Century Plaza
Century Plaza is a 743,785 square-foot , two level, enclosed shopping mall opened in 1975 and located at Crestwood Boulevard and Oporto Road in the Eastwood area of Birmingham. The mall was designed by Giattina Fisher Aycock. 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. Currently the only anchor store is Sears and the entire food court and most shop fronts are shuttered. The interior fountains are turned off and the mall closes at 7:00 PM.
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.
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 (1975–present)
- Rich's (1975–2004)
Other stores
- Bookland (1970s to 1990s)
- Bromberg's (1975 to mid-1980s)
- Morrison's Cafeteria, later Picadilly Cafeteria (1975–October 2003)
- Ranelli's Deli
- Aldi, slated to open in May 2009 on an outparcel facing Crestwood Boulevard
References
- Kent, Dawn (January 15, 2009) "Already on the decline, Birmingham's Century Plaza mall faces tougher times in slumping economy." Birmingham News
External links
- Century Plaza website
- Century Plaza leasing information at generalgrowth.com
- Century Plaza's entry at Deadmalls.com