedicated in 1971, MALL 205 was the region's third fully-enclosed
shopping hub; following EASTPORT PLAZA (1960) and BEAVERTON
MALL (1969). With the scarcity of info readily available about the mall's
early years, the drawing above -something of a reasonable facsimile of
its original layout- will have to suffice until more detailed info surfaces.
By 1979, White Front was history. Its 150,000 square foot space had
been carved up four ways. A tri-plex cinema took the north end, with
the south sectors housing PayLess Drug, a branch of Eugene, Oregon's
Troutman's Emporium and a few smaller, inline stores. Again, the layout
depiction above will stand as a reasonable facsimile.
MALL 205 was acquired by Gresham, Oregon-based Center Oak
Properties in 2000. Over the next two years, they performed a retail
resuscitation on what had been a dead property. The complex was
re-anchored and revitilized. New tenants included Bed, Bath &
Beyond.
Photo from www.labelscar.com / "Prange Way"
The mall's abandoned "Monkey Ward's" was refashioned into a
2-level Target. It opened for business in July 2002.
Photo from www.vlmk.com (VLMK Consulting Engineers)
A westward view of the interior walkway, with the Target mall entrance
off in the distance.
Photo from www.labelscfar.com / "Prange Way"
A northward view of the interior, showing the mall entrance of Home
Depot. Again, this store can be accessed from within the mall. It is,
more than likely, the nation's only mallway-connected Home Depot.
The Tool Rental Center at the Home Depot in Lexington, Kentucky's
TURFLAND MALL [July 2008 archive] has direct mall access....but
the bulk of the store must be entered -or exited- via exterior doors.
Photo from www.labelscar.com / "Prange Way"
A physical layout of MALL 205, post-renovation. The 2001-2002
remodeling brought several new outparcel eateries to the north parking
area, including Olive Garden, Red Robin, Panda Express and Baja Fresh.
An aerial of the complex, looking to the southeast. The mall's namesake,
Interstate 205, is seen in the lower right.
Photo from www.centercal.com
In September 2009, the region's Metropolitan Area Express
("MAX") light rail network opened its 14.1 route mile Green
Line, which runs right by MALL 205, on its way to CLACKAMAS
TOWN CENTER. With this extension, the system encompasses
52.6 route miles and eighty-four stations.
Photo from Wikipedia / "HGMPhoto"
MALL 205
Southeast Main Street and Southeast 96th Avenue
Portland, Oregon
The fourth shopping mall in -or around- PDX was built on a 41.5 acre plot, situated 5.1 miles east of the urban core, in Portland's Russellville community.
MALL 205 was completed in 1971. The complex was named for the Interstate 205 expressway, following the western boundary of the mall site, which opened to traffic twelve years after the dedication of the retail hub.
Some mystery surrounds the naming of the mall so long before the expressway was built. It would appear that the developers of the shopping center were privy to information regarding future transportation plans for the region.
MALL 205 was a single-level, fully-enclosed structure, which was anchored by a 2-level (175,000 square foot) Montgomery Ward and 1-level (150,000 square foot), San Diego-based White Front discount mart.
Stores and services in the 430,000 square foot, community-class retail hub included K B Toys, B. Dalton Bookseller, Aladdin's Castle Arcade, Regis, Kinney Shoes and a Benjamin Franklin Savings and Loan Association. An A and W Root Beer stand was an outparcel business.
In addition to LLOYD CENTER (1960) {4.3 miles northwest), commercial competitors were EASTPORT PLAZA (1960) {1.5 miles southwest} and VANCOUVER MALL (1977) {9.6 miles north}, in Vancouver, Washington.
The first anchor alteration at MALL 205 transpired after the shuttering of White Front, in 1975. The store space was divided into three parts; the Luxury Theaters Mall 205 Cinema tri-plex, a 44,000 square foot PayLess Drug and Eugene, Oregon-based Troutman's Emporium.
