Granite Run Mall
| Location | Media, Pennsylvania |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. |
| Opening date | 1974 |
| Closing date | July 1, 2015 |
| Developer | BET Investments |
| Owner | BET Investments |
| No. of stores and services | 2 |
| No. of anchor tenants | 2 |
| Total retail floor area | 1,037,187 square feet (96,357.8 m2) |
| No. of floors | 2 |
| Public transit access |  SEPTA Bus: 110, 111, 114, 117 |
| Website | www |
The Granite Run Mall was a double-level shopping mall located on U.S. Route 1 in Middletown Township, Delaware County, Pennsylvania, a western suburb of Philadelphia. The mall opened in 1974 and closed in 2015. In 2016, the mall will be demolished and replaced with a mixed-use development consisting of residential, retail, and entertainment called the Promenade at Granite Run, which is expected to open in 2017.
Contents
History
The Granite Run Mall opened in 1974.[1] In 1986, the Gimbels store was converted to Sterns after Allied Stores purchased seven Gimbels locations in the Philadelphia area.[2] In 1989, Stern's closed; it was replaced with Boscov's in 1993.[3] In 1998, Simon Property Group and Macerich purchased the mall, with Simon responsible for managing the mall.[4] The Granite Run Mall had a total of 125 stores at its peak.[5] In recent times, the Granite Run Mall has seen an increase in vacancies and interest was shown in selling the mall. In February 2011, Simon and Macerich were over 30 days delinquent on the mall's $115 million mortgage, leading to the possibility of a sale or forfeiture of the mall.[4]
On April 1, 2011, Simon Property Group gave the mall back to its lender and the lender appointed Madison Marquette as the leasing and management agent.[6] Following its appointment, Madison Marquette announced plans to improve lighting, the parking lots, and sidewalks as well as to fill vacancies.[7]
Redevelopment and closure
On September 23, 2013, the Granite Run Mall was sold to BET Investments, a real estate development firm owned by Bruce Toll and Michael Markman, at a cost of $24 million.[8] BET Investments intends to convert the mall into a mixed-use development consisting of residential, retail, and entertainment.[8][9] The initial plans for the redevelopment project would keep the three anchor stores but would demolish the remainder of the mall and replace it with an outdoor shopping and dining area. The plans also included the construction two four-story apartment buildings with a total of 365 units between them.[10] Other features that were planned in the redevelopment included a larger movie theater and standalone restaurants.[9]
On August 25, 2014, updated plans were revealed for the redevelopment.[11] The three department stores would remain, with the upper level of JCPenney becoming a movie theater, while the interior of the mall will be demolished and turned into an outdoor shopping and dining area with upscale establishments. One four-story luxury apartment building with 385 units will also be constructed. Work on the redevelopment is expected to begin in 2015 or 2016 with completion expected two years after the project begins.[12] The plans were modified again on October 27, 2014 in which two luxury apartments with a total of 388 units would be constructed, one on the site of the movie theater and the other on the site of a former Chi-Chi's restaurant.[13] The redevelopment will take place in two phases. The first phase will demolish the mall interior and build one of the apartment buildings. The second phase will demolish the current movie theater and construct the other apartment building.[14] In January 2015, it was announced the JCPenney store was closing in April as part of a plan to close 39 stores nationwide. As a result, the mall announced plans to demolish the former JCPenney and replace it with new retail space and a movie theater.[15]
The interior of the mall closed on July 1, 2015, with Sears and Boscov's remaining open.[5] The Granite Run Mall was originally intended to be the filming location for MallBrats, the sequel to director Kevin Smith's 1995 film Mallrats. However, the plan fell through due to the impending demolition of the mall and Smith's desire to start filming in January 2016; MallBrats will instead be filmed at the Exton Square Mall.[16] On November 9, 2015, the final plans for the mixed-use development were approved by the Middletown Township council, in which the development would be called the Promenade at Granite Run. The demolition of the former mall is to begin by January 9, 2016 and the Promenade at Granite Run is expected to open in late spring or early summer 2017.[17]
Popular culture
The mall was immortalized by the band Gnarkill, which featured Bam Margera, on the song "Granite Run Mall in the 80's!" from the album GnarKill vs. Unkle Matt and the ShitBirdz. The song makes references to playing at the Aladdin's Castle arcade.
Anchors
Former anchors
- JCPenney (150,792 sq ft.) (closed April 2015, to be demolished)
References
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