Natick Collection
Encyclopedia
The Natick Mall, formerly named the Natick Collection from February 2007 to July 2011, is a large shopping mall
owned by General Growth Properties
(GGP). It is located between routes 9 and 30 in Natick, Massachusetts
and is adjacent to Shoppers World
in Framingham, Massachusetts
. Along with Shopper's World, the Natick Mall helps form the heart of the regional shopping district known as the Golden Triangle
. The 7 mi2 area is the second largest shopping district in Massachusetts outside of Downtown Crossing
in the Financial District area of Boston
.
After the mall's most recent expansions in 2007 and 2009, it now has just under 1900000 sq ft (176,515.8 m²) leasable area and over 275 retailers. It is the largest mall located in New England
in terms of total number of stores.
, separated by a parking lot. The mall was constructed between the two locations beginning in 1964. The first Natick Mall opened in 1965 with 25 stores as a one-story mall, becoming the second enclosed mall in the Boston metropolitan area. It included two smaller anchors located on the north side of the mall, Woolworth's
and Boston Baby, and had a large fountain/entertainment area in front of the new Sears mall entrances.
When the Boston Baby store closed in the early eighties, the structure was remodeled into a retail wing with a dozen smaller stores such as Gap
, and now featured a small food court. The former York Steak House
near Sears underwent a similar transformation when the restaurant closed in 1985, becoming home to several national retailers such as J. Jill and Land's End
. The mall eventually became the home to over fifty stores and restaurants.
By the 1990s, the mall's owners decided it was undersized and showing signs of aging and began an expansion of the structure in 1991, intending to add a third anchor location, Lord & Taylor
, on the front of the mall off the main entrance in the center as well as a second floor. Construction began with the citing of the footings for the new structure, but came to a halt in 1992 when the mall was sold to the Sears real estate division, Homart Development Company. Homart, who also purchased the adjacent Shopper's World property, canceled the expansion plans for both complexes, instead developing two new concepts for a completely rebuilt, enclosed mall on the larger Shopper's World property and a power center at the Natick Mall location. However, one of the Natick Mall's major tenants, Filene's, had completely remodeled and expanded its location as part of the mall's expansion plans and was unwilling to spend more capital on constructing a new Shopper's World building. In response, Homart reversed the plans and developed the concepts that became the new Natick Mall and Shoppers' World. The original mall's tenants were moved in to the Shopper's World complex in 1993, and the mall was torn down. A new, modern two-story structure with over 200 stores was built and opened in late 1994. The facility included a new Sears, a Lord & Taylor and relocated Jordan Marsh
.
In late 2006, the mall began a large scale renovation and expansion and also re-branded its image, beginning by attempting to change its name to simply "Natick". However, after resistance from the town, the mall was instead renamed the "Natick Collection." The first phase of the expansion included the renovation the original mall and the addition of a new wing on the site of the former Wonder Bread
\Hostess baking factory adjacent to the mall property on the north-east side. With this expansion, approximately 100 new stores and two new anchors, Nordstrom
and Neiman Marcus
, were added to the mall. This phase was opened to the public on September 7, 2007, though not all stores were ready for business, instead planning to open through winter 2007 to spring 2008. This addition, along with a new eight-story parking facility, makes Natick Mall the twenty-third largest mall in the country, fourth largest on the East Coast, and the largest in New England.
In October 2009, the second phase of expansion called The Promenade at Natick Collection opened on the south-western section of the mall along Route 9. The construction of a Cheesecake Factory
finished shortly after the completion of north side addition and work on a new, two story Crate and Barrel
store, a relocated California Pizza Kitchen and the American Girl
Boutique and Bistro began construction in April 2008, with an original completion time frame of early Spring 2009. The south-west mall entrance was moved approximately 100 ft (30.5 m), placing it between the new Crate and Barrel and a new California Pizza Kitchen restaurant, across from the north-west wing housing J.C.Penney. The new 30000 sq ft (2,787.1 m²) Crate and Barrel facility replaced the original 10000 sq ft (929 m²) store with a new 1-level store (with 2-story facade) that occupies parts of the original location. Additional stores in the new street scape area have yet to be leased as of July 2009.
The third phase, the construction of the condominiums, which originally had a projected completion of Summer 2008, finished construction during Spring 2009. The final phase, the addition of a ten to twelve story luxury hotel adjacent to the new wing and across from J.C. Penney
, is still in the planning phases with a projected start of 2011 at the earliest. Initial site work has been completed and is awaiting finished designs. However the financial difficulties of mall parent General Growth has put the final phase's construction into doubt.