A facelift remodeling was done in the early 1990s. A subsequent renovation, proposed in 1996, was to add a second level multiplex cinema and mall level food court to the shopping venue. This project never came to fruition.
By this time, the mall was in decline. Gresham, Oregon-based Center Oak Properties (now known as CenterCal Properties) acquired it in late 2000 and embarked upon a renovation May 8, 2001.
The 32 million dollar project entailed updating the mall's bland block exterior with new entrances, glass store fronts and colorful awnings. The parking lot was refurbished, with new sidewalks and landscaping installed.
New outparcel structures, built in the north parking area, included Red Robin and Olive Garden restaurants. A strip center, housing businesses such as Panda Express and Baja Fresh, was also constructed.
Lastly, the interior of MALL 205 received a major upgrade. The Cinema, pharmacy (that had been rebranded as a Rite Aid in 1998) and Troutman's Emporium had all closed.
Their building was demolished and rebuilt as a 1-level (133,200 square foot) Home Depot, coming inline in November 2001. Montgomery Ward, shuttered in March 2001, was gutted and remade into a 2-level (175,000 square foot) Target, which held its grand opening in July 2002.
New stores and services within the mall proper included 24 Hour Fitness, Car Stereo City, Famous Footwear, Pizza Schmizza, Performance Bike and Bed Bath and Beyond. In addition, a 9-bay Food Court was built in the north mallway.
On September 12, 2009, MALL 205 became rail-transit-accessible. The 14.1 route mile, Portland State University South-to-Clackamas Town Center, Green Line extension opened for revenue service. Its SE Main Street Station is adjacent to the shopping venue's southwest parking area.
Sources:
www.labelscar.com / "Prange Way"
http://trimet.org
"Mall 205" article on Wikipedia
www.centercal.com
www.deadmalls.com / Post by "A.J"
Southeast Main Street and Southeast 96th Avenue
Portland, Oregon
The fourth shopping mall in -or around- PDX was built on a 41.5 acre plot, situated 5.1 miles east of the urban core, in Portland's Russellville community.
MALL 205 was completed in 1971. The complex was named for the Interstate 205 expressway, following the western boundary of the mall site, which opened to traffic twelve years after the dedication of the retail hub.
Some mystery surrounds the naming of the mall so long before the expressway was built. It would appear that the developers of the shopping center were privy to information regarding future transportation plans for the region.
MALL 205 was a single-level, fully-enclosed structure, which was anchored by a 2-level (175,000 square foot) Montgomery Ward and 1-level (150,000 square foot), San Diego-based White Front discount mart.
Stores and services in the 430,000 square foot, community-class retail hub included K B Toys, B. Dalton Bookseller, Aladdin's Castle Arcade, Regis, Kinney Shoes and a Benjamin Franklin Savings and Loan Association. An A and W Root Beer stand was an outparcel business.
In addition to LLOYD CENTER (1960) {4.3 miles northwest), commercial competitors were EASTPORT PLAZA (1960) {1.5 miles southwest} and VANCOUVER MALL (1977) {9.6 miles north}, in Vancouver, Washington.
The first anchor alteration at MALL 205 transpired after the shuttering of White Front, in 1975. The store space was divided into three parts; the Luxury Theaters Mall 205 Cinema tri-plex, a 44,000 square foot PayLess Drug and Eugene, Oregon-based Troutman's Emporium.
A facelift remodeling was done in the early 1990s. A subsequent renovation, proposed in 1996, was to add a second level multiplex cinema and mall level food court to the shopping venue. This project never came to fruition.
By this time, the mall was in decline. Gresham, Oregon-based Center Oak Properties (now known as CenterCal Properties) acquired it in late 2000 and embarked upon a renovation May 8, 2001.
The 32 million dollar project entailed updating the mall's bland block exterior with new entrances, glass store fronts and colorful awnings. The parking lot was refurbished, with new sidewalks and landscaping installed.
