179 replies to this topic

[ricky_davis_fan_21]

SmellyCat, on 29 November 2010 - 06:31 PM, said:

It's not really a new owner.  The original Bridges at Mint Hill owner/developer, General Growth Properties (GGP), emerged from bankruptcy recently and spun off its development company apart from its stabilized asset portfolio.  They re-named the spinoff as "Howard Hughes Corp."

So its still in "never going to happen mode"? So I can look forward to many years of my maw's heelsplitter gumbo?

[DigitalSky]

nibletodell, on 30 November 2010 - 07:30 AM, said:

So its still in "never going to happen mode"? So I can look forward to many years of my maw's heelsplitter gumbo?

mmm heelsplitter gumbo, consider me there!

[StevenRocks]

I still see another lane strip mall with lifestyle center tendencies.

[Third Strike]

Looks like the development of the mall is moving forward again...

http://www.charlotte...-mint-hill.html

Edited by Third Strike, 30 September 2011 - 07:28 PM.

[DigitalSky]

is there even a market for it

[Urbanity]

^^^ I second that question/sentiment

[Third Strike]

Hm... I think there is a market for the mall, especially in East Charlotte. I think a new mall can fill the shopping niche left behind by Eastland, and cater to the shopping needs in Mint Hill/Matthews/Stallings. Also, correct me if I'm wrong, but this will be the first ever open top mall in Charlotte. General Growths were also behind The Streets at Southpoint mall in Durham, a semi-outdoor mall, and that seems like a success. Southpoint was able to net some big name upscale stores, like Apple and Nordstrom, and brought about several retailers and hotels in the surrounding area. Though, I do admit, this all sounds very similar to what happened in Pineville, but nonetheless, this could help spur growth in Southeast Mecklenburg.

[DigitalSky]

Southpoint was not developed by GGP actually, although it is owned by them now.  Their [Southpoint's] central location in the Triangle and proximity to high income and high education areas makes them successful, whereas Bridges at Mint Hill, from a population standpoint, is a little "out there."  It could help spur development, but perhaps work better as a neighborhood or community center rather than a super-regional open-air mall.  You are correct, it would be the first open-air lifestyle center of that sort in Charlotte (if you don't count things like Birkdale Village and Metropolitan Midtown to an extent).  I just fear that the building of this could be overmalling us a little.

[SmellyCat]

I wish them luck with it.  I can't imagine who on earth would finance this.  Wall Street has all but shut down commercial mortgage lending and I doubt a life insurance company would touch a fairly speculative project like this.  $100mm+ loans don't grow on trees anymore like they did in 2006-07...

Edited by SmellyCat, 02 October 2011 - 10:11 AM.

[norm21499]

If I did not misread the article, I believe that the article stated that they will attempt to build the mall once market conditions are favorable. So we still have a while guys.

[southslider]

Boosted by the Monroe Connector/Bypass/Turnpike, Union County's sprawl could support yet another mall.  At least, the retail tax base will be inside Mecklenburg County to help support regional transit.  But a Mint Hill center will certainly be the final nail in Monroe Mall's coffin.  Even worse, Windsor Square in Matthews could become the next ghost strip of former shopping along Independence Boulevard.

[49er]

Actually Windsor Square just lured a new JCPenny (not outlet) and somehow has bucked the trend happening further up the road in Charlotte. I think the place is in dire need of some updates myself but retailers seem to still see positives there. I'm guessing bridges would have been Penny's first choice but they evidently are convinced the project will ever happen.

Edited by 49er, 03 October 2011 - 03:47 PM.

[DigitalSky]

Very interesting about the JC Penney coming to Windsor Square.   I know they were the 3rd speculated anchor @ Bridges, Dillard's and Belk were committed to the project, i think Belk is still and Dillard's probably is

.... I'm guessing the JCP is coming to the old Burlington Coat Factory @ Windsor sq?

[49er]

If you drive by you'll see that furniture row is closing and office depot is building a new store further back in the strip. It will most likely occupy those two storefronts. For you Charlotte historians, those storefronts were originally one big store called Wacammaw Pottery back in the day when Windsor was some kind of faux outlet center.

[DigitalSky]

Thanks for the info!! I remember Waccamaw too!

[melk]

There's also some new movie megaplex under construction at Sun Valley in Indian Trail, supposed to be a "regional attraction".

[DCMetroRaleigh]

http://www.charlotte...w-progress.html

[Third Strike]

This is good news, but I'm more concerned about the fact that Lawyers Road and NC-51 both only have two lanes. I could see this becoming a bottleneck once the mall opens. It should also create more development in the area, which might also create more congestion. Not to mention this stretch of I-485 will probably be the last section to get widen to a six/eight lane highway. I just hope the area's ready for this, or at the very least, spearhead the state and city to improve the roads in that area.

Also, I wonder what tenants will occupy the three anchor stores. I doubt JC Pennys will go, since they'll be at Windsor Square. I'm assuming Belk and Dillards will be there, re-establishing their former niches from Eastland Mall. Hopefully a major bookstore like Barnes and Noble will occupy the last, or another non-clothes store.

[rugger62]

Here's the link to the latest fact sheet. http://www.howardhug...satMintHill.pdf

Why are they not doing a Birkdale type MU development here?

[DigitalSky]

I do wonder if this will be anywhere near the scale originally determined.  With JCPenney building at Windsor Square, as I perviously said, looks like only Belk and Dillard's will be part of this project.  Wonder if a newcomer sporting goods store like Dunham's or Academy would consider opening here?