As with the rest of the United States, the late-2000s recession cast a serious pall over the mall expansion. By December 2008, condominium sales in Nouvelle at Natick were behind projections, with only 34 of the 215 units sold or under contract. Real estate agents in the Metrowest
area have stated that the prices of the units, ranging from $379,900 to over $1 million, combined with the timing of the opening of the facility have seriously hampered sales. Several real estate agencies have stated that General Growth, or its successor pending its bankruptcy case, will need to lower its prices for the units to attract consumers in tight economic times. Additionally, home sales in the Natick and Framingham area are traditionally oriented towards single family homes which are also working against the residences. On September 10, 2009, the Boston Globe reported that Nouvelle at Natick would auction off 42 of the 215 units, with bids starting as low as $160,000.
In July 2011, General Growth Properties reverted to the original name "Natick Mall". In a statement released by GGP, the company stated that many local residents and businesses preferred the old name, and that it decided to honor that tradition in changing back to that name.
Shopping mall
A shopping mall, shopping centre, shopping arcade, shopping precinct or simply mall is one or more buildings forming a complex of shops representing merchandisers, with interconnecting walkways enabling visitors to easily walk from unit to unit, along with a parking area — a modern, indoor version...
owned by General Growth Properties
General Growth Properties
General Growth Properties, Inc. is a publicly traded real estate investment trust in the United States. It is based in Chicago, Illinois at 110 North Wacker Drive, a historic building designed by architectural firm Graham, Anderson, Probst & White...
(GGP). It is located between routes 9 and 30 in Natick, Massachusetts
Natick, Massachusetts
Natick is a town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States. Natick is located near the center of the MetroWest region of Massachusetts, with a population of 33,006 at the 2010 census. Only west from Boston, Natick is considered part of the Greater Boston area...
and is adjacent to Shoppers World
Shoppers World, Framingham
Shopper's World in Framingham, Massachusetts is the name of a strip mall located on Route 9, near the intersection of Route 30 and the Mass Pike in Framingham. It is an unenclosed shopping center of a type known as a "power center". It is on the site of Shoppers' World, an historic, early suburban...
in Framingham, Massachusetts
Framingham, Massachusetts
Framingham is a New England town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 68,318 as of the United States 2010 Census. -History:...
. Along with Shopper's World, the Natick Mall helps form the heart of the regional shopping district known as the Golden Triangle
Golden Triangle (Massachusetts)
The Golden Triangle is one of the largest retail districts in New England and is located on the borders of Framingham and Natick, Massachusetts, in the heart of the MetroWest region of the state. The district is anchored by the two malls in the area, Shoppers World and the Natick Collection...
. The 7 mi2 area is the second largest shopping district in Massachusetts outside of Downtown Crossing
Downtown Crossing
Downtown Crossing is a shopping district in Boston, Massachusetts, located due east of Boston Common and west of the Financial District. It features large department stores as well as restaurants, music stores, souvenir sellers, general retail establishments, and many street vendors...
in the Financial District area of Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
.
After the mall's most recent expansions in 2007 and 2009, it now has just under 1900000 sq ft (176,515.8 m²) leasable area and over 275 retailers. It is the largest mall located in New England
New England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
in terms of total number of stores.
History
The location was originally two separate stand-alone stores, Sears and Filene'sFilene's
Filene's was a Boston-based department store owned by Federated Department Stores , and May Department Stores . It operated throughout New England and in New York.-Early years:...
, separated by a parking lot. The mall was constructed between the two locations beginning in 1964. The first Natick Mall opened in 1965 with 25 stores as a one-story mall, becoming the second enclosed mall in the Boston metropolitan area. It included two smaller anchors located on the north side of the mall, Woolworth's
F. W. Woolworth Company
The F. W. Woolworth Company was a retail company that was one of the original American five-and-dime stores. The first successful Woolworth store was opened on July 18, 1879 by Frank Winfield Woolworth in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, as "Woolworth's Great Five Cent Store"...
and Boston Baby, and had a large fountain/entertainment area in front of the new Sears mall entrances.
When the Boston Baby store closed in the early eighties, the structure was remodeled into a retail wing with a dozen smaller stores such as Gap
Gap (clothing retailer)
The Gap, Inc. is an American clothing and accessories retailer based in San Francisco, California, and founded in 1969 by Donald G. Fisher and Doris F. Fisher. The company has five primary brands: the namesake Gap banner, Banana Republic, Old Navy, Piperlime and Athleta. As of September 2008,...
