Converting abandoned shopping malls | What are our options?

January 15, 2021

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The rise of shopping malls in the 1950s brought convenience and entertainment to families in the suburbs. However, with the advent of online shopping and changing consumer preferences, many malls have fallen into disuse, leaving behind abandoned buildings. This presents both an opportunity and a challenge for designers, investors, and cities looking to repurpose these spaces.

Introduction

Designers and architects often propose ambitious “mixed-use” concepts, envisioning abandoned malls as housing for the homeless or low-income individuals. They suggest breaking up big boxes, introducing transparency, and creating visual connections to the streets. Additionally, they advocate for linking malls to surrounding areas through walkways and bike paths. While these ideas may seem idealistic, they often fail to consider the intentional design of malls to keep shoppers indoors and immersed in retail experiences.

Approaches to convert shopping malls

A more pragmatic approach to mall conversions involves minimal changes to repurpose the space creatively. Examples include an abandoned mall in Reading, England, transformed into a “Zombie Shopping Mall” experience, and a megachurch in Illinois converting a shopping mall into its premises. Similarly, the Beech Park Baptist Church in Tennessee now operates in a former mall’s bowling alley.

Another avenue is complete demolition, especially when retrofitting costs outweigh the benefits. Examples of successful demolitions include the Cinderella City Mall in Colorado, which was redeveloped into a mixed-use development named CityCenter Englewood, and Euclid Square Mall in Ohio, which was replaced by an Amazon fulfillment center.

A hybrid approach involves keeping a part of the mall intact while converting the rest of the land for different uses. For instance, the Mayfield Mall in California, once a bustling shopping center, is now Google’s semi-secret research and development facility. In Nashville, the 100 Oaks mall underwent extensive renovations, with the bottom floor remaining retail space and the upper floor turned into medical clinics and administrative offices for Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

Conclusion

One prominent example of a hybrid project is the Collin Creek mall in Plano, North Dallas. The main atrium space will remain a mall, but anchor big box stores will be demolished to make way for two residential towers and rowhomes, as well as facilities like a senior living facility, hotel, and park. This billion-dollar development seeks to maximize density and utilize underground parking for efficiency.

In the end, the fate of abandoned malls depends on various factors, including location, costs, and community needs. Pragmatic decisions must prevail over grandiose ideas, and developers should assess the potential of each site individually. With careful planning and consideration, abandoned malls can find new life, revitalizing neighborhoods and contributing positively to their surrounding communities.