Bel Air Mall Renovation (shops, palm trees, retailers)

[edtv411]

If Bel Air wanted to lure another department store, the only one that would have any chance of opening here is Von Maur. Even that is a stretch since they are on a much higher level than Belk and Dillards. They were the backup tenant when Nordstrom backed out of opening at Riverchase, and filled in anchors at Mall of Georgia and Perimeter when Nordstrom and Bloomingdales closed their respective stores.

Much more likely is a home-based tenant like At Home. And with JcPenney's decision to re-enter the appliance business, Bel Air could be one of their stores since Sears is gone...

[PortCity]

Originally Posted by southinyourmouth

Springdale is a lost cause. Unless they trade hands in ownership, there's not too much hope

Yep ,Bixar isn't trying to make it better they really don't seem to care. Myabe a mass exodus would convince them to sale.

[preguntas]

Originally Posted by edtv411

If Bel Air wanted to lure another department store, the only one that would have any chance of opening here is Von Maur. Even that is a stretch since they are on a much higher level than Belk and Dillards. They were the backup tenant when Nordstrom backed out of opening at Riverchase, and filled in anchors at Mall of Georgia and Perimeter when Nordstrom and Bloomingdales closed their respective stores.

Much more likely is a home-based tenant like At Home. And with JcPenney's decision to re-enter the appliance business, Bel Air could be one of their stores since Sears is gone...

If you google back to the time period you will find that Nordstrom did not back out of the Galleria plans.


GGP was in court filing for a bankruptcy to consolidate properties and debts due to the recession. The judge in the case would not allow GGP to go forward with the 65 million dollar project with Nordstrom. GGP canceled. (btw, they are one of Nordstrom's main landlords across the country)
After the bankruptcy was cleared GGP went forward with a 100+million dollar renovation/expansion including Von Maur.
Presently both The Summit and GGP are working with Nordstrom again, each trying to gain a new store. Nordstrom had said at the time they wanted to continue to look for a new location.
GGP has replaced a number of their Sears properties with Nordstrom. The Summit's Jeffrey Bayer brought Nordstrom Rack to a center he manages in Birmingham. It seems to be a toss up, but the company is most definitely interested, especially as they see the performance of Von Maur in this market.


The Galleria is undergoing more work during this year that looks a lot like a preparation for a new direction on the Sears end of the center.

[Mellowboy]

Originally Posted by preguntas

If you google back to the time period you will find that Nordstrom did not back out of the Galleria plans.


GGP was in court filing for a bankruptcy to consolidate properties and debts due to the recession. The judge in the case would not allow GGP to go forward with the 65 million dollar project with Nordstrom. GGP canceled. (btw, they are one of Nordstrom's main landlords across the country)
After the bankruptcy was cleared GGP went forward with a 100+million dollar renovation/expansion including Von Maur.
Presently both The Summit and GGP are working with Nordstrom again, each trying to gain a new store. Nordstrom had said at the time they wanted to continue to look for a new location.
GGP has replaced a number of their Sears properties with Nordstrom. The Summit's Jeffrey Bayer brought Nordstrom Rack to a center he manages in Birmingham. It seems to be a toss up, but the company is most definitely interested, especially as they see the performance of Von Maur in this market.


The Galleria is undergoing more work during this year that looks a lot like a preparation for a new direction on the Sears end of the center.

Any word on Nordstrom Rack, Macy's or Von Maur, Trader Joe's, The Cheesecake Factory, Corner Bakery Cafe, Apple Store, Red Robin Burgers, Anthroplogie, Banana Republic or Jcrew, and anything else upscale high profile and new to market coming to Mobile, AL???

[preguntas]

No doubt there will be but it is always a waiting game.

[Mobilemom52]

I heard some interesting things that a local reporter discovered in the course of preparing a story about the Bel Air changes. It seems that Rouse is planning to open the mall itself closer to the actual store opening times (generally 10 am, I believe), and that they want to get rid of the bus stop at the mall. This is second hand, and nothing is written in stone, but it would eliminate the early-morning mall walkers (generally older, I would guess) and those folks without personal transportation. No telling if eliminating the bus stop will even come to pass (it seems a particularly unkind and discriminatory move, to me) but this is intriguing.

Has anyone else heard about either of these possible changes?

[Southsky]

Originally Posted by Mobilemom52

I heard some interesting things that a local reporter discovered in the course of preparing a story about the Bel Air changes. It seems that Rouse is planning to open the mall itself closer to the actual store opening times (generally 10 am, I believe), and that they want to get rid of the bus stop at the mall. This is second hand, and nothing is written in stone, but it would eliminate the early-morning mall walkers (generally older, I would guess) and those folks without personal transportation. No telling if eliminating the bus stop will even come to pass (it seems a particularly unkind and discriminatory move, to me) but this is intriguing.

Has anyone else heard about either of these possible changes?

I haven't heard anything about the mall's opening time(s) or changes to bus routes. It does seem to preclude those with lower incomes.

In this week's Lagniappe, I noticed a comment that there will be a second phase of the redevelopment of Bel Air where Rouse will develop outparcels. My guess is this will include both the redevelopment of the old spaces, but with the addition of new buildings. Perhaps the seemingly ubiquitious "connecting" retail promenade will make an appearance at Bel Air...

[edtv411]

Plans for Foot Locker's House of Hoops have been posted:
**Online Plan Room | LDI Line

It looks like it will be dead center in the center court...replacing their existing store?

[preguntas]

H of H has beautiful stores, extremely classy looking. Nothing like all the other athletic shoe stores that fill shopping centers.

[bon_regis]

Fortunately, Foot Locker and House of Hoops won't occupy any new space in the mall. House of Hoops is a high quality format, and this will be their first location between New Orleans and Tallahassee.