I remember walking from Florissant, to Northwest Plaza, in 1967. I walked all that way to buy a gift for a girl that I had a big crush on. I found the bracelet that I had in mind, but I wound up losing the girl. Oh well... life goes on... puppy love evaporates into thin air... and the once largest shopping center in the world can't just stand around and do nothing forever. It's time to reboot at the corner of Lindbergh & St. Charles Rock Road and thanks to Raven Development and tax increment financing, that's exactly what's going to happen... starting tomorrow morning.
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| A monster Caterpillar demolition excavator with his unsuspecting prey in the background. |
A groundbreaking ceremony will take place at 10 am, November 13, at the site of the old Sears Automotive near Adie and the Rock Road. According to the City of St. Ann's Web Site, the public is invited and encouraged to attend this event. Plans are for a $106 million dollar mixed-use development that will be called The Crossings at Northwest. The new project will include retail shopping, educational facilities, office space, data centers, restaurants and many other attractions to be announced in the days and months ahead.
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| The East entry provides one last look inside an already outdated suburban mall. |
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| One of the last vestiges of world renowned landscape architect, Lawrence Halprin's work at Northwest Plaza. |
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| "I remember when developers came all the way from England to see it. They never heard of a shopping center with 9,000 parking spaces." Jeanne Zorensky, widow of Northwest Plaza owner, Milton Zorensky. |
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| It's ironic that this sign is covered up. No one ever paid attention to it anyway. |
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| The abandoned Sears and Dillard's buildings... soon to be torn down and sent to recycling centers. |
It's my understanding that the northern section of the property which includes the former Sears and Dillard's stores will be completely demolished and the southern section of the property including the bank building, the JC Penney's building and the Macy's building will be saved and repurposed. Hope to see you at the groundbreaking. Steve Erdelen
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| The sign man is a sign of better things to come in St. Ann! |
I will be in town this weekend and stop by for one last look around. A lot of memories from this place!
ReplyDeleteI was by Northwest Plaza the other day with my brother. I went to School there and used to skip lunch and eat lunch in the restaurant above Sears. Hated the cafeteria food! Tons of Memories, I used to work there and sell popcorn and hot dogs on the main entrance lower level at Sears! Yes tons or memories, but they will stay in my heart forever. Out with the old Time for the NEW! So glad it is being renewed! Thanks Steve for your effort to make this a reality. Congrats!
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