The Des Plaines Mall was a 185,000 square foot (17,200 m2)[1][a] shopping mall in downtown Des Plaines, Illinois. It was designed by J.R. Gottlieb & Co. The architect was Erickson and Stevens, Inc.[2] Construction began June 1, 1976.[3] It opened October 6, 1977.[4]
 | |
| Coordinates | 42°02′24″N 87°53′16″W / 42.040074982202356°N 87.88764785787377°W |
|---|---|
| Address | 700 Pearson Street |
| Opened | October 6, 1977 |
| Closed | October 31, 1996 |
| Developer | J.R. Gottlieb & Co. |
| Management | Richard Pace & Associates (1977-1986), David Friedman and William Fallmer (1986-?) |
| Architect | Erickson and Stevens, Inc. |
| 1 (Spiegler's) | |
| Floor area | 185,000 square feet |
| Floors | 3 |
| Parking | yes |
Planning for the mall began in 1972,[5] with the Des Plaines Mall Corporation formed in 1973.[6] The mall opened October 6, 1977. Its original tennants included Spiegler's, Radio Shack, Hallmark Cards and the Oui Boutique.[7] It was built for about $12 million. Shoppers and employees parked at the nearby Behrel Parking Deck. The intent was to demolish buildings between the mall and the deck, most notably the abandoned Spiegler's store, and build a walkway between the two locations.[8]
In 1979 the mall added an area on the lower level called Olde Center Street, a turn-of-the-century theme arcade.[9]
In 1995 the city took control of the mall with the intent of condemning it.[10]
Its last day of business was October 31, 1996.[11] Demolition began in June 1998.[12]
Spiegler's Department Store
editHerbert H. Behrel Parking Plaza
editNotable events
edit- Soap stars Richard Shoberg and Michael Storm appeared at the mall on November 8, 1980.[17]
- The Des Plaines Public Library held two book sales in the mall in 1996.[18][19]
Notes
editReferences
edit- 1 2 "Superblock mall buoys merchants". The Herald. September 16, 1976. sec. 3, p. 6.
- ↑ "Superblock nearing completion". Chicago Tribune. October 12, 1975. sec. 12, p. 1.
- ↑ "Start shopping mall construction June 1". Des Plaines Journal. March 18, 1976. sec. 1, p. 1.
- ↑ "New shopping mall is dream become reality". Des Plaines Journal. September 29, 1977. sec. 1, p. 1.
- ↑ "Petition seeks zoning hearing on superblock". Daily Herald. March 7, 1973. sec. 1, p. 3.
- ↑ "advertisement for William L. Kunkel & Co. Realtors". Daily Herald. September 4, 1972. sec. 3, p. 9.
- ↑ "New mall is dream become reality". The Des Plaines Suburban Times. September 29, 1977. sec. 1, p. 1.
- ↑ "Mall opens today". The Des Plaines Suburban Times. October 6, 1977. sec. 1, p. 1.
- ↑ "DP Mall to feature 'Olde Center Street'". The Des Plaines Suburban Times. May 4, 1979. p. 33.
- ↑ Shuman, Mark (December 13, 1995). "Des Plaines is new owner of mall". Chicago Tribune. sec. 2, p. 1.
- ↑ Davis, Jon (October 31, 1996). "Des Plaines Mall's demise complete". Chicago Tribune. sec. 1, p. 6.
- ↑ Granderson, Kimbriell (July 3, 1998). "New era for 'City of Destiny'". Daily Herald. sec. 1, p. 6.
- ↑ Spiegler, Allan (2019). If a Store Could Talk. Elderberry Press. p. 14. ISBN 9781934956755.
- ↑ "Closing Forever June 28th (advertisement)". Des Plaines Journal. June 24, 1992. p. 11A.
- ↑ "Demolish Behrel Deck". Des Plaines Journal. September 29, 1995. p. 1A.
- ↑ Vinzant, Carol (August 13, 1991). "Des Plaines still on life support". Chicago Tribune. sec. 2, p. 1.
- ↑ "Fans sigh approval for stars of TV's soap operas 'All My Children,' 'One Life to Live' at D.P. Mall". The Des Plaines Suburban Times. November 13, 1980. p. 15.
- ↑ "At the Library". Des Plaines Journal. March 13, 1996. p. 16B.
- ↑ "At the Library". Des Plaines Journal. September 4, 1996. p. 12B.
External links
edit- Des Plaines Memory, contains pictures of the mall