New outparcel structures, built in the north parking area, included Red Robin and Olive Garden restaurants. A strip center, housing businesses such as Panda Express and Baja Fresh, was also constructed.
Lastly, the interior of MALL 205 received a major upgrade. The Cinema, pharmacy (that had been rebranded as a Rite Aid in 1998) and Troutman's Emporium had all closed.
Their building was demolished and rebuilt as a 1-level (133,200 square foot) Home Depot, coming inline in November 2001. Montgomery Ward, shuttered in March 2001, was gutted and remade into a 2-level (175,000 square foot) Target, which held its grand opening in July 2002.
New stores and services within the mall proper included 24 Hour Fitness, Car Stereo City, Famous Footwear, Pizza Schmizza, Performance Bike and Bed Bath and Beyond. In addition, a 9-bay Food Court was built in the north mallway.
On September 12, 2009, MALL 205 became rail-transit-accessible. The 14.1 route mile, Portland State University South-to-Clackamas Town Center, Green Line extension opened for revenue service. Its SE Main Street Station is adjacent to the shopping venue's southwest parking area.
Sources:
www.labelscar.com / "Prange Way"
http://trimet.org
"Mall 205" article on Wikipedia
www.centercal.com
www.deadmalls.com / Post by "A.J"
Portland's Washington Square
A dramatic contemporary shot of the Center Court at WASHINGTON
SQUARE.
Photo from www.forms-surfaces.com
A dramatic contemporary shot of the Center Court at WASHINGTON
SQUARE.
Photo from www.forms-surfaces.com
A mid-'70s footprint of WASHINGTON SQUARE. At the time, the
new megamall was anchored by Meier and Frank, J.C. Penney, Sears
Lipmans, Nordstrom and Liberty House. At 1,093,500 square feet,
it was the largest enclosed mall in the state; a distinction held until a
major renovation of LLOYD CENTER in the early 1990s.
The SQUARE's nearest counterpart, BEAVERTON MALL, 3.2
miles northwest. The center, opened in 1969, was a smaller,
community-class venue, hence, it was no retail rival for its
westside Portland shopping center sibling. Today, the Beaverton
retail center is known as CEDAR HILLS CROSSING.
Photo from www.beavertonoregon.gov
The primary anchor of WASHINGTON SQUARE, PDX's Meier and Frank.
Here we see the western facade. The line down the wall, near the center,
indicates the circa-1994 expansion of the original building.
Photo from www.angelfire.com / "MapperEskimo"
The mall, post-1994 renovation. During this expansion, Nordstrom
relocated to a new store. Its original spot became new retail spaces
and the 10-bay Summit Food Court. By this time, an outparcel, strip
center -SQUARE TOO- had also been added.
WASHINGTON SQUARE was expanded in the mid-'00s.
In this exterior shot, we see the new Northwest Wing.
The gold-colored facade belongs to Cheesecake Factory.
Photo from Wikipedia / "AboutMovies"
An interior view of the 100,000 square foot Northwest Wing. It included
swanky stores such as Sephora, Eddie Bauer and Williams-Sonoma.
Photo from Wikipedia / "AboutMovies"
WASHINGTON SQUARE, circa-2008. The loss of Mervyn's as an
anchor, in November 2005, was compensated by the re-opening
of the store space, as a Dick's Sporting Goods, in March 2008.
Presently, the mall encompasses 1,336,000 leasable square feet,
making it the Beaver State's second-largest shopping mall.
WASHINGTON SQUARE
Southwest Scholl's Ferry Road and Southwest Blum Boulevard
Washington County (Tigard), Oregon
The sixth mall-type center in the Portland metro was located on an 85 acre plot, 6.8 miles southwest of the city center, in unincorporated Washington County.