, and now featured a small food court. The former York Steak House
York Steak House
York Steak House was a national chain of restaurants in the United States that specialized in steaks and potatoes. It was among several chains then owned by cereal manufacturer General Mills. Though popular in the late 1970s and early 1980s, the majority of its locations shut down in 1989...
near Sears underwent a similar transformation when the restaurant closed in 1985, becoming home to several national retailers such as J. Jill and Land's End
Land's End
Land's End is a headland and small settlement in west Cornwall, England, within the United Kingdom. It is located on the Penwith peninsula approximately eight miles west-southwest of Penzance....
. The mall eventually became the home to over fifty stores and restaurants.
By the 1990s, the mall's owners decided it was undersized and showing signs of aging and began an expansion of the structure in 1991, intending to add a third anchor location, Lord & Taylor
Lord & Taylor
Lord & Taylor, colloquially known as L&T, or LT, based in New York City, is the oldest upscale, specialty-retail department store chain in the United States. Concentrated in the eastern U.S., the retailer operated independently for nearly a century prior to joining American Dry Goods...
, on the front of the mall off the main entrance in the center as well as a second floor. Construction began with the citing of the footings for the new structure, but came to a halt in 1992 when the mall was sold to the Sears real estate division, Homart Development Company. Homart, who also purchased the adjacent Shopper's World property, canceled the expansion plans for both complexes, instead developing two new concepts for a completely rebuilt, enclosed mall on the larger Shopper's World property and a power center at the Natick Mall location. However, one of the Natick Mall's major tenants, Filene's, had completely remodeled and expanded its location as part of the mall's expansion plans and was unwilling to spend more capital on constructing a new Shopper's World building. In response, Homart reversed the plans and developed the concepts that became the new Natick Mall and Shoppers' World. The original mall's tenants were moved in to the Shopper's World complex in 1993, and the mall was torn down. A new, modern two-story structure with over 200 stores was built and opened in late 1994. The facility included a new Sears, a Lord & Taylor and relocated Jordan Marsh
Jordan Marsh
Jordan Marsh & Company was a department store in Boston, Massachusetts, which grew to be a major regional chain in the New England area of the United States. In 1996, the last of the Jordan Marsh stores were converted to Macy's. The store was formerly part of Allied Stores and then Federated...
.
In late 2006, the mall began a large scale renovation and expansion and also re-branded its image, beginning by attempting to change its name to simply "Natick". However, after resistance from the town, the mall was instead renamed the "Natick Collection." The first phase of the expansion included the renovation the original mall and the addition of a new wing on the site of the former Wonder Bread
Wonder Bread
Wonder Bread is the name of three North American brands of white bread: One produced by George Weston Bakeries in Canada, another by Hostess Brands in the United States, and the third by Grupo Bimbo in Mexico.- United States :...
\Hostess baking factory adjacent to the mall property on the north-east side. With this expansion, approximately 100 new stores and two new anchors, Nordstrom
Nordstrom
Nordstrom, Inc. is an upscale department store chain in the United States, founded by John W. Nordstrom and Carl F. Wallin. Initially a shoe retailer, the company today also sells clothing, accessories, handbags, jewelry, cosmetics, fragrances, and in some locations, home furnishings...
and Neiman Marcus
Neiman Marcus
Neiman Marcus, formerly Neiman-Marcus, is a luxury specialty retail department store operated by the Neiman Marcus Group in the United States. The company is headquartered in the One Marcus Square building in Downtown Dallas, Texas, and competes with other department stores such as Saks Fifth...
, were added to the mall. This phase was opened to the public on September 7, 2007, though not all stores were ready for business, instead planning to open through winter 2007 to spring 2008. This addition, along with a new eight-story parking facility, makes Natick Mall the twenty-third largest mall in the country, fourth largest on the East Coast, and the largest in New England.
In October 2009, the second phase of expansion called The Promenade at Natick Collection opened on the south-western section of the mall along Route 9. The construction of a Cheesecake Factory
The Cheesecake Factory
The Cheesecake Factory, Inc. is a restaurant company in the United States. The company operates 165 upscale, casual, full-service dining restaurants: 151 under The Cheesecake Factory mark, 13 under the Grand Lux Cafe mark and one under the RockSugar Pan Asian Kitchen mark...
finished shortly after the completion of north side addition and work on a new, two story Crate and Barrel
Crate and Barrel
Crate & Barrel is a 170+ store chain of American retail stores, based in Northbrook, Illinois, specializing in housewares, furniture , and home accessories. Its corporate name is Euromarket Designs, Inc. The company is wholly owned by Otto GmbH.-Founding:Gordon and Carole Segal opened the first...
store, a relocated California Pizza Kitchen and the American Girl
American Girl
American Girl is a line of dolls, books, and accessories.American Girl may also refer to:* American Girl , a magazine published by the American Girl company* American Girl , a 2002 American film...
