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The '''Riverchase Galleria''' is a | The '''Riverchase Galleria''' is a 1.58 million square-foot super–regional shopping mall, located on Montgomery Highway ([[Highway 31|U.S. Highway 31]]) between [[Interstate 459]] and [[Alabama State Route 150]] in the [[Riverchase]] subdivision in the city of [[Hoover]]. The center is [[Alabama]]'s largest enclosed shopping center, as well as one of the state's most popular tourist attractions, second only to the Alabama Gulf Coast beaches. The mall also draws many vistors from neighboring states. | ||
==History== | ==History== | ||
"'''The Galleria'''," as it is locally known, opened in [[1986]] by owner [[Jim Wilson & Associates]]. The development includes tje 330-room [[Wynfrey Hotel]] and a 17-story office building located in the mall's central atrium. The style of this center is modeled after the larger Houston Galleria. | |||
The mall's original anchor stores were JC Penney, [[Parisian]], [[Pizitz]], and Rich's. Not long after the mall opened, Pizitz was acquired by McRae's of Jackson, Mississippi. In 1987, the mall saw its first Macy's store. The mall was expanded in 1996, adding Sears as the new anchor. 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. It was later renovated in 1998 and again in 2001. | |||
In 2003 the mall lost its Macy's anchor store, as it consolidated with Rich's (the store was the only Macy's that operated in the state of Alabama prior to the merger). The former Macy's location then sat empty while various department stores chains attempted to fill in the void. Then in 2004, the location was extensively renovated and reopened as a Proffitt's, by that time a part of [[Saks Inc.]]. One year later in 2005, the mall saw the Macy's name returning in full with the renaming of the former Rich's-Macy's back to Macy's on March 6, 2005. By March 8, [[2006]], the mall's Proffitt's store was converted to Belk's. Currently, the former McRae's location sits empty with rumors that perhaps Dillards may purchase the location and enter the Birmingham market. (Currently, Dillards and Macy's in Alabama have an unofficial non-compete pact, which is why Birmingham has Macy's and no Dillards locations, and the reverse is true in the rest of the state.) | |||
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 foilage 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 as well. | |||
==The Galleria Today== | ==The Galleria Today== | ||
Currently, the Galleria has 200 stores and restaurants (and is anchored by 5 major department stores [see section below]). There was also a 10-screen Regal Cinemas movie theater known as the [[Galleria 10]] nearby, but it was closed in 2006. There are two parking decks located on the property (attached to Belk and various mall entrances) of The Galleria, giving the center some 5,000 total parking spaces. | |||
In late [[2003]], Jim Wilson & Associates entered an agreement to allow General Growth Properties to manage the leasing and operation of the Galleria and the Mall of Louisiana, while they retain ownership over the two properties. | |||
In late [[2003]], Jim Wilson & Associates entered an agreement to allow General Growth Properties to manage the leasing and operation of the | |||
On | On May 5, [[2006]], the mall opened the state's first Sephora store. | ||
==Anchor Stores== | ==Anchor Stores== | ||
===Current=== | ===Current=== | ||
* | * J.C. Penney (opened 1986) | ||
*[[Parisian]] (opened 1986) | * [[Parisian]] (opened 1986) | ||
* | * Belk (formerly Proffitt's) | ||
* | * Macy's (formerly Rich's) | ||
* | * Sears (opened 1996 as part of mall expansion) | ||
===Former=== | ===Former=== | ||
* | * McRae's (opened as [[Pizitz]] in 1986, McRae's acquired and renamed Pizitz in 1987, the store closed in 2005) | ||
* | * Rich's (opened 1986, became Rich's-Macy's in 2003; renamed Macy's in 2005) | ||
* | * Proffitt's (opened 2004 in the space vacated by Macy's; store purchased by Belk in 2005 and converted to Belk's in 2006) | ||
* | * Macy's (opened 1987, first and only Macy's store in Alabama, closed 2003 to merge with Rich's) | ||
==Trivia== | ==Trivia== | ||
Revision as of 23:09, 12 August 2006
The Riverchase Galleria is a 1.58 million square-foot super–regional shopping mall, located on Montgomery Highway (U.S. Highway 31) between Interstate 459 and Alabama State Route 150 in the Riverchase subdivision in the city of Hoover. The center is Alabama's largest enclosed shopping center, as well as one of the state's most popular tourist attractions, second only to the Alabama Gulf Coast beaches. The mall also draws many vistors from neighboring states.
