Metro North Mall
Metro North Mall was a major enclosed shopping center in Kansas City, Missouri, that served the Northland area from 1976 until its closure in 2014.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Metro North Mall was a 1.3-million-square-foot enclosed shopping mall in Kansas City, Missouri. Located north of the Missouri River, it was the only enclosed regional mall in that part of the Kansas City metropolitan area and became one of the region's largest retail destinations after opening in September 1976. The mall was developed by Frank Morgan and his uncle Sherman Dreiseszun and initially contained approximately 125 inline storefronts and four anchor stores arranged on two levels. The center was designed as a conventional regional mall but also incorporated entertainment-oriented features. Its central court included a stage, a pool of water, and suspended miniature hot-air balloons that moved vertically. An entertainment end of the complex included Dairy Queen, In-a-Tub, a six-screen AMC theater, and a Nickelodeon arcade. Seasonal shopping, particularly during the holidays, helped drive traffic. Additional restaurants later opened around the mall's perimeter, and AMC eventually added another six-screen theater behind the center. Metro North's long-term decline was linked to competition, changing retail patterns, and the movement of investment toward newer developments. Around 2000, the mall's owners began developing Zona Rosa, a competing collection of retail and entertainment uses in the Northland. Lease increases and tenant relocations weakened Metro North's tenant mix. Montgomery Ward departed in 2001, Dillard's converted to a clearance format in 2007 and left in 2008, JCPenney closed in 2008, both AMC theaters eventually shut, and MC Sporting Goods occupied part of the former Montgomery Ward space before closing in 2009. The former Jones Store, later Macy's, ultimately became the mall's last remaining anchor. Several redevelopment proposals attempted to reposition the property. A 2007 plan with Alberta Development Partners proposed converting the aging enclosed mall into an outdoor lifestyle center, but the proposal did not proceed amid the recession and the death of Sherman Dreiseszun. Plans introduced by MD Management in 2010 envisioned a smaller enclosed mall with mixed-use elements, while later proposals called for a one-level enclosed center with two anchors. Occupancy had fallen to approximately 17 percent by 2010. MD Management announced in April 2014 that the mall would close on April 15. At closure, only GNC and The Wig Shoppe remained as inline tenants, while Macy's continued operating separately as the surviving anchor. In 2015, IAS Partners Ltd. was announced as the prospective purchaser, with plans for an open-air, mixed-use redevelopment including retail, housing, and possible office space. In 2016, Metro North Crossing LLC received rezoning approval for a substantially redeveloped site with proposed retail, office, restaurant, hotel, and residential components. The original mall structure was demolished in early 2017, except for the Macy's building. Macy's subsequently announced its closure as part of a nationwide store reduction and ceased operations on March 23, 2025. Metro North Mall therefore remains a defunct mall property and brand, although its site has continued to be associated with redevelopment efforts.
History
Metro North Mall opened in September 1976 in Kansas City, Missouri, as a major enclosed retail center for communities north of the Missouri River. Developed by Frank Morgan and Sherman Dreiseszun, the property contained approximately 1.3 million square feet of retail space, about 125 storefronts, and four anchor stores distributed across two levels. Its opening gave Kansas City's Northland a regional shopping destination that combined department stores, specialty retailers, restaurants, and entertainment. The mall's central court was a distinctive feature. It included a stage, a shallow pool of water, and four miniature hot-air balloons suspended from the ceiling. The balloons moved up and down and contributed to the mall's family-oriented identity. An entertainment section contained a Dairy Queen, In-a-Tub, a six-screen AMC cinema, and a Nickelodeon arcade. The property was particularly active during the holiday shopping season. By 1990, restaurants had also developed along the surrounding property, and AMC added a second six-screen theater behind the mall. The center's tenant base weakened during the 2000s. The owners' development of Zona Rosa created a newer competing retail and entertainment destination in the same broad market. As retailers moved to the newer project and leasing conditions changed, Metro North lost important anchors and traffic generators. Montgomery Ward closed in 2001. Dillard's converted to a clearance center in 2007, closed its lower level, and left for Zona Rosa in late 2008. JCPenney departed in 2008, while both AMC theaters eventually closed. MC Sporting Goods occupied part of the former Montgomery Ward space until March 2009. The former Jones Store, which later operated as Macy's, became the last surviving anchor. Redevelopment proposals repeatedly emerged but did not stabilize the property. A 2007 proposal from Alberta Development Partners envisioned an outdoor lifestyle center, but the plan failed to advance in the aftermath of the recession and following Sherman Dreiseszun's death. In 2010, MD Management proposed a smaller enclosed mall with mixed-use components. By then, occupancy had fallen to approximately 17 percent. Later plans announced in 2013 contemplated demolishing most of the existing structure and constructing a smaller one-level enclosed mall with two anchors to serve the Northland. MD Management announced the mall's closure in April 2014. The enclosed center shut on April 15, leaving GNC and The Wig Shoppe as its final inline tenants. Macy's remained open in its separate anchor building. In March 2015, IAS Partners Ltd. was identified as the prospective buyer, with a vision for an open-air development containing local and national retailers, multifamily housing, and potentially offices. In 2016, the property owner identified as Metro North Crossing LLC obtained rezoning for a much larger mixed-use redevelopment. The proposed program included approximately 734,000 square feet of retail, 60,000 square feet of offices, 66,500 square feet of restaurants, an 82,000-square-foot hotel, and 117,000 square feet of residential units. The original mall was demolished in early 2017, although the Macy's building remained. In January 2025, Macy's announced that the store would be among 66 locations closed nationally; it ceased operation on March 23, 2025. The history of Metro North Mall reflects the transition from enclosed regional malls toward open-air, mixed-use retail projects and the effects of tenant migration within a competitive metropolitan market.
