A photo from the mall's 1997 website. It shows the west-facing facade of the complex and glass-enclosed -Second Level- Carousel Court.
Photo from www.carouselcenter.com (website on Internet Archive Wayback Machine)
Photo from https://www.flickr.com / Jack Thomas
Built on the lakefront site of Marley's Scrap Yard, CAROUSEL CENTER opened, with a lion's share of media hooplah, in October 1990. The mega-center depicted in this circa-1990 plan featured seven anchors (with four of these being junior-sized). The mall encompassed approximately 1,560,000 leasable square feet and contained 125 stores. It had its own zip code (13290) and provided free parking for 6,000 autos.
CAROUSEL CENTER TENANTS 2000:
ANCHOR STORES:
AMES / BALLY'S TOTAL FITNESS / BEST BUY / CAROUSEL MALL 19 / DSW-DESIGNER SHOE WAREHOUSE / H & M / HOYTS CAROUSEL CENTER CINEMA 19 / J.C. PENNEY (with Styling Salon, Optical Department and Portrait Studio) / KAUFMANN'S / KAUFMANN'S FURNITURE GALLERY / LORD & TAYLOR / THE BON TON
INLINE STORES & SERVICES:
Abercrombie & Fitch apparel / Aéropostale apparel / American Eagle Outfitters / Ann Taylor ladies' wear / Arden B. ladies' wear / ATM Key Bank One / ATM M & T Bank / ATM US Federal Credit Union / ATM HSBC / ATM Fleet Bank / Auntie Anne's Pretzels 1 / Banana Republic apparel / Barnie's Coffee & Tea Company / Bath & Body Works / Bavarian Pretzel (kiosk) / BigFatWow / Borders Books & Music (with Borders Espresso Cafe) / Brookstone / Caramel Corn Shoppe / Carousel Center Skydeck / Cellular Unlimited (kiosk) / Champs Sports / Charney's Boys Regular & Husky / Charney's Regular, Big & Tall / Charlotte Russe ladies' wear / Cindy's Cinnamon Rolls / Claire's Boutique / CompUSA / Country Boutique / Country Boutique Country Christmas / Country Road apparel / Crabtree & Evelyn / Cyberstation / CyberXpo / Dakota Watch Company / Deb's Beeper World / Deb Shops ladies' wear / Eastern Mountain Sports / Easy Spirit Shoe Store / Eddie Bauer apparel / Eddie Bauer Home Store / Electronics Boutique / Eleganza Tailoring / Elisabeth ladies' wear / Express ladies' wear / Famous Footwear / Finish Line / Foot Locker / FootAction USA / Forever 21 young ladies' wear / Franklin Covey / Frederick's of Hollywood / GNC / GapKids children's wear / Gertrude Hawk Chocolates / Godiva Chocolatier / Guess? / Guitar Outlet / Gymboree children's wear / Hallmark Gold Crown / Hannoush Jewelers / Henry Wilson Jewelers / Hot Topic apparel / J. Crew apparel / Jo-Ann Fabrics / Johnny Rockets restaurant / Kahunaville restaurant / Kay-Bee Toys / Kohr Brothers Frozen Custard / Lane Bryant ladies' wear / LaValle Research / Leather Limited / Le's Nail Studio / Lechters Housewares / Lerner New York ladies' wear / LensCrafters / Lids hats / Limited Too / Lindt Chocolate / MasterCuts / Mikasa / Motherhood Maternity / Mozzarella's American Cafe / Mr. Rags men's wear / Mr. Smoothie / Nail Trix / Nancy's Coffee Cafe 1 / Nancy's Coffee Cafe 2 / NASCAR Silicon Motor Speedway / Nine West shoes / Nobles-SmartLink Superstore / Nobles Car Audio Installation / Northern Experience-Reflections-Traditions ladies' wear / Old Navy / Onondaga County Public Library (kiosk) / Pacific Sunwear / Parade of Shoes / Payless ShoeSource / People's Pottery / Petite Sophisticate ladies' wear / Piercing Pagoda / Plumb Gold / Pottery Barn / Prints Plus / Radio Shack / Rave ladies' wear / Record Town / Regis Hairstylists / Ritz Camera-One Hour Photo / Ruby Tuesday restaurant / S & K Menswear-Tailor's Row / Schapiro's Formal Shop / Select Comfort-The Air Bed Company / Silver & Gold Connection / Spencer Gifts / Stride Rite Shoes / Structure men's wear / Sunglass Hut / Talbots ladies' wear / The Children's Place / The Discovery Channel Store / The Disney Store / The Franciscan Place / The Gap apparel / The Limited ladies' wear / The Museum Company / The Original Cookie Company / The San Francisco Music Box Company / The Weathervane ladies' wear / The White Barn Candle Company / Things Remembered / Tony Walker & Company-Aussie Outfitters / Trade Secret / Track 'n Trail / Travel 2000 / Verizon Wireless (kiosk) / Victoria's Secret Beauty / Victoria's Secret lingerie / Vitamin World / VoiceStream (kiosk) / Warner Brothers Studio Store / Watch Station (kiosk) / Williams-Sonoma housewares / Wilsons-The Leather Experts / Xpress Place / Zales jewelers / Zany Brainy
FOOD COURT:
Arby's roast beef / Arthur Treacher's Fish & Chips / Au Bon Pain / Auntie Anne's Pretzels 2 / Cajun Cafe / Chinese Gourmet Express / Haagen-Dazs ice cream / Hooter's restaurant / La Cucina di Capri / Pizeria Uno / Sbarro The Italian Eatery / Starbucks Coffee / Subway / Taco Bell / Umi of Japan / Wendy's hamburgers
Several acres of oil refinery tanks adjacent to the existing mall had been cleared and cleaned (of petroleum-based contaminants) during the 1990s. The reclaimed site was to become DestiNY USA, one of the nation's largest retail and entertainment extravaganzas. This would be built following the tenets of green and renewable resources. Several snags, and a massive economic recession, caused the project to be scaled back considerably. In fact, only the "Arendi" (now Destiny USA) mall expansion would be ever be built.
A rendering showing a portion of the proposed Destiny USA project. If completed as planned, it would have included a domed (weather-protected) park, thousands of hotel rooms, various entertainment venues and a greatly-expanded CAROUSEL CENTER.
Drawing from www.destinyusa.com (website on Internet Archive Wayback Machine)
Photo from Wikipedia / US Embassy Canada
dedication of its southeast addition (in gray), the complex now covers around 2,400,000 leasable square feet. It has been renamed DESTINY USA. The 3 floors of the expansion extend from the First Level of the existing mall. The addition had no Commons (or basement) Level.
A rendering of the expansion area at DESTINY USA. This depicts a 3-story court area known as The Canyon.
