Tucson Mall
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Tucson Mall is the largest shopping mall in Tucson, Arizona. Tucson Mall features over 170 stores and two levels of indoor shopping. It is anchored by Curacao (formerly Mervyn's), J. C. Penney, Macy's (formerly Foley's and Robinsons-May), and Dillard's (formerly Diamonds). Tucson Mall contains a food court containing several fast food restaurants, as well as "Arizona Avenue," an arcade containing Southwestern-themed items. The mall is located on the north side of Tucson, bounded by Oracle Road (Arizona State Route 77), Wetmore Road, Stone Avenue, and the Rillito River.

Key Information

Anchor stores

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  • Dillard's (197,958 square feet (18,390.9 m2)[2])
  • Curacao (86,596 square feet (8,045.0 m2),[3] formerly Mervyn's)
  • J. C. Penney (136,864 square feet (12,715.1 m2)[4])
  • Macy's (139,078 square feet (12,920.8 m2), formerly occupied in a 135,000 square feet (12,500 m2) originally Broadway Southwest.[5] Current location originally opened as Foley's in 1991; chain's Arizona locations rebranded as Robinsons-May February 2, 1997[6] changed to Macy's in 2006)
  • Old Navy (19,996 square feet (1,857.7 m2))

Former anchors

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  • Diamond's (sold to Dillard's in 1984)
  • Foley's (became Robinsons-May on February 2, 1997, closed sometime shortly after the chain was bought out by Macy's, reopened as Macy's in 2006[7])
  • The Broadway (became Macy's in 1996,[8] closed in 2006, demolished in 2007[9])
  • Mervyn's (closed in 2008, became Forever 21 in 2009[10])
  • Sears (162,816 square feet (15,126.1 m2), closed in April 2020[11])
  • Forever 21 (moved to a different part of the mall, closed in 2025)

Idea for the Tucson Mall

[edit]

Helen Wetmore, whose husband's family had homesteaded the land in the late 1800s, came up with the idea for the Tucson Mall. During a trip to Chicago in the 1930s, she spotted a shopping center on the Skokie Highway and thought to herself, "That's what I am going to have on my land." She kept the parcel of land together until 1978, and at that point plans for the mall were initiated with Forest City Enterprises.[12]

History

[edit]

The Tucson Mall opened in 1982, with about 100 stores and five department stores, including Broadway, J. C. Penney, Mervyn's, Diamond's[13] and Sears. Hellmuth, Obata & Kassabuam of Dallas, Texas were the architects for the mall. Each of the five original department stores hired their own designers.[14] Forest City Dillon Inc. was the general contractor.[15][16]

Diamond's was converted to Dillard's in 1984.

Beginning in 1990, the mall began an extensive expansion project. First, the Dillard's anchor was expanded and a parking garage was added adjacent to Dillard's. On the east side of the mall, an entirely new wing was built; the original mall footprint had stopped just to the east of the center court area. The area to the southeast of the Mervyn's had been a parking lot. A new wing opened in 1991 and added over 400,000 sq ft to the mall, over 70 new stores, and a sixth anchor, Houston-based Foley's.

In 1993, the food court was renovated with addition of a carousel and Arizona Avenue.

In 1996, the Broadway was changed to a Macy's after Federated Department Stores acquired Broadway.

In 1997, all of Foley's locations in Arizona were rebranded as the Los Angeles–based Robinsons-May.

In 2001, General Growth Properties purchased Tucson Mall.[17]

In 2003, the aging mall underwent a $15 million overhaul, which was the first major overhaul since it opened in 1982. The mall was given all new polished tile floors, glass railings on the upper level, new escalators and elevators where stairs had been, a new children’s play area, new and refurbished restrooms, reworked food court and Arizona Avenue, changes to fountains and a new paint scheme.[18]

In 2006, the Robinsons-May was changed to a Macy's after Macy's acquired them in a corporate purchase. The existing Macy's on the south side of the mall was vacated.[19]

In 2007, the former Macy's store was demolished in preparation for an extensive remodel and addition on the south side of the mall. The changes include the addition of a grand entrance hall in the location of the old anchor, extension of stores on both the east and west side of the new entrance, addition of multiple water features, complete update of facade from current Macy's to Mall Security Offices, and the addition of REI and The Cheesecake Factory on the south side of the Tucson Mall. A parking structure was also added adjacent to the current Macy's.

