USA’s 1st Modern Shopping Mall to Get Overhaul
Northland Center, the nation’s first shopping mall (built in 1954 and closed in April 2015), may soon be a bustling retail center once again. The City of Southfield got involved to try to revive the property. Negotiations are ongoing, though some properties have already come under the city’s ownership (Macy’s, for example, reportedly donated its store to the city). After that wraps up, decisions will be made on what to put there. A planning team is headed by engineering firm Orchard, Hiltz & McCliment of Livonia, MI. “We see a mixed use development with housing, retail, office, R&D (research and development) facilities and walkable spaces,” mayor Ken Siver told Commercial Property Executive.
Cleveland Malls: a Look Back and Ahead
There’s an old saying: if you ignore history you are doomed to repeat it. That said, it’s always fascinating to take a peek at history’s shopping centers and try to figure out what the future holds. Certainly retail is a combustible industry, but what’s old is often new again. With that in mind, take a stroll through yesterday courtesy of Cleveland.com’s photo essay of area shopping malls of the past. While acknowledging the challenges retail shopping centers face, “The Southpark Mall in Strongsville… still thrives… more people have moved to the suburbs south of Cleveland and office buildings surround the mall, providing no shortage of customers.”
“Rockin’ The Ridge” Grand Opening Rocks Rochester
Phase one is complete and more retailers will open before phase two is complete, but The Ridge Marketplace is now open in Rochester, New Hampshire. The Waterstone project opened to great fanfare last month with Marshalls, Petco, and Famous Footwear. According to Fosters.com, a development like The Ridge has been in the planning stages for about ten years. “The city has invested $5 million in the shopping center’s infrastructure, and will own several roads and sidewalks created to service the area.” The official grand opening is slated for June when Market Basket opens. Meanwhile, Hobby Lobby is expected to open by month’s end.
VISIT DMM AT ICSC’S RECON 2016
DMM will be at RECon 2016, the ICSC’s convention that brings together retail real estate professionals from around the world. The show gets underway May 23rd and runs through the 25th at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Come visit us at our booth (#N1329) and learn more about our Retail Boundaries products. Come get a personal demonstration, find out what’s in store for ShoppingCenters.com down the line, or just come by and say hi.
