The Cheesecake Factory opened for business in February 2016. The store increased the mall's gross leasable area to approximately 1,162,200 square feet.
Photo from https://www.brookfieldpropertiesretail.com / Brookfield Properties
Fuddruckers World's Greatest Hamburgers, on the right, welcomed first diners in July 2002. Bonefish Grill, on the left, was launched in July 2014. These restaurants were installed in the mall's old Wyatt's (later Furrs) Cafeteria space.
Photo from https://www.brookfieldpropertiesretail.com / Brookfield Properties
The Macy's mall entry has sported several department store nameplates since a Phoenix-based Goldwaters opened, in February 1976.
Photo from https://www.brookfieldpropertiesretail.com / Brookfield Properties
Likewise, the J.C. Penney at CORONADO CENTER has functioned as several different department stores since a Dallas-based Sanger-Harris set up shop, in August 1984.
Photo from https://www.brookfieldpropertiesretail.com / Brookfield Properties
We wrap up our CORONADO CENTER section with a diagram to help clarify the CORONADO mall's anchor store merchandising musical chairs. With Macy's switching places and Foley's coming, going -and then coming back again- it could get confusing!
CORONADO CENTER
Menual and Louisiana Boulevards, NortheastAlbuquerque, New Mexico
New Mexico's second mall-type shopping center was built by the Chicago-based Homart Development Company. Plans for a 7 million dollar retail complex were revealed in January 1962. Going under the provisional name of HOMART CENTER, the open-air mall was being built on 40 acres of the 160-acre Jeannedale Tract. The site was situated 4 miles northeast of Albuquerque's Central Business District and was one half mile northwest of the WINROCK CENTER mall.
By July 1963, CORONADO CENTER had been established as the official name of the mall-to-be. Ground was broken on November 18, 1963. The complex was designed by Chicago's Loeble, Schlossman & Bennet firm and the George L. Dahl firm, of Dallas, Texas. When completed, the mall would encompass approximately 407,000 leasable square feet and eventually house thirty-two stores and services.
A 1-level (170,000 square foot) Sears became the first operational store, on September 23, 1964. A mall-wide dedication was held on March 17, 1965. The grand opening was attended by Archie Westfall (Albuquerque City Commission Chairman), Jack Hieronymus (Coronado Center General Manager) and Miss Sharon Birkenbuel ("Miss Coronado"). Entertainment was provided by the Albuquerque Indian School Band and the Caballeros de Vargas.
Among twenty-nine charter tenants were Wyatt's Cafeteria, Hardy Shoes, PayLess Drug and an Albuquerque-based Fremont's Fine Foods. A 2-level (118,300 square foot) Tacoma-based Rhodes department store opened for business on October 1, 1965.
Among twenty-nine charter tenants were Wyatt's Cafeteria, Hardy Shoes, PayLess Drug and an Albuquerque-based Fremont's Fine Foods. A 2-level (118,300 square foot) Tacoma-based Rhodes department store opened for business on October 1, 1965.
Shopping hubs in the vicinity of CORONADO CENTER included WINROCK CENTER (1961) {.5 mile southeast, in Albuquerque}, THE MALL (1967) {1 mile east, in Albuquerque} and -eventually- COTTONWOOD MALL (1999) {7.8 miles northwest, also in Albuquerque}.
Dale J. Bellamah, who sold Homart the land that CORONADO CENTER was built on, announced plans for a large scale development of the remaining 117-acre Jeannedale Tract in January 1971. The plot would be renamed Uptown Albuquerque. Office buildings, hotels, apartments, parking structures and a department store would be built.
By July 1973, the department store plan had been amended. A 2-anchor shopping center would be built adjacent to -and west of- the existing CORONADO CENTER. Soon after, this plan was altered again. The new shopping center would be added directly to the existing mall, in effect, doubling its square footage. As expansion plans were finalized, the ownership of CORONADO CENTER changed hands. A joint venture of the Dale Bellamah Corporation and California's Ernest W. Hahn, Incorporated became the new proprietors on December 28, 1973.
Meanwhile, environmental and neighborhood groups were opposing the CORONADO CENTER expansion. Lawsuits were filed, but had been dismissed by March 1974. By December, construction had begun. As part of the 40 million dollar addition, the existing open-air structure was fully-enclosed. A 2-level, ninety-four store, wing was attached to its west end. Thirteen new tenant spaces were created when the original section was enclosed.
Commonwealth Theatres built a freestanding multiplex in the mall's southern periphery. The Coronado 4 Theatres showed first features on June 15, 1977. The venue re-opened, as Coronado 6 Theatres, on December 13, 1985. It was shuttered in 2004.
Some years before, a second mall expansion had added a 2-level (135,000 square foot) Dallas-based Sanger-Harris. This store began business on August 2, 1984. CORONADO CENTER now encompassed around 1,105,800 leasable square feet, confirming its position as the largest shopping center in The Land of Enchantment.