In 2008, GameStop, formerly an Electronics Boutique, in the bottom floor was relocated to the center as a Software ETC on the top floor, also owned by Gamestop, hyped a bigger, better Gamestop, this larger center one being the result. Mervyn's closed their store with the chain's demise.

In 2009, Forever 21 opened in the approximately 80,000-square-foot (7,400 m2) space formerly anchored by Mervyn's as part of its strategy to open larger stores with a more diverse merchandise selection.[20]

On February 6, 2020, it was announced that Sears would be closing as part of a plan to close 31 stores nationwide. The store closed in April 2020.[21]

Transportation

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Sun Tran's Tohono Tadai Transit Center, located adjacent to the Mall, was opened in 1994.[22]

References

[edit]
[edit]
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Tucson Mall

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Tucson Mall is the largest shopping mall in Tucson, Arizona, and the premier retail destination in Southern Arizona. Located at 4500 North Oracle Road along the bustling Oracle Road corridor, it spans approximately 1.3 million square feet of gross leasable area across 91.5 acres and features more than 170 stores and restaurants.[1] The mall is anchored by Dillard’s, Macy’s, JCPenney, Curacao, Dick’s Sporting Goods, and REI, with additional notable tenants including The Cheesecake Factory, In-N-Out Burger, and Churrasco de Brasil.[1] Opened in 1982, Tucson Mall has served as a cornerstone of retail and community activity in the region for over four decades, evolving through renovations, anchor store changes, and adaptations to shifting consumer preferences.[2] Originally developed as a major enclosed shopping center, it has experienced transitions in ownership and management while maintaining its role as a key destination connecting Tucson's northern suburbs with nearby institutions like the University of Arizona.[1] Currently managed and leased by Spinoso Real Estate Group as of September 2025, the mall attracts millions of visitors annually with its mix of fashion, dining, entertainment, and family-friendly amenities, including a Kids Club offering events and activities.[3][4] Its strategic position and ongoing enhancements underscore its enduring significance in Tucson's retail landscape.[1]

Overview

Location and description

Tucson Mall is the largest shopping mall in Tucson, Arizona, situated on the north side of the city at 4500 North Oracle Road.[5][6] The mall is bounded by Oracle Road (Arizona State Route 77), Wetmore Road, Stone Avenue, and the Rillito River, positioning it along major thoroughfares and adjacent to natural features for convenient access from northern Tucson and surrounding areas.[6] This location makes Tucson Mall a central retail hub in the region, serving as a prominent indoor shopping, dining, and entertainment destination for residents and visitors.[5]

Size and key statistics

Tucson Mall encompasses approximately 1.3 million square feet of gross leasable area across about 91.5 acres, making it the largest shopping mall in Tucson.[1] It features more than 170 stores and restaurants across two indoor levels of shopping, with the Macy's department store extending to three levels.[5] These metrics position the mall as a major regional retail destination with extensive leasable space and a broad tenant mix.[1]

Current management and status

Tucson Mall is currently managed by Spinoso Real Estate Group, which was selected in September 2025 to provide property management and leasing services for the property.[3] The property was owned by Brookfield Properties as of April 2025, which acquired Tucson Mall through its 2018 purchase of General Growth Properties, the previous owner.[7] Sources from 2025 confirm Brookfield's ownership at the time of the mall's listing for sale.[8][9] In April 2025, Brookfield placed the mall on the market for sale, with CBRE National Retail Partners handling the listing. The 91-acre site was reported as 94% leased at the time of listing, encompassing approximately 1.3 million square feet of gross leasable area.[9] No subsequent information indicates the sale has been completed.[1]

