

The owners of the Arcada Theatre (the Franks) had already decides to change that site to more live theatre events. One of the conditions was closing the other two locations. Shortly after that, the mall management company contacted Classic Cinemas about taking over the Charlestowne 18. The overhead cost of an 18 screen theatre proved to be to much and Regal pulled out. Business was split between the three locations and finances were tight. Regal had committed to the project and continued to build anyways. The Foxfield had been recently renovated by Classic Cinemas from four to seven screens with state of the art equipment and Stadium seeting. What currently sits with ample unused space can attract new residents and businesses, and more visitors to the new community and destinations as well.At the time Regal openned this theatre, Classic Cinemas was already running the Historic Arcada Theatre and the Foxfield theatre in St. In the case of Charlestowne and many others, these opportunities already exist.
IPANIC CHARLESTOWNE MALL FULL
Through inserting more varied functions such as housing, work/office, and community spaces, they can be revitalized in ways that take full advantage of the existing framework but also address current needs. There is value in looking beyond what shopping malls can be. Private Rooftop ‘Yard’ space for residents The spacious, open concepts leverage the high ceilings of the former retail space and allow more flexibility than cramped urban condos, but still benefit from the direct connection to the amenities and community functions within the same development. There is opportunity for the residential units to capture the sweet spot between urban and suburban living, which is rapidly gaining popularity and investment in recent years. The change to this terrace level also supports passive building strategies like solar and ventilation, reducing the reliance on active systems. These dynamic floor plans enhance the livability, increase real estate value, and give the residents a more private ‘yard’ space which would have otherwise been missing in a more urban development. This utilizes the vast roof space, and creates a second residential story that pops up onto the former roof level for many of the units. Residential units occupy the second floor, giving privacy and a connection to the public functions below. Natural light fills the space from the front atrium-facing windows, the back patio, and from the light well at the terrace above. The greenspace was envisioned as a way to connect the users of the mall with the outside community while also providing a location for playgrounds, gardens, and even a farmer’s market. Surrounding the structure is an expansive greenspace that resides over the top of the parking lot(s). Similar to malls today, there is an advantage in a large property containing theaters, amphitheaters, and other community based functions. The lower level remains commercial, yet it introduces the idea of more office, work, and creative space to create a sense of community.

The project has re-organized the former mall into various functions, taking advantage of the multi-level layout with ample atrium/courtyard space. Mall Entry / Farmer’s Market above ground-level parking The design prioritizes greenspace and open air courtyards to both connect the development to the surrounding area and provide ample public and semi-public space. The initial idea absolves the single-use of Charlestowne mall by introducing living units and places to work, along with the traditional shopping/entertainment aspects. Opportunity in the scale and framework of these developments can foster an adaptive reuse approach and provide new ideas for living and working. This design concept addresses the many challenges facing Charlestowne mall and similar suburban shopping centers. But with the decline of retail and use of these spaces, there are ways to leverage current infrastructure that can revive malls like Charlestowne for the better. Charles, IL images (Google Images/Flickr)Ĭharlestowne Mall sits in a well-trafficked, highly visible location in St. Our team explored concepts for redevelopment of a local mall that has seen better days.Ĭurrent Charlestowne Mall, St.

With the effect of the pandemic this past year, the result has meant closures of many retailers. In an ever-expanding online world, shopping malls have taken a hit. While modern society looks towards the next shiny and new place to be, we often neglect to address our current spaces and how we use them. Interior Courtyard Redevelopment Rendering Case Study: Redevelopment of Charlestowne Mall
