Superstition Springs Center
A regional shopping mall in Mesa, Arizona, featuring department stores, specialty retailers, entertainment, events, and a Valley Metro transit center.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Superstition Springs Center is a regional shopping mall in Mesa, Arizona, United States. Completed and opened in 1990, the property was developed by Westcor and General Growth Properties at a time when much of the surrounding area consisted of undeveloped land. Its location near the eastern end of U.S. Route 60 was initially viewed as a major commercial risk because the mall appeared distant from established development. Population and retail growth in the surrounding East Valley subsequently expanded the mall's primary trade area and strengthened its role as a shopping and community destination. The center was designed as a large enclosed retail complex with department-store anchors, specialty shops, food and beverage tenants, entertainment uses, and public amenities. Its long-standing anchor tenants have included Dillard's and JCPenney. Other major anchor or junior-anchor spaces have been occupied by Macy's, Sears, Mervyn's, Sports Authority, and various replacement businesses. The former Macy's location originated as a planned Broadway Southwest store before changing hands during corporate developments involving Carter Hawley Hale, the Limited, and Robinsons-May. The Sears store closed after an announcement in October 2018, while Macy's announced in January 2025 that it would close the location as part of a nationwide store-reduction program; the Macy's store closed on March 23, 2025. These closures left Dillard's and JCPenney as the mall's remaining department-store anchors. The property underwent a substantial remodeling in February 2002. Work included new exterior paint and lighting, interior finishes, flooring, lighting, and regional design imagery intended to create a more refined and contemporary environment. The center also includes an outdoor amphitheatre and a fountain that can be converted into a performance stage. Free Saturday evening concerts have historically been presented during the May-to-August season, giving the property a role beyond conventional retail. Superstition Springs Center has operated through changes in ownership, tenant demand, and the wider shopping-center industry. Westcor originally held a two-thirds interest and managed the mall, while General Growth Properties held the remaining third. In 2002, the property entered the Macerich portfolio through Macerich's acquisition of Westcor, with Westcor continuing as the management platform at that time. In June 2011, General Growth Properties sold its one-third interest, after which the Westcor side assumed full ownership; Westcor subsequently operated within the Macerich organization. The mall is therefore associated with Macerich as its owner and group operator. In the late 2010s and early 2020s, the center faced the same pressures affecting many traditional enclosed malls, including department-store bankruptcies, national-chain departures, and competition from nearby retail developments. By 2021, fewer than half of its tenants were reported to be national retailers, increasing reliance on local and regional businesses to occupy available space. Former large-format locations were subdivided or repurposed for uses such as furniture retail, miniature golf, bookstores, furniture outlets, Ross Dress for Less, and Ulta Beauty. The mall also functions as a Valley Metro bus transit center, supporting access for the surrounding community. Its current identity combines department-store retail, specialty shopping, entertainment, seasonal programming, local tenancy, and transit connectivity.
History
Superstition Springs Center was completed in 1990 in Mesa, Arizona. The project was developed jointly by Westcor and General Growth Properties, with Rafique Islam credited as the original architect and The Weitz Company, Inc. serving as general contractor. At opening, the mall stood amid substantial undeveloped land near the terminus of U.S. Route 60. Observers initially questioned whether the location was too remote from established neighborhoods to support a major regional shopping center. Subsequent development in Mesa and the broader East Valley transformed the surrounding area, expanding the mall's customer base. By 2009, its primary trade area was estimated to contain approximately 337,000 people. The center's original ownership structure gave Westcor a two-thirds share and General Growth Properties a one-third share. Westcor also managed the property. In 2002, Superstition Springs Center became part of Macerich's portfolio through Macerich's acquisition of Westcor, although the Westcor management identity remained associated with the property. The mall was remodeled in February 2002, with improvements to exterior and interior paint, lighting, flooring, textures, and regional design elements. The objective was to update the center's appearance and create a more polished shopping environment. In June 2011, General Growth Properties sold its one-third interest in Superstition Springs Center, along with its comparable interest in Arrowhead Towne Center. The Westcor side consequently assumed full ownership, with Westcor operating within the Macerich corporate structure. The property has continued to be identified with Macerich ownership and management. The mall has historically included major department stores and a broad range of specialty retailers. Dillard's and JCPenney remain its principal anchors. The Macy's building began as a planned Broadway Southwest location, but the project changed ownership during a hostile-takeover period involving the Limited and Carter Hawley Hale and ultimately became associated with Robinsons-May before later operating as Macy's. A former Mervyn's location was converted into a furniture store, then subdivided into smaller spaces. One portion housed Lunar Mini Golf and later Phoenix Sofa Factory, while another became Sports Authority and subsequently Book Vault before Ross Dress for Less occupied the space in 2019. Ulta Beauty also relocated into a former Sports Authority area. Like many enclosed malls, Superstition Springs Center has faced tenant churn, department-store contraction, and competition from nearby retail properties. By 2021, fewer than half of its tenant mix was reported to consist of national retailers, with local businesses filling some vacancies. Nearby Mesa Pavilions also experienced substantial vacancy and was identified for redevelopment into multifamily housing. These conditions have made tenant replacement and long-term repositioning important strategic issues for the center. The property has retained non-retail functions that support its community role. An outdoor amphitheatre and adaptable fountain-stage host free Saturday evening concerts during the May-to-August season. The mall also serves as a Valley Metro bus transit center, providing a transportation connection for shoppers, employees, and residents. In October 2018, Sears closure was announced. In January 2025, Macy's announced that its store would close as part of a national closure program, and the location shut on March 23, 2025. Dillard's and JCPenney consequently became the center's remaining department-store anchors.
