Riverchase Galleria

The Riverchase Galleria, locally known as The Galleria, is a large, super–regional shopping mall Hoover. It is managed and partially owned by General Growth Properties and is Alabama's largest enclosed shopping center with 1.9 million square feet of total retail floor area. Its 218 stores and restaurants are also one of the state's most popular tourist destinations, attracting customers from neighboring states. During 2008 the mall reported 15 million shoppers, making it Alabama's busiest shopping center. The mall's general manager is Mike White.

Located on U.S. Highway 31 between Interstate 459 and Alabama State Highway 150, the Riverchase Galleria complex includes the two-level Galleria Mall, the 15-story, 330-room Hyatt Regency hotel, and the 14-story, 275,000 square foot "Galleria Tower" office building (now called the Offices at 3000 RiverChase), both accessible from the mall's central atrium. The Galleria is part of the Riverchase planned development, including a residential community and a business community located in the southern part of the city of Hoover. The style of the Riverchase Galleria is modeled after the Houston Galleria and is notable for having the "world's longest skylight" at 200 feet.

The Galleria in August 2009

The Galleria's atrium in December 2013

History

In 1975 a deal was announced between Harbert Corporation and the Equitable Life Insurance Company, the developers of Riverchase, and the Rouse Company of Baltimore, Maryland. The announcement forecast a $30 million, 850,000 square foot Riverchase Mall on the 70-acre site.

On June 5, 1985, during the final construction phase, a fire broke out on the roof of the mall's office tower, causing extensive damage to the roof and the top floors of the tower. It was determined that the fire was caused by a hot tar roofing kettle.

The Galleria was eventually developed by Jim Wilson & Associates and opened on February 19, 1986. Initially 1,200,000 square feet with four anchor stores — two Birmingham-based chains, Parisian and Pizitz — along with Rich's and J. C. Penney. In March 1987, the mall added its first Macy's store at center court, marking the company's first store in Alabama. Within the same year, the Pizitz chain was acquired by McRae's of Jackson, Mississippi, and subsequently renamed. In 1995 Parisian expanded their store by almost two-thirds, while in 1996 Sears and a new wing were added, making Riverchase Galleria a total 1.9 million square feet in size. The expansion made it the largest mixed-use project in the Southeast, and one of the top 10 largest mixed-use projects in the United States. The mall was renovated in 1998 and again in 2001. An inscribed floor tile was installed near the atrium elevators to mark the completion of the 2001 renovation.

In 2003, the mall began to feel the effects of department store consolidation when the Macy's anchor store closed, while the Rich's location was renamed Rich's-Macy's. Following the closure of the original Macy's location, the property was sold to Saks Incorporated, by then the parent of both McRae's and Parisian. Saks kept the west side anchor space vacant for more than a year before reopening the extensively renovated store in October 2004 under its Proffitt's division, giving the company three different anchors at Riverchase. On March 6, 2005, the Rich's-Macy's store was officially rechristened as Macy's. Later in 2005, Saks sold its Proffitt's division — including most of the McRae's chain — to Belk. As a result, Saks closed the 131,000 sq ft McRae's store. Belk dissolved the separate Proffitt's organization, and on March 8, 2006 (almost exactly one year following the Rich's conversion) the Proffitt's store at Riverchase became the mall's first Belk store.

In late 2003, Jim Wilson & Associates sold 50% of the Galleria to General Growth Properties, which assumed management control. General Growth also owns Century Plaza in Birmingham. Sam Warbington became the mall's general manager on March 17, 2008, having previously managed Brookwood Village. Warbington was succeeded by Mike White in November 2016.

In 2006, Belk acquired the Parisian store chain from Saks Incorporated. Additionally, the former Pizitz/McRae's location simultaneously became available for occupancy. The store had remained vacant since the 2005 closure of McRae's as a result of a lawsuit between the Pizitz family (which had retained ownership of the store real estate after its sale in 1987) and Saks Incorporated (which inherited the lease obligations of its defunct McRae's operation). As part of its merger of the Parisian stores into its operations, Belk closed its location in the original Macy's space in favor of the former Parisian. The upper level of the former Pizitz/McRae's has since been converted to a Belk Home & Children's Store, with its grand opening held on November 14, 2007.

On November 30, 2007 the Galleria announced that the Seattle, Washington-based Nordstrom department store planned to open their first Alabama location in the mall in 2012. That plan was canceled in 2009 as General Growth Properties reorganized under bankruptcy.

