Collin Creek Mall was a regional shopping mall in Plano, Texas. The two-level, 1.1-million-square-foot (100,000 m2) structure was built in 1981 and was located on the western side of North Central Expressway (US 75) near President George Bush Turnpike. The mall's name was a combination of Collin County and Spring Creek, the latter of which it was built on top of.

Collin Creek Mall
A large, two-level mall atrium with no visible shops or patrons. An American flag hangs from a rounded truss.
Central atrium in 2019
Map
LocationPlano, Texas, U.S.
Address811 N. Central Expressway
Plano, TX 75075
Opening dateJuly 29, 1981; 43 years ago (1981-07-29)
Closing dateJuly 31, 2019; 5 years ago (2019-07-31)
DeveloperFederated Stores Realty
OwnerCenturion American Development Group
No. of stores and services130
No. of anchor tenants5
Total retail floor area1,100,000 square feet (100,000 m2)
No. of floors2
Websitecollincreekmall.com (2016 archive)

In 2019, following years of decline, competition from newer malls, and several ownership changes, the mall was closed for redevelopment.[1] The structure has since been partially demolished, with the former atrium and wings set to be used as part of a $1 billion mixed-use development.[2]

History

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Collin Creek Mall was built by Federated Stores Realty, the real-estate arm of department store chain Federated Department Stores, as a regional mall that would serve Collin County communities along North Central Expressway.[3] Construction included the installation of three 2,400-foot (730 m) culverts that carried Spring Creek under the structure.[4] The mall opened on July 29, 1981.[5]

At opening, the mall's center court included a 300-foot (91 m) indoor creek with a waterfall, fountains, and shrubbery. Surrounding the creek was The Village Walk, an 18,000-square-foot (1,700 m2) section of smaller, locally-owned shops,[6] as well as The Patio, a food court.[7] The center court was remodeled in 1992,[8] which removed the Village Walk, replaced the creek with a smaller fountain, and renamed the food court to The Terrace.[9]

In 1995, real estate firm The Rouse Company purchased a 30% stake in the mall and took over mall management.[10] Rouse assumed full ownership of the mall in 2002.[11] In 2008, the mall underwent a renovation.[12]

In 2011, General Growth Properties (which had acquired The Rouse Company in 2004) spun off 30 underperforming properties, including Collin Creek, into a new company, Rouse Properties.[13] The mall's underperformance was attributed to competition with newer shopping centers such as Stonebriar Centre.[14] In 2012, the city of Plano offered Collin Creek a $600,000 grant for renovations.[14]

In 2014, Rouse designated Collin Creek as a "special consideration asset", which signaled that the mall might be foreclosed. A report by analysis firm Trepp stated the mall had not made a profit since 2011.[15] The following year, the mall was sold to its lender, Midland Loan Services (a division of PNC Financial Services) for $57.6 million.[16]

In 2018, the mall property was sold to developer Centurion American, which planned to substantially redevelop the mall into a mixed-use development.[17] The mall held a farewell celebration on July 26, 2019,[18] and it closed on July 31.[19]

Anchor tenants

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Sears

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A Sears department store and accompanying Sears Auto Center opened with the mall on July 29, 1981.[5]

In December 2018, following a bankruptcy filing, Sears Holdings announced the sale of 505 locations, including the Collin Creek Mall location.[20] The store was purchased by mall owner Centurion American and closed in March 2019 to allow for redevelopment.[21][22]

Dillard's

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A Dillard's department store opened with the mall on July 29, 1981.[5] The store was the third Dillard's to be built in the area, following those at Valley View Center and Richardson Square Mall.[23]

On October 7, 2013, Dillard's announced that its Collin Creek location would close by January 2014.[24] The store never reopened and was demolished as part of the mall's redevelopment.