Drawing from www.destinyusa.com
CAROUSEL CENTER (DESTINY USA)
Park Street and Harborside Drive
Syracuse, New York
The development of Syracuse's massive mega mall was a long and arduous process. Pyramid Companies, headed by entrepreneur Robert Congel ["Con-jul"], proposed construction of a 1 million+ square foot retail hub. This would be built on a 57-acre landfill, located 1.3 miles northwest of the Central Business District, in Syracuses' "Oil City" area.
Plans for CAROUSEL CENTER were originally announced in July 1987 and met a tidal wave of opposition. Years of controversy, lawsuits and litigation followed. The potential mall site was surrounded on two sides by refineries and on another by Onondaga Lake. Its redevelopment would require a massive hazardous waste clean up effort in order for the land to comply with government safety standards.
Lawsuits thwarting the mall-building effort were eventually thrown out of court and ground was broken for the project in May 1989. Syracuse-based Dal Pos Architects designed the structure. The 7-level shopping venue would cover approximately 1,560,000 leasable square feet and consist of 2 main retail levels. A basement (or Commons Level) would house two parking garages, as well as a middle retail section.
Rising from the center of the center would be a 4-level tower, with the SkyDeck observation lounge and banquet facility on its top floors. The 4th floor (the third level above ground) would feature a 12-screen movie multiplex. CAROUSEL CENTER was to eventually have seven anchors. As of March 1989, four of these were leased, with the potential stores being New York City-based Bonwit Teller, Texas-based J.C. Penney, Rochester, New York-based Sibley's and New York City-based B. Altman.
Park Street and Harborside Drive
Syracuse, New York
The development of Syracuse's massive mega mall was a long and arduous process. Pyramid Companies, headed by entrepreneur Robert Congel ["Con-jul"], proposed construction of a 1 million+ square foot retail hub. This would be built on a 57-acre landfill, located 1.3 miles northwest of the Central Business District, in Syracuses' "Oil City" area.
Plans for CAROUSEL CENTER were originally announced in July 1987 and met a tidal wave of opposition. Years of controversy, lawsuits and litigation followed. The potential mall site was surrounded on two sides by refineries and on another by Onondaga Lake. Its redevelopment would require a massive hazardous waste clean up effort in order for the land to comply with government safety standards.
Lawsuits thwarting the mall-building effort were eventually thrown out of court and ground was broken for the project in May 1989. Syracuse-based Dal Pos Architects designed the structure. The 7-level shopping venue would cover approximately 1,560,000 leasable square feet and consist of 2 main retail levels. A basement (or Commons Level) would house two parking garages, as well as a middle retail section.
Rising from the center of the center would be a 4-level tower, with the SkyDeck observation lounge and banquet facility on its top floors. The 4th floor (the third level above ground) would feature a 12-screen movie multiplex. CAROUSEL CENTER was to eventually have seven anchors. As of March 1989, four of these were leased, with the potential stores being New York City-based Bonwit Teller, Texas-based J.C. Penney, Rochester, New York-based Sibley's and New York City-based B. Altman.
Financial problems at the B. Altman chain resulted in it being removed from the final line up. Syracuse-based Chappell's was recruited, in July 1989, to fill the upper level space. Canton, Massachusetts-based Hills leased the lower.
Bonwit Teller was also facing bankruptcy. Through a drawn out process of bids and refusals, Pyramid Companies finally acquired the nameplate in April 1990...barely saving its mega mall from opening with a vacant anchor space. J.C. Penney, concerned about the possibility of the mall losing both of its upscale department stores, considered pulling out of the project. They eventually decided to remain in the retail mix.
The Sibley's chain merged with Pittsburgh-based Kaufmann's in February 1990. The Sibley's space at CAROUSEL CENTER was originally planned to encompass 125,000 square feet. The prospective store was expanded by 71,000 square feet. White Plains, New York-based Steinbach was signed, as a Second Level anchor, in July 1990. Woburn ["woo-burn"], Massachusetts-based Lechmere ["leech-meer"] eventually filled the First Level space.
A gala black-tie -100-dollar-per-plate- dinner was held in the Bonwit Teller store on October 13, 1990, commemorating completion of the mall. On October 15th, CAROUSEL CENTER was officially dedicated; an event that had been delayed on three occasions.
The mall's final anchor line-up was as follows; a 2-level (64,000 square foot) Bonwit Teller, 2-level (158,500 square foot) J.C. Penney and Hoyts Carousel Center Cinema 12, which showed its first features October 19, 1990. A 2-level (196,000 square foot) Kaufmann's opened for business on November 15 of the same year.
A gala black-tie -100-dollar-per-plate- dinner was held in the Bonwit Teller store on October 13, 1990, commemorating completion of the mall. On October 15th, CAROUSEL CENTER was officially dedicated; an event that had been delayed on three occasions.
The mall's final anchor line-up was as follows; a 2-level (64,000 square foot) Bonwit Teller, 2-level (158,500 square foot) J.C. Penney and Hoyts Carousel Center Cinema 12, which showed its first features October 19, 1990. A 2-level (196,000 square foot) Kaufmann's opened for business on November 15 of the same year.
Junior anchors were a 1-level (63,000 square foot) Steinbach, 1-level (80,000 square foot) Hills and 1-level (80,000 square foot) Chappell's. The aforementioned Lechmere, encompassing 1-level and 63,000 square feet, began business in 1991.
CAROUSEL CENTER originally housed 125 inline stores, with this number eventually growing to 170. Charter tenants included Filene's Basement, Lechter's Housewares, Heid's Hot Dog & Ice Cream, Spencer Gifts, Jo-Ann Fabrics, Warner Brothers Studio Store, The Bombay Company, Williams-Sonoma, Zales Jewelers, Arthur Treacher's Fish & Chips, Cajun Cafe and People's Pottery.
As one might expect, CAROUSEL CENTER immediately put the hurt on several established shopping malls in Greater Syracuse. The most effected were CAMILLUS MALL (1964) {5.2 miles southwest, in Camillus} and PENN-CAN MALL (1976) {5.9 miles northeast, in Onondaga County-Cicero}. SHOPPINGTOWN (1957) {5.6 miles southeast, in Onondaga County-DeWitt} persevered for a time.
New York City-based Lord & Taylor agreed to occupy the mall's potential seventh anchor spot in March 1990. Their 2-level (118,000 square foot) store was dedicated October 28, 1994. With it, the construction cost of the 1.4 million square foot CAROUSEL CENTER had reached 250 million dollars, making it the most expensive building ever constructed in Onondaga County.
Anchor stores came and went over the years. The first to fade was Chappell's, which was rebranded, by York, Pennsylvania-based The Bon Ton, in January 1995. Hills was rebranded, by Rocky Hill, Connecticut-based Ames, on July 22, 1999. This space was divided in half after Ames was shuttered, in August 2002. Sports Authority took up shop, in the southern half, in 2004.
