Avenues Mall Makeover Complete

[asonj23]

Big weekend planned at The Avenues after makeover

$10.5 million renovation project done to update look of 15-year-old Southside mall.

By CHRISTOPHER CALNAN, The Times-Union

The Avenues mall will mark the completion of an eight-month makeover with a series of events this weekend.

The $10.5 million renovation project resulted in a redesigned main entryway, new flooring, remodeled food court, new seating areas, updated escalators and elevators and restrooms. Manager Donn Carr said the project was two years in the planning and done to update the look of the 15-year-old mall.

The recent opening of the massive St. Johns Town Center, an outdoor shopping center near Gate Parkway, wasn't a factor in the timing of The Avenues renovation, Carr said. Both The Avenues and the town center are owned by the Simon Property Group, based in Indianapolis.

"It was just timing," he said. "Now we're able to provide a shopping center that will take us well into the 2020s."

The Avenues mall has received a $10.5 million face lift, including the food court area, whose upgrade includes new seating areas and plants.

WILL DICKEY/The Times-Union

Renovations, done only at night, began in June and concluded on schedule just before the Super Bowl in February, Carr said.

The project also included an upgraded center court area and the installation of a play area for children on the lower level.

This weekend, The Avenues will host live musical performances, cooking shows with celebrity chefs, costumed character appearances, fashion features and prize giveaways.

A new children's play area has been added to a common area of The Avenues mall near the JC Penney. The Southside mall has undergone other renovations, including new flooring, a remodeled food court and new seating areas.

The Avenues mall has received a $10.5 million face lift, including the food court area, whose upgrade includes new seating areas and plants.

[Urban_Legend]

I can't believe that mall is 15 years old. That's good that they got it updated, especially with new seating.

[StevenRocks]

Very slick. If I get a chance to go to Jax soon, I'll have to stop by

[DavePaulk]

It's a huge improvement over how it used to look. Now we have two great malls for some of that high end retail that should be on the way.

[JaxInvestor]

i can't believe they put carpet in there though. would someone please explain to me the advantage of carpet? it looks tacky and holds stains better and longer. but, wait, those are disadvantages!

[Urban_Legend]

Well, I'm assuming that the carpeted areas are in the seating nooks, in the middle of the "street". Most Simon malls have those these days, and they're quite nice. But the main walking areas are probably tile.

[scongro]

I've been in their recently, and the entire second floor is carpet (save for the food court. Remember, it is that tile-style carpet - If a piece gets stained, they just pull out the 12x12 piece, and replace it.

Right now, it looks great - We will see later. What is interesting is whether the spot for a 6th department store (opposite Parisian) will ever come to fruition - They mentioned it recently.