Originally encompassing 1,093,500 leasable square feet, WASHINGTON SQUARE was developed by Winmar Pacific, Incorporated (a subsidiary of Seattle-based Safeco Insurance). At the time of its completion, it was the largest enclosed shopping center in the Beaver State.
A 2-level (160,000 square foot), Portland-based Meier and Frank became the first store to open for business, August 16, 1973. A 2-level (211,900 square foot) Sears and 2-level (120,000 square foot), Portland-based Lipmans came inline in November. The mall proper was officially dedicated February 21, 1974.
New stores continued to open. A 1-level (89,300 square foot), Honolulu-based Liberty House and 2-level (108,000 square foot) Nordstrom were dedicated in the summer of 1974. The final anchor tenant, a 2-level (210,500 square foot) J.C. Penney, came inline in 1975.
WASHINGTON SQUARE did not have much in the way of commercial competition until CLACKAMAS TOWN CENTER {9.8 miles east, in Clackamas} was completed, in 1981. BEAVERTON MALL (1969) {3.2 miles northwest, in Beaverton} was more along the line of smaller, community-type venue. Hence, it was no match for its superregional sibling in Washington County.
Anchor store rebrandings got an early start at WASHINGTON SQUARE. Frederick and Nelson rebranded the Liberty House location in 1979 and then moved into -and rebranded- the larger Lipmans store in 1980. The old Liberty House / Frederick and Nelson became a Mervyn's.
Three neighboring cities, Beaverton, Tualatin and Tigard, fought a nasty court battle for annexation of the mall site. In 1986, Tigard prevailed and incorporated WASHINGTON SQUARE into its corporate limits.
The first mall renovation was done in 1993. The recently-shuttered Frederick and Nelson was gutted and renovated into a new, 2-level (180,000 square foot) Nordstrom, which opened in 1994. In addition, Meier and Frank increased the size of their store to 242,500 square feet and built an adjacent, multi-level parking garage.
The original Nordstrom was gutted and expanded, with its lower level becoming new retail space. The upper level was refashioned into additional retail and the 10-bay Summit Food Court. At the same time, the mall -itself- was given an interior facelift.
The shopping venue changed ownership in 1999. It was sold to a joint venture / operating partnership of the Santa Monica-based Macerich Company and Pacific Premier Retail Trust. The Ontario (Canada)Teachers Pension Plan also participated in the transaction.
A second remodel of the mall was undertaken in 2004. A 100,000 square foot, twenty-eight store, Northwest Wing was constructed, along with two parking structures. These were completed in late 2005. With this addition, the complex encompassed 1,336,000 leasable square feet and one hundred and forty-three inline stores.
At the same time, Mervyn's shuttered their WASHINGTON SQUARE store. It was renovated and reopened, as a Pittsburgh-based Dick's Sporting Goods, in March 2008.
Sources:
"Washington Square Mall" article on Wikipedia
Comment post by Mark Bozanich
www.shopwashingtonsquare.com
www.washims.com
www.angelfire.com / "Highways of Washington State"
Washington County, Oregon tax assessor website
Southwest Scholl's Ferry Road and Southwest Blum Boulevard
Washington County (Tigard), Oregon
The sixth mall-type center in the Portland metro was located on an 85 acre plot, 6.8 miles southwest of the city center, in unincorporated Washington County.
Originally encompassing 1,093,500 leasable square feet, WASHINGTON SQUARE was developed by Winmar Pacific, Incorporated (a subsidiary of Seattle-based Safeco Insurance). At the time of its completion, it was the largest enclosed shopping center in the Beaver State.
A 2-level (160,000 square foot), Portland-based Meier and Frank became the first store to open for business, August 16, 1973. A 2-level (211,900 square foot) Sears and 2-level (120,000 square foot), Portland-based Lipmans came inline in November. The mall proper was officially dedicated February 21, 1974.
New stores continued to open. A 1-level (89,300 square foot), Honolulu-based Liberty House and 2-level (108,000 square foot) Nordstrom were dedicated in the summer of 1974. The final anchor tenant, a 2-level (210,500 square foot) J.C. Penney, came inline in 1975.
