Des Plaines Mall

From Encyclopedia of Des Plaines
Revision as of 11:21, 15 July 2025 by John Lavalie (talk | contribs) (Created page with "The '''Des Plaines Mall''' was a 185,000 square foot<ref name='herald-1976-09-16'>{{cite news|date=1976-09-16 |work=Daily Herald (Arlington Heights, Illinois)|The Herald|title=Superblock mall buoys merchants|at=sec. 3, p. 6}}</ref><ref>Various sources list 114,000, 140,000, 100,000 and 95,000</ref> shopping mall at {{LinkToMap|701 Pearson}}. It was designed by J.R. Gottlieb & Co. The architect was Erickson and Stevens, Inc.<ref>{{cite news|date=1975-10-12|work=Chicag...")
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The Des Plaines Mall was a 185,000 square foot[1][2] shopping mall at 701 Pearson. It was designed by J.R. Gottlieb & Co. The architect was Erickson and Stevens, Inc.[3] Construction began June 1, 1976.[4] It opened October 6, 1977.[5]

Planning for the mall began in 1972,[6] with the Des Plaines Mall Corporation formed in 1973.[7] The mall opened October 6, 1977. Its original tennants included Spiegler's, Radio Shack, Hallmark Cards and the Oui Boutique.[8] 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.[9]

In 1979 the mall added an area on the lower level called Olde Center Street, a turn-of-the-century theme arcade.[10]

In 1995 the city took control of the mall with the intent of condemning the mall.[11]

Its last day of business was October 31, 1996.[12] Demolition began in June 1998.[13]

Notable events

  • Soap stars Richard Shoberg and Michael Storm appeared at the mall on November 8, 1980.[14]
  • The library held two book sales in the mall in 1996.[15][16]

References