Lechmere closed in November 1997. Its First Level area was divided into two store spaces. These were occupied by DSW (late 1999) and Kaufmann's Furniture Gallery (mid-2000). DSW moved to another location in the mall in 2004, with Circuilt City taking its place in November. This store was shuttered and replaced, by Ultimate Electronics, in August 2010. After the "Macy-ation" of the Kaufmann's chain, in September 2006, the Furniture Gallery was shuttered.
Steinbach, on Level 2, pulled out of the mall in May 1996. Its replacement, HomePlace, opened in August 1996 and closed in September 1998. A partition was installed. Best Buy opened, in half of the area, in November 1998 and was soon joined by Bally's Total Fitness.
Bonwit Teller, the remaining charter anchor, was the final operational store in the chain. It bit the dust on March 9, 2000, with a Stockholm-based H & M (Hennes & Mauritz) replacing it late in the year. By 2002, this store had been downsized into the building's first level.
The Third Level cinema was expanded into a 14-plex (1994) and 19-plex (1996). Regal Entertainment absorbed the Hoyts chain in 2002, with the CAROUSEL CENTER venue being renamed the Regal Carousel Mall 19. In 2005, the complex was renovated into a stadium seating theater. Two auditoriums were lost in the conversion into the Regal Carousel Mall Stadium 17.
In 1997, a massive expansion of CAROUSEL CENTER was announced. Originally known as the Empire Project, and later as DestiNY USA, it would have encompassed nearly 5 million square feet and redeveloped several acres of oil refinery storage tanks and rust belt industrial installations adjacent to the mall.
CAROUSEL CENTER was to be doubled in size, becoming the nation's largest shopping center and bumping Minnesota's MALL OF AMERICA down to the number 2 position. In addition to retail, DestiNY USA would include a (90,000 square foot) salt water aquarium, (500,000 square foot) multi-field indoor sports and recreation complex, a glass-enclosed Winter Garden with Erie Canal replica, 15,000-seat amphitheater, 100-acre domed park, 20,000 hotel rooms, three golf courses, a performing arts center and many other amenities.
A photo op groundbreaking was held in October 2002, which commemorated the start of construction on the first phase of DestiNY USA; the Grand Destiny Hotel. This facility was scrapped after it was revealed that the city would not extend tax breaks for a hospitality-oriented mall expansion. The addition would have to be strictly retail-based.
The DestiNY USA project hit other snags. Controversy erupted over tax breaks given to Pyramid Companies. Doubts also arose about claims made concerning its potential impact as a major Upstate New York tourist draw. In addition, the Macy's and Lord & Taylor parent companies were none-too-pleased about changes to their stores and alterations of their leasing arrangements via eminent domain. J.C. Penney and eleven other mall tenants were also unhappy with various aspects of the project.
These wrinkles were somewhat ironed out. A bona fide groundbreaking, for a first phase mall expansion, took place in March 2007. A 3-level (840,000 square foot) addition, built in the mall's south parking lot, was to house Arendi, a section of stores with a real time-online shopping concept. This would utilize computerized merchandise displays, computer-activating ID badges and iPhone technology.
However, work ground to a halt in June 2009, when financing for the 540 million dollar project was withdrawn by Citigroup Global Markets. The half-completed structure sat idle for 2 years as a courtroom battle raged. Citigroup contended that Arendi was a potential failure because no tenants had been actually signed. A deal was worked out in March 2011, releasing 40 million dollars in construction funding.
Soon after, details about the eminent completion of the project were released. The high-tech Arendi concept was being abandoned. The mall expansion would be a combination of high-end outlet stores, restaurants and entertainment venues.
A listing of future tenants included Saks Off Fifth, Dick's Sporting Goods, BCBG Maxazria, Michael Kors, Hugo Boss and Salvatore Ferragamo, as well as restaurants such as The Melting Pot, Cantina Laredo, Toby Keith's I Love This Bar & Grill and a Gordon Biersch brewery pub. Two of the entertainment-type venues were the Revolutions bowling alley, game arcade and bistro and Aja nightclub.
The H & M store was relocated from the old Bonwit Teller anchor box, to new quarters in the expansion area, on September 22, 2011. The next operational tenants in the expansion area were Hartmann Luggage and Lenox China, who opened their doors on November 16, 2011. Forever 21 assumed the old Bonwit Teller-H & M structure and opened a 2-level (60,000 square foot) store on April 13, 2012.
An official mall re-dedication was held on August 2, 2012. At this time, the official name of CAROUSEL CENTER, and its addition, was changed to DESTINY USA. With completion of the expansion, DESTINY USA encompassed approximately 2,400,000 leasable square feet and eventually contained 239 stores and services. One of these, J.C. Penney, pulled up stakes on September 21, 2020. Lord & Taylor followed suit, pulling the plug on their DESTINY USA location on December 29 of the same year.
CAROUSEL CENTER originally housed 125 inline stores, with this number eventually growing to 170. Charter tenants included Filene's Basement, Lechter's Housewares, Heid's Hot Dog & Ice Cream, Spencer Gifts, Jo-Ann Fabrics, Warner Brothers Studio Store, The Bombay Company, Williams-Sonoma, Zales Jewelers, Arthur Treacher's Fish & Chips, Cajun Cafe and People's Pottery.
As one might expect, CAROUSEL CENTER immediately put the hurt on several established shopping malls in Greater Syracuse. The most effected were CAMILLUS MALL (1964) {5.2 miles southwest, in Camillus} and PENN-CAN MALL (1976) {5.9 miles northeast, in Onondaga County-Cicero}. SHOPPINGTOWN (1957) {5.6 miles southeast, in Onondaga County-DeWitt} persevered for a time.
New York City-based Lord & Taylor agreed to occupy the mall's potential seventh anchor spot in March 1990. Their 2-level (118,000 square foot) store was dedicated October 28, 1994. With it, the construction cost of the 1.4 million square foot CAROUSEL CENTER had reached 250 million dollars, making it the most expensive building ever constructed in Onondaga County.
Anchor stores came and went over the years. The first to fade was Chappell's, which was rebranded, by York, Pennsylvania-based The Bon Ton, in January 1995. Hills was rebranded, by Rocky Hill, Connecticut-based Ames, on July 22, 1999. This space was divided in half after Ames was shuttered, in August 2002. Sports Authority took up shop, in the southern half, in 2004.
Lechmere closed in November 1997. Its First Level area was divided into two store spaces. These were occupied by DSW (late 1999) and Kaufmann's Furniture Gallery (mid-2000). DSW moved to another location in the mall in 2004, with Circuilt City taking its place in November. This store was shuttered and replaced, by Ultimate Electronics, in August 2010. After the "Macy-ation" of the Kaufmann's chain, in September 2006, the Furniture Gallery was shuttered.
Steinbach, on Level 2, pulled out of the mall in May 1996. Its replacement, HomePlace, opened in August 1996 and closed in September 1998. A partition was installed. Best Buy opened, in half of the area, in November 1998 and was soon joined by Bally's Total Fitness.
