Worcester: Abandoned Galleria/Common Fashion Outlets Mall

[patsaxon]

That is too bad as this looks like a beautiful mall from the inside! There was an old mall in Nashville, as it was closed for a while, until Vanderbelt University leased or bought it out and renovated as it still looks the same, except for doctor's offices and other fascilities. It looks wonderful! Malls should not be torned down, but renovated for other businesses. One old mall was sold to ITT Tecch in Colorado as they keep it the same.

[georgef551]

@patsaxon

That was one of the options initially floating around before City Square came about, to transform this into a large office building.

This project is suposed to open up the downtown area, and create more pleasing structures.

It is sad to see it go, but it's just time. Nobody likes the building, and the way it cuts the city off from the major arteries.

[georgef551]

@mzsexijp2012

Apperently, you were not around when the mall was fairly new, and I was. This started as the Worcester Galleria Mall (look it up). When it failed in 1999, another team (the one your Uncle was part of) refurbished the building, and then because the Common Outlet Mall.

You should do some research before posting. Any Worcesterite that's been here before 1999, is laughing at your comment. Hate to be brash, but that's true.

[georgef551]

@mzsexijp2012

PS: Because of the "R" Word, comment rejected.

PSS: Learn to spell, and use proper grammar.

[rybo510]

When it was the Worcester Center Galleria I remember going with my parents in the 70's. I remember them renting a horse baby carriage. It was empty for years and then it became the Worcester Common Fashion Outlets. Didn't last long.

[georgef551]

@rybo510

I used to go a lot in the 80's.

It became vacant, pre-Outlets, because the store's leases ran out, and they didn't renew any, allowing it to die out, so they can get the outlet stores in.

I went there in 2000, and it was a ghost town.

There are still some parts on the mall you can walk through (as these parts are still in use), like where the Yellow garage is, and a tunnel system in the corner of the Red garage.

[keaz]

I went to this Mall once, I would say back about 1997 ...I was surprised at how large this place was...now as I drive by 290 on my way to Maine I look over and I see that the building is very quiet.....

[georgef551]

There's a small piece of it still in use, but it's not kept up too well. The escalators/elevator does not work, but the attached highrise is still very busy (I took a trip to the top once). I used to go here a lot with the family in my early/mid teens, less so as kids. Most of the time was spent in the Dream Machine (Galleria Days). I used to joy ride the glass elevator as well. Those were the days.

Last time I was there was 2000, and it was a ghost town. It's suposed to be demo'd soon (??).

[brianszy2008]

what do you think should go in place of the mall?

What does Worcester need?

What do you think about the City Square Plan?

I am doing an architecture/planning thesis on downtown and would love feedback from locals.

[georgef551]

I'm from Leominster, actually, but I used to go to this mall somewhat frequently. I think the plan they have now is good, but the one mistake I KNOW they are making, is to demolish the Red Section of the curved parking garage, and that thing gets quite full on a normal day. A show at the DCU center, forget finding a spot to park. My input, City Square is good, just don't touch the existing garages. They WILL need those spaces!

[luvstrongbabes89]

@brianszy2008 HOW ABOUT A LUXURY TOUCH OF A HOTEL /MALL A LITTLE BIT LIKE ROCKEFELLER PLAZA WITH A LOT OF DEPARTMENT STORES LIKE SAKS AND TOYS STORES AND JEWELRIES¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡ COULD HIT THE SPOT

[georgef551]

@luvstrongbabes89

If the original design didn't cut off downtown from the highways, probably would be a great idea, but with the monolithic structure, and it's "Catacombs" beneath it (I've seen quite a bit of those), they'd have to cut the building in half. It also would cost too much to restructure, so it's cheaper to start anew.

[luvstrongbabes89]

@georgef551 TAKING FROM THIS BIG MALL AND THE PARKING GARAGE IT WOULD ONLY BE REMODELING IT TO ANOTHER BUILDING WITH DIFFRNT ECONOMIC PURPESES

[georgef551]

@luvstrongbabes89

Right now, it looks like this is going nowhere, until the economy picks back up.

[dorbyshark]

i visited this place two weeks ago and was really surprised at the lack of graphitti. Its all surprisingly well kept, even with security.

[georgef551]

Probably because, the landlord has been taking care of the building to an extent, where it doesn't look so bad, in most places. There are sections that definately have been tagged, and look neglected (Southeast corner). Since many pieces of the complex are still in-use, that aids in the overall appearance as well. Light are on inside to give it that "in-use" look. You might've noticed that when I walked up and placed the camera on the windows, looking in.