Oglethorpe Mall
| Location | Savannah, Georgia, USA |
|---|---|
| Opening date | April 1969 |
| Developer | Scott Hudgens |
| Owner | General Growth Properties |
| No. of stores and services | 150 |
| No. of anchor tenants | 4 |
| Total retail floor area | 948,000 square feet (88,000 m²) (GLA) |
| No. of floors | 1 |
| Parking | 5,348 spaces (including parking deck) |
| Website | oglethorpemall.com |
Oglethorpe Mall is a super-regional shopping mall on the Southside of Savannah, Georgia.
Description
Named after General James Oglethorpe, the founder of Savannah, the mall has expanded since its opening in 1969 to nearly one million square feet. Among its features are several restaurants, a food court, and nearly 150 stores. It is anchored by Belk, JC Penney, Macy's, and Sears.[1] The center also features junior anchors Barnes & Noble, Old Navy, and Stein Mart. It is currently owned by General Growth Properties.
History
Oglethorpe Mall opened in April 1969 at 7804 Abercorn Street as Savannah's first shopping mall. The main anchors were Belk-Beery, McCrory, and Sears. At the time, the mall featured Savannah's first Chick Fil-A store. Other tenants included Morrison's Cafeteria (still operating as Piccadilly), Adler's, and a Piggly Wiggly. By 1974, a 25,000 square feet (2,300 m2) expansion wing was added.[2]
Additional growth came in 1982 when a 230,000-square-foot (21,000 m2) expansion wing was added off Center Court featuring JC Penney and Levy's of Savannah.[2] In February 1986, Levy's was acquired by Jordan Marsh, a major Federated Department Stores chain based in Florida and New England. In 1988 Jordan Marsh was consolidated with Maas Brothers of Tampa and operated as Maas Brothers/Jordan Marsh.
Until 1989, the mall featured its original 1969 design elements. A significant renovation changed the feel of the mall altogether by featuring "coastal" design elements like whitewashed wood, tabby walls, and lighter paint choices. The mall is extensively lit during the day by natural lighting from skylights that were installed during the renovation. A new tile floor was installed, and would win design awards in 1990. A new two level parking garage completed the project in the summer of 1990. Further consolidation saw the closure of Maas Brother/Jordan Marsh in September 1991. [3] In 1992, the Maas Brothers/Jordan Marsh store was converted into general mall space, and a new 135,000 square feet (12,500 m2) Rich's was added to the mall. McCrory left the mall in 1994 and was replaced by Stein Mart the following year. [2]
A section of the mall known as The Promenade (a corridor built in 1985 as a replacement for Adler's, decorated with neon lights and glass block) was replaced in 2000 with Barnes & Noble. A new food court was opened in 2002, and the Abercorn Street facade was extensively upgraded through the 2000s.[2] Rich's was folded into Macy's in 2005.
Through the Late-2000s recession, the mall fared well with the opening of several new stores. Charming Charlie, Bare Escentuals, Jimmy Jazz, La Parrilla Mexican Grill (an Atlanta-based restaurant), Crazy 8, The Limited, Kirklands, and Shape's Brow Bar have all opened since the recession.[4] Oglethorpe Mall is now 98% occupied.
Anchors
- Belk (159,892 square feet)
- JCPenney (85,824 square feet)
- Macy's (main store - 135,000 sq. ft., junior's store - 6,445 sq. ft., total - 141,445 sq. ft.)
- Sears (155,868 square feet)
Major Retailers
- Barnes & Noble (27,136 sq. ft.)
- Piccadilly Cafeteria (11,250 sq. ft.)
- Old Navy (15,656 sq. ft.)
- Stein Mart (37,119 sq. ft.)
Former anchors
- Levy's of Savannah (Became Maas Brothers in 1986.)
- Maas Brothers (Became Jordan Marsh in 1988.)
- Jordan Marsh (Closed in 1991 with Campeau Corporation consolidation into Federated Department Stores. Store converted into Rich's expansion wing)
- Rich's (Store opened in September 1992. Store was built next to former Jordan Marsh/expansion wing. Renamed Macy's in 2005.)
References
External links
- oglethorpemall.com · Official Website
Coordinates: 32°00′12″N 81°07′01″W / 32.0034°N 81.1169°W
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