Bonwit Teller, the remaining charter anchor, was the final operational store in the chain. It bit the dust on March 9, 2000, with a Stockholm-based H & M (Hennes & Mauritz) replacing it late in the year. By 2002, this store had been downsized into the building's first level.
The Third Level cinema was expanded into a 14-plex (1994) and 19-plex (1996). Regal Entertainment absorbed the Hoyts chain in 2002, with the CAROUSEL CENTER venue being renamed the Regal Carousel Mall 19. In 2005, the complex was renovated into a stadium seating theater. Two auditoriums were lost in the conversion into the Regal Carousel Mall Stadium 17.
In 1997, a massive expansion of CAROUSEL CENTER was announced. Originally known as the Empire Project, and later as DestiNY USA, it would have encompassed nearly 5 million square feet and redeveloped several acres of oil refinery storage tanks and rust belt industrial installations adjacent to the mall.
CAROUSEL CENTER was to be doubled in size, becoming the nation's largest shopping center and bumping Minnesota's MALL OF AMERICA down to the number 2 position. In addition to retail, DestiNY USA would include a (90,000 square foot) salt water aquarium, (500,000 square foot) multi-field indoor sports and recreation complex, a glass-enclosed Winter Garden with Erie Canal replica, 15,000-seat amphitheater, 100-acre domed park, 20,000 hotel rooms, three golf courses, a performing arts center and many other amenities.
A photo op groundbreaking was held in October 2002, which commemorated the start of construction on the first phase of DestiNY USA; the Grand Destiny Hotel. This facility was scrapped after it was revealed that the city would not extend tax breaks for a hospitality-oriented mall expansion. The addition would have to be strictly retail-based.
The DestiNY USA project hit other snags. Controversy erupted over tax breaks given to Pyramid Companies. Doubts also arose about claims made concerning its potential impact as a major Upstate New York tourist draw. In addition, the Macy's and Lord & Taylor parent companies were none-too-pleased about changes to their stores and alterations of their leasing arrangements via eminent domain. J.C. Penney and eleven other mall tenants were also unhappy with various aspects of the project.
These wrinkles were somewhat ironed out. A bona fide groundbreaking, for a first phase mall expansion, took place in March 2007. A 3-level (840,000 square foot) addition, built in the mall's south parking lot, was to house Arendi, a section of stores with a real time-online shopping concept. This would utilize computerized merchandise displays, computer-activating ID badges and iPhone technology.
However, work ground to a halt in June 2009, when financing for the 540 million dollar project was withdrawn by Citigroup Global Markets. The half-completed structure sat idle for 2 years as a courtroom battle raged. Citigroup contended that Arendi was a potential failure because no tenants had been actually signed. A deal was worked out in March 2011, releasing 40 million dollars in construction funding.
Soon after, details about the eminent completion of the project were released. The high-tech Arendi concept was being abandoned. The mall expansion would be a combination of high-end outlet stores, restaurants and entertainment venues.
A listing of future tenants included Saks Off Fifth, Dick's Sporting Goods, BCBG Maxazria, Michael Kors, Hugo Boss and Salvatore Ferragamo, as well as restaurants such as The Melting Pot, Cantina Laredo, Toby Keith's I Love This Bar & Grill and a Gordon Biersch brewery pub. Two of the entertainment-type venues were the Revolutions bowling alley, game arcade and bistro and Aja nightclub.
The H & M store was relocated from the old Bonwit Teller anchor box, to new quarters in the expansion area, on September 22, 2011. The next operational tenants in the expansion area were Hartmann Luggage and Lenox China, who opened their doors on November 16, 2011. Forever 21 assumed the old Bonwit Teller-H & M structure and opened a 2-level (60,000 square foot) store on April 13, 2012.
An official mall re-dedication was held on August 2, 2012. At this time, the official name of CAROUSEL CENTER, and its addition, was changed to DESTINY USA. With completion of the expansion, DESTINY USA encompassed approximately 2,400,000 leasable square feet and eventually contained 239 stores and services. One of these, J.C. Penney, pulled up stakes on September 21, 2020. Lord & Taylor followed suit, pulling the plug on their DESTINY USA location on December 29 of the same year.
Sources:
Syracuse Post-Standard
www.carouselcenter.com
www.syracuse.com
www.labelscar.com
http:www.syracusethenandnow.com
https://nccnews.expressions.syr.edu
www.allbusiness.com
www.cinematreasures.org
"Carousel Center" and "Destiny USA" articles on Wikipedia
Originally designated as the Pink Flamingo Entrance, it accessed the northeast sector of the sprawling complex. Today, this gateway is referred to as the Avenue 4 Entrance.
Photo from Wikipedia / "Other Person"
The White Seahorse Entrance, which, back in the day, accessed the Cabana Court at the south end of the mall. Today, this doorway is known as the Avenue 2-Colonnade Outlets Entrance.
Photo from http://www.arquitectonica.com / Arquitectonica Architects
The Hurricane Food Court, one of two food facilities in the original mall. Its patrons were entertained with a whooshing wind -big blow- sound effect...which might have hit a bit too close to home in the aftermath of Andrew, in August 1992. The name of the U-shaped restaurant row was changed to Garden Food Court as part of a 2004 renovation.
Photo from from www.sawgrassmillsmall.com (Internet Archive Wayback Machine website)
A vintage view shows the New Ideas Court and mallway entrance of the Sears Outlet.
Photo from http://www.arquitectonica.com / Arquitectonica Architects
A circa-1993 aerial rendering of SAWGRASS MILLS. The mall -which was the fifth-largest in the United States- extended for 1.5 miles from end-to-end.
Drawing from http://www.arquitectonica.com / Arquitectonica Architects
The Sports Food Court opened with the second stage -Phase I- mall, in November 1990. Today, the facility is known as the Market Food Court.
Photo from http://www.arquitectonica.com / Arquitectonica Architects
A view of the corridor leading into the Video Court. This was in the south end of the shopping venue.
