Eastgate Metroplex

Infobox shopping mall
shopping_mall_name = Eastgate Metroplex


caption =
location = Tulsa, Oklahoma
opening_date = 1984
developer =
manager = Gerry Chauvin
owner = Eastland Partners
number_of_stores =
number_of_anchors = 4
floor_area =
floors = 2
parking =
website = [http://www.eastgatemetroplex.com/welcometoeastgatemetroplex/index.cfm]

Eastgate Metroplex (formerly Eastland Mall) is a shopping mall in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

History

The mall was first started in the 1970s. With only some detail work done, the mall sat vacant and unfinished for almost a decade. In the 1980s, the mall was completed and opened as the Eastland Mall. In its heyday, the mall was anchored by Sears, JCPenney, Service Merchandise, and Dillard's. The mall also included a six-screen cinema accessed from the food court.

The mall, owned by Simon Property Group, was built mainly for the eastern part of Tulsa, an alternative to Woodland Hills Mall and the Promenade at Tulsa. Across the street is the Eastland Plaza which contains a Toys "R" Us, Marshalls and a now-closed Target.

Decline

Starting in the 1990s, the Eastland Mall began to turn into a Dead mall. Easier access to other malls and sparse development in East Tulsa are said to be likely causes.

Service Merchandise was the first to pull out. It was later replaced with Mickey's, 30-lane bowling center with food, laser tag, go carts and billards. In 2001, JCPenney left the mall, which caused other small stores to leave.

In early 2006, all three Mervyn's locations in Tulsa were closed, including the one at Eastland. By that time, the mall was desperate for tenants, with storefronts being replaced by things like Martial Arts academies, a space containing craft kiosks, and live Country Music. The Tulsa Public Library also temporarily took up some unused storefronts while their building was being expanded. Also, the Simon Property Group sold off the mall.

Redevelopment

In 2007, the Eastland Mall started a renovation, first by changing its name to the "Eastgate Metroplex". Except for the food court, all of the trademark tents were taken down. The new mall will have less retail but mostly office space, community service and municipal organizations, continuing education facilities, medical services, health & fitness operations, and entertainment.

The first change was Coca-Cola opening a state-of-the-art regional headquarters and call center in the old JCPenney space. The Community Action Project of Tulsa County is also another announced tenant. In September of 2007, Dillard's, the only remaining tenant, closed and will be replaced by a three-story office building, accessible from the main building itself. In addition, the center will be receiving a facelift.

May 10th, 2008 the University of Phoenix announced they will be moving into the old Mervyn's location in the fall after the hired contractor HTC gives the property a bright and very high tech face lift.

External links

* [http://www.eastgatemetroplex.com/welcometoeastgatemetroplex/index.cfm Eastgate Metroplex Redevelopment website]
* [http://www.deadmalls.com/?/malls/eastland_mall_ok.html Deadmalls.com page]
* [http://www.losttulsa.com/2007/04/eastland-mall-metamorphosis-theres-been.html Eastland Mall Lost Tulsa]