WASHINGTON SQUARE did not have much in the way of commercial competition until CLACKAMAS TOWN CENTER {9.8 miles east, in Clackamas} was completed, in 1981. BEAVERTON MALL (1969) {3.2 miles northwest, in Beaverton} was more along the line of smaller, community-type venue. Hence, it was no match for its superregional sibling in Washington County.
Anchor store rebrandings got an early start at WASHINGTON SQUARE. Frederick and Nelson rebranded the Liberty House location in 1979 and then moved into -and rebranded- the larger Lipmans store in 1980. The old Liberty House / Frederick and Nelson became a Mervyn's.
Three neighboring cities, Beaverton, Tualatin and Tigard, fought a nasty court battle for annexation of the mall site. In 1986, Tigard prevailed and incorporated WASHINGTON SQUARE into its corporate limits.
The first mall renovation was done in 1993. The recently-shuttered Frederick and Nelson was gutted and renovated into a new, 2-level (180,000 square foot) Nordstrom, which opened in 1994. In addition, Meier and Frank increased the size of their store to 242,500 square feet and built an adjacent, multi-level parking garage.
The original Nordstrom was gutted and expanded, with its lower level becoming new retail space. The upper level was refashioned into additional retail and the 10-bay Summit Food Court. At the same time, the mall -itself- was given an interior facelift.
The shopping venue changed ownership in 1999. It was sold to a joint venture / operating partnership of the Santa Monica-based Macerich Company and Pacific Premier Retail Trust. The Ontario (Canada)Teachers Pension Plan also participated in the transaction.
A second remodel of the mall was undertaken in 2004. A 100,000 square foot, twenty-eight store, Northwest Wing was constructed, along with two parking structures. These were completed in late 2005. With this addition, the complex encompassed 1,336,000 leasable square feet and one hundred and forty-three inline stores.
At the same time, Mervyn's shuttered their WASHINGTON SQUARE store. It was renovated and reopened, as a Pittsburgh-based Dick's Sporting Goods, in March 2008.
Sources:
"Washington Square Mall" article on Wikipedia
Comment post by Mark Bozanich
www.shopwashingtonsquare.com
www.washims.com
www.angelfire.com / "Highways of Washington State"
Washington County, Oregon tax assessor website
Eugene's Valley River Center
A vintage view of Center Court, the apex of 1969's "air conditioned
mall". Looking south from this vantage point, we see Memory Lane
and Leed's Shoes. The south anchor, Meier and Frank, is at the end
of the mallway.
Photo from Malls of America Blogspot
A vintage view of Center Court, the apex of 1969's "air conditioned
mall". Looking south from this vantage point, we see Memory Lane
and Leed's Shoes. The south anchor, Meier and Frank, is at the end
of the mallway.
Photo from Malls of America Blogspot
A rendering of the VALLEY RIVER CENTER anchor-to-be, Meier and
Frank. The store featured a rotunda over its south entrance. Saint Louis-
based May Stores, which owned the Portland-based department store
chain, used this design element in several of their shopping mall branch
Famous-Barr stores, as well.
Drawing from May Centers / Eugene Register-Guard
A site plan of the original, 662,400 square foot mall. Thirty stores
and services came inline August 4, 1969. By October, there were
forty-four in business. The complex was fully-leased, with sixty
tenants, by early 1970. A matter of note, the name of the river is
pronounced "wil-AM-it".
Strolling into the Music Department at the brand new VALLEY RIVER
CENTER Meier and Frank, one would have found the hottest LP by the
hottest act in the USA, Lincoln, Nebraska's Zager and Evans. Their
futuristic foray "In The Year 2525 (Exordium and Terminus)" topped
the charts on the mall's grand opening day.