Photo from http://www.arquitectonica.com / Arquitectonica Architects
SAWGRASS MILLS TENANTS 1998:
JUNIOR ANCHORS
Bed Bath & Beyond / BrandsMart USA / Burlington Coat Factory / J.C. Penney Outlet Store / Marshalls / Regal Sawgrass 18 / Service Merchandise / Spiegel Outlet Store / Target Greatland (with Snack Bar) / VF Factory Outlet / Waccamaw Pottery
INLINE STORES
5-7-9 Outlet ladies' wear / Alfred Angelo Dream Maker Bridal / American Eagle Outlet / American Newstand / Ann Taylor Loft ladies' wear / Applewoods / Arrow men's wear / Art Treasures / As Seen On TV / Athlete's Foot / Athletic Footwear / Auto Optical / BCBG ladies' wear / Baby Gap Outlet / Baby Guess / Banister Shoes / Baron's Outlet men's wear / Barnie's Coffee & Tea / Barneys New York Outlet / Battaglia shoes / Bay Leaf Peddler / Beall's Outlet / Bebe Outlet ladies' wear / Benetton Factory Outlet / Bentley's Luggage Outlet / Bernini Outlet men's wear / Best Wishes / Beyond Electronics / Big Dogs apparel / Big Entertainment (kiosk) / Books-A-Million / Bon Worth ladies' wear / Bose / Bostonian Hanover Shoe Outlet / Boston Traders apparel / Brief Encounters men's wear / Brooks Brothers apparel / Bugle Boy Factory Outlet / CR Jewelers Outlet / Caché Outlet ladies' wear / Calido Chile Traders / Camelot Music / Carter's Childrenswear / Casual Corner Outlet ladies' wear / Casual Male Big 'n Tall / Cellular Works (kiosk) / Chico's Outlet ladies' wear / Claire's Boutique Outlet 1 / Claire's Boutique Outlet 2 / Class Perfumes / Clothestime ladies' wear / Coastal Cotton ladies' wear / Cohen's Fashion Optical / Collezione men's wear / Colours & Scents / Concept Store (kiosk) / Corning Revere/ Crazy Shirts / D. B. of South Beach ladies' wear / Designer Boot Outlet / Designers Row Unlimited / Dexter Shoe Factory Outlet / Diamond Centre / Discount Luggage Outlet / Discount Vacation (kiosk) / Disney's Character Premiere toys / Donna Karan Company Store / Dress Barn ladies' wear / Dress Barn Woman ladies' wear / Drugstore French Bazaar ladies' wear / Ed's Smoker's Emporium / Electronics Boutique / Emanuel Ungaro Company Store ladies' wear / Enrico Uomo men's wear / Erdos Cashmere ladies' wear / Etienne Aigner shoes / Factory Brand Shoes / Fadz / Famous Brands / Fascination (kiosk) / Flag Shop / FootAction USA / Foot Quarters / Foreign Currency Exchange (kiosk) / Fossil Company Store / Fragrance Outlet / Freddy's Jewelers / GNC / Gant men's wear / Gap Kids Outlet / Gap Outlet Guess Outlet / Geoffrey Beene apparel / Giorgio Brutini shoes / Glamour Shots / Gloria Jean's Gourmet Coffee / Group USA ladies' wear / Hair Cuttery / Halftime / He-Ro ladies' wear / Hush Puppies shoes / Jalan Jalan ladies' wear / J. Crew apparel / J. Riggings men's wear / J. W. Outlet men's wear / Jockey apparel / Jones New York ladies' wear / Ike Behar men's wear / Importers Area Rug Outlet / Imposters / Italian Terrace Bistro / Joan & David Outlet / Just For Shoes / Kasper ASL ladies' wear / Kay-Bee Toys / Kenneth Cole / Kohr Brosthers Frozen Custard-Auntie Anne's Pretzels / Last Call Neiman Marcus / Laminage Art & Frame / Laughing Lizards / Leather Loft / Le-Boss apparel / L'eggs Hanes Bali Playtex / LensCrafters / Let's Talk Cellular / Levi's Outlet by Designs / Lids hats / Lily of France ladies' wear / Lingerie Factory / Loehmann's ladies' wear / London Fog Factory Store / Luggage Express / MCM Factory Store / Maidenform Factory Outlet / Maraolo shoes / Mastercuts / Max Studio / Miami Shoes / Mikasa Factory Store / Mr. Bulky Treats & Gifts / Mondi Outlet ladies' wear / Mothers Work Maternity Outlet / Nail Trix / Nine West Outlet / Nordic Trac-Sport (kiosk) / On Time (kiosk) / One Stop Fashions ladies' wear / Oshkosh B'gosh / Outdoor World Army Navy / Pacific Sunwear apparel / Palm Beach Confectioners / Parade of Shoes / PayLess ShoeSource / Perfumania / Perry Ellis men's wear / Point of View 1 / Point of View 2 (kiosk) / Pretzel Gourmet / Pro Image / Psychic Fair / Rack Room Shoes 1 / Rack Room Shoes 2 / Radio Shack / Rainforest Cafe / Remington / Revlon Inspirations (kiosk) / Ritz Camera 1 Hour Photo / Rollermania Kiosk) / Roma, Incorporated ladies' wear / Royal Doulton / Ruby Tuesday / SF Photo Partners (kiosk) / S & K Famous Menswear / S. M. T-Shirt Factory / Saks Off Fifth Avenue Outlet / St. John Knits ladies' wear / Samsonite Company Store / Sanrio / Satz on the Avenue / Sawgrass Furniture / Security World / Serges & Company / Sensations apparel / Sharper Image Outlet / Shore Elegance Outlet ladies' wear / Sirens ladies' wear / Small Delights / Small Wonders / Smokers Gallery / South Beach Galleries / Specs Music & Movies / Spencer Gifts / Sports Authority / Sportswear Unlimited / Stuart's Children's Shoes / Sunglass Hut 1 / Sunglass Hut 2 / Sunny Eyes / Surreys Menswear / Swim 'n Sport Outlet / Tahari ladies' wear / Tepee Western Wear / The Bearrific Bear Factory toys / The Dollar Store / The Wild Pair shoes / T.J. Maxx apparel / Topper Outlet ladies' wear / Toy Works / Trend Club ladies' wear / Umbro / Unisa Outlet / / US Post Office / Van Heusen Factory Outlet / Vans Outlet / Vertigo ladies' wear / Visage Beauté / Vitamin World / Watch Me (kiosk) / Waterford Wedgwood / Wet Seal ladies' wear / Wilderness Country / Wilson's Leather Outlet / Westport, Limited ladies' wear / Westport Woman ladies' wear / Wolf Camera & 1 Hour Photo / World Art / Zap (kiosk)
HURRICANE FOOD COURT
Almanara / Bain's Deli / Burger King / Cajun Grill / Eye of the Hurricane / Great American Cookie Company / Häagen Dazs ice crfeam / My Favorite Muffin / Nathan's Famous Hotdogs / Panda Express / Potato Works / Rayjay's Garden Cafe / Sbarro The Italian Eatery / Taco Bell / Tropical Cafe
SPORTS FOOD COURT
Arthur Treacher's Fish 'n Chips / Burger King / Cajun Grill / Charlie's Steakery / Chicken Central / Häagen Dazs ice cream (kiosk) / Japan Cafe-Asian Grill / Miami Subs / Nathan's Famous Hotdogs / Panda Express / Rayjay's Garden Cafe / Sbarro The Italian Eatery / Time Out At The Blimp (kiosk)
The Veranda Main Street addition was anchored by Service Merchandise and the mall's first Last Call from Neiman Marcus location.
