1109 replies to this topic

[NCMike1981]

I'm personally suprised the mall hasn't been bulldozed and a big box center of some sort built in it's place. It has been just under 10 years since I've visited the area but it seems like the commercial land would be worth something without the mall building on it. Is the area so bad that even a Wal-Mart Supercenter (for example) anchored shopping center wouldn't work? Or does it have to do with the former anchors still owning the land their stores sit on? Carolina Circle and South Square come to mind as our recent NC regional mall failures that were big boxed up....then there's North Hills but from what I hear that would be unrealistic for the site...

It would be kind of neat if the center was kept as a mall in some form but I doubt it will happen

Edited by NCMike1981, 21 February 2011 - 07:36 PM.

[DigitalSky]

Wal-Mart would work, but the thing is they're building a new store very close by on another beleaguered shopping center (Amity Gardens)... and well frankly can't think of anything else that would fit the Eastland site properly.

[Vitamin_N]

I'm curious--does anybody have any idea how much it would cost to demolish and clear everything there?

[mallguy]

East Charlotte has two dead malls that have mostly occupied strip centers with regular (though low-priced) national chains in them- Eastland has the Walmart strip center nearby plus plenty of smaller strip centers, and Northpark Mall on N. Tryon is dead but has a reasonably successful strip center next door.  No way would I invest money in the Eastland area, but there is a need for retail there, and strip centers are helping meet that need, so maybe there is demand for a big-box center.  As posted above, Walmart is opening a new big-box store nearby and there is a Target close by, so they may suck the life out of any competitors on the Eastland site.

[NCMike1981]

Any updates on efforts to revitalize the mall and/or property?

[DigitalSky]

Kind of amazing this thread has been dead for a year.  But no, last time I drove through there it looked like the parking lot was being used for storing 18-wheeler truck beds.  Entrances are boarded up still.  Wonder if it'll turn into another Regency...

Edited by DigitalSky, 20 January 2012 - 09:41 AM.

[Third Strike]

NCMike1981, on 20 January 2012 - 08:36 AM, said:

Any updates on efforts to revitalize the mall and/or property?

I'm not sure if this is new or not, but Boxer Properties' website has a list of available units for lease. So perhaps they're waiting for more tenants to get on board, before they (possibly) reopen?

http://www.boxerprop...prop=191&page=1

Lastly, this got me thinking; should Boxer try to go after the displaced retailers from the Independence Blvd corridor, to set up shop at Eastland? If they could get some of the local businesses, and other big name businesses like TJ Maxx and Roses, I wonder if it'll be enough to get the mall up and running for reopening day. And even though they don't have the rights to the anchor stores, they should try to get the original owners to lease out their space, and maybe bring in some retailers in like Ross and Office Depot.

Wishful thinking, though.

[DigitalSky]

It could work, not a bad idea in theory at least

[DigitalSky]

Ideas like this have been put out before - but another group wants to redevelop Eastland into a town center.  http://www.wsoctv.com/news/news/local/group-wants-create-town-square-old-eastland-mall/nHYsX/

[Third Strike]

John Autry, city council member of this area, wants the city to be more active in finding another potential buyer for Eastland Mall. He'd also like to hear creative ideas from these buyers on what they would do with this area. Hopefully we'll hear something soon from someone. I think the Eastland Mall area, being the future terminus for the streetcar, should have some sort of interesting attraction built here, instead of giant dead box.

http://www.wsoctv.co...and-mall/nN3Qj/