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[[Image:Century Plaza rendering.jpg|center|thumb|724px|Century Plaza rendering]]
[[Image:Century Plaza rendering.jpg|right|thumb|475px|Century Plaza rendering]]
'''Century Plaza''' was a 743,785 square-foot, two level, enclosed shopping mall which opened in August [[1975]] at the intersection of [[Crestwood Boulevard]] and [[Oporto Road]] in the [[Eastwood]] area of [[Birmingham]].
[[File:Century Plaza interior.jpg|right|thumb|475px|Century Plaza interior]]
[[File:CenturyCenterCourt.jpg|right|thumb|475px|Century Plaza's central court before remodeling]]
[[File:Century Plaza court.jpg|right|thumb|475px|Century Plaza's central court after the 1990 remodeling]]
'''Century Plaza''' was a 743,785 square-foot, two level, enclosed shopping mall which opened in August [[1975]] on a 65-acre site at the intersection of [[Crestwood Boulevard]] and [[Oporto Road]] in the [[Eastwood]] area of [[Birmingham]]. The mall closed in [[2009]] and was torn down in [[2020]].


The mall was designed by [[Giattina Fisher Aycock]] architects in a contemporary style with light brown brick on the exterior and brown tiled floors, open stairways, numerous angular fountains and bronze glass partitions on the interior. It was developed by [[Engel Realty Company]] and constructed for $25 million. More than 2.4 million cubic yards of earth were excavated for the development, with much of it being used in construction of nearby interstate highways.  
The mall was designed by [[Crawford, Giattina & Mitchel]] architects in a contemporary style with light brown brick on the exterior and brown tiled floors, open stairways, numerous angular fountains and bronze glass partitions on the interior. It was developed by [[Engel Realty Company]] with [[Marvin Engel]], [[Jerome Leader]] and [[James R. Bennett]] as executives in charge.
 
The mall was constructed for $25 million. More than 2.4 million cubic yards of earth were excavated for the development, with much of it being used in construction of nearby interstate highways.  


The [[Sears Century Plaza|Sears]] store was the first to be constructed, and opened on [[September 25]], [[1974]]. The mall's 1975 grand opening was marked by thousands of balloons filling the interior, many of them containing cash.
The [[Sears Century Plaza|Sears]] store was the first to be constructed, and opened on [[September 25]], [[1974]]. The mall's 1975 grand opening was marked by thousands of balloons filling the interior, many of them containing cash.


The mall's popularity peaked in the 1980s when it outshone the older [[Eastwood Mall]] nearby with Sears, JC Penney, [[Pizitz]] and Rich's as department store anchors. A late 1980's interior remodeling brought brighter finishes and more skylights.
The mall's popularity peaked in the 1980s when it outshone the older [[Eastwood Mall]] nearby with Sears, JC Penney, [[Pizitz]] and Rich's as department store anchors. A [[1990]] interior remodeling brought brighter finishes and more skylights.


In the 1990s General Growth Properties purchased the mall for $32 million. In [[2006]] two of the mall's anchors, JC Penney and Belk, relocated to newer shopping centers in [[Trussville]], precipitating the mall's decline as a shopping destination. The mall itself closed on [[May 31]], [[2009]]. The last anchor store was Sears, which owned its section of the mall building and closed on [[June 14]].
In the 1990s General Growth Properties purchased the mall for $32 million. In [[2006]] two of the mall's anchors, JC Penney and Belk, relocated to newer shopping centers in [[Trussville]], precipitating the mall's decline as a shopping destination. The mall itself closed on [[May 31]], [[2009]]. The last anchor store was Sears, which owned its section of the mall building and closed on [[June 14]].
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In [[2011]], following the bankruptcy of General Growth Properties, the Howard Hughes Corporation of Dallas, Texas took possession of the mall property. They renewed the discussion of creating a municipal justice center. Mayor [[William Bell]] showed some interest in pursuing the project on the basis of furthering regional cooperation, but the other partners demurred.
In [[2011]], following the bankruptcy of General Growth Properties, the Howard Hughes Corporation of Dallas, Texas took possession of the mall property. They renewed the discussion of creating a municipal justice center. Mayor [[William Bell]] showed some interest in pursuing the project on the basis of furthering regional cooperation, but the other partners demurred.