- 2025
Macy's closes
[1]Macy's announced the store's closure in January as part of a nationwide reduction and closed the location on March 23, 2025.
- 2019
Ross Dress for Less occupies former junior-anchor space
[1]Ross moved into the former Book Vault and earlier Sports Authority space after the bookstore closed in 2018.
- 2018
Sears closure announced
[1]The Sears anchor was announced for closure on October 16, 2018.
- 2011
General Growth Properties sells its interest
[1]General Growth Properties sold its one-third ownership interest, allowing the Westcor side to assume full ownership.
- 2002
Major remodeling completed
[1]The center received exterior and interior improvements including updated paint, lighting, flooring, and regional design treatments.
- 2002
Property enters Macerich portfolio
[1]Superstition Springs Center became part of Macerich's portfolio through the acquisition of Westcor, while Westcor remained associated with management.
- 1990
Mall completed and opened
[1]Superstition Springs Center opened in Mesa as a major enclosed shopping center developed by Westcor and General Growth Properties.
Products and positioning
A community and regional shopping destination serving Mesa and the East Valley, combining traditional department stores, specialty retail, entertainment, public events, and transit access.
Anchor retail · 1990
Department-store retail
The center's principal anchor offering is department-store shopping through Dillard's and JCPenney. These stores provide broad assortments across apparel, accessories, footwear, beauty, home goods, and related general merchandise. Historically, the property also accommodated Macy's, Sears, Mervyn's, and other large-format operators.
Mall specialty stores · 1990
Specialty retail
Superstition Springs Center has hosted specialty retailers across fashion, youth apparel, gifts, candy, beauty, and accessories. Examples identified in reference material include Buckle, Tillys, Hollister, Charlotte Russe, BoxLunch, and See's Candies, although individual tenant occupancy can change over time.
Leisure and community programming
Entertainment and events
The property includes an eight-screen Picture Show cinema, an outdoor amphitheatre, and a fountain capable of converting into a performance stage. The venue has presented free Saturday evening concerts during the May-to-August period, extending its role beyond shopping.
Transportation and public access
Valley Metro transit center
Superstition Springs Center serves as a Valley Metro bus transit center. This function improves access to the mall for local residents, shoppers, employees, and visitors who use public transportation.
Brand decisions
2025
Macy's anchor closureOtherBackground
Macy's included the Superstition Springs Center store in a national plan to close 66 locations.
Action taken
Macy's announced the closure on January 9, 2025, and ended operations at the mall on March 23, 2025.
Aftermath
Dillard's and JCPenney became the mall's only remaining department-store anchors, increasing the importance of future redevelopment or tenant-replacement efforts for the vacant Macy's space.
2018
Sears anchor closureOtherBackground
Sears announced the closure of its Superstition Springs Center anchor during a period of widespread contraction among traditional department stores.
Action taken
The Sears location was scheduled to close, creating another major vacancy in the mall's anchor portfolio.
Aftermath
The center pursued replacement and subdivision strategies for large-format spaces, including other retail and entertainment uses.
2002
Comprehensive property remodelingStrategyBackground
The mall required an updated physical environment as its surrounding trade area developed and regional competition evolved.
Action taken
Management refreshed exterior and interior paint, lighting, flooring, textures, and regional design imagery.
Aftermath
The work was intended to create a more refined and contemporary shopping atmosphere.
Recent events
- 2025
Macy's announces closure of Superstition Springs Center location[1]
Other
Macy's announced on January 9, 2025, that its Superstition Springs Center store would close as part of a nationwide plan to close 66 locations. The store ceased operations on March 23, 2025, leaving Dillard's and JCPenney as the mall's only department-store anchors.
- 2018
Sears store at Superstition Springs Center announced for closure[1]
Other
The mall's Sears anchor was announced for closure on October 16, 2018, contributing to the loss of a major department-store tenant and leaving another large-format space requiring repositioning.
Sources2 sources
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