History

Origins and pre-development

The land on which Tucson Mall now stands was originally homesteaded by the Wetmore family in the late 19th century. Edward L. Wetmore Sr. arrived in Tucson in 1878 and established the family's presence on property near the intersection of Oracle Road and Wetmore Road, which included about 160 acres in the area.[10][11] Helen Wetmore, the wife of Ralph Wetmore (a member of the second generation of the family on the land), developed the vision for a large shopping center on the property after a trip to Chicago in the 1930s. During this visit, she observed a regional shopping center—specifically one along the Skokie Highway in one account, or at the 1933 Chicago Exposition in another—and was impressed enough to imagine a similar retail development on her family's holdings at North Oracle and West Wetmore roads.[12][10] Helen Wetmore preserved the parcel intact for decades, maintaining family ownership and preventing fragmentation until 1978. At that point, plans for the shopping mall were initiated in partnership with Forest City Enterprises.[10]

Development and construction

Plans for the Tucson Mall were initiated in 1978 with developer Forest City Enterprises, following the consolidation of the land parcel after a long-term hold by a prior owner.[10] Forest City Dillon, Inc., an Ohio corporation and affiliate of Forest City Enterprises, served as the general contractor responsible for the overall development and construction of the project.[13][14] The architectural design was provided by the firm Hellmuth, Obata & Kassabaum of Dallas.[13][14] Construction involved various subcontractors for elements such as heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, with the project advancing as a major regional shopping mall development in Tucson.[13]

Opening and early years (1982–1989)

Tucson Mall officially opened on March 22, 1982, with 102 stores, becoming the largest shopping mall in Tucson at the time. The development spanned approximately 1.4 million square feet and was completed over 18 months at a cost of $77 million.[15][16] The mall featured five original anchor department stores: The Broadway, J. C. Penney, Mervyn’s, Diamond’s, and Sears. In 1984, Diamond’s was acquired by Dillard Department Stores as part of an agreement announced on August 9, 1984, to purchase 12 Diamond's locations in Arizona and Nevada (including the Tucson Mall store) from Dayton-Hudson Corporation, with the transaction set to close by September 29, 1984. The Diamond’s store at Tucson Mall was converted to Dillard's that year.[17][18] No major structural changes or expansions occurred during the remainder of the 1980s, allowing the mall to establish itself as a key retail center in the region following its launch and the anchor adjustment.

Expansions and changes in the 1990s

In the 1990s, Tucson Mall underwent major expansions and updates that increased its size, retail offerings, and family-friendly amenities. Beginning in 1990, the mall launched an extensive expansion initiative. This included enlarging the Dillard's anchor store and constructing a new parking garage adjacent to it.[19] The project culminated in 1991 with the opening of a new east wing, which added over 400,000 square feet of gross leasable area and more than 70 new stores. The expansion also introduced Foley's as a new anchor store, enhancing the mall's status as Tucson's largest shopping center.[20] In 1993, the food court received a renovation that incorporated a carousel and Arizona Avenue, a themed arcade featuring Southwestern-inspired elements.[19] These changes reflected efforts to modernize the facility and attract more visitors during the decade. In 1996, the Broadway department store rebranded as Macy's.

Renovations and rebrandings in the 2000s

In 2001, General Growth Properties acquired Tucson Mall from Forest City Enterprises for $180 million in a tax-deferred exchange.[21][22] Under new ownership, the mall underwent a major renovation in the early 2000s, with plans announced in 2002 to invest more than $10 million in improvements including new flooring, lighting, and other updates to refresh the interior.[19] In 2006, the Robinsons-May anchor converted to Macy's as part of Federated Department Stores' nationwide rebranding of its chains, with Macy's relocating into the former Robinsons-May space.[23] The following year, the vacant former Macy's building on the southeastern side was demolished to accommodate new tenants and expansions.[24] Plans announced in 2007 included a significant south side redevelopment featuring a grand entrance near the southeast corner, stand-alone stores such as REI and The Cheesecake Factory, additional retailers within the former Macy's footprint (including Forever 21 and others), and a new parking structure to support the additions.[25]