No further proposals have been announced, though the Hughes Corporation lists the property as a "viable retail location for big box retailers" on their website. By [[2014]] the building was visibly deteriorating with portions of the brick veneer coming loose. The owner erected a safety barricade around the area most affected.
No further proposals have been announced, though the Hughes Corporation listed the property as a "viable retail location for big box retailers" on their website. By [[2014]] the building was visibly deteriorating with portions of the brick veneer coming loose. The owner erected a safety barricade around the area most affected.
 
In early [[2017]] [[Thomas Beavers]], pastor of [[New Rising Star Church]], announced that the church was planning to relocate to the former mall, and to establish its [[Star Academy School]] charter school there.
 
December [[2018]] [[Lumpkin Development]] of [[Pelham]] purchased the property for $3 million and began redeveloping the former Sears store for his [[Metro Mini-Storage]] business.
 
In [[2020]]  Stonemont Financial Group of Atlanta began seeking approvals for a "[[Project Magic]]" proposal to demolish the mall and construct a 201,475-square-foot Amazon delivery center on the site. The [[Birmingham City Council]] rezoned the parcel in July, allowing for redevelopment to proceed. Stonemont purchased the property from Lumpkin for $12 million.  Demolition of the former mall began on [[November 12]], [[2020]]


==Stores==
==Stores==
[[Image:Century_Plaza_map.png|right]]
[[Image:Century_Plaza_map.png|right]]
===Anchors===
===Anchors===
* North:  [[JC Penney]] ([[1975]]–[[2006]])
* North:  [[JC Penney]] (1975–2006)
* East: [[Loveman's]] ([[1975]]–1980?), [[Pizitz]] (March [[1980]]), later renamed [[McRae's]] ([[1987]]), then Belk ([[2006]], closed 2006)
* East: [[Loveman's]] (1975–1980?), [[Pizitz]] (March 1980), later renamed [[McRae's]] (1987), then Belk (2006, closed 2006)
* South: [[Rich's]] ([[1975]]–[[2004]])
* South: [[Rich's]] (1975–2004)
* West: [[Sears]] ([[1974]]–[[2009]])
* West: [[Sears]] (September 25, 1974–2009)


===Restaurants===
===Restaurants===
* American Deli
{|-
* Applebee's Neighborhood Restaurant
| valign="top" |
* [[Chick-Fil-A]]
* [[American Deli]]
* [[Dragon Restaurant]]
* [[Applebee's]] Neighborhood Restaurant
* El Chico's
* [[Barnie's]] coffee and tea
* McDonald's
* [[Baskin-Robbins]] (1975-)
* Morrison's Cafeteria (1975–)
* [[Chick-fil-A]] (1975-2009)
* Orange Julius
* [[Great American Cookie Company]]
* Piccadilly Cafeteria (-October [[2003]])
* [[Dairy Queen]]
* 237: [[Dragon Restaurant]] (adjoining McRae's at North entrance)
* [[El Chico]]
* [[Federal Bake Shop]]
* [[Golden Greek]]
* [[Hot Sam]]
* [[Manchu Wok]]
* [[McDonald's]]
| valign="top" |
* [[Morrison's Cafeteria]] (1975–)
* [[Morrow's Nut House]]
* [[O'Cinnamon's]]
* [[Orange Julius]]
* [[Piccadilly Cafeteria]] (-October [[2003]])
* [[Piece of the Pie]]
* [[Ranelli's Deli]]
* [[Ranelli's Deli]]
* [[San Francisco]]
* [[San Francisco]]
* Sbarro Pizza
* [[Sbarro]]
* Shoney's
* [[Shoney's]] (1975-)
* Wendy's
* [[Subway]]
* [[Wendy's]]
* [[York Steakhouse]]
|}