- 2025
Macy's closes
[1]The final operating anchor closes on March 23 as part of Macy's nationwide store reductions.
- 2017
Original mall structure is demolished
[1]The main enclosed mall is demolished, while the Macy's anchor building remains.
- 2016
Redevelopment site receives rezoning
[1]Metro North Crossing LLC obtains rezoning for a proposed mixed-use replacement project.
- 2014
Enclosed mall closes
[1]Metro North Mall closes on April 15, leaving Macy's as the surviving anchor.
- 2010
MD Management presents a new redevelopment concept
[1]A plan emerges for a smaller enclosed mall with mixed-use elements as occupancy falls to approximately 17 percent.
- 2009
MC Sporting Goods closes
[1]MC Sporting Goods shuts its junior-anchor operation in the former Montgomery Ward space.
- 2008
JCPenney and Dillard's leave
[1]JCPenney closes its mall store, while Dillard's exits for a nearby Zona Rosa location later in the year.
- 2007
Lifestyle-center redevelopment proposed
[1]Alberta Development Partners proposes converting the property into an outdoor lifestyle center, but the plan does not proceed.
- 2001
Montgomery Ward closes
[1]The Montgomery Ward anchor departs, beginning a series of major tenant losses.
- 2000
Zona Rosa development increases competition
[1]The owners begin developing Zona Rosa, a newer retail and entertainment destination that competes with Metro North.
Products and positioning
A regional enclosed shopping center serving Kansas City's Northland communities, with a broad department-store and specialty-retail tenant mix that later struggled against newer open-air and mixed-use developments.
Shopping mall · 1976
Regional enclosed shopping center
Metro North's primary offering was a large enclosed shopping environment serving the Northland area of Kansas City. At opening, the property combined two-level specialty retail with four anchor stores and approximately 125 inline tenants.
Entertainment · 1976
Entertainment facilities
The mall incorporated family and leisure attractions, including AMC cinemas, a Nickelodeon arcade, restaurants, and a distinctive central court with a stage, water feature, and suspended miniature hot-air balloons.
Brand decisions
2016
Rezoning for a mixed-use replacement projectStrategyBackground
After the mall's closure, the property owner sought a broader redevelopment program modeled on other Kansas City-area mall replacements.
Action taken
Metro North Crossing LLC obtained rezoning for a project combining retail, offices, restaurants, a hotel, and residential units.
Aftermath
The original mall was demolished in early 2017, although the Macy's building was retained temporarily.
2014
Closure of the enclosed mallStrategyBackground
The mall had lost nearly all of its inline tenants and major anchors after years of decline.
Action taken
MD Management closed the enclosed shopping center on April 15, while allowing Macy's to continue operating in its anchor building.
Aftermath
The closure cleared the way for attempts to redevelop the property as an open-air or mixed-use project.
2010
Plan for a smaller mixed-use enclosed mallStrategyBackground
By 2010, the property had fallen to approximately 17 percent occupancy and had only one remaining anchor.
Action taken
MD Management proposed demolishing much of the existing center and replacing it with a smaller enclosed mall incorporating mixed uses.
Aftermath
The redevelopment encountered further delays and was later revised toward a smaller one-level enclosed mall concept.
2007
Proposed conversion to an outdoor lifestyle centerStrategyBackground
Declining performance and changing retail patterns prompted a redevelopment proposal for an open-air lifestyle center.
Action taken
Alberta Development Partners developed plans to replace or substantially reconfigure the enclosed mall.
Aftermath
The proposal did not proceed, with the recession and the death of mall owner Sherman Dreiseszun cited among the setbacks.
Recent events
- 2025
Macy's announces closure of its Metro North location[1]
Other
Macy's announced that its remaining Metro North store would close as part of a nationwide plan affecting 66 stores. The location closed on March 23, 2025.
- 2016
Metro North redevelopment receives rezoning approval[1]
Regulation
Metro North Crossing LLC received rezoning approval for a proposed mixed-use replacement project incorporating retail, office, restaurant, hotel, and residential space.
- 2016
Interior images highlight the mall's deterioration before demolition[1]
Other
Photographs by urban-decay photographer Seph Lawless circulated widely, documenting the deteriorated interior of the closed mall before demolition.
- 2015
IAS Partners announced as prospective Metro North Mall buyer[1]
M&A
MD Management announced that IAS Partners Ltd. would acquire the shopping center and pursue an open-air redevelopment with retail, multifamily housing, and possible office space.
- 2014
Metro North Mall closes after prolonged decline[1]
Other
MD Management announced that Metro North Mall would shut on April 15, 2014. Only GNC and The Wig Shoppe remained as inline tenants, while Macy's continued operating as the remaining anchor.
Sources1 sources
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