Riverchase Galleria
A large super-regional enclosed shopping mall and mixed-use development in Hoover, Alabama, and the largest enclosed shopping center in the state.
Last updated August 24, 2026
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Overview
Riverchase Galleria, commonly called The Galleria, is a large enclosed shopping mall and mixed-use development in Hoover, Alabama, within the Greater Birmingham metropolitan area. The complex stands at the intersection of U.S. Highway 31 and Interstate 459, giving it a prominent position within the Birmingham region's retail network. It combines department stores, specialty shops, restaurants, entertainment, offices, hospitality, and large-format out-parcel businesses rather than functioning solely as a conventional shopping center. The mall opened on February 19, 1986, under developer Jim Wilson & Associates. Its original approximately 1.2-million-square-foot format included four anchor stores: Birmingham-area retailers Parisian and Pizitz, Atlanta-based Rich's, and JCPenney. The project expanded substantially over the following decade. Macy's opened its first Alabama location at the center in 1987, while Sears and a new wing were added in 1996. The expansion brought the complex to approximately 2.4 million square feet and positioned it as one of the largest mixed-use developments in the southeastern United States. Riverchase Galleria's tenant mix has changed repeatedly as department-store chains consolidated, rebranded, or exited the market. Pizitz became part of McRae's, Rich's was eventually converted to Macy's, and Proffitt's and McRae's locations were affected by ownership changes involving Saks and Belk. Belk ultimately became a major anchor, while Von Maur opened in the space associated with the former Macy's, Proffitt's, and Belk locations as part of a major redevelopment. Current and recent anchors have included JCPenney, Belk, Macy's, Von Maur, and Dave & Buster's, although some former anchor spaces have become vacant following retailer closures. The property is also associated with the Hyatt Regency Birmingham—The Wynfrey Hotel, formerly the Wynfrey Hotel, and the Galleria Tower office building. The wider complex includes the region's only Costco according to the referenced description, along with restaurants, parking decks, Home Depot, FedEx Office, and other out-parcel businesses. A former Regal cinema site was repurposed after the theater closed. A major renovation announced in the early 2010s and completed in 2013 involved approximately $60 million in improvements. The project was supported in part by a sales-tax rebate approved by the Hoover City Council and included the arrival of Alabama's first Von Maur store, as well as upgrades to the hotel and broader property. Other notable tenant developments included Alabama's first LEGO Brand Retail store, which opened in 2009 and closed in 2020, and later openings such as Dave & Buster's and True Religion. The mall has also faced the challenges affecting large American shopping centers, including department-store closures, changing retail patterns, and vacant anchor premises. Sears announced the closure of its Riverchase location in 2019, and the store shut in October of that year. Belk closed its Home and Children's location in 2021. Macy's announced the closure of its nearby Colonial Brookwood Village location in 2022, leaving Riverchase Galleria as the last remaining Alabama mall with a Macy's at that point; in August 2024, the Riverchase Macy's location was reported as listed for sale. Despite these changes, Riverchase Galleria remains a significant regional retail and entertainment destination and continues to operate as an active mixed-use property.