===Other stores===
===Other stores===
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|-
|-
| valign="top" |
| valign="top" |
* 5-7-9
* [[Added Dimensions]]
* [[Alabama Outdoors]]
* [[Alabama Outdoors]]
* [[Aladdin's Castle]]
* [[Aladdin's Castle]]
* B. Dalton Booksellers
* [[AmSouth Bank]]
* Baker's Shoes
* [[Anderson-Little]] (1975-)
* Bath & Body Works
* [[Andre Fine Candies & Nuts]]
* [[Athlete's Foot]]/[[Sports Fantasy]]
* [[AT&T]] phone center
* [[B. Dalton Booksellers]] (1975-)
* [[Baker's Shoes]]
* [[Bama Fever]]
* [[Bath & Body Works]]
* [[Belden Jewelers]]
* [[Body Shop]]
* [[Books-A-Million|Bookland]] (1970s to 1990s)
* [[Books-A-Million|Bookland]] (1970s to 1990s)
* [[Bromberg's]] (1975 to mid-1980s)
* [[Bromberg's]] (1975 to mid-1980s)
* Butler's Shoes
* [[Brooks]]
* [[Buster Brown Shoes]]
* [[Butler's Shoes]]
* [[Camelot Music]]
* [[Camelot Music]]
* Champs Sports
* [[Casual Corner]]
* Chess King
* [[Catherine's]]
* City Gear
* [[Century Coins & Stamps]]
* Circus World (later Kay-Bee Toys)
* [[Century Style Shop]]
* Discount Jewelers
* [[Champs Sports]]
* Docktor Pet Center
* [[Chess King]] (1975-)
* Eden's Beauty
* [[Children's Place]] (2002)
* Express
* [[City Federal Bank]]
* Family Christian Bookstore
* [[City Gear]]
* Fredrick's of Hollywood
* [[Circus World]] (later [[Kay-Bee Toys]])
* Fields of Elegance
* [[Connecting Point]]
* Finish Line
* [[Connie Shoes]]
* Footaction USA
* [[County Seat]] (1975-)
* Foot Locker
* [[Deck The Walls]]
* The Gap
* [[Diana Shop]] (1975-)
* [[Discount Jewelers]]
* [[Docktor Pet Center]]
* [[Eden's Beauty]]
* [[Embraceable Zoo]]
* [[Express]]
* [[Family Christian Bookstore]]
* [[Federal Bake Shop]] (1975–1984)
* [[Fields of Elegance]]
* [[Finish Line]] (2002)
* [[Flashback Photo]]
* [[Florsheim]] (1975-)
* [[Footaction USA]]
* [[Foot Locker]]
* [[Fox Photo]]
* [[Foxmoor Casuals]] (1975-)
* [[Fredrick's of Hollywood]]
* [[The Gap]]
* [[Gee Wiz]] (Sanrio)
* [[Gee Wiz]] (Sanrio)
* Hallmark Cards
* [[General Nutrition]] (GNC) (1975-)
* Hat World
* [[Giftwick]]
* [[Just for Feet|Hang Ten]]
* [[Gingiss Formal Wear]] (1975-)
* [[Glass Lady]]
* [[Gordon's Jewelry]]
* [[Great Expectations]]
* [[Hanover Shoes]]
* [[Hardy Shoes]]
* [[Hat World]]
* [[Just for Feet|Hang Ten]] (1977-1986)
* [[Hibbetts Sporting Goods|Hibbett Sports]]
* [[Hibbetts Sporting Goods|Hibbett Sports]]
* Hickory Farms
* [[Hickory Farms]] (1975-)
* [[India Shoppe]]
* [[India Shoppe]]
* J. Blackburn & Co.
* [[Intrigue]]
* Jarman Shoes
* [[J. Blackburn & Co.]]
* [[J. Riggins]]
* [[Jarman Shoes]] (1975-)
| valign="top" |
| valign="top" |
* Journey's
* [[Jeans West]] (1975-)
* Karmelkorn
* [[Jefferson Home Furniture]]
* Kid Foot Locker
* [[Jewelry Chest]]
* Lady Foot Locker
* [[Jobe-Rose]]
* Lane Bryant
* [[Journey's]]
* Magic Jewelers
* [[K & K Toys]]
* Man of Fashion
* [[Karmelkorn]]
* [[Kinney Shoes]] (1975-)
* [[Kid Foot Locker]]
* [[King's Row Fireplace]] (1975-)
* [[The Kitchen Shoppe]]
* [[Lady Foot Locker]]
* [[Lane Bryant]]
* [[Lens Crafters]]
* [[Lichter's]]
* [[The Limited]]
* [[Lorch's Diamond Center]]
* [[The Love Shop]]
* [[Lynn's Hallmark]] (1975-)
* [[Magic Jewelers]]
* [[Man of Fashion]]
* [[Marsh Piano & Organ]]
* [[Marsh Piano & Organ]]
* Merry Go Round
* [[McMillan's Big & Tall]] (1975-)
* Musicland
* [[Merle Norman]]
* New York Jewelers
* [[Merry Go Round]] (1975-)
* Ormond's
* [[Mothercare]] maternity
* Pearle Vision Center
* [[Motherhood]] maternity
* Perfume Point
* [[Musicland]]
* Photo Creations
* [[New York Jewelers]]
* Radio Shack
* [[Ormond]]
* Regis Hair Salon
* [[Pearle Vision Center]]
* Shoe Time
* [[Perfume Point]]
* [[Petrie's]] (1975-)
* [[Photo Creations]]
* [[Radio Shack]]
* [[Reed's Jewelry]]
* [[Regis Hair Salon]]
* [[Remington]]
* [[Shoe Time]]
* [[Size 5-7-9]] (1975-)
* [[Snow's Cards & Gifts]]
* [[Snow's Cards & Gifts]]
* Spencer's Gifts
* [[Spencer Gifts]] (1975-)
* Stuart's
* [[Stampede]]
* Sunshades
* [[Stride Rite]] (1975-)
* T-Mobile
* [[Stuart's]]
* Underground Station
* [[Style Setter]] (2004)
* Victoria's Secret
* [[Sun Gear]]
* Video Concepts
* [[Sunglass Hut]]
* Vitamin World
* [[Sunshades]]
* Waldin Jewelers
* [[Things Remembered]]
* Watches Unlimited
* [[Thom McAn]] (1975-)
* Wolf Camera & Video
* [[The Tinder Box]]
* [[T-Mobile]]
* [[Toy City]] (1975)
* [[Tricks 'N Treats]] (1976)
* [[Tropical Golf]] (2000-)
* [[Turquoise Teepee]] (1976)
* [[Underground Station]]
* [[Ups'n'Downs]]
* [[Victoria's Secret]]
* [[Video Concepts]]
* [[Vitamin World]]
* [[Wagner Shoes]]
* [[Waldin Jewelers]]
* [[Watches Unlimited]]
* [[Webster]] mens wear
* [[Wicks'n'Sticks]]
* [[Wide World of Music]] (1975-)
* [[Wolf Camera & Video]]
* [[World Bazaar]]
* [[Zale Jewelers]] (1975-)
|}
|}