Closures and recent developments (2010–present)

In the 2010s and 2020s, Tucson Mall experienced several anchor store closures amid broader retail challenges. The space formerly occupied by Mervyn's, which closed in 2008 following the chain's bankruptcy, had been taken over by Forever 21 in 2009.[26][27] Forever 21 operated at the mall for over a decade and a half before closing in 2025 amid the company's second Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in March of that year, which led to the wind-down of all its U.S. stores, including the Tucson Mall location, due to competition from online retailers, rising costs, and shifting consumer trends.[28] In February 2020, Sears announced the closure of its Tucson Mall store, with liquidation sales beginning shortly after the announcement on February 6 and the location shutting down permanently by mid-April. This marked the end of Sears' presence in southern Arizona, following the earlier closure of its Park Place Mall store in 2018.[29] More recently, management of the mall transitioned when Spinoso Real Estate Group was selected in September 2025 to handle property management and leasing services. The mall remains under ownership associated with Brookfield Properties, with Spinoso focusing on enhancing tenant performance, guest experience, and leasing aligned with local demand.[3]

Anchors

Current anchors

The current anchor stores at Tucson Mall are Dillard's, Macy's, J. C. Penney, Curacao (in the space formerly occupied by Mervyn's), Dick’s Sporting Goods, and REI.[1] These retailers serve as the mall's major department and specialty stores, occupying significant portions of the indoor space across its two levels. One anchor space remains vacant, the former Sears location, which closed in April 2020 following a liquidation sale.[29][30]

Historical anchor changes

The anchor stores at Tucson Mall have undergone several changes since the mall's opening in 1982, reflecting broader retail consolidations, mergers, and economic shifts in the department store sector. Originally, the mall featured Diamond's as one of its anchors. In 1984, Dillard's acquired the Diamond's chain from Dayton-Hudson Corporation, resulting in the conversion of the Tucson Mall location to a Dillard's store.[17][18] Another early anchor was The Broadway, which converted to Macy's in 1996 after Federated Department Stores acquired the Broadway chain.[31] In 2006, to eliminate duplication following further Federated mergers, Macy's relocated to the former Robinsons-May space (which had been Foley's until its conversion to Robinsons-May in 1997), leaving the original Broadway/Macy's location vacant.[23] That former Macy's store was demolished in 2007 to accommodate new retail and restaurant development.[32][24] Mervyn's served as an anchor until its closure in 2008 amid the chain's bankruptcy proceedings. The space was reoccupied by Forever 21 in 2009, which expanded into a double-decker format there.[33] Sears, another original anchor, closed its Tucson Mall location in April 2020 as part of broader chainwide reductions.[29][30] The space formerly occupied by Forever 21 (which later downsized to a smaller location within the mall) was taken over by Curacao in 2024, taking over the larger footprint after outgrowing its previous location.[34][35]

Design and facilities

Architecture and layout

Tucson Mall is designed as a two-level enclosed indoor shopping center, with the Macy's anchor department store extending to three levels. The mall encompasses approximately 1.3 million square feet of gross leasable area. The original footprint was expanded eastward in 1991 with the addition of a new wing that increased retail space and incorporated additional stores. A significant layout change occurred in 2007, when the south side of the mall was remodeled to include a grand entrance hall, following the demolition of a former anchor store. This project also featured extensions of stores on the east and west sides of the new entrance, along with facade updates.[36]

