Now that I’ve finally gotten my computer repaired (and my hard drive replaced), I can prepare American Dirt for a variety of great new posts. But my latest is in a format new to me: the podcast.
I met with Aaron Renn over at The Urbanophile last week, where we had an extensive conversation about dead or dying malls. I’ve set it numerous times on this blog: the mall is no longer the ironclad retail typology that it once was. What I’ve hinted at less often is the tough reality: there does not seem to be a clear successor or replacement for the mall. Lifestyle centers, category killers, power centers, new town centers, festival marketplaces, factory outlets….none of them are a silver bullet, and some of them have failed as well.
In this brief interview, Aaron asks me about a few examples where malls in urban centers seem to be working. There aren’t many. In the course of the ten days since our interview, Indianapolis’ Circle Centre Mall (once the downtown’s mainstay) has lost multiple new tenants; the latest appears to be the long-struggling Abercrombie and Fitch brand. Fortunately, I also offer a variety of solutions in the podcast. Please listen in, and, as always, comments are welcomed. I will respond!
10 thoughts on “PODCAST: What are we going to do about all these dead malls?”
I think the Westgate Mall near St. Andrew’s is in danger of being a “dead mall” I did notice that they are putting a new exterior on it—will see if this is not putting lipstick on an albatross… Enjoyed the Pod Cast, though! Good job Eric!
Indeed! The new trampoline place is probably faddish and fun, but it’s the laser tag of 2016. The company located there because it gives them cheap real estate. But where will it be in ten years? Or five?
Westgate Mall and Phillipsburg Mall in our area. You’re a great podcast speaker My attention span usually lasts 1 minute, but I stayed interested in the entire time. That says something right there. Great job!
Thanks Shayne–I only hope I can keep up the energy in a few weeks for a webinar. If you thought podcasts were tough to get through, you ain’t seen nothing yet.
Nice work!!!! Your voice is fantastic on the radio! Excellent job!! Very cool
That was great. I loved the podcast. I have a connection with the current owners of the old Eastgate mall. I may refer them to this. Thanks Eric.
Thanks Dave. Correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t Eastgate some combo of homeland security and a solar farm?
It’s actually owned by a company called Life Line Data Centers. For the past several years they have been remodeling parts of the old mall and turning it into a secure data storage facility for business and government. As for the ROC and the solar farm, here’s a article that explains a bit.
http://www.ibj.com/articles/43617-new-vision-for-eastgate-includes-solar-farm
David thanks for the clarification. I know it used to be owned by them, but I didn’t know they were still around.
I think they try to keep a low profile when it comes to there actual facilities over privacy concerns. So when you look at that location, it’s hard to tell what’s going on. Yes, they are still there.