==References==
==References==
* Nicholson, Gilbert (February 27, 2004) "Are Eastwood retailers targeting Century Plaza?" ''Birmingham Business Journal''
* "[http://www.birminghamrewound.com/features/CenturyPlaza%20%2809-74%29.jpg Century Plaza looks to Phase II]" (September 1974) {{BN}} - via [[Birmingham Rewound]]
* Tomberlin, Michael (July 12, 2006) "Plans for Century Plaza pick up with stores' exit." ''Birmingham News''
* O'Hara, Jo Ellen (January 5, 1998) "People are talking..."{{BN}}
* Kent, Dawn (January 15, 2009) "Already on the decline, Birmingham's Century Plaza mall faces tougher times in slumping economy." ''Birmingham News''
* Nicholson, Gilbert (February 27, 2004) "Are Eastwood retailers targeting Century Plaza?" {{BBJ}}
* Tomberlin, Michael (July 12, 2006) "Plans for Century Plaza pick up with stores' exit." {{BN}}
* Kent, Dawn (January 15, 2009) "Already on the decline, Birmingham's Century Plaza mall faces tougher times in slumping economy." {{BN}}
* Kent, Dawn (June 14, 2009) "What's next for Century Plaza area?" {{BN}}
* Kent, Dawn (June 14, 2009) "What's next for Century Plaza area?" {{BN}}
* Thornton, William (September 6, 2011) "Regional jail deal unlikely for 4 Jefferson County cities." {{BN}}
* Thornton, William (September 6, 2011) "Regional jail deal unlikely for 4 Jefferson County cities." {{BN}}
* Thornton, William (January 3, 2012) "Birmingham's surrounding cities show less interest in using former Century Plaza as jail." {{BN}}
* Thornton, William (January 3, 2012) "Birmingham's surrounding cities show less interest in using former Century Plaza as jail." {{BN}}
* Gathings, Honora (June 17, 2014) "Once thriving mall unoccupied, falling apart." abc3340.com
* Gathings, Honora (June 17, 2014) "Once thriving mall unoccupied, falling apart." abc3340.com
* Beavers, Thomas (February 19, 2017) "Am I mad for buying Century Plaza?" Comeback Town/AL.com
* Edgemon, Erin (January 30, 2018) "Birmingham's Century Plaza sells for $3 million." {{BN}}
* Edgemon, Erin (February 16, 2018) "[http://www.al.com/expo/erry-2018/02/774f5a0c9e/birminghams_century_plaza_over.html Birmingham's Century Plaza over the years]" {{BN}}
* West, Ty (June 4, 2020) "Century Plaza redevelopment plan takes another step forward."{{BN}}
* Sims, Bob (July 14, 2020) "Century Plaza site OK’d for package distribution center." {{BN}}
* Van der Bijl, Hanno (November 3, 2020) "Atlanta developer acquires Century Plaza for $12M ahead of Amazon project." {{BBJ}}
* Thornton, William (November 12, 2020) "[https://www.al.com/business/2020/11/last-call-for-birminghams-century-plaza-as-demolition-begins.html Demolition begins for Birmingham’s Century Plaza, once Alabama’s largest mall]" {{BN}}
* Thornton, William (January 4, 2021) "[https://www.al.com/business/2021/01/demolition-largely-completed-for-birminghams-century-plaza.html Demolition largely completed for Birmingham’s Century Plaza]" {{BN}}
* Thornton, William (January 6, 2021) "[https://www.al.com/business/2021/01/century-plaza-remembered-vintage-photos-of-demolished-birmingham-mall.html Century Plaza remembered: Vintage photos of demolished Birmingham mall]" {{BN}}


