Century Plaza: Difference between revisions
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The mall's grand opening was marked by thousands of balloons filling the interior, many of them containing cash. | The mall's 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 | 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. | ||
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]]. | ||
Revision as of 10:43, 19 August 2013
Century Plaza was a 743,785 square-foot, two level, enclosed shopping mall which opened in 1975 at the intersection of Crestwood Boulevard and Oporto Road in the Eastwood area of Birmingham. 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.
The mall's 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.
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.
Stores
Anchors
- JC Penney (1975–2006)
- Loveman's (1975–1980?)
- Pizitz (relocated from Eastwood Mall to Loveman's former space, March 1980), later renamed McRae's (1987), then Belk (2006, closed 2006)
- Sears (1974–2009)
- Rich's (1975–2004)
Restaurants
- American Deli
- Applebee's Neighborhood Restaurant
- Chick-Fil-A
- Dragon Restaurant
- El Chico's
- McDonald's
- Morrison's Cafeteria (1975–)
- Orange Julius
- Piccadilly Cafeteria (-October 2003)
- Ranelli's Deli
- San Francisco
- Sbarro Pizza
- Shoney's
- Wendy's
Other stores
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References
- Nicholson, Gilbert (February 27, 2004) "Are Eastwood retailers targeting Century Plaza?" Birmingham Business Journal
- Tomberlin, Michael (July 12, 2006) "Plans for Century Plaza pick up with stores' exit." Birmingham News
- Kent, Dawn (January 15, 2009) "Already on the decline, Birmingham's Century Plaza mall faces tougher times in slumping economy." Birmingham News
- Kent, Dawn (June 14, 2009) "What's next for Century Plaza area?" Birmingham News
External links
- Century Plaza website
- Century Plaza leasing information at generalgrowth.com
- Century Plaza's entry at Deadmalls.com