Miles Bennett
The Golf Mill Mall in Niles, Illinois, is not closing, but it is undergoing a major redevelopment. The village of Niles has approved a $440 million plan to transform the decades-old mall into a mixed-use town center with luxury housing, retail, restaurants, and potentially a hotel. The first phase of the redevelopment will include an overhaul of the mall's retail and the addition of new luxury apartments and restaurants. The mall, which opened in 1960 as an open-air shopping center, has seen a decline in recent years with an increasing number of vacant storefronts and signs of decay. The redevelopment is intended to bring back customers and spur economic development in the area.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Niles, Illinois |
| Address | 239 Golf Mill Center |
| Intersection | Golf and Milwaukee Roads |
| Year opened | 1960 |
| Area | 1.1 million square feet |
| Number of stores | 44 |
| Redevelopment status | $440 million redevelopment plan approved in June 2024 |
| Demolition status | Slated for demolition in 2025 |
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What You'll Learn
The $440 million redevelopment plan
The redevelopment aims to revitalise the mall and the surrounding businesses, bringing people back to the area. The new Golf Mill Town Center will feature a mix of retail, entertainment, residential, and other uses. The plan calls for 70% of the development to be dedicated to retail and entertainment, including quality restaurants and new approaches to retailing. The remaining 30% will include luxury housing in the form of apartment buildings, office buildings, a pedestrian promenade, medical facilities, a park, and potentially a hotel.
The original mall, which opened in 1960, was an open-air shopping center with a unique design featuring an area of water and a stream with a mill wheel. In the 1980s, the mall was enclosed, and it has since undergone various renovations and changes in ownership. However, in recent years, the mall has struggled, with an increasing number of vacant storefronts and declining foot traffic.
The redevelopment plan will return the mall to its outdoor roots, with a focus on creating a vibrant and bustling environment. The plan includes a three-acre pond and the reinstatement of the familiar mill wheel, paying homage to the mall's early days. The village of Niles will provide $96 million in Tax Increment Financing (TIF) incentives to the developer, with no increase in property taxes for residents.
The first phase of the two-phase redevelopment project is expected to begin with the demolition of the existing mall, except for the freestanding stores, and will include an overhaul of the mall's retail offerings and the introduction of new luxury apartments and restaurants. The project is expected to spur economic development in the area and increase the vitality of the entire village of Niles.
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The mall's history
The Golf Mill Shopping Center, or simply Golf Mill, is a shopping mall located in Niles, Illinois, at the intersection of Golf and Milwaukee roads. The mall opened in October 1960 as an open-air shopping centre with over 1 million square feet of leasable space. It featured an office tower designed by Chicago architect Edo Belli to resemble the top of a golf ball. The mall was originally anchored by department stores like Sears, Roebuck & Co., Kohl's, and JCPenney.
In the 1980s, the mall underwent major renovations, enclosing the 1960s wing and adding a food court. This renovation connected the two largest portions of the mall via the existing Sears store. Over the years, other anchor stores were added, including Target in 1998, Value City Furniture in 2005, and Burlington in 2021. The mall also featured a theatre, the Mill Run Playhouse, which hosted acts like Frank Sinatra before closing in 1984.
However, in recent years, the mall has struggled, with many vacant storefronts and signs of decay. In 2024, the Village of Niles approved a $440 million redevelopment project to transform the mall into a mixed-use town centre with luxury housing, retail, and entertainment. The project aims to revitalise the mall and the surrounding businesses, creating a space where people can live, work, and play. The redevelopment will include a mix of retail, entertainment, luxury apartments, restaurants, office buildings, a pedestrian promenade, medical facilities, a park, and potentially a hotel.
The first phase of the redevelopment is slated to begin with the demolition of the mall in 2025, marking the end of an era for the decades-old shopping centre.
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The impact on local residents
The Golf Mill Mall in Niles, Illinois, is not closing, but it is undergoing a significant redevelopment. The $440 million project, approved in June 2024, will transform the decades-old mall into a mixed-use town centre with luxury housing, retail, restaurants, and potentially a hotel and office buildings.
Impact on Local Residents
The redevelopment of the Golf Mill Mall is expected to have a positive impact on the local residents of Niles, Illinois.