==External links==
==External links==
* [http://www.howardhughes.com/properties/future-developments/century-plaza.html Century Plaza] at HowardHughes.com
* [http://www.howardhughes.com/properties/future-developments/century-plaza.html Century Plaza] at HowardHughes.com - [https://web.archive.org/web/20141205185526/https://www.howardhughes.com/properties/future-developments/century-plaza.html archive]
* [http://skycity2.blogspot.com/2007/03/century-plaza-mall_10.html Century Plaza Mall] at Sky City: Southern Retail Then and Now
* [http://skycity2.blogspot.com/2007/03/century-plaza-mall_10.html Century Plaza Mall] at Sky City: Southern Retail Then and Now
* [http://www.deadmalls.com/malls/century_plaza.html Century Plaza's entry] at Deadmalls.com
* [http://www.deadmalls.com/malls/century_plaza.html Century Plaza's entry] at Deadmalls.com
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[[Category:1975 establishments]]
[[Category:1975 establishments]]
[[Category:2009 disestablishments]]
[[Category:2009 disestablishments]]
[[Category:Vacant buildings]]
[[Category:2020 demolitions]]
[[Category:Giattina Fisher Aycock buildings]]
[[Category:Crawford, Giattina & Mitchell buildings]]

Latest revision as of 21:39, 21 November 2023

Century Plaza rendering
Century Plaza interior
Century Plaza's central court before remodeling
Century Plaza's central court after the 1990 remodeling

Century Plaza was a 743,785 square-foot, two level, enclosed shopping mall which opened in August 1975 on a 65-acre site at the intersection of Crestwood Boulevard and Oporto Road in the Eastwood area of Birmingham. The mall closed in 2009 and was torn down in 2020.

