Eastgate Mall (Chattanooga)
Encyclopedia
Eastgate Mall is an enclosed, mixed-use facility (office and retail complex) in Chattanooga, TN.
, which was owned by Independent Enterprises (CBL).
The complex was designed by Toombs, Amisano & Wells.. Originally known as Eastgate Center, it was completed in late 1962. At the time, the center was anchored by Miller Brothers
. A second construction phase, finished in 1965, added a single-screen cinema, and two more anchors: Loveman's and J.C. Penney
.
A commercial competitor, Northgate Mall
, opened for business in March 1972. This initiated a move to fully enclose the older shopping center, which would then be known as Eastgate Mall. Loveman's later became Proffitt's
in 1986, while Miller Brothers became Hess's
during the same year. A Sears
Outlet was also added as a freestanding structure. The three department stores remained in the mall until the late 1980s with Proffitt's remaining in the former Loveman's until 1992.
Eastgate is located on Brainerd Rd., a major artery connecting West-East Chattanooga and can be accessed by Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority, CARTA, bus route #4. This redevelopment has been touted as a success with many recognizable names such as Chattanooga State, ITT Technical Institute, Merastar, and many state agencies as tenants.
Blue Cross relocated to their new downtown facility in 2009, leaving a large portion of the facility unoccupied.
The current plan for Eastgate is to develop it into a new "downtown" type streetscape.
History
Eastgate was developed by Independent Enterprises, a precursor of today's CBL & Associates. The open-air shopping venue was built on the site of a former drive-in theaterDrive-in theater
A drive-in theater is a form of cinema structure consisting of a large outdoor screen, a projection booth, a concession stand and a large parking area for automobiles. Within this enclosed area, customers can view movies from the privacy and comfort of their cars.The screen can be as simple as a...
, which was owned by Independent Enterprises (CBL).
The complex was designed by Toombs, Amisano & Wells.. Originally known as Eastgate Center, it was completed in late 1962. At the time, the center was anchored by Miller Brothers
Miller's Department Store
Miller's Department Store was a chain of department stores based in eastern Tennessee.-History:The company was formed August 1, 1973, from the consolidation by retail conglomerate Garfinckel, Brooks Brothers, Miller & Rhoads, Inc. of two related Tennessee-based department stores; Miller Brothers of...
. A second construction phase, finished in 1965, added a single-screen cinema, and two more anchors: Loveman's and J.C. Penney
J.C. Penney
J. C. Penney Company, Inc. is a chain of American mid-range department stores based in Plano, Texas, a suburb north of Dallas. The company operates 1,107 department stores in all 50 U.S. states and Puerto Rico. JCPenney also operates catalog sales merchant offices nationwide in many...
.
A commercial competitor, Northgate Mall
Northgate Mall
Northgate Mall may refer to:*Northgate Mall in Durham, North Carolina*Northgate Mall in Hixson, Tennessee*Northgate Mall in Seattle, Washington*Northgate Mall in Cincinnati, Ohio...
, opened for business in March 1972. This initiated a move to fully enclose the older shopping center, which would then be known as Eastgate Mall. Loveman's later became Proffitt's
Proffitt's
Proffitt's was a department store chain based in Alcoa, Tennessee. On March 8, 2006, the Proffitt's and McRae's stores were converted into Belk stores. Belk acquired the two chains in July 2005 from Saks Incorporated.-Beginnings:...
in 1986, while Miller Brothers became Hess's
Hess's
Hess's was a department store chain based in Allentown, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania in the United States.- History :The department store known as Hess Brothers was founded on February 19, 1897, by Charles and Max Hess. Max Hess came to Allentown in 1896 on a business trip and envisioned a...
during the same year. A Sears
Sears Holdings Corporation
Sears Holdings Corporation is a retail conglomerate formed in 2005 by the merger of Sears, Roebuck and Co., of Hoffman Estates, Illinois, with Kmart Holdings Corporation, of Troy, Michigan...
Outlet was also added as a freestanding structure. The three department stores remained in the mall until the late 1980s with Proffitt's remaining in the former Loveman's until 1992.
Today
From around 1990 to present day the Eastgate facility has undergone many changes, including a cosmetic restoration and a name change from Eastgate Mall to Eastgate Town Center. Though a shadow of its former self, Eastgate is still trying to find a way to survive. In fact, since its last change of ownership in late 2005, Eastgate has gone through a major and extensive conversion to attempt to become a trendy town center once again. Eastgate is a mixed-use facility with some large offices being occupied by various entities of different sectors. Eastgate Town Center houses various agencies of the State of Tennessee, two satellite college campuses, a call center, as well as medical and insurance administration offices. Seventy-four percent (74%) of Eastgate's space is occupied.Eastgate is located on Brainerd Rd., a major artery connecting West-East Chattanooga and can be accessed by Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority, CARTA, bus route #4. This redevelopment has been touted as a success with many recognizable names such as Chattanooga State, ITT Technical Institute, Merastar, and many state agencies as tenants.
Blue Cross relocated to their new downtown facility in 2009, leaving a large portion of the facility unoccupied.
The current plan for Eastgate is to develop it into a new "downtown" type streetscape.