Firstly, the project aims to revitalise the village and bring people back to the area. The mall has been in decline in recent years, with vacant storefronts and a lack of customers. By redeveloping the site, the village of Niles hopes to create a premier destination that will attract new visitors and boost the local economy.
Secondly, the new plan will provide a mix of residential, commercial, and entertainment options, creating a "live, work, and play" environment. This means that residents will have access to a variety of amenities and services in one convenient location. The inclusion of luxury housing and potential medical facilities will enhance the liveability of the area and provide new housing options for residents.
Thirdly, the redevelopment will preserve the memories and history associated with the mall. The mall has been a significant part of the community for generations, with families celebrating traditions and people of all ages congregating there. The new plan aims to honour this history while modernising the site.
In addition, the project has been designed to have no financial risk to residents or increase in property taxes. This ensures that the benefits of the redevelopment will be felt by the community without placing an additional financial burden on them.
Finally, the transformation of the mall will also address issues of decay and abandonment, improving the overall appearance and safety of the area.
Overall, the redevelopment of the Golf Mill Mall is expected to have a positive impact on local residents, providing new amenities, enhancing the liveability of the area, and boosting the local economy, all while preserving the memories and history of the community.
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The future of the site
The village of Niles will provide $96 million in Tax Increment Financing (TIF) incentives to the developer, with the village manager assuring residents that there will be no tax increase or risk to taxpayers. The project is a public-private partnership with mall owner Sterling Organization.
The new development will be 70% retail and entertainment, with the remaining 30% comprising luxury housing, a hotel, office buildings, a pedestrian promenade, medical facilities, a park, and potentially a three-acre pond and a "mill wheel" for nostalgia.
The first phase of redevelopment will include an overhaul of the mall's retail, along with new luxury apartments and restaurants. The mall, which opened in 1960 as an open-air shopping centre, will return to its roots as an entirely outdoor space.
The redevelopment is seen as a renaissance for the mall, which has been in decline in recent years, with vacant storefronts and signs of decay. The transformation is expected to bring economic development to the area and increase the vitality of the village.
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The mall's current state
The Golf Mill Shopping Center, located in Niles, Illinois, has been in operation for over 60 years. The mall opened in 1960 as an open-air shopping center, featuring lush green plants, vintage street lamps, and a unique office tower designed to resemble the top of a golf ball. Over the years, the mall has undergone several renovations, with the most recent significant update occurring in 2006.
However, in recent times, the mall has fallen into a state of decline. Once a bustling hub with over 100 specialty shops, the mall now struggles with vacant storefronts and a lack of customers. Visitors to the mall have noted signs of decay, especially in the older wing, with water damage and mold being prevalent issues. The food court, once a vibrant gathering place, now resembles a ghost of its former self, with most of its restaurants closed.
The decline of the mall can be attributed to various factors, including the closure of major anchor stores such as Sears in 2018 and Kohl's in 2020, and changing shopping habits among consumers. The mall's current state highlights the challenges faced by traditional shopping centers in the face of evolving retail landscapes and consumer preferences.
Despite the decline, the village of Niles has ambitious plans for the redevelopment of the Golf Mill Shopping Center. The $440 million project aims to transform the site into a mixed-use town center, with a focus on creating a "live, work, and play" environment. The new plan calls for a blend of retail, entertainment, luxury housing, and office spaces, with a potential hotel component.
The redevelopment project has been described as a "renaissance" for the mall, aiming to bring back the vibrancy and vitality it once enjoyed. While the transformation is expected to be significant, with most of the current structures slated for demolition, the project also intends to pay homage to the mall's history, with plans to reinstate the original water and mill wheel feature.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Golf Mill Mall is closing down. The Village of Niles approved a $440 million redevelopment project in June 2024, which will transform the mall into a mixed-use town centre with retail, luxury housing, and entertainment.
Demolition of the mall is slated for 2025. The mall's transformation is expected to be a billion-dollar investment upon completion.
The new development will be called Golf Mill Town Center and will feature a mix of retail, entertainment, and luxury housing. The plan includes a three-acre pond and a "mill wheel," with 70% of the space dedicated to retail and entertainment, and 30% to residential use, including apartment buildings and potentially a hotel.
Golf Mill Mall, which opened in 1960 as an open-air mall, has been in decline in recent years with many vacant storefronts and closed businesses. The redevelopment plan aims to revitalise the area, spur economic development, and create a space where people can "live, work and play."