The mall was designed by Crawford, Giattina & Mitchel architects in a contemporary style with light brown brick on the exterior and brown tiled floors, open stairways, numerous angular fountains and bronze glass partitions on the interior. It was developed by Engel Realty Company with Marvin Engel, Jerome Leader and James R. Bennett as executives in charge.

The mall was constructed for $25 million. More than 2.4 million cubic yards of earth were excavated for the development, with much of it being used in construction of nearby interstate highways.

The Sears store was the first to be constructed, and opened on September 25, 1974. The mall's 1975 grand opening was marked by thousands of balloons filling the interior, many of them containing cash.

The mall's popularity peaked in the 1980s when it outshone the older Eastwood Mall nearby with Sears, JC Penney, Pizitz and Rich's as department store anchors. A 1990 interior remodeling brought brighter finishes and more skylights.

In the 1990s General Growth Properties purchased the mall for $32 million. In 2006 two of the mall's anchors, JC Penney and Belk, relocated to newer shopping centers in Trussville, precipitating the mall's decline as a shopping destination. The mall itself closed on May 31, 2009. The last anchor store was Sears, which owned its section of the mall building and closed on June 14.

Redevelopment proposals

Since 2006 General Growth has discussed moving forward with plans for a major redevelopment of the property.

The "Crestwood-Oporto District Redevelopment Plan", commissioned from KPS Group by the City of Birmingham, envisions a transformation of Century Plaza into a mixed use open-air retail and residential center. General Growth has indicated that they support the general ideas of the master plan, but have made no specific announcements regarding their plans.

In October 2008 Birmingham mayor Larry Langford proposed having the city and Jefferson County jointly purchase the mall and convert it into a senior citizens' recreation center. In December 2008, artist Rachel Higgins organized a revolving art exhibition of approximately 20 artists' work at a space in the nearly vacant mall entitled "Everything Must Go".

An Aldi food market opened in June 2009 on an outparcel facing Crestwood Boulevard.

In 2010 General Growth entered into talks with the City of Birmingham, with the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, and with Irondale, Homewood, Mountain Brook, and Vestavia Hills, the prospective members of a Regional Jail Authority about the possibility of converting the former mall into a county jail or a regional municipal justice center. Those talks stalled due to lack of public interest and funding.

In 2011, following the bankruptcy of General Growth Properties, the Howard Hughes Corporation of Dallas, Texas took possession of the mall property. They renewed the discussion of creating a municipal justice center. Mayor William Bell showed some interest in pursuing the project on the basis of furthering regional cooperation, but the other partners demurred.

No further proposals have been announced, though the Hughes Corporation listed the property as a "viable retail location for big box retailers" on their website. By 2014 the building was visibly deteriorating with portions of the brick veneer coming loose. The owner erected a safety barricade around the area most affected.

In early 2017 Thomas Beavers, pastor of New Rising Star Church, announced that the church was planning to relocate to the former mall, and to establish its Star Academy School charter school there.

December 2018 Lumpkin Development of Pelham purchased the property for $3 million and began redeveloping the former Sears store for his Metro Mini-Storage business.

In 2020 Stonemont Financial Group of Atlanta began seeking approvals for a "Project Magic" proposal to demolish the mall and construct a 201,475-square-foot Amazon delivery center on the site. The Birmingham City Council rezoned the parcel in July, allowing for redevelopment to proceed. Stonemont purchased the property from Lumpkin for $12 million. Demolition of the former mall began on November 12, 2020

Stores

Century Plaza map.png

Anchors

  • North: JC Penney (1975–2006)
  • East: Loveman's (1975–1980?), Pizitz (March 1980), later renamed McRae's (1987), then Belk (2006, closed 2006)
  • South: Rich's (1975–2004)
  • West: Sears (September 25, 1974–2009)

Restaurants

Other stores

References

External links

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