Four of the five anchor stores at CORONADO CENTER would be rebranded, some on more than one occasion. Rhodes was promoted as a Liberty House-Rhodes in the mid 1970s and became a full-fledged Liberty House on August 8, 1977. The store morphed into a Hayward, California-based Mervyn's on October 8, 1978. The Broadway came under the Phoenix-based Broadway Southwest banner in 1980. Sanger-Harris operated as a Houston-based Foley's between April 1987 and January 1989. It became a J.C. Penney on January 31, 1990; a store snatched from WINROCK CENTER.
Goldwaters was rebranded as a Denver-based May-Daniels & Fisher (May D & F) on May 7, 1989. A 10 million dollar store remodeling got underway in August 1990. The building was gutted, expanded and rebuilt into a 154,000 square foot structure. A grand re-opening was held October 3, 1991. In April 1993, this May D & F became the mall's second Foley's location.
The July 1996 completion of COTTONWOOD MALL did not effect CORONADO CENTER. With the decline of WINROCK CENTER in the early 2000s, the CORONADO property was repositioned as the preeminent shopping venue in ABQ. Chicago's General Growth Properties acquired the mall in July 2003.
Macy's, which was operating in the old Broadway building, initiated a going out of business sale in January 2006. Operations were moved to the Foley's structure, which was rebranded as a Macy's on September 9, 2006. The vacant Broadway had been acquired by Minnesota's Target Corporation in July 2006. For years, it was postulated that Target would raze the structure and erect a new store. However, plans were eventually announced for a new Target; this to be built on a pad adjacent to WINROCK CENTER. This store welcomed its first shoppers in March 2013.
Meanwhile, anchor alterations continued at the "CORONADO MALL." Mervyn's was shuttered in December 2008. The building was thoroughly remodeled and re-opened, as a Wisconsin-based Kohl's, on September 26, 2010.
After sitting vacant for 7 years, the Broadway building was repurposed. Omaha's Gordmans home & apparel chain opened a (52,600 square foot) upper level store on September 19, 2013. This grand opening was followed by one for a (47,700 square foot) Dick's Sporting Goods, which had been installed in the building's ground level. Dick's opened for business on October 11 of the same year.
A face lift mall remodeling, the first since 1995, was conducted between February and November of 2014. The project added new lighting, paint, signage and polished porcelain flooring. Moreover, mall entrances, restrooms and the Food Court were updated. The main mall entrance was shifted eastward, with space created for a (22,900 square foot) H & M. It welcomed first shoppers on November 13, 2014.
Dale J. Bellamah, who sold Homart the land that CORONADO CENTER was built on, announced plans for a large scale development of the remaining 117-acre Jeannedale Tract in January 1971. The plot would be renamed Uptown Albuquerque. Office buildings, hotels, apartments, parking structures and a department store would be built.
By July 1973, the department store plan had been amended. A 2-anchor shopping center would be built adjacent to -and west of- the existing CORONADO CENTER. Soon after, this plan was altered again. The new shopping center would be added directly to the existing mall, in effect, doubling its square footage. As expansion plans were finalized, the ownership of CORONADO CENTER changed hands. A joint venture of the Dale Bellamah Corporation and California's Ernest W. Hahn, Incorporated became the new proprietors on December 28, 1973.
Meanwhile, environmental and neighborhood groups were opposing the CORONADO CENTER expansion. Lawsuits were filed, but had been dismissed by March 1974. By December, construction had begun. As part of the 40 million dollar addition, the existing open-air structure was fully-enclosed. A 2-level, ninety-four store, wing was attached to its west end. Thirteen new tenant spaces were created when the original section was enclosed.
The new and improved CORONADO CENTER had been envisaged by Charles Kober Associates of Los Angeles. It was formally dedicated on February 16, 1976. Attending the grand opening were Pete V. Domenici (US Senator), Manuel Lujan (US Representative), Harry Kenney (Mayor of Albuquerque) and Ernest W. Hahn. Over seventy new stores opened for business. The expansion was anchored by a 2-level (106,000 square foot), Phoenix-based Goldwaters and 3-level (159,400 square foot), Los Angeles-based The Broadway.
When fully leased, the mall spanned approximately 970,800 leasable square feet, housed 139 tenant spaces, and covered a total of 84 acres. Stores new to CORONADO CENTER included Hartfield's, Size 5-7-9 Shops, K-G Men's Store, Gallenkamp Shoes, Butler's Shoes, Richman Brothers, House of Fabrics, Burger King, Hot Dog on a Stick, Black Ram Leather Goods and Record Bar.
Commonwealth Theatres built a freestanding multiplex in the mall's southern periphery. The Coronado 4 Theatres showed first features on June 15, 1977. The venue re-opened, as Coronado 6 Theatres, on December 13, 1985. It was shuttered in 2004.
Some years before, a second mall expansion had added a 2-level (135,000 square foot) Dallas-based Sanger-Harris. This store began business on August 2, 1984. CORONADO CENTER now encompassed around 1,105,800 leasable square feet, confirming its position as the largest shopping center in The Land of Enchantment.