Photo from from www.sawgrassmillsmall.com (website on Internet Archive Wayback Machine website)
The Oasis was the first open-air wing at SAWGRASS MILLS. It featured stores and restaurants that were a bit more upscale than those in the original sections of the mall.
Photo from http://www.panoramio.com / "Andes"
Photo from http://www.panoramio.com / "Andes"
A circa-2010 plan shows the circa-1999 Oasis Wing in medium gray. In 2010, the big news is the Colonnade Outlets at Sawgrass Mills, which appear in light gray. Colonnade Outlets opened in two stages. The first was dedicated in the spring of 2006, with the second being completed in the summer of 2010.
The Colonnade Outlets was populated by upscale discount stores, such as Barney's New York Outlet, Hugo Boss Outlet and a new -and larger- Last Call From Neiman Marcus.
Photo and graphic from the Simon Property Group
In a circa-2013 plan, we see an expanded Colonnade Outlets and new Fashion Row. The Fashion Row section had been installed in a vacant Phar-Mor / Wannado City building. J.C. Penney Outlet operated as a JC's 5 Star Outlet between March 2012 and October 2013, when the 5 Star Outlet chain shut down. With these modifications, SAWGRASS MILLS housed around 335 stores and services.
Signage at a SAWGRASS MILLS parking lot entrance. The complex opened -in 1990- as the third "Mills" mall.
Photo from Wikipedia / "AITFFan1"
The most recent additions to SAWGRASS MILLS have been built in its south parking area. Stores in a 22-unit extension of the Colonnade Outlets began opening in November and December of 2015. A 4-level parking garage was completed in September 2016. Seasons 52 was one of two upscale restaurants included in the expansion. This bistro welcomed first diners in April 2019.
Photo from Darden Restaurants, Incorporated
A circa-2020 plan depicts SAWGRASS MILLS at the time of its 30th anniversary. In 2020, the complex covered approximately 2,370,600 leasable square feet and housed 400 stores and services within its enclosed and open-air concourses. There was free parking for 12,000 autos.
Drawing from Marriott Hotels & Resorts
SAWGRASS MILLS
West Sunrise Boulevard and Flamingo Road
Sunrise, Florida
The Western Development Corporation, of Washington, DC, was formed in 1967. In 1984, they entered into a joint venture with West Germany's KanAm Grunderbesitz GmbH. The first shopping mall project to evolve from this pairing, Virginia's POTOMAC MILLS, was dedicated in September 1985.
It was a unique and trend-setting retail center which eschewed traditional anchor department stores in favor of several junior anchor-sized, off-price retailers. The value mega mall was born!
The second Western-KanAm endeavor, Philadelphia's FRANKLIN MILLS, debuted in May 1989. Clocking in at over 1 million leasable square feet, it would be substantially bested by the next Mills mall project. This was under construction at a 138-acre site, located 10.7 miles northwest of downtown Fort Lauderdale, in the Broward County suburb of Sunrise.
SAWGRASS MILLS, designed by the Coral Gables-based Arquitectonica firm, opened in four stages. The first operational store, Myrtle Beach-based Waccamaw Pottery, began business on August 26, 1990. Sears Outlet became the second operational store, on September 5th. A mall-wide grand opening was held on October 4, 1990, with 202 stores and services on the retail roster. These included Bed, Bath & Beyond, Toy Works, Ann Taylor Clearance Center, Bugle Boy and Van Heusen Factory Outlets and the 16-bay Hurricane Food Court.
Five single-level stores anchored the mall; a (107,600 square foot) Waccamaw Pottery, (75,400 square foot) V.F. Outlet, (78,700 square foot) Phar-Mor Drug, (104,500 square foot) Sears Outlet and (77,500 square foot) BrandsMart USA.
A second grand opening, held on November 15, 1990, brought twenty-three additional stores. These included a 1-level (77,300 square foot) Marshalls Superstore and 19-bay Sports Food Court. A 1-level (25,000 square foot) Spiegel Outlet opened, as the mall's seventh anchor, on October 17, 1991. The freestanding Cobb Theatres Sawgrass 18 showed its first features on December 13, 1991. A 1-level (138,300 square foot) Target Greatland was dedicated on March 15, 1992.
SAWGRASS MILLS now housed around 230 stores and services. The sprawling, single level shopping center was divided into four themed concourses; Modern Main Street, Mediterranean Main Street, Art Deco Main Street and Caribbean Main Street. Its Hurricane Food Court had a whooshing wind sound effect.
Five court areas separated the "Street" concourses; the Entertainment Court, Video Court, Rotunda Court, New Ideas Court and Cabana Court. The latter had a simulated swamp with an animatronic singing flamingos and alligators display.
The complex was also wired with the "Mills TV" closed circuit system, with monitors placed throughout courts and concourses. Mall entrances and adjacent parking areas were also given names, such as Green Toad, Purple Parrot, White Seahorse, Blue Dolphin and Pink Flamingo.
Western Development Corporation converted into a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) in 1994, renaming itself the Mills Corporation. This new entity proceeded with an enlargement of SAWGRASS MILLS. A (65,000 square foot) Burlington Coat Factory commenced operation on January 1, 1994. This store was a precursor of an 11 million dollar Phase II (or Veranda Main Street) expansion.
Phase III, the "Entertainment Phase," was announced in January 1998. It was to add thirty-nine upscale retailers and enlarge the existing Burlington Coat Factory to 111,300 square feet. The Oasis wing was officially dedicated on April 15, 1999. Flanking its open-air shopping concourse were Gameworks, American Wilderness Experience, Ron Jon Surf Shop, Cafe Tu Tu Tango, Ruby's Diner and Foot Locker Outlet.
The existing movie multiplex had become a Regal Entertainment venue in 1997. During the Oasis expansion, five screens were added. The theater re-opened, as the Regal Sawgrass 23, on November 12, 1999.
Shopping venues in the SAWGRASS MILLS trade area included PEMBROKE LAKES MALL (1992) {9.3 miles southeast, in Pembroke Pines}, DOLPHIN MALL (2000) {25 miles southwest, in Dade County} and POMPANO CITI CENTRE (nee' POMPANO FASHION SQUARE) (2006) {14.8 miles northeast, in Pompano Beach}.
The third expansion of SAWGRASS MILLS got underway in December 2004. Dubbed The Colonnade at Sawgrass Mills, it was to add 118,000 leasable square feet and thirty tony tenants...all in an open-air format. At the same time, an 8-month-long renovation of the existing mall was done, with new flooring and lighting installed. Restrooms and Food Courts were also refurbished. The original "Main Streets" and named courts and entrances theme was also scrapped in favor of a new "Avenues" orientation.
The Colonnade Outlets grand opening, originally scheduled for December 8, 2005, was delayed by Hurricane Wilma. It was rescheduled for March 3, 2006. Tenants in the new "discount upscale" section included David Yurman, Coach Factory Outlet, Escada Company Store, Juicy Couture and Stuart Weitzman. As these stores were being built, Target Greatland was enlarged into a (173,300 square foot) SuperTarget store. Its re-grand opening took place in July 2006.