By the mid-'70s, Eugene's preeminent shopping destination
was ready for an expansion. Montgomery Ward opened their
store, the mall's third anchor, in March 1975. This was followed
by a junior anchor-sized Lipmans, which began business in
August. VALLEY RIVER CENTER now encompassed 880,400
leasable square feet.
A diagram showing the level orientation of VALLEY RIVER
CENTER, circa-1991. Areas in black are a single floor. Those
shown in gray have two floors. Upper Level space not a part
of anchors and junior anchors is dedicated mostly to offices
and storage. There is a small section of retail stores above the
West Wing (adjacent to Ward's and/or the new megaplex).
This area also includes a Community Room.
The mall's original junior anchor, San-Fran-based Roos-Atkins, was in
operation for only a few years. By 1975, Troutman's Emporium
(Eugene's hometown department store) had set up shop in a portion
of the Roos-Atkins space. By the mid-'80s, it had expanded to 46,400
square feet. The store, seen here, was shuttered in 2003.
Photo from http://boundlessoregon.edu
The construction of a second regional mall, in nearby Springfield,
prompted the owners of VALLEY RIVER CENTER to do a second
expansion of their property. A Seattle-based Bon Marche came
onboard, as a fourth anchor, in August 1990. It connected to a new
40,000 square foot wing. The complex now spanned 1,044,400
leasable square feet.
Eugene-Springfield's second major shopping complex, GATEWAY MALL,
was dedicated in 1990. Today it encompasses 754,000 leasable square
feet with eighty-four shops and services.
Photo from Wikipedia / "AboutMovies"
A present-day aerial of VALLEY RIVER CENTER. With a GLA of over
one million square feet, it is the Beaver State's third-largest shopping
mall and the largest between Portland and San Francisco. By the way,
the largest malls in Oregon are the 1,472,000 LLOYD CENTER and
1,336,000 WASHINGTON SQUARE.
The mall recently celebrated its 40th anniversary. Its current
anchors are Macy's (in the old Meier and Frank), J.C. Penney
(a charter tenant) and a Regal 15-plex (which replaced Ward's).
The Bon Marche, fully "Macy-ated" in January 2005, became
a Gottschalks after the Manhattan-based mercantile moved
into the mall's south anchor box, in May 2006. Gottschalks
went bust in early 2009, leaving a large vacancy...
VALLEY RIVER CENTER
Valley River Way and Valley River Drive
Eugene, Oregon
News of a regional shopping mall for Eugene, Oregon was announced in June 1964. It was to occupy a 64 acre tract, .9 miles northwest of the center city. Construction would not begin until several years later. Meanwhile, a smaller, community-class venue, OAKWAY CENTER {1.2 miles east of the site} in Eugene, was completed in 1967.
Building on the VALLEY RIVER CENTER project got underway June 24, 1968, with its grand opening being held August 4, 1969. The 662,400 square foot shopopolis was designed by Seattle's John Graham, Jr. and developed by Eugene's Wayne H. Shields and Portland's H.A. Andersen.
The 16 million dollar complex opened as the largest fully-enclosed center in the state. It consisted of a single level of retail, with some stores having basements. There was also a partial third level, which housed offices.
Original anchors were a 2-level (181,100 square foot), Portland-based Meier and Frank and 2-level (206,300 square foot) J. C. Penney. San Francisco-based Roos-Atkins also operated a 1-level (33,500 square foot) junior anchor location.
Among the sixty stores in business by 1970 were Anita Shops, Fabric House, Hardy Shoes, Kaufman Brothers, Petrie's, Nobby Shop and the Junction House Restaurant. Within a few years, these were joined by Tiffany's Drug and the World's Faire Restaurants.
Roos-Atkins was short-lived. By the mid-1970s, 18,000 square feet of its space had reopened as a Eugene-based Troutman's Emporium. This store expanded into an additional 27,000 square feet, in the Upper level, in 1984.
