We're just happy the developers are retaining so much of the original mall structure. And they're even planning some architectural elements that harken back to its beginnings in the 80s, like the water features. Good on them!
I grew up there when it was a real creek meandering through a vast field. The grass grew so high you could barely see or hear traffic on Central Expressway, a 2 lane blacktop at that time. We had to go to Richardson to shop at a mall. 👴
We've been missing it for sure, but honestly this update has us pretty pumped. The artist renderings of the new Collin Creek show a total throwback to the features we loved back in the 80s including a return of the water features, eek!!
It will be interesting to see that differences and similarities when it is done. The mall I went to the most (Conestoga Mall- Grand Island, Nebraska) had some stores that have been there for probably between 20 and 30 years. Those stores are Best Buy, Incredible Bulk, Hot Topic, Footlocker, Dillard's, Hallmark, Claire's, Buckle, American Eagle, Tradehome Shoes, and AMC Theaters. There is the Underground Cafe that seems interesting (never hung out there before), and a Joann's (which would be more attractive if I was good at sewing) but I am not sold on any of the other stores. I am not as into the mall culture as most other people, but I think this mall is very stable.
As I'm sure you can tell, we're definitely excited to see the new version of our old mall. And we're very happy that the developers are at least keeping the central portion and some of its original architectural details. Glad to hear your mall is still going strong!
Anybody remember the squirrel door handles? During a renovation, they removed the ones remaining. I always thought this was a sin to mankind, not to replace the missing ones. You hope somebody at least collected them.
Yes, we have one that's still open in our Wichita Mall (Towne East Square.) The store at Collin Creek stayed open well beyond the closing of the rest of the mall, so it served as a freestanding store for a couple of years.
@@Our80sLife I had heard that JCP was actually going to build a freestanding store at that location with the new development. However, with their bankruptcy, chances of that seem slim now.
There's a free standing JCPenney and Macys about 10 miles north in Allen. Not sure how long they will last, the Macys has turned into mostly clearance.
Nice shots. If I remember there’s a high rise going to be on the west side? I think also there was an old video in the 60’s when something super similar to what they’re doing was planned. I think Trammel Crow was going to do it. Would be interesting to see the similarities.
That is interesting! It looks like Centurion American has made a few changes to their original plan, but we're loving the new artist renderings on their Collin Creek website, which include keeping one of the arches from the old mall entrance and water features which mimic the original ones from the 80s.
The last couple of times we've driven past, it looked like there hadn't been much progress. The Collin Creek project seems like it's moving much more quickly.
@@Our80sLife I know, i just wanted to know if it was still up, the owner of the valley view project stopped and sold the property. Would be cool if the designer of the collin creek project would do the same to valley view since most if not all the anchor stors of valley view have already been taken down so it would be to just buld around valley vew and add other things to the property. Whats sad though is that malls were so popular back in the day and thats why there was more parking than retail and now very few people go to malls that now parking is less needed causeing old malls to decline :(
So is the mall property being redeveloped? If so, what will it entail? I heard Chesterfield Mall (Chesterfield, MO) will be redeveloped into a mixed use development called Downtown Chesterfield. It will feature offices, retail and those kind of things.
Yes! From what we've been told, the development company plans to retain the central corridor of the original mall structure for retail and restaurants. The surrounding areas will become green space and residential. We're excited to see the progress!
I wonder if there was a basement under the mall. I drove by it today but it's fenced off, couldn't get a good look. Probably a good thing, I don't need a nail in my tire.,
Good question! I'm not aware of a basement before, but it's certainly possible. On our last visit, there had been considerable digging to create lower, underground levels for the shopping center.
That's a bummer that a memory like this is just transforming. But I know it'll be a mall in your hearts.
We're just happy the developers are retaining so much of the original mall structure. And they're even planning some architectural elements that harken back to its beginnings in the 80s, like the water features. Good on them!