In April 2007, the Mills Corporation portfolio was acquired by the Indianapolis-based Simon Property Group. Between the fall of 2009 and winter of 2010, 22,000 square feet of store space was added to Colonnade Outlets. New retailers included Georgio Armani, Canali, Tag Heuer and a Villagio Restaurant. Prada Outlet welcomed first shoppers on December 16, 2010.
A fifth mall enlargement added 40,000 leasable square feet. This was built after the shuttering of the Wannado City indoor amusement park, on January 12, 2011. The vacant store was sectioned into a new "Fashion Row," which housed Calvin Klein, Max Studio, Columbia Sportswear Company and Cache. This section was officially dedicated on November 15, 2012.
A facet of this remodeling was an enlargement of the Forever 21 store, which expanded to 60,000 square feet and re-opened in the Spring of 2013. With all work completed, the gross leasable area of SAWGRASS MILLS had grown to approximately 2,289,400 square feet, with a retail roster of over 335 stores and services.
Not to be outdone, Simon Property Group pursued yet another enlargement of the mall. 82,000 square feet were added to Colonnade Outlets. The project was underway by October 2014, with thirty retail stores and restaurants opening for business between the winter of 2015 and spring of 2019.
Meanwhile, The Oasis section was given a "massive upgrade" during 2016 and a multilevel parking garage (the mall's first) was completed. Moreover, a vacant VF Outlet store was retenanted by New York City-based Century 21. The discount department store was dedicated in October 2016. SAWGRASS MILLS now covered approximately 2,370,600 leasable square feet and housed 400 stores and services.
Five single-level stores anchored the mall; a (107,600 square foot) Waccamaw Pottery, (75,400 square foot) V.F. Outlet, (78,700 square foot) Phar-Mor Drug, (104,500 square foot) Sears Outlet and (77,500 square foot) BrandsMart USA.
A second grand opening, held on November 15, 1990, brought twenty-three additional stores. These included a 1-level (77,300 square foot) Marshalls Superstore and 19-bay Sports Food Court. A 1-level (25,000 square foot) Spiegel Outlet opened, as the mall's seventh anchor, on October 17, 1991. The freestanding Cobb Theatres Sawgrass 18 showed its first features on December 13, 1991. A 1-level (138,300 square foot) Target Greatland was dedicated on March 15, 1992.
SAWGRASS MILLS now housed around 230 stores and services. The sprawling, single level shopping center was divided into four themed concourses; Modern Main Street, Mediterranean Main Street, Art Deco Main Street and Caribbean Main Street. Its Hurricane Food Court had a whooshing wind sound effect.
Five court areas separated the "Street" concourses; the Entertainment Court, Video Court, Rotunda Court, New Ideas Court and Cabana Court. The latter had a simulated swamp with an animatronic singing flamingos and alligators display.
The complex was also wired with the "Mills TV" closed circuit system, with monitors placed throughout courts and concourses. Mall entrances and adjacent parking areas were also given names, such as Green Toad, Purple Parrot, White Seahorse, Blue Dolphin and Pink Flamingo.
Western Development Corporation converted into a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) in 1994, renaming itself the Mills Corporation. This new entity proceeded with an enlargement of SAWGRASS MILLS. A (65,000 square foot) Burlington Coat Factory commenced operation on January 1, 1994. This store was a precursor of an 11 million dollar Phase II (or Veranda Main Street) expansion.
Twenty-five stores would be added to the directory. A 1-level (53,700 square foot) Service Merchandise was dedicated on November 2, 1995. A wing-wide grand opening was held on November 16th. Inline tenants included Bernini, Collezione, Cache', the MCM Foot Store and 1-level (25,100 square foot) Last Call by Neiman Marcus Clearance Center.
Phase III, the "Entertainment Phase," was announced in January 1998. It was to add thirty-nine upscale retailers and enlarge the existing Burlington Coat Factory to 111,300 square feet. The Oasis wing was officially dedicated on April 15, 1999. Flanking its open-air shopping concourse were Gameworks, American Wilderness Experience, Ron Jon Surf Shop, Cafe Tu Tu Tango, Ruby's Diner and Foot Locker Outlet.
The existing movie multiplex had become a Regal Entertainment venue in 1997. During the Oasis expansion, five screens were added. The theater re-opened, as the Regal Sawgrass 23, on November 12, 1999.
Shopping venues in the SAWGRASS MILLS trade area included PEMBROKE LAKES MALL (1992) {9.3 miles southeast, in Pembroke Pines}, DOLPHIN MALL (2000) {25 miles southwest, in Dade County} and POMPANO CITI CENTRE (nee' POMPANO FASHION SQUARE) (2006) {14.8 miles northeast, in Pompano Beach}.
The third expansion of SAWGRASS MILLS got underway in December 2004. Dubbed The Colonnade at Sawgrass Mills, it was to add 118,000 leasable square feet and thirty tony tenants...all in an open-air format. At the same time, an 8-month-long renovation of the existing mall was done, with new flooring and lighting installed. Restrooms and Food Courts were also refurbished. The original "Main Streets" and named courts and entrances theme was also scrapped in favor of a new "Avenues" orientation.
The Colonnade Outlets grand opening, originally scheduled for December 8, 2005, was delayed by Hurricane Wilma. It was rescheduled for March 3, 2006. Tenants in the new "discount upscale" section included David Yurman, Coach Factory Outlet, Escada Company Store, Juicy Couture and Stuart Weitzman. As these stores were being built, Target Greatland was enlarged into a (173,300 square foot) SuperTarget store. Its re-grand opening took place in July 2006.
In April 2007, the Mills Corporation portfolio was acquired by the Indianapolis-based Simon Property Group. Between the fall of 2009 and winter of 2010, 22,000 square feet of store space was added to Colonnade Outlets. New retailers included Georgio Armani, Canali, Tag Heuer and a Villagio Restaurant. Prada Outlet welcomed first shoppers on December 16, 2010.
A fifth mall enlargement added 40,000 leasable square feet. This was built after the shuttering of the Wannado City indoor amusement park, on January 12, 2011. The vacant store was sectioned into a new "Fashion Row," which housed Calvin Klein, Max Studio, Columbia Sportswear Company and Cache. This section was officially dedicated on November 15, 2012.
A facet of this remodeling was an enlargement of the Forever 21 store, which expanded to 60,000 square feet and re-opened in the Spring of 2013. With all work completed, the gross leasable area of SAWGRASS MILLS had grown to approximately 2,289,400 square feet, with a retail roster of over 335 stores and services.
Not to be outdone, Simon Property Group pursued yet another enlargement of the mall. 82,000 square feet were added to Colonnade Outlets. The project was underway by October 2014, with thirty retail stores and restaurants opening for business between the winter of 2015 and spring of 2019.
