I rarely cover articles on this blog, but
this one is too significant. KA Turner, who contributed to Macon, GA posts, passed this along to me. I genuinely have to wonder if the new owners
took my advice about this mall. This is definitely to be preferred to a hideous courthouse in the old Dillard's, though it is sad to see progress deferred like this. It was, however, too grand of a plan for too small of a city to transform a basic 70's mall into the state's largest mall when they did it. Perhaps this will not only help Macon Mall, but also will be a shot in the arm to struggling
Houston County Galleria that has long since been dwarfed by this mall.
The dead east wing of the mall, now slated for demolition by early 2011.
However, I just hope, beg and plea to Hull Storey Gibson that they do not remove the unique fountains and planters found throughout the older (original) part of the mall. If they really want to make people not want to shop there anymore, they should take what is left there that is interesting away now that so many of the major chain stores have departed. The original owners built this place to shine, so it needs to stay that way. This 35 year old mall, though it may not be what it once was, is still an amazing mall.
Buying a mall that the articles state is 50% vacant and demolishing part of it so that the vacancy rate will rise to 80%?
ReplyDeleteDoesn't sound too promising, but it's not my money.
@Anonymous That's not the vacancy rate. The article says the OCCUPANCY rate will increase from 50% to 80%. Which is a good thing.
ReplyDeleteI remember the first and only time I went in this mall was a few years ago. It was early, they haven't even turned the lights on yet. Maybe they weren't coming on. I don't know, but I remember saying to my sister, I wish they just tear that whole side down.
ReplyDeleteRight now they're landscaping the mall and trimming the trees as well as paving over the parking lot on the west side. Demolition of the Dillard's, Parisian and (later)east wing may come a little later.
ReplyDeleteThey've already removed one of the fountains, former Ruby Tuesday ans Chick fila
ReplyDeleteTo be honest, I feel like demolishing the new wing of the mall is an ok idea, but it should be last resort. Would it not be possible to lure in Von Maur and Forever 21 to replace the vacant Dillard's and Parisian respectively? I don't know how snooty Von Maur is yet, but a Forever 21 department store should be a definite possibility. If this were to become reality, many nice specialty stores would sign leases also. Maybe we can get some stores in Macon like Banana Republic and Williams-Sonoma! I really hope Hull Storey Gibson reads this and takes into consideration the above. Macon Mall can STILL BE large and awesome!
ReplyDeleteMacon Mall's problem is the neighborhood...it's just not a terribly safe area around there anymore, and it's an older area that was left behind for the northern suburbs. Fixing the mall isn't enough, and the lifestyle center that opened IS hurting it. I don't see any of those stores opening there, and the mall was too big to start with. They wiped out the competition for awhile, but the affluent population just isn't there to support it: they came there because there was no other option. Now there is.
ReplyDeleteI begged with you, but the fountains are gone!!! It is very BORING!!! It is like Western Hills Mall abandoned!!!
DeleteThey have taken out the carousel. All the fountains were gone months ago. The only trendy store left is Spencers. The vast majority of the clothing stores are places that I wouldn't be interested in shopping at. The place has absolutely no charm or character left whatsoever. They even plan for the security team to tell mall walkers (the older folks who like to walk the mall for exercise and those who are trying to escape the bad weather) to leave if they are not buying. No matter what they do to that mall, no matter who owns it, it always seems to be the wrong thing to do.
ReplyDeleteI'm from Macon...grew up visiting the Macon Mall and Westgate mall monthly, sometimes weekly since I lived on the same road...it's sad, but my opinion is that it's really the neighborhood that has run not only the mall but everything else down...the same stores are doing awesome where they've relocated...
ReplyDelete