Lord & Taylor/Mervyn's/Amazing Jake's

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Lord & Taylor opened on October 5, 1981, several months after the rest of the mall. The store was the third Lord & Taylor to open in the Dallas area.[25]

In April 1990, Mervyn's purchased the store for an undisclosed sum, intending it as a larger replacement for its existing Plano store.[26] The store was closed for renovation and re-opened in October.[27] The store was closed in 2006 when Mervyn's exited the North Texas area.[28]

In December 2007, Collin Creek management announced the beginning of construction for Amazing Jake's Food and Fun, a family entertainment center and buffet restaurant, in the former Mervyn's space.[29] Amazing Jake's opened on July 11, 2008.[30] The center closed on April 1, 2019 in anticipation of the mall's closure.[31]

JCPenney

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While JCPenney was announced as an anchor tenant at the mall's opening,[5] the store itself did not open until July 29, 1983.[32] The store was a prototype for a major repositioning by JCPenney, which moved the chain's focus to contemporary fashion, leisure, and home furnishings.[32]

JCPenney did not close with the mall, as it owned the land under the store. Initial plans for the site's redevelopment included a new store for the chain.[1] However, on August 18, 2020, shortly after JCPenney filed for bankruptcy protection, it was announced that the store would close by November 2020.[33] The 10.6-acre site was sold to Centurion American, the company heading the mall's redevelopment, for $15 million.[34]

Sanger–Harris/Foley's/Macy's

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Former Macy's exterior

The mall's southernmost anchor was opened as a Sanger–Harris department store on October 20, 1980, ten months prior to the mall itself opening.[35] The store was converted to a Foley's in 1987 when the two chains were merged.[36] On September 9, 2006, the store was converted to a Macy's as part of a nationwide rebranding initiative by owner Federated Department Stores.[37] The store closed on March 31, 2017.[38]

Like most Sanger–Harris locations, entrances to the store were marked with four-story marble columns and an abstract tile mosaic.[39] Initial plans for the mall's redevelopment called for the mosaics to be preserved, but this was abandoned when it was discovered that they contained asbestos.[40]

Redevelopment

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An empty wing of the mall in 2019

In early 2018, developer Sam Ware of Dreien Partners (who had previously developed the Legacy West project in northwest Plano) announced a $1 billion plan to revitalize the site. The plan would remove a significant portion of the mall's northern wing and replace much of its parking lot with office space, residences, restaurants, and green space. It would also add a synthetic river (loosely following Spring Creek, which the mall's parking lot was built on top of), which would be lined with retail space, similar to the San Antonio River Walk.[41] The city of Plano, which was involved in the project, intended to promote the site as a potential location for Amazon HQ2.[42] However, the plan fell through due to a conflict between Dreien and its lender which caused the company's purchase agreements to expire.[43][44]

Later that year, the property was acquired by Centurion American Development Group.[17] Centurion American offered a similar redevelopment proposal, which consisted of a residential district, two office buildings, a hotel, a concert venue, an underground parking garage, and several restaurants.[44] Unlike Dreien's proposal, Centurion American's would preserve both wings of the mall, but it did not include a water feature.[2] The mall was closed in July 2019 to allow for construction.[19]

A groundbreaking for the new development was held on September 24, 2021.[45] The development included a municipal project to install a sanitary sewer and to reinforce the culverts carrying Spring Creek.[4][46] As of July 2024, the project's infrastructure is complete, two apartment buildings have started construction,[47] and single-family residences are expected to be available by the end of the year.[46][48]