I grew up there at the mall
Same. I miss it 😢
I grew up there when it was a real creek meandering through a vast field. The grass grew so high you could barely see or hear traffic on Central Expressway, a 2 lane blacktop at that time. We had to go to Richardson to shop at a mall. 👴
@@Robnord1 cool
I'm really going to miss the mall.
We've been missing it for sure, but honestly this update has us pretty pumped. The artist renderings of the new Collin Creek show a total throwback to the features we loved back in the 80s including a return of the water features, eek!!
It will be interesting to see that differences and similarities when it is done.
The mall I went to the most (Conestoga Mall- Grand Island, Nebraska) had some stores that have been there for probably between 20 and 30 years.
Those stores are Best Buy, Incredible Bulk, Hot Topic, Footlocker, Dillard's, Hallmark, Claire's, Buckle, American Eagle, Tradehome Shoes, and AMC Theaters.
There is the Underground Cafe that seems interesting (never hung out there before), and a Joann's (which would be more attractive if I was good at sewing) but I am not sold on any of the other stores.
I am not as into the mall culture as most other people, but I think this mall is very stable.
As I'm sure you can tell, we're definitely excited to see the new version of our old mall. And we're very happy that the developers are at least keeping the central portion and some of its original architectural details. Glad to hear your mall is still going strong!
Anybody remember the squirrel door handles? During a renovation, they removed the ones remaining. I always thought this was a sin to mankind, not to replace the missing ones. You hope somebody at least collected them.
To me it’s sad to see JC Penney go
Are they still around in other malls?
Yes, we have one that's still open in our Wichita Mall (Towne East Square.) The store at Collin Creek stayed open well beyond the closing of the rest of the mall, so it served as a freestanding store for a couple of years.
@@Our80sLife I had heard that JCP was actually going to build a freestanding store at that location with the new development. However, with their bankruptcy, chances of that seem slim now.
There's a free standing JCPenney and Macys about 10 miles north in Allen. Not sure how long they will last, the Macys has turned into mostly clearance.
Nice shots. If I remember there’s a high rise going to be on the west side? I think also there was an old video in the 60’s when something super similar to what they’re doing was planned. I think Trammel Crow was going to do it. Would be interesting to see the similarities.
That is interesting! It looks like Centurion American has made a few changes to their original plan, but we're loving the new artist renderings on their Collin Creek website, which include keeping one of the arches from the old mall entrance and water features which mimic the original ones from the 80s.
Spent a lot of time at this mall in the late 90s. Curious to see what they do with it.
Same. They've updated the artist renderings on Centurion American's Collin Creek website. Looks pretty awesome!!
any updates on valley view center?
The last couple of times we've driven past, it looked like there hadn't been much progress. The Collin Creek project seems like it's moving much more quickly.
@@Our80sLife I know, i just wanted to know if it was still up, the owner of the valley view project stopped and sold the property. Would be cool if the designer of the collin creek project would do the same to valley view since most if not all the anchor stors of valley view have already been taken down so it would be to just buld around valley vew and add other things to the property. Whats sad though is that malls were so popular back in the day and thats why there was more parking than retail and now very few people go to malls that now parking is less needed causeing old malls to decline :(
So is the mall property being redeveloped? If so, what will it entail?
I heard Chesterfield Mall (Chesterfield, MO) will be redeveloped into a mixed use development called Downtown Chesterfield. It will feature offices, retail and those kind of things.
Yes! From what we've been told, the development company plans to retain the central corridor of the original mall structure for retail and restaurants. The surrounding areas will become green space and residential. We're excited to see the progress!
Is there a press release somewhere with renderings of what they're trying to end up with?
There are some on the developers website… www.collincreek.com
🤯
I wonder if there was a basement under the mall. I drove by it today but it's fenced off, couldn't get a good look. Probably a good thing, I don't need a nail in my tire.,
Good question! I'm not aware of a basement before, but it's certainly possible. On our last visit, there had been considerable digging to create lower, underground levels for the shopping center.
There was no basement in this mall
Any. 80s stores.