Highland Mall Redevelopment Update Thread

[arbeiter]

While Highland Mall's location makes sense. I never understood why all of the upscale dealerships set up nearby - Mercedes Benz of Austin must own their building outright, that's all I can think of to explain why they're still there and not off of West 5th or somewhere near the Arboretum. Remember when it was Continental Cars, and there also used to be Infiniti, Subaru, Saab, etc down on Huntsland? I always thought that Lincoln Center was a shopping center more fitting with something further out towards the suburbs as well. When was it built?

Even 30 years ago, this wasn't a high-income area, although there was once a pretty broad middle class in the neighborhoods east of 35 (like Coronado Hills). Am I underestimating how affluent this part of town used to be? My stepfather actually went to Reagan and lived over off of Berkman when he was a kid, and his parents were solid white collar types. Maybe that was the demographic?

[Scottolini]

That's where Austin's Porsche dealership is located as well.

[Scottolini]

And Subaru still has a dealership on Huntland as well.

[NThomas]

It's a good spot for TOD that could tie into the MetroRail. The only problem is once you get of at any other station where would you go This site is perfect for redevelopment but I'm afraid until we see MetroRail run throughout the day and not only during rush hour, this'll continue to be a dead mall.

[PartyLine]

Originally Posted by Scottolini

That's where Austin's Porsche dealership is located as well.

Back in '89 the BMW dealer (Village BMW) before it was John Roberts used to be in the building where Porsche is now cause my dad bought his '89 750IL there back in '89

[Dan Denson]

Originally Posted by arbeiter

While Highland Mall's location makes sense. I never understood why all of the upscale dealerships set up nearby - Mercedes Benz of Austin must own their building outright, that's all I can think of to explain why they're still there and not off of West 5th or somewhere near the Arboretum. Remember when it was Continental Cars, and there also used to be Infiniti, Subaru, Saab, etc down on Huntsland? I always thought that Lincoln Center was a shopping center more fitting with something further out towards the suburbs as well. When was it built?

Even 30 years ago, this wasn't a high-income area, although there was once a pretty broad middle class in the neighborhoods east of 35 (like Coronado Hills). Am I underestimating how affluent this part of town used to be? My stepfather actually went to Reagan and lived over off of Berkman when he was a kid, and his parents were solid white collar types. Maybe that was the demographic?

In the 70s I lived at the Broadmoor Apts right behind Capital Plaza. It was a well kept, safe neighborhood at the time. It really went downhill starting in the 80s.

But closer to Highland Mall, there was a cool little neighborhood right off Koenig before you get to the railroad track (west of the tracks). I knew a guy on Link Avenue in that neighborhood. Haven't been by there in years, so I don't know what's it's like now.

[breathesgelatin]

Originally Posted by Dan Denson

But closer to Highland Mall, there was a cool little neighborhood right off Koenig before you get to the railroad track (west of the tracks). I knew a guy on Link Avenue in that neighborhood. Haven't been by there in years, so I don't know what's it's like now.

Still there. My hair salon is there. Cute neighborhood.

I know quite a few people my age who are buying houses around Highland Mall to renovate them as starter homes. I don't expect the neighborhood to be in decline for much longer.

Don't know that that will fix the mall's problems, though.

[MichaelB]

Originally Posted by breathesgelatin

Still there. My hair salon is there. Cute neighborhood.

I know quite a few people my age who are buying houses around Highland Mall to renovate them as starter homes. I don't expect the neighborhood to be in decline for much longer.

Don't know that that will fix the mall's problems, though.

It doesn't fix the malls problem, but is should be an indicator that those are quite viable areas and neighborhoods going thru their own gentrification. Should be a sign that the Highland tract is ripe for redevelopment. (And hopefully done is a manner better than the pathetic strip mall mess that is now at the old Northcross site!)

[Scottolini]

Mall giant Simon offers to buy rival General Growth
By American-Statesman staff | Tuesday, February 16, 2010, 09:19 AM

Simon Property Group, the dominant mall owner in Central Texas, has offered to buy its largest rival, General Growth Properties, for $10 billion.

General Growth filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last year. The filing did not include Austin’s Highland Mall, which is 50-50 owned by General Growth and Simon.

...

http://www.statesman.com/blogs/conte...rs_to_buy.html

[texastarkus]

Originally Posted by Dan Denson

In the 70s I lived at the Broadmoor Apts right behind Capital Plaza. It was a well kept, safe neighborhood at the time. It really went downhill starting in the 80s.

But closer to Highland Mall, there was a cool little neighborhood right off Koenig before you get to the railroad track (west of the tracks). I knew a guy on Link Avenue in that neighborhood. Haven't been by there in years, so I don't know what's it's like now.

The neighborhood immediately west of Airport Blvd/R.R. Tracks and north of Koening including Link Ave is called 'Skyview'. I actually live on Link and it's always been a quirky enclave that fits in with Woodrow Ave areas not the areas to the north. Houses don't stay on the market long in Skyview and prices have gotten over $250K .....

[Mopacs]

Originally Posted by arbeiter

While Highland Mall's location makes sense. I never understood why all of the upscale dealerships set up nearby - Mercedes Benz of Austin must own their building outright, that's all I can think of to explain why they're still there and not off of West 5th or somewhere near the Arboretum. Remember when it was Continental Cars, and there also used to be Infiniti, Subaru, Saab, etc down on Huntsland? I always thought that Lincoln Center was a shopping center more fitting with something further out towards the suburbs as well. When was it built?

