CHESTERFIELD, Mo. – The future of Chesterfield Mall is coming into focus Monday morning.
All tenant leases at the mall are set to expire on August 31; this paves the way for its permanent closure this summer. Plans for demolition and redevelopment are also in the works.
Chesterfield Mall opened in 1976 at Clarkson Road, just south of I-64. It’s lasted longer than several traditional shopping malls around the St. Louis area. However, with consumer preferences changing and visitors declining, plans to revitalize the grounds have been in the works for several years.
‘The Staenberg Group’ currently owns the rights to the mall. Tim Lowe is the senior vice president of leasing and development. He confirmed to us earlier this month that the final lease dates and plans to transform the mall grounds will happen over the next several years.
Back in the fall, the Chesterfield City Council gave final approval to create a downtown-style development where the former mall currently stands. It would include apartments, shops, and businesses.
Lowe says the first phases of development could be complete by 2027. The entire project would consist of roughly 5 billion square feet of development. Dillard’s will stay and operate as part of the new development. Organizers also plan to repurpose a building that formerly occupied Macy’s.
Initial construction phases could begin around 2025. The building that used to hold Sears as an anchor and the rest of the mall are set to be demolished, a process that could begin days or weeks after all tenants leave.
Some business owners and leaseholders say they’ve already found new locations, but there are also several non-profits that haven’t been here very long and now they need to find a new place to operate out of.