When Metrocenter Mall opened in 1973, it was believed to have been the first mall west of the Mississippi River to have five department stores.
Demolition is underway at the former Metrocenter Mall in Phoenix, but it will be a slow process.
No building implosions will take place at the 80-acre site off Interstate 17 and Dunlap Avenue. Crews are removing asbestos before they tear down walls. Senior Development Manager Steve Betts says abatement and demolition will take about 10 months.
“We won't see any evidence of the demolition on the exterior for another month or so,” Betts said. “The demolition will start from the north side of the mall and work its way toward the south. The one building that may not come down for a while is the Sears building, because that currently is not included in our mall redevelopment. Sears is sort of holding out to potentially develop their building and their parcel themselves or with a different partner.”
Concord Wilshire/Hines
Rendering of former Metrocenter Mall redevelopment
He said Metrocenter’s original design will make for an exciting canvas.
“This mall was a two-story mall, and it allows us to create a building pad that has some elevation changes to it, some elevation differentiation, so it's not going to be flat as a pancake, and allows us to develop an urban village that has a little bit of topography to it,” Betts said.
The latest plans include a mix of rental and for sale housing surrounding a walkable urban core with restaurants, retail, a public park and plaza with an amphitheater. Betts said more details about retail partners and the project’s name should be released this winter and spring.
“People have a nostalgic memory, feeling about Metrocenter Mall, and we understand that. And so we do want to have some connectivity to those memories, and to those great experiences that everyone has had,” he said. “But as we create this urban village, although we want to sort of reflect on the past, we also want it to be an exciting future.”
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Metrocenter Mall officially closed on June 30, 2020.
Christina Estes/KJZZ
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When Metrocenter Mall opened in 1973, it was believed to have been the first mall west of the Mississippi River to have five department stores.
Christina Estes/KJZZ
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Metrocenter Mall in Phoenix on June 20, 2020.
Tim Agne/KJZZ
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Metrocenter mall in Phoenix in September 2015.
Kathy Ritchie/KJZZ
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Metrocenter Mall on June 29, 2020, shortly before it closed for good.
Sky Schaudt/KJZZ
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A vintage postcard depicting Metrocenter Mall.
Carlyle ER Metro LLC. / handout | agency
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Harkins Theatres remains open at the site of the former Metrocenter Mall in Phoenix.
Christina Estes/KJZZ
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A vintage photo of Metrocenter Mall.
Carlyle ER Metro LLC.
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The Metrocenter Wal-Mart is scheduled to open in mid-2016.
(Photo by Kathy Ritchie - KJZZ)
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The former site of Dillards at Metrocenter mall.
Kathy Ritchie/KJZZ
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Metrocenter Mall in Phoenix on June 20, 2020.
Tim Agne/KJZZ / editorial | staff
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Metrocenter Mall in Phoenix on June 20, 2020.
Tim Agne/KJZZ / editorial | staff
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Metrocenter Mall in Phoenix on June 20, 2020.
Tim Agne/KJZZ / editorial | staff
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Metrocenter Mall in Phoenix on June 20, 2020.
Tim Agne/KJZZ / editorial | staff
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Metrocenter Mall in Phoenix on June 20, 2020.
Tim Agne/KJZZ / editorial | staff
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Metrocenter Mall at Interstate 17 and Dunlap Avenue in the early 1970s.
City of Phoenix
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Although Walmart appears on this sign, it is not part of the former Metrocenter Mall.
Christina Estes/KJZZ
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Former Sears Tire store outside the former Metrocenter Mall in Phoenix in November 2021.
Christina Estes/KJZZ
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Site of former Sears at the former Metrocenter Mall in Phoenix in November 2021.
Christina Estes/KJZZ
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Harkins Theatre at Metrocenter Mall in Phoenix.
Christina Estes/KJZZ / editorial | staff
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U-Haul moved into the former Macy's store at Metrocenter Mall.
Christina Esttes/KJZZ
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Metrocenter's property manager said the mall was 67% occupied in June 2019.
Christina Estes/KJZZ / editorial | staff
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Dillard's Clearance Center which remained open after Metrocenter Mall closed will be demolished.
Christina Estes/KJZZ / file | staff
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Metrocenter was believed to be the first mall west of the Mississippi River to have five department stores. Today, only Sears and Dillard's remain.
(Photo by Christina Estes - KJZZ)
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Former mall entrance next to Harkins Theatres which remains open.
Christina Estes/KJZZ
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Preliminary sketches of the redevelopment Metrocenter site.
Hines
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Preliminary sketches of the redevelopment Metrocenter site.
Hines
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Preliminary sketch of the redevelopment at the former Metrocenter Mall site.
Hines
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Shortly before the Great Recession, Metrocenter's former owner spent more than $30 million on renovations including the food court.
Christina Estes/KJZZ / editorial | staff
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While stores struggled to pay rent, Metrocenter's former owner struggled to cover the mortgage and the mall went into receivership.
(Photo by Christina Estes - KJZZ)
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Metrocenter's new owner wants to create an "open village' with office, medical and residential uses in addition to retail.
(Photo by Christina Estes- KJZZ)
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Bidders can purchase Metrocenter store signs, including this one.
EJ's Auction & Appraisal / handout | agency
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A Walmart Supercenter is being built at the site of a former department store.
(Photo by Christina Estes - KJZZ)
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A string of vacant stores at Metrocenter Mall.
Christina Estes/KJZZ / file | staff
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A vacant store at Metrocenter Mall in Phoenix on June 12, 2019.
Christina Estes/KJZZ
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Updated rendering of redevelopment plans for Metrocenter Mall in Phoenix.
Concord Wilshire
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Updated renderings of the planned redevelopment of Metrocenter Mall in Phoenix. / Concord Wilshire
Demolition of the former Metrocenter Mall in Phoenix is more than a year behind schedule. But the original plans were made before state lawmakers threw a curveball and banned cities from collecting a certain sales tax.