In 2010, the City of Hoover commissioned a study to determine if it were feasible to construct a small convention center, with 100,000 square feet of meeting rooms, a 25,000 square-foot exhibition hall, and a 2,000-seat theater which could also be used for Hoover City Schools programs, in the original Macy's anchor location on the mall's west side.

That plan was set aside as Davenport, Iowa-based Von Maur proposed to occupy the former Macy's site. More than $100 million was spent renovating and refurbishing the property for Von Maur, which opened on November 2, 2013, and other new tenants.

On Thanksgiving evening, November 23, 2017 a fight broke out between two women on the mall's upper level. The disturbance led the mall to close 40 minutes early. A year later, also on Thanksgiving, November 22, 2018, two people were wounded in a shooting and Hoover Police Department officers shot and killed another man. The circumstances surrounding the police-involved shooting led activist groups to hold demonstrations at the mall and to promote an economic boycott of all Hoover businesses.

Layout

The Galleria is generally rectangular and tilted slightly northwest of a north-south axis along its length. J. C. Penney has occupied the north end anchor space since the mall opened in 1986. At the south end the mall splits along a diagonal into two more anchor spaces, a closer one to the southeast and slightly farther one to the southwest. The southwest anchor is part of the aforementioned mall expansion added in 1996.

A full-size, authentic 19th Century Dentzel Carousel is located in the food court in the central atrium. In the past, the carousel was dismantled for part of the year, with foliage and a fountain in its place, and reassembled for the holiday season. Currently, the carousel has remained in place for several years. Occasionally, the traditional carousel animals are replaced with reindeer for the holiday season.

In the middle of the eastern side is a Hyatt Regency Hotel (formerly the Wynfrey Hotel) with anchor store spaces abutting the north and south sides of it. Across from the hotel, the Offices at 3000 RiverChase office tower rises in the middle of the western side with another anchor space extending to the west of it. A 2,798-space parking deck lies to the north of this anchor while a 2,915-space parking deck lies to the south. A U-shaped ramp surrounds the anchor, providing automobiles direct access to both the main level of the office tower (above the mall's upper level) and the top levels of the two parking decks.

Most of the mall entrances are provided through the anchor stores or via the multiple pedestrian bridges from the parking decks which connect to the mall's upper level and the anchor store between the decks. The mall can also be accessed directly from the hotel and via elevator from the tower. There is a single entrance going directly from the parking lot to the mall's interior between the hotel and the southeast anchor.

The area immediately surrounding the mall is all parking lot surrounded by a road known as Galleria Circle. Along the outer perimeter of Galleria Circle are a series of outparcels occupied by restaurants and retailers. The parking lot surrounding the mall and two parking decks give the center over 10,000 total parking spaces.

Access

Swan signs originally located at the entrances to the Riverchase Galleria

When it opened in 1986, access to the Galleria was limited to three entrances on U.S. Highway 31 and two on Alabama State Highway 150. The mall's opening led to frequent congestion at the nearby I-459/Highway 31 intersection on both roadways. Proposals for an additional exit going directly to the Galleria were made as early as 1994. Construction finally began in 2000 and the exit, including the Galleria Boulevard flyover, opened in late 2002. Galleria Boulevard runs north-south just to the west of the Galleria, between it and the adjacent Patton Creek Shopping Center, which was built in 2003.

Tenants

Anchors

Location	Current store	Square footage	History
North end	J.C. Penney	135,163	Opened February 1986.
East side, north	Belk	203,500	Opened February 1986 as Parisian, converted September 2007 to Belk.
West side	Von Maur	255,000	Opened April 1987 as Macy's, closed April 2003 after acquisition of Rich's. Opened October 2004 as Proffitt's, purchased 2005 by Belk, converted March 2006 to Belk, moved September 2007. Remained vacant until Von Maur opened in November 2013.
East side, south	Belk Home and Children's, upper level only	131,000	Opened February 1986 as Pizitz, acquired by and renamed 1987 to Pizitz, closed 2005. Opened November 2007 as Belk Home.
Southeast end	Macy's	220,000	Opened February 1986 as Rich's, renamed February 2003 to Rich's-Macy's, renamed March 2005 to Macy's.
Southwest end	vacant	150,000	Opened 1996 as Sears during a mall expansion. Closed October 2019