Just a little anecdote... The Mercedes dealership on airport was at one time the "Fox 3 theaters"...I think it closed sometime in the late 80s? The very first movie I ever saw was at the Fox.

Highland Mall continues to be a mess...but I'd hate to seem them tear it down completely. I've got some sentimental attachments to the mall. Of course, times change...

Did they finally close the Dillard's store(s)? I would imagine they would have, given their Domain location opening earlier this year. Someone mentioned that the Men's store may remain open as a Dillard's clearance store of some type.

[MichaelB]

Originally Posted by Mopacs

Just a little anecdote... The Mercedes dealership on airport was at one time the "Fox 3 theaters"...I think it closed sometime in the late 80s? The very first movie I ever saw was at the Fox.

Highland Mall continues to be a mess...but I'd hate to seem them tear it down completely. I've got some sentimental attachments to the mall. Of course, times change...

Did they finally close the Dillard's store(s)? I would imagine they would have, given their Domain location opening earlier this year. Someone mentioned that the Men's store may remain open as a Dillard's clearance store of some type.

Well believe it or not we went to Highland Mall this past weekend. There was a fund raising Garage Sale there. It was quite a trip! Used to go there in College. It is about 60-70% occupied...in terms of smaller stores. The Dillards that is open is there Discount center! All sales final! Macy's is the only large anchor left. Very depressing. It was the weekend and it was, for the most part, empty.

I really think the best idea is to scrape it. It is such a hugh piece of property . I know we have all debated this... but I do think a much higher density is due. It will take a while.... but I would think that land will be in much higher demand in the next 10 years.

[bluedogok]

Originally Posted by MichaelB

The Dillards that is open is there Discount center! All sales final!

They needed to move that someplace after the Dillard's Clearance Center at Forum 303 Mall in Irving closed a couple of years ago when that mall was torn down and the land redeveloped. We used to go there a couple of times a year from OKC, I found a couple of great deals on suits there over the years.

[KevinFromTexas]

http://www.statesman.com/news/local/..._comments_list

Owner of Highland Mall files for bankruptcy
Long-struggling shopping center plans to remain open, owner's attorney says.

By Barry Harrell and Shonda Novak
AMERICAN-STATEMAN STAFF

Published: 10:36 p.m. Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Austin's struggling Highland Mall, derided as a retail "ghost town" by one of its anchor tenants last year, now faces a new challenge: bankruptcy.

The court filing gave few details but did say the mall's owner had assets of between $10 million and $50 million and liabilities of between $500,000 and $1 million. The Travis Central Appraisal District values the mall and its 20 acres at $43.6 million, the same as in 2009 but down from $64 million in 2008.

Highland Mall is Austin's oldest regional mall, having opened in 1971.

...

[M1EK]

It may appear central, but is really suburban in mindset and access - it's separated from the core by a freeway (short stub of Loop 69 or whatever it is - that joins FM 2222 and US 290); for those of us who live central it feels like a closer, but shoddier, Lakeline experience. And it will still feel that way even if scraped and rebuilt - those freeways aren't going anywhere; nor is most of the crap on Airport.

[Mopacs]

Looks like ACC has plans to expand into the vacated Dillard's space. Thoughts? Any chance portions of the mall would remain in it's current configuration? See statesman article below ("breaking news")

http://www.statesman.com/blogs/conte...=breaking_news

ACC buys Dillard’s Highland Mall store

By American-Statesman staff |
Tuesday, May 25, 2010, 11:02 AM

Austin Community College has purchased a 4-story Dillard’s store at Highland Mall and 18 acres of land for offices and classroom space.

ACC President Stephen Kinslow said the investment will help the community college “expand operations, student services and learning opportunities to meet high demand in the service area, and it has the potential to revitalize a local landmark.” ...

[M1EK]

JMVC and others will likely try to use this as an example of TOD activity bursting into flower along the Red Line; but the Dillard's store is 0.29 miles from the stop (further than the quarter-mile max most people will walk to even a normal office from their station; a TOD should be closer than that to be considered truly transit-ORIENTED).

Of course, it's also telling that it's a public entity doing this development and not a private sector developer.

[Mopacs]

That is true. The rail stop is a significant walking distance from the Dillard's space (I believe it is directly across from the old JCP)...one must cross Airport and a vast parking lot to reach. Presumably most further expansion would occur to the south of the store (toward the Highland Business Center), thus an even longer walk to those facilities.

[KevinFromTexas]

http://www.statesman.com/news/local/...l-1384528.html

ACC to buy 32 acres at Highland Mall for $14.6 million
College will own 79% of faded retail center

By Ralph K.M. Haurwitz
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Updated: 12:22 a.m. Friday, April 8, 2011
Published: 9:56 p.m. Thursday, April 7, 2011

Austin Community College has agreed to purchase 32.2 acres at Highland Mall, including the land on which the core of the mall is situated, for $14.6 million, officials disclosed Thursday evening.

The acquisition is expected to close in mid-May and, along with two earlier purchases at the site, would bring ACC's investment in Highland Mall property to $25 million. The college would own 63.5 acres at Highland, 79 percent of the Central Austin site.

"ACC is experiencing tremendous growth, currently increasing by more than 4,000 students annually," said Stephen B. Kinslow, ACC's president and CEO . "These Highland acquisitions will play a key role in allowing us to continue meeting the vast educational and training needs of the region."

[BevoLJ]

Ah, opps. Just posted a simular story in the "Austin Update" thread. I didn't see this one. My bad. Anyway, I hope the figure out something good about this. I just saw last week they raised tuition, so hope they do have to go and do something like that again.