419 replies to this topic

[lastweek]

It looks like they heard your cries for help:

Big plans for Richland Mall...

North Carolina developers are buying Richland Mall and plan to transform it into a mix of upscale shops, restaurants, office space and residential condominiums with rooftop views.

The project, with a price tag of more than $300 million, would renew a retail mall that has been struggling in recent years and would help create a city center for Forest Acres.

While the project doesn’t have a name, The Peerless Development Group of Spruce Pine, N.C., refers to it as “a village within a city,” with walkable streets, rooftop parks and courtyards.

http://www.thestate....te/11137913.htm

[Spartan]

here we go again lol I guess the shops they put in last november didn't work out?

[lastweek]

Spartan, on Mar 15 2005, 12:27 PM, said:

here we go again lol I guess the shops they put in last november didn't work out?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Somehow the previous owner only paid $16 million for the mall at the end of 02.  I imagine that they are making a little bundle on the sale despite the limited success of the 'makeover'.

It has the potential to be a great town center and can transform the streetscape along that portion of Forest Dr.

[emerging.me]

Sweet! This could be just what I've been talking about. From WIS...

http://www.wistv.com...24&nav=0RaPXVbX

"A developer wants to revitalize the property. In addition to shopping, in a few years you might actually be able to live at the site. Peerless Development Group plans to turn the property into a residential village called a "Village Within a City" project. "

Forest Acres City Council just met about this afternoon. There's something on WIS right now about it...

[Spartan]

WIS says it will add 2 stories with condos and apartments. Restaurants will be on the ground floor (street level) too. It sounds like they want it to be a live/work situation. Existing businesses will stay put. Their graphic wasn't too impressive. It will take place in phases over the next 5-8 years.

[emerging.me]

Anyone else see this news report?? They showed some designs -- good concept. This is exactly what I've been hoping they'd do!

Details I remember...

$300 million urban village redevelopment by the Peerless Group.

Done in phases over 5-8 years (business will remain open).

Developer going for a "Charleston feel" with street-front restaurants, more stores, condos, etc.

EDIT: I see they just updated the website story to include all the details. Guess they were holding off until after it aired.

Edited by emerging.me, 15 March 2005 - 05:11 PM.

[Spartan]

My details from my last post were from that story just now on WIS. I also added some posts from the Best Mall in Cola thread concerning this.

[vicupstate]

Great news!  I'v enever heard of an enclosed mall being redevolped in exactly this way.  Should be interesting to see when it's done.  Greenvile Mall could use something like this.

[waccamatt]

This is a great redevelopment idea, although imagine the skyscrapers that could be built with $300 million!!! I'm drooling at the idea of having $300M to spend downtown!

[Charleston native]

This development is indeed great news. I always thought it had better potential with Barnes & Noble and TGI Fridays there. This is the kind of project that they want to do in Charleston with the old Ashley Landing Mall.

[HAMMETTM]

I like the fact that they are going to renovate the mall, but I do not like these live/work places. They just seem like a bad idea.

[emerging.me]

HAMMETTM, on Mar 22 2005, 05:19 PM, said:

I like the fact that they are going to renovate the mall, but I do not like these live/work places. They just seem like a bad idea.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I can see how you would be concerned. It hasn't been something that we've seen very much of in this area. Personally, I think it's a great and another indicator that "the new urbanism" is really taking root in Columbia.

[dobboard]

I saw this story and it sounds exciting.  I too wish this was occurring in downtown...but then again there is no mall there.  

How about $300 million on the CCI site...that would be nice.

[waccamatt]

I am not a fan of the "Columbia Star" weekly newspaper, but they had artist's renderings and an article on the Richland Mall redevelopment this week. Below is a picture and the link.



Richland Mall Redevelopment

[The_sandlapper]

Wow, that's pretty impressive. I see this whole neo-European village thing has taken a foothole on new shopping areas now huh? That would look great if the rest of DT looked like that. Are they going to put up little sidewalk cafes and stuff too?

[Hybrid0NE]

Interesting photo, it looks like the area on the north side of the mall complex. I kinda thought they get rid of the parking deck or minimize it  for retail/housing and that's exactly what that image is projecting. I'm glad this is happening, Richland Mall is so dead inside, outside of rooftop cinemas, B&N and TGIF; there's no reason to visit. Good step forward, with a lot of work the Forest Acres area could become our Buckhead but a little better.

[The_sandlapper]

Hybrid0NE, on Mar 26 2005, 08:55 AM, said:

the Forest Acres area could become our Buckhead but a little better.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Interesting, I could see that!

[waccamatt]

Hybrid0NE, on Mar 26 2005, 08:55 AM, said:

Interesting photo, it looks like the area on the north side of the mall complex. I kinda thought they get rid of the parking deck or minimize it  for retail/housing and that's exactly what that image is projecting. I'm glad this is happening, Richland Mall is so dead inside, outside of rooftop cinemas, B&N and TGIF; there's no reason to visit. Good step forward, with a lot of work the Forest Acres area could become our Buckhead but a little better.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I like that you said that. I have always compared Forest Acres and Buckhead. If things continue to fall the way they have, Columbia could go through an Atlanta type growth over the next 20 years. There is an awful lot going on right now.

Edited by waccamatt, 27 March 2005 - 02:16 PM.

[DigitalSky]

waccamatt, on Mar 26 2005, 01:09 AM, said:

I am not a fan of the "Columbia Star" weekly newspaper, but they had artist's renderings and an article on the Richland Mall redevelopment this week. Below is a picture and the link.



Richland Mall Redevelopment

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

that is impressive. look at that Belk store!

[waccamatt]

cantnot, on Mar 27 2005, 01:00 AM, said:

that is impressive. look at that Belk store!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Wouldn't that be an awesome place to shop? I already like Richland Mall, but this plan is super bosco.