Riverchase Galleria Anchor Store Timeline
Location	1980s								1990s																				2000s																				2010s
	6		7		8		9		0		1		2		3		4		5		6		7		8		9		0		1		2		3		4		5		6		7		8		9		0		1		2		3		4
North	JCPenney
West				Macy's																																		Proffitt's				Belk														Von Maur
East-North	Parisian																																											Belk
East-South	Pizitz			McRae's																																								Belk Home (upper level only)
Southeast	Rich's																																			Rich's-Macy's				Macy's
Southwest	unbuilt																					Sears

Main level

Sears entrance Section A1 101: 102: U. S. Post Office Galleria Postal Store (1995-November 19, 2011) 103: Franzone Shoe Repair (1995) 103A: Beauchamp's Alteration (1995) 104: Women's World (1995) 105: Waldenbooks (1995) 106: Wilson's Leather (1995-1999) Deck The Walls (1999) Lemstone Books (1999) Lerner New York (1999) Lindz's (1999) Nine West (1999) Planet Smoothie (1999) Sam Goody (1999) South Parking Deck entrance 1 Section B1 108-109: Justice (2019) 108: J. Riggings (1995) 109: Talbot's (1995) 110: Carroll Reed (1995), Dave & Busters (2019) 111: Harold's (1995-1999), Build-A-Bear Workshop (2019) 112: The Disney Store (1995-1999), Garage (Summer 2015-2019) 113: Caché (1995-1999), AT&T Store (2019) Talbot's Woman (1999) South Parking Deck entrance 2 Section C1 114-115: Victoria's Secret / Pink (2019) 114: The Limited (1995-2009) 118: Victoria's Secret (1995) 119: Ciro (1995) The Limited Too (1999) Macy's / Von Maur entrance, elevators Section D1 123: Units (1995) 124: Crabtree & Evelyn (1995-1999) 125: British Passage (1995) 126: Pastille (1995) 128: Lynn's Hallmark (1995), Champs Sports (2019) 129: Lady Foot Locker (1995) Banana Republic (1999) Ivey's (1999) The Museum Company (1999) Monograms Plus (1999) North Parking Deck entrance Section E1 130: D.J.'s (1995), Abercrombie & Fitch (1999-2019) 131: Kinney Shoes (1995) 132: Lane Bryant (1995) 133: Oh Wow! (1995) 134: Lerner (1995) 135: Hush Puppies Shoes (1995) 136: Lechhter's Housewares (1995) 137: Circus World (1995), City Gear (2019) The Bean Bag (1999) The Icing (1999) KB Toys (1999) Nails Studio (1999) Victoria's Secret (1999) JC Penney entrance Section F1 141: Docktor Pet Center (1995), Galleria Pet Center (1999), Watches Unlimited (2019) 142: General Nutrition Center (1995-1999) 143: Foot Action (1995-1999), House of Hoops (2019) 144: Heart to Heart (1995) 145: Jarman Shoes (1995-1999) 146: A Beauty Store salon (1995) Trade Secret (1999)

Parisian entrance 1 Section G1 147: Silver Spoon Cafe (1995), Mozzarella's (1999) 147A: High Country (1995-1999) 148: Peanut Shack (1995) 149: Body Shop (1995) 151: Afterthoughts jewelers (1995-1998), Forever 21 (2018-2019) 151A: Merle Norman (1995-1999) Auntie Anne's pretzels (1999) Body Shop salon (1999) The Hat Shack (1999) Watch World (1999) Section H1 152: Glamour Shots (1995) 153: Arzel (2019) 154: Naturalizer / Natural Sport (1995) 155: Banana Republic (1995-1999), Michael Kors (2019) Coach (1999) Raphael Galleries (1999) Section J1 157: Godiva Chocolatier (1995-1999) 157A: Barnie's Coffee & Tea Co. (1995-1999) 158D: Crackers (1995-1999) 158C: Sneaky Pete's (1995-2018) 158B: Chick-Fil-A (1986-2019) Abercrombie (1999) Section I1 Food Court J: Taco Bell (1995) Food Court I: Manchu Wok (1995-1999) Food Court: Farmer's Basket (1999-2019) 158A: Yielding (1995), Just For Feet (1999) Section J1 (continued) Food Court H: Corn Dog 7 (1995) Food Court G: Sbarro (1995-1999) Food Court F: Wendy's (1995-1999) Food Court E: Wall Street Deli (1995-1999) / TCBY (1999) Food Court D: Yogurt & Salads (1995) Food Court C: Boardwalk Fries (1995-1999) Food Court B: Golden Greek (1995), Great Wraps (1999) Food Court A: Häagen Dazs (1995-2019) Section K1 159: Dolcis Shoes (1995), Clarks (2019) 160: Candy Express (1995-1999) 161: Regis Hairstylists (1995-2019) 161A: Chic Wigs (1995-1999) 162: Alabama Outdoorsman (1995) 162G: Villa Italian Kitchen (2019) Golf America (1999) SAS Comfort Shoes (1999) McRae's entrance Section L1 164: The Nature Company (1995) 166: Chocolate Soup (1995-1999), LEGO store (July 30, 2009-January 31, 2020) 167: Brookstone (1995) 168: Giorgiou (1995) 169: Lillie Rubin (1995) 170: Bromber'gs (1986-2010) 172: Brooks Brothers (1995-2010) 173: Musicland (1995) 174: Things Remembered (1995) 176: Champs Sports (1995) Brookstone (1999) Discovery Channel Store (1999) Foot Locker (1999) The Gap (1999) Gap Kids (1999) J. Crew (1999) Learningsmith (1999) Rich's entrance Section M1 178: The Gap (1995) 179: Royal Oldsmobile (1995) Lane Bryant (1999) BumperNets (2001-) Brooks Brothers (1999) Pacific Swimwear (1999) Sears entrance

