A circa-2020 site plan shows the mega mall's new North East Expansion and Elevated Luxury Wing in shades of gray. With these modifications, the gross leasable area of SCOTTSDALE FASHION SQUARE stands at around 1.9 million leasable square feet, with a tenant list of 250 stores and services. For the record, the mall's retail level orientation is now as follows; Lower Level, Level 1 and Level 2.
East Camelback and North Scottsdale Roads
Scottsdale, Arizona
The two malls at the northwest corner of Camelback and Scottsdale Roads operated on a competitive -but friendly- basis for several years. In May 1983, Phoenix-based Westcor bought the FASHION SQUARE complex. CAMELVIEW PLAZA was still owned by its original developer, Scottsdale-based Business Realty of Arizona.
Dillard's established a FASHION SQUARE presence when it acquired the Diamond's chain in 1984. Sakowitz in CAMELVIEW PLAZA was shuttered on March 9, 1986. Soon after, Dillard's began renovating that store.
A "double-header" was created, with the old Sakowitz becoming Dillard's Camelview, which sold women's and children's merchandise. Diamond's was reconfigured as Dillard's Fashion Square, which carried men's apparel and accessories, home furnishings and electronics. The dual-Dillard's operation made its debut on September 24, 1986. The stores were connected by a parking lot shopper's shuttle, known as The Dilly.
On August 12, 1986, ground was broken for an expansion of the CAMELVIEW PLAZA Bullock's. The store was enlarged with a 65,000 square foot, west side addition. When Bullock's was re-dedicated, on March 18, 1988, it encompassed 224,000 square feet.
SCOTTSDALE FASHION SQUARE would be expanded in three phases. On March 6, 1988, work began on the first phase; an expansion and renovation of Goldwaters. The A.J. Bayless and Revco (nee' Ryan-Evans) Drug stores where demolished. Goldwaters was expanded northward, with 90,000 square feet added. The remodeled store was dedicated on September 9, 1988. It encompassed 180,000 square feet.
https://www.mcassessor.maricopa.gov / Maricopa County, Arizona
http://www.scottsdalepublicart.org
SCOTTSDALE FASHION SQUARE would be expanded in three phases. On March 6, 1988, work began on the first phase; an expansion and renovation of Goldwaters. The A.J. Bayless and Revco (nee' Ryan-Evans) Drug stores where demolished. Goldwaters was expanded northward, with 90,000 square feet added. The remodeled store was dedicated on September 9, 1988. It encompassed 180,000 square feet.
A second phase mall expansion commenced on June 10, 1988. Two retail levels were added to the shopping concourse, with the facility being fully-enclosed. A 2,300-space parking garage was built and thirty new stores signed. The renovated area was dedicated on November 10, 1989. New FASHION SQUARE tenants included The Disney Store, Eddie Bauer, Aeropostale, St. Croix, Brentano's Books and Z Gallerie.
Goldwaters was rebranded as a Los Angeles-based J.W. Robinson's on February 26, 1989. Soon after, Westcor embarked on the third (and final) phase of their 150 million dollar FASHION SQUARE expansion. A 2-level "retail sky-bridge" was built. It extended from the west end of FASHION SQUARE, crossed over North Goldwater Boulevard, and connected to the east entrance of CAMELVIEW PLAZA.
Goldwaters was rebranded as a Los Angeles-based J.W. Robinson's on February 26, 1989. Soon after, Westcor embarked on the third (and final) phase of their 150 million dollar FASHION SQUARE expansion. A 2-level "retail sky-bridge" was built. It extended from the west end of FASHION SQUARE, crossed over North Goldwater Boulevard, and connected to the east entrance of CAMELVIEW PLAZA.
This concourse, which housed 100 stores and services, was completed in stages. The first added a 3-level (236,000 square foot) Dillard's to the FASHION SQUARE mall. This new mercantile was built on the north side of the existing Dillard's Fashion Square. The new Dillard's, dedicated on June 20, 1990, consolidated the individual women's and men's operations, which were shuttered.