Meanwhile, The Oasis section was given a "massive upgrade" during 2016 and a multilevel parking garage (the mall's first) was completed. Moreover, a vacant VF Outlet store was retenanted by New York City-based Century 21. The discount department store was dedicated in October 2016. SAWGRASS MILLS now covered approximately 2,370,600 leasable square feet and housed 400 stores and services.
In May 2019, a mall-wide face lift commenced. The enclosed sections of the mall were refurbished, with special emphasis on the two food courts. A new entrance was added, along with tile flooring, signage and LED lighting. The project was complete by October 2020...just in time for the SAWGRASS MILLS 30th anniversary.
Sources:
The Miami Herald
Sources:
The Miami Herald
The South Florida Sun Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale, Florida)
https://www.sawgrassmillsmall.com
https://www.simon.com / Simon Property Group
http://www.arquitectonica.com (Arquitectonica Architects)
http://www.thefreelibrary.com
http://www.cinematreasures.org
https://www.simon.com / Simon Property Group
http://www.arquitectonica.com (Arquitectonica Architects)
http://www.thefreelibrary.com
http://www.cinematreasures.org
https://www.bizjournals.com
"Sawgrass Mills" article on Wikipedia
"Mills Corporation" article on Wikipedia
"Sawgrass Mills" article on Wikipedia
"Mills Corporation" article on Wikipedia
ARCADES
In this Pre-Malls exhibit, we explore the history of the centralized shopping center, which had its beginnings in antiquity and evolved, in the late 1940s, into the standard, United States-style shopping mall.
One of the earliest shopping center incarnations, a roofed commercial passageway, was built in Damascus, Syria in the 600s and is still in use. The concept was introduced in Europe with an enclosed gallery of shops. This was built in Saint Petersburg, Russia between 1757 and 1785.
In this Pre-Malls exhibit, we explore the history of the centralized shopping center, which had its beginnings in antiquity and evolved, in the late 1940s, into the standard, United States-style shopping mall.
One of the earliest shopping center incarnations, a roofed commercial passageway, was built in Damascus, Syria in the 600s and is still in use. The concept was introduced in Europe with an enclosed gallery of shops. This was built in Saint Petersburg, Russia between 1757 and 1785.
Damascus, Syria's AL-HAMIDIYAH SOUQ has been in operation since the seventh century. This weather-protected bazaar extends for 1,300 feet.
Photo from Wikipedia / "Bernard Gagnon"
A 19th century rendering of St. Petersburg's GOSTINY DVOR. The commercial complex, dedicated August 19, 1785, took 28 years to complete. In its original state, it encompassed 570,000 square feet and housed 100 shoppes. Today, it is one of The Continent's most upscale shopping venues.
Drawing from Wikipedia / "Ghirlandajo"
Nearly 150 enclosed shopping arcades were built in Paris between the late 18th and mid-19th centuries. Twelve of these survive to this day. Britain's first arcade-type structure was completed, in Oxford, in 1774. The concept was also tried successfully in London, Brussels, Naples and Milan, as well as in Australia and New Zealand.
London's BURLINGTON ARCADE first traded to the public in 1819. It opened with seventy-two 2-storey shoppes. Over the years, some of these were combined. Today, there is a total of forty.
Photo from Wikipedia / "Solipsist"
The ROYAL ARCADE opened, in Melbourne, Australia, in May 1870. There are presently thirty-four shoppes in the complex, which was renovated between 2002 and 2004.
Photo from Wikipedia / "Biatch"
The world's very first "Galleria" retail complex consisted of two criss-cross concourses which met at a dramatic, 96-foot-high, octagonal atrium.
Photo from Wikipedia / "G. Dallorto"
A contemporary view of GALLERIA VITTORIO EMANUELE II. The shopping venue features tony tenants, such as Gucci, Prada and Louis Vuitton. It also has a McDonald's!
Photo from Wikipedia / "Alterboy"
The shopping arcade debuted in the United States in 1828. Over the next 90 years, several more were built. A partial listing of these would include the following;
PULLMAN'S ARCADE (1885) {Chicago, Illinois},
CLEVELAND ARCADE (1890) {Cleveland, Ohio},
NASHVILLE ARCADE (1902) {Nashville, Tennessee},
DAYTON ARCADE (1904) {Dayton, Ohio},
PLANKINTON ARCADE (1916) {Milwaukee, Wisconsin}
and
PEACHTREE ARCADE (1917) {Atlanta, Georgia}.
Sometimes classed as shopping malls, arcades are really not malls in the traditional sense. The (quote / unquote) "shopping mall," which debuted in the early 1950s, was suburban in orientation and regional in scope. The typical "mall" was surrounded by a large auto parking lot and featured at least one large department store as its "anchor."
Arcades were always located in a central city and were not regional in format. They were never situated in the middle of a vast parking area and their retail area was, more often than not, leased to small, boutique-type stores.
The traditional mall and shopping arcade do share one similarity. All arcades -and most malls- feature a fully-enclosed shopping concourse.
PULLMAN'S ARCADE (1885) {Chicago, Illinois},
CLEVELAND ARCADE (1890) {Cleveland, Ohio},
NASHVILLE ARCADE (1902) {Nashville, Tennessee},
DAYTON ARCADE (1904) {Dayton, Ohio},
PLANKINTON ARCADE (1916) {Milwaukee, Wisconsin}
and
PEACHTREE ARCADE (1917) {Atlanta, Georgia}.
Sometimes classed as shopping malls, arcades are really not malls in the traditional sense. The (quote / unquote) "shopping mall," which debuted in the early 1950s, was suburban in orientation and regional in scope. The typical "mall" was surrounded by a large auto parking lot and featured at least one large department store as its "anchor."
Arcades were always located in a central city and were not regional in format. They were never situated in the middle of a vast parking area and their retail area was, more often than not, leased to small, boutique-type stores.
The traditional mall and shopping arcade do share one similarity. All arcades -and most malls- feature a fully-enclosed shopping concourse.
Providence, Rhode Island's WESTMINSTER ARCADE was the first such structure built in the Western Hemisphere. Designed by Russell Warren and James Bucklin, the complex was completed in 1828.
Photo from Library of Congress
WESTMINSTER ARCADE was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1976.
Photo from Library of Congress
The facility narrowly escaped demolition in 1944. It was given a 3 million dollar refurbishment in 1979-1980, but was shuttered in December 2008 for another renovation. This was completed in October 2013.
Photo from Wikipedia / "Nutmegger"
The Buckeye State's CLEVELAND ARCADE was envisaged by John M. Eisenmann and George H. Smith. The structure, which opened its doors in May 1890, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in March 1973. It was given a 60 million dollar renovation, which was completed in May 2001. At this time, the facility was incorporated into a hotel complex.
Photo from Library of Congress
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