From the cover
Renovation plans to revive former Richardson Square Mall site
BY KEVIN CUMMINGS
What they’re saying
The details
"We appreciate that [they have] nally done some of the cleanup that needs to be done, but there are more steps that will need to be taken." TONY RICE, DUCK CREEK HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT Prior to construction beginning, Deuillet said Structure Commercial is willing to continue meeting with community leaders to help alleviate concerns expressed by attendees at the February event, which centered around a lack of community engagement, viability of the project and diversity of potential tenants. No community meetings have been sched- uled yet. “We don’t have to [get approval], but we want everyone to feel involved and to feel like they have a voice,” Deuillet said. “If somebody has [a suggestion] that we know would go with this, we’ll go out and try to get it.”
Deuillet said a lease is pending with Japanese home goods retailer Daiso, with representatives from other companies such as Hudson House, Cava, Panera Bread and Ulta expressing interest in becoming tenants once work on the property gets underway. “[VN Holdings has] done their demographic work to know that people … would all love what they want to do here but also the draw that it’ll have to get from people from hundreds of miles away that will come,” Deuillet said, pointing to the uniqueness of the tenants Structure Commercial hopes to attract.
Structure Commercial President Eric Deuillet said city sta has approved plans for the project and the developer is waiting on a building permit to begin work. That could start in the next few months with expected completion by the end of 2025. After giving a facelift to the exterior and renovating the interior of the former Sears location, o cials estimate the site could accommodate up to 20 storefronts. Based on presented plans, the existing structure would be divided into four buildings separated by open-air walkways and anchored by the rst U.S. location of Japanese grocery store Aeon.
E. BELT LINE RD.
BLAZE PIZZA
CHIPOTLE
EL POLLO LOCO
92-acre property 70,800 sq. ft. of retail space Up to 20 storefronts Sept. 2025 expected completion date
JASON'S DELI
Daiso
Looking ahead
STARBUCKS
Aeon Shopping Mall
Based on the Richardson’s zoning ordinances, many retail and commercial uses would be allowed without city involvement as they t within the existing zoning of the site. However, uses such as installing a drive-thru and measures such as replatting sites for tenants would need to go before either the city planning commission or City Council.
WHATABURGER
LOWE'S
N
The background
Sears opens 1972:
New development
1977:
Richardson Square Mall is built around Sears
The original Richardson Square Mall was built in 1977, ve years after Sears opened, according to the Richardson Historical & Genealogical Society. The mall was demolished in 2007, minus the Sears location, which remained open until 2019. Portions of the former mall site have been con- verted to house current tenants, including Lowe’s. “Once we get the permit, … [the plan is] we’re going to go to all these tenants that we’re talking to and say, ‘Get in now or you’re going to miss out,’” Deuillet said. “They’ll be doing their con- struction at the same time, so it all opens at once.”
2007:
Richardson Square Mall is demolished, leaving only Sears
Sears closes 2019:
2025:
Sears building is expected to be turned into new Richardson Square shopping mall
RENDERING COURTESY STRUCTURE COMMERCIAL
SOURCE: RICHARDSON HISTORICAL & GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY COMMUNITY IMPACT
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RICHARDSON EDITION
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