References

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  1. ^ a b Halkias, Maria (February 24, 2019). "How did Collin Creek Mall die? It's an obit being written across suburban America". The Dallas Morning News. A. H. Belo Corporation. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  2. ^ a b Baethge, Joshua (August 6, 2020). "Collin Creek Redevelopment: One Year into the Project". Plano Magazine. Retrieved October 25, 2020.
  3. ^ "Mall serves big market". Advertising Supplement to The News. The Dallas Morning News. A. H. Belo Corporation. September 2, 1981. p. 87 – via NewsBank.
  4. ^ a b Henvey, Winston (July 8, 2024). "City of Plano revitalizes half-mile culvert, projects early fall completion". Plano Star-Courier. Star Local Media. Retrieved July 9, 2024.
  5. ^ a b c d "Market News: Collin Creek Mall schedules opening events for July 29". The Dallas Morning News. A. H. Belo Corporation. July 22, 1981. p. 82 – via NewsBank.
  6. ^ "Collin Creek's 'Village Walk' unique". Advertising Supplement to The News. The Dallas Morning News. A. H. Belo Corporation. September 2, 1981. p. 90 – via NewsBank.
  7. ^ "9 unique restaurants". Advertising Supplement to The News. The Dallas Morning News. A. H. Belo Corporation. September 2, 1981. p. 87 – via NewsBank.
  8. ^ "Mall donating greenery to Plano schools". The Dallas Morning News. A. H. Belo Corporation. May 15, 1992. pp. 4K – via NewsBank.
  9. ^ "5 stores opening at Collin Creek Mall: They include clothing, home decorating, shoe and music retailers". The Dallas Morning News. A. H. Belo Corporation. September 11, 1992. pp. 4K – via NewsBank.
  10. ^ Brown, Steve (July 26, 1995). "Shopping center owner buys stake in Collin Creek Mall: Maryland-based Rouse Co. one of nation's largest managers". The Dallas Morning News. A. H. Belo Corporation. pp. 4D – via NewsBank.
  11. ^ Brown, Steve (January 18, 2002). "Region leads list of weakest office markets". The Dallas Morning News. A. H. Belo Corporation. pp. 10D – via NewsBank.
  12. ^ Flemmons, Stephanie (July 14, 2008). "Collin Creek Mall gets facelift". Plano Star-Courier. American Community Newspapers. Retrieved July 9, 2024.
  13. ^ Halkias, Maria (August 3, 2011). "Malls spun off by parent firm". The Dallas Morning News. A. H. Belo Corporation. pp. D3 – via NewsBank.
  14. ^ a b Watkins, Matthew (October 3, 2012). "City puts revitalization of mall atop its shopping list". The Dallas Morning News. A. H. Belo Corporation. pp. B1 – via NewsBank.
  15. ^ Halkias, Maria (December 17, 2014). "Collin Creek Mall closer to being turned over to lenders". The Dallas Morning News. A. H. Belo Corporation – via NewsBank.
  16. ^ Cummings, Kevin (May 19, 2015). "Collin Creek Mall owners sell property". Plano Star-Courier. Star Local Media. Retrieved July 9, 2024.
  17. ^ a b Houston, Daniel (December 20, 2018). "After volatile year at Collin Creek Mall, developer buys key properties". Community Impact Dallas-Fort Worth. Retrieved July 9, 2024.
  18. ^ Panicker, Jobin (July 25, 2019). "Collin Creek Mall in Plano holds final event — a farewell party". WFAA. Tegna Inc. Retrieved July 9, 2024.
  19. ^ a b "Plano's Collin Creek Mall Officially Closes Wednesday". CBS DFW. CBS Television Stations. July 31, 2019. Retrieved July 9, 2024.
  20. ^ Johnson, Kaley (December 1, 2018). "In Texas, 24 Sears stores, 1 Kmart store will be put for sale". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. The McClatchy Company. pp. 9A – via NewsBank.
  21. ^ Pugh, Gavin (December 31, 2018). "Sears to close storefront, auto center at Plano's Collin Creek Mall by late March". Community Impact Dallas-Fort Worth. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
  22. ^ Thomas, Lauren (December 28, 2018). "Sears is closing 80 more stores in March, faces possible liquidation". CNBC. NBCUniversal News Group. Retrieved December 28, 2018.
  23. ^ Brown, Steve (April 14, 1981). "Mesquite store planned: Dillard's to build fourth Dallas facility". The Dallas Morning News. A. H. Belo Corporation. p. 67 – via NewsBank.
  24. ^ Halkias, Maria (October 8, 2013). "Dillard's to close store at Collin Creek Mall". The Dallas Morning News. A. H. Belo Corporation. pp. D1 – via NewsBank.
  25. ^ Betsy, Stiteler (October 5, 1981). "Lord, Taylor: Big stake here". The Dallas Morning News. A. H. Belo Corporation. pp. 1D–2D – via NewsBank.