Boutique and Bistro began construction in April 2008, with an original completion time frame of early Spring 2009. The south-west mall entrance was moved approximately 100 ft (30.5 m), placing it between the new Crate and Barrel and a new California Pizza Kitchen restaurant, across from the north-west wing housing J.C.Penney. The new 30000 sq ft (2,787.1 m²) Crate and Barrel facility replaced the original 10000 sq ft (929 m²) store with a new 1-level store (with 2-story facade) that occupies parts of the original location. Additional stores in the new street scape area have yet to be leased as of July 2009.
The third phase, the construction of the condominiums, which originally had a projected completion of Summer 2008, finished construction during Spring 2009. The final phase, the addition of a ten to twelve story luxury hotel adjacent to the new wing and across from 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...
, is still in the planning phases with a projected start of 2011 at the earliest. Initial site work has been completed and is awaiting finished designs. However the financial difficulties of mall parent General Growth has put the final phase's construction into doubt.
As with the rest of the United States, the late-2000s recession cast a serious pall over the mall expansion. By December 2008, condominium sales in Nouvelle at Natick were behind projections, with only 34 of the 215 units sold or under contract. Real estate agents in the Metrowest
MetroWest
MetroWest is a cluster of cities and towns lying west of Boston and east of Worcester, in the US state of Massachusetts. The name was coined in the 1980s by a local newspaper....
area have stated that the prices of the units, ranging from $379,900 to over $1 million, combined with the timing of the opening of the facility have seriously hampered sales. Several real estate agencies have stated that General Growth, or its successor pending its bankruptcy case, will need to lower its prices for the units to attract consumers in tight economic times. Additionally, home sales in the Natick and Framingham area are traditionally oriented towards single family homes which are also working against the residences. On September 10, 2009, the Boston Globe reported that Nouvelle at Natick would auction off 42 of the 215 units, with bids starting as low as $160,000.
In July 2011, General Growth Properties reverted to the original name "Natick Mall". In a statement released by GGP, the company stated that many local residents and businesses preferred the old name, and that it decided to honor that tradition in changing back to that name.
Anchors
- JCPenney, 210000 sq ft (19,509.6 m²) (Opened 1994 as Jordan MarshJordan MarshJordan Marsh & Company was a department store in Boston, Massachusetts, which grew to be a major regional chain in the New England area of the United States. In 1996, the last of the Jordan Marsh stores were converted to Macy's. The store was formerly part of Allied Stores and then Federated...
, converted to Macy'sMacy'sMacy's is a U.S. chain of mid-to-high range department stores. In addition to its flagship Herald Square location in New York City, the company operates over 800 stores in the United States...
1996, closed 2006, renovated/reopened as JCPenney Fall 2007) - Lord & TaylorLord & TaylorLord & Taylor, colloquially known as L&T, or LT, based in New York City, is the oldest upscale, specialty-retail department store chain in the United States. Concentrated in the eastern U.S., the retailer operated independently for nearly a century prior to joining American Dry Goods...
, 115000 sq ft (10,683.8 m²) (Opened 1994) - Macy'sMacy'sMacy's is a U.S. chain of mid-to-high range department stores. In addition to its flagship Herald Square location in New York City, the company operates over 800 stores in the United States...
, 210000 sq ft (19,509.6 m²) (Opened in 1963 as Filene's, expanded/renovated 1991, converted to Macy'sMacy'sMacy's is a U.S. chain of mid-to-high range department stores. In addition to its flagship Herald Square location in New York City, the company operates over 800 stores in the United States...
2006) - SearsSears, Roebuck and CompanySears, officially named Sears, Roebuck and Co., is an American chain of department stores which was founded by Richard Warren Sears and Alvah Curtis Roebuck in the late 19th century...
, 190000 sq ft (17,651.6 m²) (Original location opened 1963, razed and replaced 1994) - Neiman MarcusNeiman MarcusNeiman Marcus, formerly Neiman-Marcus, is a luxury specialty retail department store operated by the Neiman Marcus Group in the United States. The company is headquartered in the One Marcus Square building in Downtown Dallas, Texas, and competes with other department stores such as Saks Fifth...
