HOSPITALITY
MALLS GET A MAKEOVER
Here’s why former Paradise Valley and Metrocenter malls are among the state’s biggest redevelopment projects By KYLE BACKER
F
or many, malls conjure up memories of summer breaks as a youth with nowhere else better to be, convenient one-stop shopping trips for the whole family and the somewhat bewildering mix of smells radiating from the food court. Despite the warm feelings some associate with these locations, the omnipresence and convenience of ecommerce options has relegated many of these shopping centers to objects of nostalgia fondly remembered and reflected upon through rose-tinted glasses. As a result of shifting consumer
42 | March-April 2022
demand, the Valley has recently witnessed the shuttering of two iconic malls: Metrocenter Mall and Paradise Valley Mall. These sites are being reimagined as mixed-use developments focused on walkability and an urban village aesthetic. RED Development announced on Feb. 15, 2022, that Paradise Valley Mall is being rechristened as PV — a more than 100-acre project that pays homage to its past while creating a new future for the property. Phoenix City Councilwoman Deb Stark says, “It’s fantastic to see that
through this evolution, from 1970s mall to world-class, mixed-use destination, developers RED and Macerich are committed to keeping the fabric of our community as the central focus that is inspiring the design, tenant mix and overall offering of PV.” Phase one of PV will open in mid-2024 with a 400-unit luxury apartment building, Whole Foods Market, a new dine-in Harkins Theatre and three upscale, yet-to-be-announced restaurants. The initial phase will also include a three-acre central park and gathering place. The apartments will