Avon, opened 2009 Blu Spero, opened April 2015 CCS Finish Line, opened 2010 Francesca's Collections Helzberg Diamonds, opened November 1, 2007 K's Formal, opened 2015 Learning Express, opened 2009 Lotus Boutique, opened 2008 Molly Green, opened 20105 Pop Cult, opened 2015 Sephora, opened May 5, 2006 Thomas Kinkade Gallery, closed 2009 The Limited, opened September 16, 2010 Wet Seal, opened fall 2010 Finish Line, opened fall 2010 Vans Skate Shop, opened 2015 True Religion (2018-) Earthbound Trading Company (2018-) Superior for Men (2018-)

Upper level

Sears entrance Section N2 262: Express (1995-1999) Bookland (1999) Circuit City Express (1999) LensCrafters (1999) Time Out (1999) South Parking Deck entrance 1 Section O2 267A: Cindy's Cinnamon Rolls (1995-1999) 267B: Sports Fantasy (1995) 268: T. Edwards (1995) 269: Net Works (1995) 270: The Bombay Company (19951-1999) 271: Attivo (1995) 272: Jobe Rose (1995) 273: Pandora Jewelry (2019) American Eagle Outfitters (1999) Bailey Banks & Biddle (1999) Naturalizer (1999) South Parking Deck entrance 2 Section P2 274: Artcetera (1995) 275: Accessory Lady (1995) 276: Bath & Body (1995) 276A: Body Shop (1995) 277: Johnston & Murphy (1995-1999) 278: Electronics Boutique (1995-1999) Aerosoles (1999) Elisabeth by Liz Claiborne (1999) Lady Foot Locker (1999) Perfumania (1999) Macy's, Von Maur entrance, elevators Section Q2 281: 9 West (1995) 282: San Francisco Music Box Company (1995-1999) 283: Wicks 'N Sticks (1995-1999) 284: Webster Men's Wear (1995) 285: Merry-Go-Round (1995) 286: August Max Woman (1995-1999) All Wound Up (1999) Body Shop (1999) Gymboree (1999) North Parking Deck entrance 1 Section R2 288: Lorch Diamond Center (1995) 289: Ormond (1995) 290: Foot Locker (1995), Buckle (1999-2019) 291: Sound Shop (1995) 292: Radio Shack (1995-1999) 293: Bookland (1995) 294: Spencer Gifts (1995-2019) Lundstrum Jewelers (1999) Lynn's Hallmark (1999) Structure (1999) North Parking Deck entrance 2 Section S2 295: Payless Shoe Source (1995) 296: Sound Shop (1999)