, 112000 sq ft (10,405.1 m²) (Opened 2007) - NordstromNordstromNordstrom, Inc. is an upscale department store chain in the United States, founded by John W. Nordstrom and Carl F. Wallin. Initially a shoe retailer, the company today also sells clothing, accessories, handbags, jewelry, cosmetics, fragrances, and in some locations, home furnishings...
, 144000 sq ft (13,378 m²) (Opened 2007) - Crate and BarrelCrate and BarrelCrate & Barrel is a 170+ store chain of American retail stores, based in Northbrook, Illinois, specializing in housewares, furniture , and home accessories. Its corporate name is Euromarket Designs, Inc. The company is wholly owned by Otto GmbH.-Founding:Gordon and Carole Segal opened the first...
, 80000 sq ft (7,432.2 m²) (Opened 2009)
Major stores
- Salvatore FerragamoSalvatore FerragamoSalvatore Ferragamo was a Florentine and Italian shoe designer. He worked with many Hollywood stars in the 1920s, before returning to Italy to found the eponymous company making unique hand-made footwear. His scientific and creative approach to shoes spawned many innovations such as the wedge heel...
, 3400 sq ft (315.9 m²) - Apple Store 8457 sq ft (785.7 m²)
- BurberryBurberryBurberry Group plc is a British luxury fashion house, manufacturing clothing, fragrance, and fashion accessories. Its distinctive tartan pattern has become one of its most widely copied trademarks. Burberry is most famous for its iconic trench coat, which was invented by founder Thomas Burberry...
, 5424 sq ft (503.9 m²) - Tiffany & Co.Tiffany & Co.Tiffany & Co. is an American jewelry and silverware company. As part of its branding, the company is strongly associated with its Tiffany Blue , which is a registered trademark.- History :...
, 5295 sq ft (491.9 m²) - ZaraZara (clothing)Zara is a Spanish clothing and accessories retailer based in Arteixo, Galicia, and founded in 1975 by Amancio Ortega and Rosalía Mera. It is the flagship chain store of the Inditex group; the fashion group also owns brands such as Massimo Dutti, Pull and Bear, Oysho, Uterqüe, Stradivarius and...
, 9000 sq ft (836.1 m²) - Louis VuittonLouis VuittonLouis Vuitton Malletier – commonly referred to as Louis Vuitton , or shortened to LV – is a French fashion house founded in 1854 by Louis Vuitton. The label is well known for its LV monogram, which is featured on most products, ranging from luxury trunks and leather goods to ready-to-wear, shoes,...
, 3637 sq ft (337.9 m²) - GucciGucciThe House of Gucci, better known simply as Gucci , is an Italian fashion and leather goods label, part of the Gucci Group, which is owned by French company PPR...
, 5005 sq ft (465 m²) - Bottega VenetaBottega VenetaBottega Veneta is an Italian luxury goods house best known for its leather goods. Founded in 1966, it was purchased in 2001 by Gucci Group, now a part of the French multinational group PPR. Bottega Veneta is headquartered in Vicenza, in the Veneto region of northeastern Italy.- History :Bottega...
, 2700 sq ft (250.8 m²) - Hugo BossHugo BossHugo Ferdinand Boss was the founder of clothing company Hugo Boss.-Early life:Boss was born in Metzingen, Germany. After completing his apprenticeship and one year of employment, he founded his own company in Metzingen in 1923.-Support of Nazism:Boss joined the Nazi Party in 1931, two years before...
, 6011 sq ft (558.4 m²) - Gilly HicksGilly HicksGilly Hicks is a lifestyle brand, from American company Abercrombie & Fitch, specializing in women's "knickers from casual to sexy, relaxed PJ's and beauty things." Marketed for the female consumers of its parent brand, Gilly Hicks is officially labeled as "the Cheeky cousin of Abercrombie &...
, 10228 sq ft (950.2 m²) - Gloria Jeans
- American GirlAmerican GirlAmerican Girl is a line of dolls, books, and accessories.American Girl may also refer to:* American Girl , a magazine published by the American Girl company* American Girl , a 2002 American film...
See also
- Shoppers World - located adjacent to Natick Mall
- The Golden TriangleGolden Triangle (Massachusetts)The Golden Triangle is one of the largest retail districts in New England and is located on the borders of Framingham and Natick, Massachusetts, in the heart of the MetroWest region of the state. The district is anchored by the two malls in the area, Shoppers World and the Natick Collection...
- The district the mall is located in