Four of the five anchor stores at CORONADO CENTER would be rebranded, some on more than one occasion. Rhodes was promoted as a Liberty House-Rhodes in the mid 1970s and became a full-fledged Liberty House on August 8, 1977. The store morphed into a Hayward, California-based Mervyn's on October 8, 1978. The Broadway came under the Phoenix-based Broadway Southwest banner in 1980. Sanger-Harris operated as a Houston-based Foley's between April 1987 and January 1989. It became a J.C. Penney on January 31, 1990; a store snatched from WINROCK CENTER.
Goldwaters was rebranded as a Denver-based May-Daniels & Fisher (May D & F) on May 7, 1989. A 10 million dollar store remodeling got underway in August 1990. The building was gutted, expanded and rebuilt into a 154,000 square foot structure. A grand re-opening was held October 3, 1991. In April 1993, this May D & F became the mall's second Foley's location.
The July 1996 completion of COTTONWOOD MALL did not effect CORONADO CENTER. With the decline of WINROCK CENTER in the early 2000s, the CORONADO property was repositioned as the preeminent shopping venue in ABQ. Chicago's General Growth Properties acquired the mall in July 2003.
Macy's, which was operating in the old Broadway building, initiated a going out of business sale in January 2006. Operations were moved to the Foley's structure, which was rebranded as a Macy's on September 9, 2006. The vacant Broadway had been acquired by Minnesota's Target Corporation in July 2006. For years, it was postulated that Target would raze the structure and erect a new store. However, plans were eventually announced for a new Target; this to be built on a pad adjacent to WINROCK CENTER. This store welcomed its first shoppers in March 2013.
Meanwhile, anchor alterations continued at the "CORONADO MALL." Mervyn's was shuttered in December 2008. The building was thoroughly remodeled and re-opened, as a Wisconsin-based Kohl's, on September 26, 2010.
After sitting vacant for 7 years, the Broadway building was repurposed. Omaha's Gordmans home & apparel chain opened a (52,600 square foot) upper level store on September 19, 2013. This grand opening was followed by one for a (47,700 square foot) Dick's Sporting Goods, which had been installed in the building's ground level. Dick's opened for business on October 11 of the same year.
A face lift mall remodeling, the first since 1995, was conducted between February and November of 2014. The project added new lighting, paint, signage and polished porcelain flooring. Moreover, mall entrances, restrooms and the Food Court were updated. The main mall entrance was shifted eastward, with space created for a (22,900 square foot) H & M. It welcomed first shoppers on November 13, 2014.
The Cheesecake Factory was also added to the main entrance area. The restaurant was launched on February 23, 2016. With its completion, the mall encompassed approximately 1,111,700 leasable square feet and housed 138 stores and services.
In a state of retail retrenchment, Sears downsized its store into a (78,100 square foot) operation and shuttered its Auto Center. The remainder of the space was carved into fifteen inline stores, with the largest being an (18,000 square foot) The Container Store. Sears held a grand re-opening on December 11, 2016. The Container Store was dedicated on July 8, 2017. The Gordmans chain had gone belly-up in March 2017. A Round 1 Bowling & Amusement Center opened in the space in June 2018. In a surprise move, Sears shuttered their newly-downsized CORONADO CENTER store in December 2018.
Brookfield Property Partners, based in Hamilton, Bermuda, acquired a share of General Growth Properties in 2016. In August 2018, Brookfield established 100 percent ownership of the corporation. Hence, CORONADO CENTER became part of the Brookfield retail center portfolio.
Sources:
The Albuquerque Journal
In a state of retail retrenchment, Sears downsized its store into a (78,100 square foot) operation and shuttered its Auto Center. The remainder of the space was carved into fifteen inline stores, with the largest being an (18,000 square foot) The Container Store. Sears held a grand re-opening on December 11, 2016. The Container Store was dedicated on July 8, 2017. The Gordmans chain had gone belly-up in March 2017. A Round 1 Bowling & Amusement Center opened in the space in June 2018. In a surprise move, Sears shuttered their newly-downsized CORONADO CENTER store in December 2018.
Brookfield Property Partners, based in Hamilton, Bermuda, acquired a share of General Growth Properties in 2016. In August 2018, Brookfield established 100 percent ownership of the corporation. Hence, CORONADO CENTER became part of the Brookfield retail center portfolio.
Sources:
The Albuquerque Journal
The Albuquerque Tribune
"Albuquerque's Environmental Story, Educating For a Sustainable Community, The Built Environment - A Sense of Place Mid-Heights" / by Phyllis Taylor
www.cinematreasures.org
http://www.movie-theatre.org / Mike Rivest
www.fremontsfinefoods.com
Bernalillo County, New Mexico Tax assessor website
www.ggp.com / General Growth Properties
"Albuquerque's Environmental Story, Educating For a Sustainable Community, The Built Environment - A Sense of Place Mid-Heights" / by Phyllis Taylor
www.cinematreasures.org
http://www.movie-theatre.org / Mike Rivest
www.fremontsfinefoods.com
Bernalillo County, New Mexico Tax assessor website
www.ggp.com / General Growth Properties
"Foley's" article on Wikipedia
"Macy's" article on Wikipedia
"Macy's" article on Wikipedia