JC Penney entrance Section T2 201: Babbage's (1995-1999), Game Stop (2019) 202: Wolf Camera (1995-1999), iFixandRepair (2019) 203: Stampede (1995), Lids (2019) 204: Lemstone Book Branch (1995) 205: Calhoun's Stride Rite (1995), Claire's (2019) 206: Intrigue (1995} 206A: Sno Biz (1995) Afterthoughts jewelers (1999) Reed's Jewelers (1999) Stampede (1999) Parisian / Belk north entrance Section U2 207: 208: Ann Taylor (1995-1999) 210: Christie's Pals (1995) 211: MasterCuts (1995-1999) Kidoodles (1999) Parisian / Belk south entrance Section V2 212: Sunglass Company (1995), Sunglass Hut (1999) 215: Belden Jewelers (1995), Kay Jewelers (2019) 216: Original Chocolate Chip Cookie Co. (1995), Great American Cookie Co. (1999) 217: Custom Shop Shirtmakers (1995-1999) 219: Laura Ashley (1995), Hot Topic (2019) 220: Laura Ashley Mother & Child (1995) 221: Designs / Levi Strauss & Co. (1995) 223: Pearle Vision Express (1995) 225: Bama Fever (1995-1999) 226: J. Blackburn & Co. (1995) 226A: Norton's Florist (1995) Marks & Morgan jewelers (1999) Norris Jewelers (1999) Snoozy's Kids (1999) Warner Bros. Studio Store (1999) Hotel entrance Section W2 227 227C: Norris Jewelers (1995) 228: McMillan's Big & Tall (1995-2016) 230: Deck the Walls (1995) 231: Amy's Hallmark (1995) 234: Petite Sophisticate (1995-1999) 235: Monie's (1995) 236: Connie Shoes (1995) 236A: Cutlery World (1995), Cutlery Corner (1999) 237: Whitehall Jewelers (1995-1999) 238: Mitchell's Formal Wear (1995-1999) 239: Monograms Plus (1995) 239A: Bath & Body at Home (1999) Bath & Body Works (1999) Mori Classics (1999) Select Comfort (1999) Stride Rite (1999) Suncoast Pictures (1999) Racing USA (1999)

McRae's entrance Section X2 240: 241: 242: Claire's Boutique (1995-1999) 243: Florsheim Shoes (1995) 244: Casual Corner (1995-1999) 246: Kirkland's Gifts (1995-1999) 247: Video Concepts (1995) 248: Golbro (1995), Zales (1999) 249: Page Boy Maternity (1995) 250: Great Expectations (1995) 251: Diamond Jim's video arcade (1995) Atlanta Bread Co. (1999) Maternité (1999) Origins (1999) Pearle Vision Express (1999) Upper parking entrance Section Y2 252: Ruby Tuesday restaurant (1995-1999) 254: G. H. Bass Shoes (1995) 255: Rolling Pin (1995-1999) 256: Rosenberger's Birmingham Trunk (1980s-2006) 257: Mole Hole (1995-1999) 258: Rangoni (1999) Rich's entrance]] Section Z2 259: Coin Gallery (1995) 260: KB Toys (1995) Amy's Hallmark (1999) Eddie Bauer (1999) Motherhood Maternity (1999) Rack Room Shoes (1999) Things Remembered (1999)

Outparcels

• Aveda Institute (2010–present), formerly the Galleria 10 (1988–2005)
• Bonefish Grill
• California Pizza Kitchen
• Costco
• Dave & Busters (late 2018-)
• Home Depot
• FedEx Kinko's
• La Paz (closed 2015)
• J. Alexander's
• J. Blackburn
• Olive Garden
• On Tap Sports Cafe
• STIX restaurant (1997–present)
• Jared Jewelry, formerly Just For Feet (1988-2004) and Henig Furs & Leather (2010)

References

• Beiman, Irving (October 1975) "Riverchase Mall work to Rouse Co., top builder" The Birmingham News - via Birmingham Rewound
• Williams, Roy L. (March 3, 2009) "Space & Rocket Center tops list of state attractions, tourism agency says." The Birmingham News
• Kent, Dawn (May 1, 2009) "Plans canceled for Nordstrom store at Galleria." The Birmingham News
• Kent, Dawn (August 28, 2009) "Hoover's Riverchase Galleria foresees better business on horizon." The Birmingham News
• "Riverchase Galleria" (December 21, 2009) Wikipedia - accessed January 21, 2010
• Walton, Val (September 26, 2010) "Hoover studying convention center plan for old Macy's space at Riverchase Galleria." The Birmingham News
• Azok, Dawn Kent (November 4, 2013) "Cost of the Riverchase Galleria's redevelopment to top $100 million; more new stores on the way." The Birmingham News
• Steere, Tim (November 10, 2016) "Riverchase Galleria appoints new general manager." Birmingham Business Journal
• Skaggs, Heather Jones (2016) Riverchase; Charleston, SC: Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 1467117404
• Anderson, Jon (March 25, 2019) "Records indicate sales dip at Galleria campus in 2018" Hoover Sun

External links

Locate with
Google Maps

• Riverchase Galleria website
• Riverchase Galleria leasing info at generalgrowth.com
• 3-D model of the Riverchase Galleria by Jordan Herring