History
"The Galleria," as it is locally known, opened in 1986 by owner Jim Wilson & Associates. The development includes tje 330-room Wynfrey Hotel and a 17-story office building located in the mall's central atrium. The style of this center is modeled after the larger Houston Galleria.
The mall's original anchor stores were JC Penney, Parisian, Pizitz, and Rich's. Not long after the mall opened, Pizitz was acquired by McRae's of Jackson, Mississippi. In 1987, the mall saw its first Macy's store. The mall was expanded in 1996, adding Sears as the new anchor. 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. It was later renovated in 1998 and again in 2001.
In 2003 the mall lost its Macy's anchor store, as it consolidated with Rich's (the store was the only Macy's that operated in the state of Alabama prior to the merger). The former Macy's location then sat empty while various department stores chains attempted to fill in the void. Then in 2004, the location was extensively renovated and reopened as a Proffitt's, by that time a part of Saks Inc.. One year later in 2005, the mall saw the Macy's name returning in full with the renaming of the former Rich's-Macy's back to Macy's on March 6, 2005. By March 8, 2006, the mall's Proffitt's store was converted to Belk's. Currently, the former McRae's location sits empty with rumors that perhaps Dillards may purchase the location and enter the Birmingham market. (Currently, Dillards and Macy's in Alabama have an unofficial non-compete pact, which is why Birmingham has Macy's and no Dillards locations, and the reverse is true in the rest of the state.)
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 foilage 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 as well.
The Galleria Today
Currently, the Galleria has 200 stores and restaurants (and is anchored by 5 major department stores [see section below]). There was also a 10-screen Regal Cinemas movie theater known as the Galleria 10 nearby, but it was closed in 2006. There are two parking decks located on the property (attached to Belk and various mall entrances) of The Galleria, giving the center some 5,000 total parking spaces.
In late 2003, Jim Wilson & Associates entered an agreement to allow General Growth Properties to manage the leasing and operation of the Galleria and the Mall of Louisiana, while they retain ownership over the two properties.
On May 5, 2006, the mall opened the state's first Sephora store.
Anchor Stores
Current
- J.C. Penney (opened 1986)
- Parisian (opened 1986)
- Belk (formerly Proffitt's)
- Macy's (formerly Rich's)
- Sears (opened 1996 as part of mall expansion)
Former
- McRae's (opened as Pizitz in 1986, McRae's acquired and renamed Pizitz in 1987, the store closed in 2005)
- Rich's (opened 1986, became Rich's-Macy's in 2003; renamed Macy's in 2005)
- Proffitt's (opened 2004 in the space vacated by Macy's; store purchased by Belk in 2005 and converted to Belk's in 2006)
- Macy's (opened 1987, first and only Macy's store in Alabama, closed 2003 to merge with Rich's)
Trivia
- The Riverchase Galleria is home to the world's longest skylight at some 200 feet.
- Taylor Hicks, the 2006 winner of American Idol, worked at the Riverchase Galleria, where he dressed as an Easter Bunny.
- An easily overlooked monument is on the second level in front of the escalator. A floor tile is engraved with an inscription identifying it as the final tile installed in the mall's 2001 renovation.
- The Galleria is serviced by Exit 13B "Galleria Boulevard" from Interstate 459. The Patton Creek Shopping Center, built adjacent to the Galleria in 2003 is also serviced by this interchange.
References
"Riverchase Galleria." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. 3 July 2006, 13:07 UTC [1]. Accessed 18 July 2006.
External links
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