Eastgate Metroplex

Eastgate Metroplex, showing the fabric structure fabric roof

Eastgate Metroplex is an indoor mixed-use professional/retail complex in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The building was originally a shopping mall that opened in 1984 as the Eastland Mall, but was revitalized into its current use after years of decline.

History

Construction of the mall began during the mid-1970s. But only after partial construction had taken place, the property sat vacant and unfinished for nearly a decade. Around 1984, it was finally open to the public as Eastland Mall and reached full tenancy by the late 1980s. During its prime years, the mall was anchored by Mervyn's, JCPenney, Service Merchandise, and Dillard's, along with a six-screen cinema operated by General Cinema Corporation accessed from the food court.

The mall, first owned by Simon Property Group, was built mainly for the eastern part of Tulsa as a less crowded alternative to Woodland Hills Mall and what was then called the Southland Shopping Center but has since been renamed Tulsa Promenade Mall. Across the street was the Eastland Plaza built up during the late 1980s and early 1990s that still contains a Toys "R" Us, Marshalls and a now-closed Target.

Decline

Starting in the mid-to-late 1990s, Eastland Mall began to turn into a dead mall. Easier access to other malls as a result of expanded nearby thoroughfares and sparse development in East Tulsa are speculated by local residents to be the likely causes.

Service Merchandise was the first anchor store to leave around the same time it filed for bankruptcy protection in 1999. It was eventually replaced with Mickey's Family Fun Center, a locally owned 30-lane bowling alley with a restaurant, a LaZer Runner laser tag arena, indoor kart racing and billiard tables. However, Mickey's Family Fun Center closed sometime after 2009.^[1] By 2001, JCPenney left its tenant space, which especially pushed several chain stores and smaller tenants to exit. General Cinema filed for bankruptcy protection in 2000 and, by 2002, the six-screen cinema had reverted to local ownership.

As this exodus continued, the mall became increasingly desperate for tenants and storefronts abandoned by brand-name chain stores were replaced with unusual tenants like Martial arts academies, a large space for selling arts and crafts at several kiosks, multiple dance studios, a wedding chapel and a live country music bar. The Tulsa Public Library also temporarily took up some unused storefronts while their building was being expanded. A public exhibit for disaster emergency preparedness by the City of Tulsa government was maintained in one of the mall's corridors for a time.

In early 2006, all three Mervyn's locations in Tulsa were closed, including the one at Eastland Mall. In late 2006, the Simon Property Group sold the property to Raleigh, North Carolina-based developer Haywood Whichard, who formed Eastland Partners LLC within a year's time for $2.8 million.

Redevelopment

In 2007, the Eastland Mall started a renovation, first by changing its name to the "Eastgate Metroplex". Except for the food court, all the other trademark tent roofs were replaced and refitted with a roof more common with commercial buildings. The center changed its focus to office space for community service and municipal organizations, continuing education facilities, medical services, health & fitness businesses, as well as some entertainment. The renovation, carried out by Tulsa-based P&H Properties, cost over $50 million.^[2]

The first step in redevelopment was Coca-Cola Enterprises opening a regional headquarters and state-of-the-art call center in the space once occupied by JCPenney.^[3] The Community Action Project of Tulsa County was soon after announced as a tenant as well. In September 2007, the last remaining original tenant Dillard's was closed and is being replaced by a three-story office building accessible from the main building itself. In addition, the center area and entrance of the main building would be receiving a face-lift. On May 10, 2008, University of Phoenix opened in the space formerly occupied by Mervyn's.^[4]

In September 2012, SpiritBank filed a foreclosure suit on the office building formerly occupied by Dillard's, alleging that Eastgate Partners LLC failed to pay back approximately $2.41 million in loans. General partner Robert E. Phillips responded, claiming that the suit is the result of a misunderstanding: "I'm certain that it will be resolved very quickly, and we've been trying to resolve this for several months." ^[5]

Current tenants

• Alorica^[6]
• Atrium Grill
• Coca Cola Enterprises
• Community Action Project of Tulsa County Early Childhood Education Center^[7]
• Department of Public Safety – DMV
• Eastgate Metroplex Management Office
• Eastgate Sundries
• Energy One
• Enterprise (EAN Holdings)
• JSMI Global Ventures
• Kaffe Bona
• Mama Deluca's Pizza
• NCO Financial Systems
• OSU Center for Health Sciences^[8]
• Optimum Services, Inc.
• Paul Mitchell Beauty School
• Playtime + Daycare
• Subway
• Tulsa City/County Health Department
• THD Food Handler Permit Office
• University of Phoenix
• Vet Center
• HireRight, Inc.
• Workforce Oklahoma^[9]

References

http://www.tulsaworld.com/business/article.aspx?subjectid=32&articleid=20110901_32_E1_CUTLIN537131

External links

• Eastgate Metroplex Redevelopment website
• Deadmalls.com page
• Eastland Mall Lost Tulsa

Coordinates: 36°07′54″N 95°49′11″W / 36.13167°N 95.81972°W / 36.13167; -95.81972