Dillard's Fashion Square was sectioned into inline stores, including the 9-bay Palm Cafes Food Court and Harkins Fashion Square Luxury 7. This venue showed first features on March 15, 1991, with the adjacent Palm Cafes also welcoming its first diners. Vendors included La Salsa, Panda Express, Great Steak & Fry Company, Sakura Japan and Sbarro the Italian Eatery.
Common areas in the newly-renovated "shopping paradise" featured several aesthetic touches. A Palm Court stairway was incorporated into a 2-level "rain curtain" fountain. "The Bronze Shopper" sculpture, also in the Palm Court, was crafted by Marc D'Ambrosi. Rob Fisher created "Symphony In The Air," a large, suspended sculpture.
The mall marriage expansion and renovation was completed in April 1991. By this time, Neiman Marcus was remodeling the vacant Dillard's Camelview. A grand opening for Neiman Marcus was held on October 19, 1991. Robinson's morphed into a Robinsons-May on January 31, 1993. The
CAMELVIEW Bullock's was shuttered on May 31, 1995 and sat vacant for
over 2 years.
In August 1995, Westcor acquired CAMELVIEW PLAZA in a joint venture with the Yarmouth Group, of New York City. Although the two Scottsdale malls had been physically linked, they continued to operate under their original names. In 1996, the CAMELVIEW PLAZA name was retired. Henceforth, both malls would operate under one name; SCOTTSDALE FASHION SQUARE.
By this time, another expansion was underway. A South Wing was built, which extended over Camelback Road to a 3-level (235,000 square foot) Nordstrom. Two parking garages, fifty stores -and 425,000 square feet- were added to the mall. The South Wing was dedicated, with the Scottsdale Fashion Square Exclusive Premier Celebration, on September 17, 1998. New South Wing tenants included Big Dog Sportswear, Boss Hugo Boss, Crate & Barrel, Great Train Store and Hops! Bistro & Brewery.
As the new wing was being completed, Dillard's was busy renovating the vacant Bullock's. The store was expanded, taking in inline store area of the old CAMELVIEW PLAZA. When construction dust settled, the new Dillard's encompassed a whopping 365,000 square feet. It opened for business on August 8, 1998. The previous Dillard's, in the FASHION SQUARE section, re-opened as a Sears on February 17, 1999.
As the new wing was being completed, Dillard's was busy renovating the vacant Bullock's. The store was expanded, taking in inline store area of the old CAMELVIEW PLAZA. When construction dust settled, the new Dillard's encompassed a whopping 365,000 square feet. It opened for business on August 8, 1998. The previous Dillard's, in the FASHION SQUARE section, re-opened as a Sears on February 17, 1999.
SCOTTSDALE FASHION SQUARE now covered 1,929,600 leasable square feet and was the largest shopping center in the Grand Canyon State. The dawn of the 21st century brought more changes. Westcor Partners was absorbed by the Santa Monica-based Macerich Company in May 2002. Sears had been shuttered in January 2001 and re-opened -as a Macy's- in August 2002. Robinsons-May closed in June 2006.
On September 1, 2007, a 130 million dollar mall renovation got underway. The vacant Robinsons-May building was bulldozed, along with adjacent parking garages on the store's north and east sides. These were replaced by 2-levels of underground parking, topped off by a 2-level (65,000 square foot) Barney's New York and bi-level shopping concourse addition housing eighteen store spaces.
The Barney's New York expansion was officially dedicated on October 15, 2009. Joining the SCOTTSDALE FASHION SQUARE directory were tenants such as Love Culture, Aqua Beachwear, Arthur, Michael Stars, Ed Hardy, Modern Steakhouse and Marcella's Ristorante Pizzeria & Wine Bar. With the reconstruction, the gross leasable area of SCOTTSDALE FASHION SQUARE was increased to approximately 1,939,600 square feet.
A subsequent expansion got underway in July 2014. It added a 1-level (50,000 square foot) Dick's Sporting Goods, which was dedicated on July 17, 2015. The Harkins Camelview At Fashion Square 14 megaplex showed first features on December 18, 2015. The two existing Harkins venues had been shuttered; the Fashion Square 7 on December 6 and CamelView 5 on December 10.