History
Riverchase Galleria opened in Hoover, Alabama, on February 19, 1986. It was developed by Jim Wilson & Associates as a large enclosed shopping center intended to serve Birmingham and the surrounding central Alabama region. The initial complex measured approximately 1.2 million square feet and had four principal anchors: Parisian and Pizitz, both associated with Alabama retail history, Atlanta-based Rich's, and JCPenney. The center expanded its regional importance in 1987 when Macy's opened a store at center court. This was the retailer's first Alabama location. During the same period, the Pizitz chain was acquired by McRae's and subsequently operated under the McRae's name. Parisian later enlarged its store, while the mall continued to develop as a destination combining department stores, smaller specialty tenants, restaurants, and services. A major expansion took place in 1996, when Sears was added and a new wing was constructed. Sears relocated to the property from a nearby site. The expansion increased the complex to approximately 2.4 million square feet and made Riverchase Galleria one of the largest mixed-use developments in the southeastern United States. The broader property also included hospitality and office components, including the Wynfrey Hotel and the Galleria Tower. The 2000s brought extensive changes in the department-store lineup. In 2003, the original Macy's anchor closed and the Rich's location was converted to Rich's-Macy's as part of the broader integration of the two retail chains under Federated Department Stores. The former Macy's space was subsequently connected to Saks-related operations. After a period of vacancy and refurbishment, it reopened under the Proffitt's name in 2004. In March 2005, Rich's-Macy's was officially rebranded as Macy's. Later that year, Saks sold its Proffitt's division and much of McRae's to Belk, and the McRae's store at Riverchase closed. Ownership and tenancy changes continued in 2006. Belk acquired the Parisian chain and reorganized its local presence. The former Parisian space became a Belk store, while Belk also operated a Home and Children's format in space associated with the former Pizitz and McRae's location. That space had remained unavailable for a period because of a dispute involving the Pizitz family's retained real-estate interests and lease obligations inherited by Saks after the McRae's closure. Belk's subsequent consolidation left the mall with a department-store mix shaped more by national chain restructuring than by new independent local anchors. In 2007, Nordstrom announced plans to establish its first Alabama store at the mall in a former anchor location. The proposal was intended to open in 2012, but it was canceled in May 2009. The property nevertheless added notable specialty retail. In July 2009, LEGO opened Alabama's first LEGO Brand Retail store at Riverchase Galleria. The store occupied approximately 2,061 square feet but later closed in February 2020. The property underwent a substantial modernization during the early 2010s. A plan for approximately $60 million in improvements was approved by the Hoover City Council in October 2011, including a sales-tax rebate arrangement. Work was completed in 2013. The redevelopment introduced Von Maur's first Alabama store in a former department-store anchor space and upgraded the surrounding property. The Wynfrey Hotel was renovated and relaunched as the Hyatt Regency Birmingham—The Wynfrey Hotel. These changes reinforced the Galleria's identity as a mixed-use regional destination rather than only a retail mall. In the later 2010s, the center continued to add entertainment and lifestyle tenants. Dave & Buster's and True Religion opened in late 2018. However, the same year the mall became the site of a highly publicized shooting during Black Friday weekend. An altercation led to gunfire and injuries. Hoover police officers later shot and killed Emantic Fitzgerald Bradford Jr., who was armed and had been involved in the confrontation, but authorities subsequently clarified that he was not the initial shooter. The incident generated protests, including calls for a boycott organized by the Birmingham activist group Justice League. Department-store contraction subsequently affected the mall. Sears announced in August 2019 that its Riverchase location would close as part of a nationwide round of closures, and the store shut in October. Belk closed its Home and Children's location in May 2021. Macy's announced the closure of its store at the nearby Colonial Brookwood Village in January 2022, making Riverchase Galleria the last remaining Alabama mall with a Macy's at that time. In August 2024, the Riverchase Macy's location was reported as listed for sale. Despite anchor vacancies and changing retail conditions, Riverchase Galleria remains an operating super-regional shopping center. Its scale, highway access, department stores, restaurants, entertainment businesses, hotel, offices, parking infrastructure, and surrounding out-parcels continue to give it a broad role in the Birmingham metropolitan area's commercial landscape.
- 2024
Macy's location is listed for sale
[1]The Riverchase Macy's location is reported as listed for sale in August.
- 2021
Belk Home and Children's store closes
[1]Belk ends operation of its Home and Children's location at the mall.
- 2020
LEGO store closes
[1]The mall's LEGO Brand Retail location closes in February.
- 2019
Sears closes
[1]The Sears anchor closes in October after being included in a nationwide store-closure plan.
- 2018
Dave & Buster's and True Religion open
[1]The mall adds major entertainment and fashion tenants late in the year.
- 2013
Major renovation is completed
[1]The property completes a renovation reported at approximately $60 million, including the arrival of Von Maur and upgrades to the adjacent hotel.
- 2009
Alabama's first LEGO Brand Retail store opens
[1]LEGO opens a dedicated store at the mall.
- 2003
General Growth Properties takes a half interest
[1]General Growth Properties acquires 50 percent of the property and assumes management control.
- 1996
Major expansion adds Sears and a new wing
[1]The expansion increases the complex to approximately 2.4 million square feet.
- 1987
First Macy's store in Alabama opens at the mall
[1]Macy's establishes a center-court location, its first store in Alabama.