  26. ^ "Mervyn's buys Lord & Taylor store". The Dallas Morning News. A. H. Belo Corporation. April 10, 1990. pp. 9D – via NewsBank.
  27. ^ "Retail Report: Local openings". The Dallas Morning News. A. H. Belo Corporation. October 21, 1990. pp. 7H – via NewsBank.
  28. ^ Landy, Heather (September 8, 2005). "Mervyns plans to pull out of North Texas". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Knight Ridder. pp. 1C, 3C – via Newspapers.com.
  29. ^ Halkias, Maria (December 5, 2007). "Plano center scheduled for face-lift - Rides, food, games to fill Mervyn's space". The Dallas Morning News. A. H. Belo Corporation. pp. 1D – via NewsBank.
  30. ^ "Kid Beat: Absolutely Amazing". The Dallas Morning News. A. H. Belo Corporation. July 11, 2008. p. 27 – via NewsBank.
  31. ^ Grigsby, Sharon (July 25, 2019). "A final walk through Plano's Collin Creek Mall with a mom, her daughter and the ghosts of our younger selves". The Dallas Morning News. A. H. Belo Corporation. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
  32. ^ a b Hansard, Donna Steph (July 19, 1983). "J.C. Penney cuts bold path with Halston: Prototype store opens Saturday at Collin Creek". The Dallas Morning News. A. H. Belo Corporation. pp. 1D – via NewsBank.
  33. ^ Powers, Liesbeth (August 18, 2020). "JCPenney adds Plano's Collin Creek Mall location to list of permanent closures". Community Impact Dallas-Fort Worth.
  34. ^ Halkias, Maria (August 24, 2020). "Collin Creek Mall developer offers J.C. Penney $15 million for its Plano store". The Dallas Morning News. A. H. Belo Corporation. Retrieved June 25, 2024.
  35. ^ "Advertisement: Sanger-Harris". The Dallas Morning News. A. H. Belo Corporation. October 20, 1980. pp. 18A – via NewsBank.
  36. ^ Hansard, Donna Steph (July 19, 1987). "Foley's signs spreading through local stores". The Dallas Morning News. A. H. Belo Corporation. pp. 5H – via NewsBank.
  37. ^ Halkias, Mary (August 17, 2006). "Macy's putting on a few final touches - Foley's brand comes down at future flagship at NorthPark Center". The Dallas Morning News. A. H. Belo Corporation. pp. 1D – via NewsBank.
  38. ^ Ritter, Cassidy (March 15, 2017). "Macy's to close Plano's Collin Creek Mall location March 31". Community Impact Dallas-Fort Worth. Retrieved June 21, 2024.
  39. ^ Friebele, Michael (September 7, 2016). "The Vanishing Sanger-Harris Mosaics". Texas Architect. Texas Society of Architects.
  40. ^ "Developer: Collin Creek Mall Mosaics Can't Be Saved After All". NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth. NBC Owned Television Stations. October 1, 2019. Retrieved June 21, 2024.
  41. ^ Houston, Daniel (March 5, 2018). "Shrinking the mall: Inside a developer's plan to save Plano's Collin Creek Mall by tearing part of it down". Community Impact Dallas-Fort Worth. Retrieved April 1, 2018.
  42. ^ Brown, Steve (February 8, 2018). "Developer Sam Ware close to buying Collin Creek Mall, a site pitched for Amazon HQ2". The Dallas Morning News. A. H. Belo Corporation. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  43. ^ Brown, Steve (August 6, 2018). "Developers sue lender over failed Collin Creek Mall deal". The Dallas Morning News. A. H. Belo Corporation. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  44. ^ a b Hethcock, Bill (August 8, 2018). "New developer aiming to buy, revamp Plano's ailing Collin Creek Mall". Dallas Business Journal. Advance Publications. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  45. ^ Pirayesh, Eric (September 24, 2021). "Groundbreaking held for $1 billion Collin Creek Mall redevelopment". Community Impact Dallas-Fort Worth. Archived from the original on October 21, 2023.
  46. ^ a b High, Alyssa (December 19, 2023). "Collin Creek Mall updates as 2023 closes, hopes for 2024". Plano Magazine. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  47. ^ Pittman, Connor (January 4, 2024). "Preliminary site plan for apartments in Collin Creek Mall approved". Community Impact Dallas-Fort Worth. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  48. ^ Evans, Candy (December 13, 2023). "With Infrastructure Completed, Collin Creek Prepares to Welcome Its First Residents in 2024". Candy's Dirt. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
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33°0′48″N 96°42′46″W / 33.01333°N 96.71278°W / 33.01333; -96.71278