By late 2017, another mall renovation and expansion was underway. The shopping concourse between the Palm Court and Neiman Marcus was refurbished with new flooring, elevators, escalators, store fronts and ceilings. An Elevated Luxury Wing was created, which included a grand mall entrance and stores such as Trina Turk, Saint Laurent and the Breitling, Hublot and IWC Schaffhausen Swiss watch boutiques. Casual dining restaurants Ocean 44, Nobu and Toca Madera, also joined the directory.
The first new stores opened for business in November 2018, with subsequent dedications being held over the next 3 years. SCOTTSDALE FASHION SQUARE now encompassed approximately 1,883,000 leasable square feet and featured over 240 stores and services.
Sources:
The Arizona Republic (Phoenix, Arizona)
http://www.azcentral.com
http://www.hortonrealtyadvisors.com
On September 1, 2007, a 130 million dollar mall renovation got underway. The vacant Robinsons-May building was bulldozed, along with adjacent parking garages on the store's north and east sides. These were replaced by 2-levels of underground parking, topped off by a 2-level (65,000 square foot) Barney's New York and bi-level shopping concourse addition housing eighteen store spaces.
The Barney's New York expansion was officially dedicated on October 15, 2009. Joining the SCOTTSDALE FASHION SQUARE directory were tenants such as Love Culture, Aqua Beachwear, Arthur, Michael Stars, Ed Hardy, Modern Steakhouse and Marcella's Ristorante Pizzeria & Wine Bar. With the reconstruction, the gross leasable area of SCOTTSDALE FASHION SQUARE was increased to approximately 1,939,600 square feet.
A subsequent expansion got underway in July 2014. It added a 1-level (50,000 square foot) Dick's Sporting Goods, which was dedicated on July 17, 2015. The Harkins Camelview At Fashion Square 14 megaplex showed first features on December 18, 2015. The two existing Harkins venues had been shuttered; the Fashion Square 7 on December 6 and CamelView 5 on December 10.
By late 2017, another mall renovation and expansion was underway. The shopping concourse between the Palm Court and Neiman Marcus was refurbished with new flooring, elevators, escalators, store fronts and ceilings. An Elevated Luxury Wing was created, which included a grand mall entrance and stores such as Trina Turk, Saint Laurent and the Breitling, Hublot and IWC Schaffhausen Swiss watch boutiques. Casual dining restaurants Ocean 44, Nobu and Toca Madera, also joined the directory.
The first new stores opened for business in November 2018, with subsequent dedications being held over the next 3 years. SCOTTSDALE FASHION SQUARE now encompassed approximately 1,883,000 leasable square feet and featured over 240 stores and services.
Sources:
The Arizona Republic (Phoenix, Arizona)
http://www.azcentral.com
http://www.hortonrealtyadvisors.com
http://www.fashionsquare.com (website on Internet Archive Wayback Machine)
http;//www.westcor.com (website on Internet Archive Wayback Machine)
http;//www.westcor.com (website on Internet Archive Wayback Machine)
http://www.macerich.com (website on Internet Archive Wayback Machine)
https://www.macerich.com
https://www.fashionsquare.com
https://www.fundinguniverse.com
http://www.fashionsquareredevelopment.comhttps://www.mcassessor.maricopa.gov / Maricopa County, Arizona
http://www.scottsdalepublicart.org
https://fabulousarizona.com
"Scottsdale Fashion Square-North Expansion" prospectus / Nelsen Partners
"Scottsdale Fashion Square" article on Wikipedia
"Scottsdale Fashion Square-North Expansion" prospectus / Nelsen Partners
"Scottsdale Fashion Square" article on Wikipedia
FAIR USE OF IMAGES:
The photographs from the Arizona Memory Project / Scottsdale Historical Society and AZ Central illustrate a key moment in the mall's history that is described in the article. The images are of lower resolution than the originals (copies made would be of inferior quality). The images are not replaceable with free-use or public-domain images. The use of the images does not limit the copyright owners' rights to distribute them in any way. The images are being used for non-profit, informational purposes only and their use is not believed to detract from the original images in any way.