Products and positioning
A super-regional enclosed shopping and entertainment destination serving Hoover, Birmingham, and the wider central Alabama market.
Anchor retail · 1986
Department-store retail
Riverchase Galleria's principal retail offer has historically been built around large department stores. The anchor lineup has included JCPenney, Belk, Macy's, Von Maur, Sears, Parisian, Pizitz, McRae's, Rich's, and Proffitt's at different points in the property's history. These stores provide apparel, cosmetics, accessories, home goods, furniture, and general merchandise, while also serving as traffic generators for smaller tenants.
Shopping mall retail · 1986
Specialty retail
The mall contains smaller specialty retailers across fashion, footwear, beauty, jewelry, accessories, gifts, and lifestyle categories. Its tenant base has changed over time as national chains have entered, restructured, or exited the property. The specialty offering complements the department stores and supports the center's role as a regional rather than purely local destination.
Restaurants · 1986
Dining and food service
Riverchase Galleria's food offer includes mall-based dining and restaurants located on surrounding out-parcels. Referenced examples include J. Alexander's, Stix, and Olive Garden. These restaurants broaden the property's use beyond daytime shopping and contribute to its positioning as a mixed-use entertainment and hospitality complex.
Leisure and entertainment · 2006
Entertainment
Entertainment has been an important part of the complex's regional offer. A former Regal cinema on an out-parcel closed in 2006 after a nearby theater opened, and the former cinema building was later reused for an Aveda salon and cosmetology school. Dave & Buster's opened at the mall in late 2018, adding an established arcade, games, and casual dining concept.
Hospitality and commercial real estate · 1986
Mixed-use property services
The Riverchase complex extends beyond the enclosed mall. It includes the Hyatt Regency Birmingham—The Wynfrey Hotel, a 15-story hotel property reported at approximately 1.7 million square feet, and the Galleria Tower office building, reported at 17 stories and approximately 285,000 square feet. The property also includes extensive parking decks and out-parcel businesses such as Costco, Home Depot, and FedEx Office.
Controversies
2018
Black Friday shooting and disputed police shooting
During Black Friday weekend in November 2018, an altercation at the mall led to gunfire and injuries. Hoover police officers shot and killed Emantic Fitzgerald Bradford Jr. after approaching him as an armed participant. Later clarification stated that Bradford was not the person who fired the initial shots. The incident prompted public protests and calls for a boycott of Riverchase Galleria.
Brand decisions
2019
Sears anchor closesOtherBackground
Sears announced a nationwide program of store closures amid the chain's broader financial difficulties.
Action taken
The Riverchase Galleria Sears store closed in October 2019.
Aftermath
The closure created another vacant anchor space within the mall.
2013
Property completes repositioning around new anchors and hospitalityStrategyBackground
The mall was responding to anchor turnover and the need to maintain its regional destination status.
Action taken
The renovation introduced Alabama's first Von Maur store and upgraded the hotel, which became Hyatt Regency Birmingham—The Wynfrey Hotel.
Aftermath
The project reinforced the complex's mixed-use identity and refreshed its department-store and hotel components.
Reported renovation investment. $60 million (Completed 2013)
2011
Major renovation plan receives municipal approvalStrategyBackground
The aging regional complex required modernization and a refreshed tenant and hospitality offer.
Action taken
The Hoover City Council approved a renovation plan that included a reported $25 million sales-tax rebate component.
Aftermath
The broader renovation was completed in 2013 and included a new Von Maur anchor and hotel improvements.
Renovation plan value. $60 million (2011-2013)
2009
Nordstrom proposal is canceledOtherBackground
Nordstrom had announced plans in 2007 to open its first Alabama store at Riverchase Galleria in a former anchor space.
Action taken
The planned store, initially targeted for 2012, was canceled in May 2009.
Aftermath
The proposed anchor replacement did not proceed, leaving the property to pursue other tenant and redevelopment strategies.
2003
Partial sale and management transfer to General Growth PropertiesM&ABackground
Jim Wilson & Associates sought a new ownership and management structure for the large regional property.
Action taken
General Growth Properties acquired a 50 percent interest and assumed management control.
Aftermath
The transaction placed the mall under the management of one of the major U.S. shopping-center operators of the period.
Sources2 sources
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