The first expansion of VALLEY RIVER CENTER, costing 6.3 million dollars, got underway in 1974. Its first phase involved the addition of a twelve store West Wing, including an Upper Level mezzanine, which came inline in November.
The second phase consisted of the construction of a predominantly 1-level (106,000 square foot) Montgomery Ward, anchoring the new West Wing. This store was dedicated March 12, 1975.
Phase three was comprised of a 2-level (52,000 square foot), Portland-based Lipmans, added to the east side of the existing mall. This junior anchor-sized store came inline August 4, 1975. With its completion, VALLEY RIVER CENTER encompassed 880,400 leasable square feet.
In February 1974, WASHINGTON SQUARE had been officially dedicated, in Tigard, a suburb of Portland. It spanned over 1 million leasable square feet and moved VALLEY RIVER CENTER out of the position of largest interior mall in Oregon, down to the number two spot.
A game of VALLEY RIVER CENTER junior anchor musical chairs began with the 1979 rebranding of Lipmans by Seattle-based Frederick and Nelson. This nameplate was removed in August 1987 and replaced with that of Spokane-based The Crescent.
This store was in operation for less than a year. In July 1988, Bellevue, Washington-based Lamonts moved into the space. This operation lasted until March 1996.
The following spring, San Luis Obispo, California-based Copeland's Sports opened their store, which lasted until November 17, 2006. At this time, Englewood, Colorado-based Sports Authority assumed the space.
VALLEY RIVER CENTER faced a formidable competitor with the 1990 dedication of GATEWAY MALL {2.8 miles northeast), in nearby Springfield. As a keeping up measure, a Northwest Wing was built.
Anchored by a 2-level (124,000 square foot), Seattle-based Bon Marche, the expansion included approximately twelve inline stores and was dedicated August 1, 1990. The mall now housed 1,044,400 leasable square feet and one hundred and two store spaces, including an 11-bay Food Court, installed in existing space in 1986.
A 2 million dollar facelift was done between August 2003 and May 2004. This included the brightening of interior spaces with new paint and lighting. Moreover, the east and west facades of the structure were updated with new finishes and entryways.
Anchor rebrandings continued with the conversion of Bon Marche to Bon-Macy's, in August 2003, and Macy's, in January 2005. In May 2006, Macy's took over the Meier and Frank chain and relocated into their VALLEY RIVER CENTER anchor spot. The old Bon Marche / Macy's was leased to Fresno-based Gottschalks.
Montgomery Ward had vacated in early 2001. Their building sat vacant until being bulldozed in 2005. It was replaced by the Regal Valley River Center Stadium 15 megaplex, which held its grand opening March 5, 2007.
In February 2005, owners of the mall, the Brit-based Grosvenor Group, Limited, hired Santa Monica-based Macerich Company [March 2008 archive] to manage the property. The following February, Macerich bought the shopping complex.
The most recent news at VALLEY RIVER CENTER involves the shuttering of Gottschalks, in January 2009. At present, the store space is available for leasing.
Sources:
"Valley River Center" article on Wikipedia
www.macerich.com
Lane County, Oregon tax assessor website
Eugene Register-Guard
Valley River Way and Valley River Drive
Eugene, Oregon
News of a regional shopping mall for Eugene, Oregon was announced in June 1964. It was to occupy a 64 acre tract, .9 miles northwest of the center city. Construction would not begin until several years later. Meanwhile, a smaller, community-class venue, OAKWAY CENTER {1.2 miles east of the site} in Eugene, was completed in 1967.
Building on the VALLEY RIVER CENTER project got underway June 24, 1968, with its grand opening being held August 4, 1969. The 662,400 square foot shopopolis was designed by Seattle's John Graham, Jr. and developed by Eugene's Wayne H. Shields and Portland's H.A. Andersen.
The 16 million dollar complex opened as the largest fully-enclosed center in the state. It consisted of a single level of retail, with some stores having basements. There was also a partial third level, which housed offices.