Amenities and features

Tucson Mall offers a range of amenities and features focused on dining, entertainment, and family convenience. The food court, renovated in 1993 with the addition of a carousel and the Arizona Avenue arcade incorporating Southwestern-themed elements, serves as a central dining hub with various fast-food options.[19] In the early 2000s (completed 2003), renovations included the addition of a children's play area, updated restrooms, modified fountains, new flooring, soft seating, and a fresh paint scheme to enhance visitor comfort and appeal.[19] Later enhancements expanded dining and retail options, with REI, an outdoor gear retailer, and The Cheesecake Factory (the latter developed as a stand-alone building near the southeast entrance) opening in 2010 following redevelopment of the southeast area.[37][38]

References

  1. Tucson Mall - Spinoso Real Estate Group
  2. Tucson survivors: Pappoule's transcended the mall food court
  3. Spinoso Real Estate Group Selected for Property Management and ...
  4. About Us | Tucson Mall | Tucson, AZ
  5. Tucson Mall | Premier Shopping in Tucson, AZ
  6. Tucson Mall
  7. https://realestatedaily-news.com/tucson-park-place-malls-in-brookfield-property-partners-acquisition-of-ggp/
  8. Tucson Mall is for sale - Arizona Daily Star
  9. Tucson Mall up for sale - KOLD
  10. Wetmores had deep roots in north-side area
  11. Wetmore family photo collection
  12. Helen Wetmore dreamed of a shopping center
  13. Forest City Dillon, Inc. v. Superior Court In and For Pima County, 2
  14. https://www.plainsite.org/opinions/g459qkvp/forest-city-dillon-v-super-ct-in-for-pima/
  15. A look at what life was like in Tucson in the early 1980s
  16. What will happen to Tucson's growing number of vacant department stores?
  17. Dillard Department Stores Inc. Thursday announced an agreement to... - UPI Archives
  18. Dayton-Hudson In Dillard Deal - The New York Times
  19. Tucson Mall getting new look
  20. Kathleen Allen, "Tucson Mall gears up for opening of new ...
  21. General Growth Shells Out $180 Mil for Tucson Mall - Globest
  22. Mall in Tucson Is Sold - The New York Times
  23. Macy's to Take Over Robinsons-May Spot at Tucson Mall
  24. Ex-Macy's at Tucson Mall to see wrecking crew soon
  25. New plans reveal Cheesecake Factory at Tucson Mall | News | insidetucsonbusiness.com
  26. https://tucson.com/business/forever-21-set-to-take-over-tucson-malls-mervyns-site/article_f65a1174-3fee-54dc-a799-27a3de800f55.html
  27. http://tucsoncitizen.com/morgue/2009/03/16/112220-forever-21-takes-over-tucson-mall-mervyn-s-space/
  28. Forever 21 files for 2nd bankruptcy impacting Arizona stores
  29. Sears at Tucson Mall closing doors, liquidation sale begins this week
  30. https://tucson.com/business/article_83cd43b3-6c23-560b-9e25-be8412448024.html
  31. https://www.insidetucsonbusiness.com/news/macy-s-now-says-it-will-close-tucson-mall-store/article_cd01677e-2e51-529e-a5b7-96dbeacbd69c.html
  32. http://tucsoncitizen.com/morgue/2007/10/30/67220-demolition-begins-at-tucson-mall-s-macy-s/
  33. https://www.insidetucsonbusiness.com/news/forever-21-bids-to-move-into-mervyns-tucson-mall/article_6c48ed4d-8df2-5338-9f34-f4ec26a27c07.html
  34. Moving on Up: Curacao finds a new home at Tucson Mall
  35. https://tucson.com/news/local/subscriber/article_8a188c9e-389a-11ef-9dd0-ff97705d7417.html
  36. Tucson Mall Mall Directory: Stores, Map & Opening Hours
  37. https://investors.thecheesecakefactory.com/news-and-events/news-releases/news-release-details/2010/The-Cheesecake-Factory-Opens-in-Tucson-Arizona/default.aspx
  38. https://tucson.com/business/local/article_be6d5507-790c-5061-99e7-fa639ec464fb.html
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