Original anchors were a 2-level (181,100 square foot), Portland-based Meier and Frank and 2-level (206,300 square foot) J. C. Penney. San Francisco-based Roos-Atkins also operated a 1-level (33,500 square foot) junior anchor location.
Among the sixty stores in business by 1970 were Anita Shops, Fabric House, Hardy Shoes, Kaufman Brothers, Petrie's, Nobby Shop and the Junction House Restaurant. Within a few years, these were joined by Tiffany's Drug and the World's Faire Restaurants.
Roos-Atkins was short-lived. By the mid-1970s, 18,000 square feet of its space had reopened as a Eugene-based Troutman's Emporium. This store expanded into an additional 27,000 square feet, in the Upper level, in 1984.
The first expansion of VALLEY RIVER CENTER, costing 6.3 million dollars, got underway in 1974. Its first phase involved the addition of a twelve store West Wing, including an Upper Level mezzanine, which came inline in November.
The second phase consisted of the construction of a predominantly 1-level (106,000 square foot) Montgomery Ward, anchoring the new West Wing. This store was dedicated March 12, 1975.
Phase three was comprised of a 2-level (52,000 square foot), Portland-based Lipmans, added to the east side of the existing mall. This junior anchor-sized store came inline August 4, 1975. With its completion, VALLEY RIVER CENTER encompassed 880,400 leasable square feet.
In February 1974, WASHINGTON SQUARE had been officially dedicated, in Tigard, a suburb of Portland. It spanned over 1 million leasable square feet and moved VALLEY RIVER CENTER out of the position of largest interior mall in Oregon, down to the number two spot.
A game of VALLEY RIVER CENTER junior anchor musical chairs began with the 1979 rebranding of Lipmans by Seattle-based Frederick and Nelson. This nameplate was removed in August 1987 and replaced with that of Spokane-based The Crescent.
This store was in operation for less than a year. In July 1988, Bellevue, Washington-based Lamonts moved into the space. This operation lasted until March 1996.
The following spring, San Luis Obispo, California-based Copeland's Sports opened their store, which lasted until November 17, 2006. At this time, Englewood, Colorado-based Sports Authority assumed the space.
VALLEY RIVER CENTER faced a formidable competitor with the 1990 dedication of GATEWAY MALL {2.8 miles northeast), in nearby Springfield. As a keeping up measure, a Northwest Wing was built.
Anchored by a 2-level (124,000 square foot), Seattle-based Bon Marche, the expansion included approximately twelve inline stores and was dedicated August 1, 1990. The mall now housed 1,044,400 leasable square feet and one hundred and two store spaces, including an 11-bay Food Court, installed in existing space in 1986.
A 2 million dollar facelift was done between August 2003 and May 2004. This included the brightening of interior spaces with new paint and lighting. Moreover, the east and west facades of the structure were updated with new finishes and entryways.
Anchor rebrandings continued with the conversion of Bon Marche to Bon-Macy's, in August 2003, and Macy's, in January 2005. In May 2006, Macy's took over the Meier and Frank chain and relocated into their VALLEY RIVER CENTER anchor spot. The old Bon Marche / Macy's was leased to Fresno-based Gottschalks.
Montgomery Ward had vacated in early 2001. Their building sat vacant until being bulldozed in 2005. It was replaced by the Regal Valley River Center Stadium 15 megaplex, which held its grand opening March 5, 2007.
In February 2005, owners of the mall, the Brit-based Grosvenor Group, Limited, hired Santa Monica-based Macerich Company [March 2008 archive] to manage the property. The following February, Macerich bought the shopping complex.
The most recent news at VALLEY RIVER CENTER involves the shuttering of Gottschalks, in January 2009. At present, the store space is available for leasing.
Sources:
"Valley River Center" article on Wikipedia
www.macerich.com
Lane County, Oregon tax assessor website
Eugene Register-Guard
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