Wayzata Bay Center

Wayzata Bay Center was an enclosed shopping mall in Wayzata, Minnesota, a western suburb of Minneapolis–Saint Paul. Developed in two construction phases, the center began with its northern section in 1964 and expanded with a southern section completed in 1967. At its peak, it contained approximately 127,000 square feet of retail space, around 30 stores, and 1,200 parking spaces on a single level. The property was built over wetlands that had been filled and reinforced to create a development site. The center opened with a mix of regional merchants and small local businesses. Its principal early anchor was Country Club Market, a grocery store, while later tenants included national and regional chains such as The Original Pancake House and True Value. The property also included restaurants and other businesses in four outparcels added to its parking area in 1980, including a Goodyear location. For many years, the mall operated a seasonal shuttle service to move shoppers around the property, although that service ended in the late 1990s. The center also served as a venue for local events and art shows, giving it a civic and community role beyond ordinary retailing. By the early 2000s, Wayzata Bay Center faced increasing vacancies and changing retail conditions. Its vacancy rate rose from 13 percent in 2002 to 33 percent in 2004. The owner at the time, Madison Marquette, discussed an upgrade intended to make the property more attractive to shoppers and prospective tenants. Plans considered in 2004 included removing portions of the enclosed mall, renovating the remainder, adding four condominium buildings, and potentially bringing in a grocery retailer such as Whole Foods Market or Trader Joe's. Those plans did not proceed after ownership changed. In December 2004, local purchasers associated with The Foursome, a long-standing tenant, acquired the property for $16 million after an earlier redevelopment effort was abandoned. The site continued to struggle with vacancies. A redevelopment proposal received approval in 2008, and The Foursome subsequently closed its approximately 30,000-square-foot Wayzata location and moved to nearby Plymouth. Other businesses also left in 2009. A Minnesota construction firm acquired the center from United Properties for $16 million in 2009, according to the referenced account, although the property's ownership chronology is reported inconsistently in available summaries. Wayzata Bay Center closed on August 15, 2011, after the City of Wayzata agreed to a new development on the property. Demolition began in April 2012 after the remaining businesses had relocated or shut down. The Original Pancake House, which had occupied the center since 1994, was the final tenant to leave and moved to Plymouth. Adele's Frozen Custard, which had operated at the mall since 2009, closed its Wayzata location. Other late tenants included True Value, a jewelry store, a health-food store, and a furniture store. The former mall site was redeveloped as The Promenade, a mixed-use project combining senior housing, condominiums, a boutique hotel, offices, and retail space. Construction began in June 2013 after delays and pauses involving the city council. The redevelopment replaced Wayzata Bay Center as the principal use of the property and marked the end of the mall's identity as a retail destination.

Wayzata Bay Center was created as a suburban retail center in Wayzata, Minnesota, during the expansion of automobile-oriented shopping in the Twin Cities region. Its site consisted of wetlands that were filled with dirt and concrete before construction. The project proceeded in two phases: the northern section was completed in 1964, and the southern section followed in 1967. The completed center represented an investment of approximately $1.5 million and provided about 1,200 parking spaces. Country Club Market served as its original grocery anchor. The center initially combined regional retailers with smaller independent businesses. Over time, its tenant mix shifted toward recognizable national and regional chains, including The Original Pancake House and True Value. Four outparcels were added in 1980, expanding the site's restaurant and service offerings and including a Goodyear location. The mall also operated a seasonal shuttle for shoppers for many years, a service that ended in the late 1990s. Local events and art shows contributed to its role as a gathering place for the surrounding community. The property entered a period of decline in the early 2000s. Vacancy increased from 13 percent in 2002 to 33 percent in 2004, reflecting pressure on the enclosed-mall format and competition for tenants. Madison Marquette, then associated with the property, proposed an enhancement program that would have opened up or removed enclosed portions of the center and improved its attractiveness to retailers. A 2004 concept also contemplated retaining part of the mall, adding four condominium buildings, and possibly introducing a new grocery tenant. The proposal did not materialize after the property changed hands. In December 2004, local purchasers connected with The Foursome, which had been a tenant since the center opened, bought the mall for $16 million. The transaction followed the abandonment of redevelopment plans by a previous German-based developer. Despite the change in ownership, vacancies continued to grow. A redevelopment plan was approved in 2008. The Foursome then left its approximately 30,000-square-foot space and relocated to Plymouth, and several other stores closed or departed in 2009. Available accounts also describe a 2009 purchase by a Minnesota construction firm from United Properties for $16 million; because the published ownership chronology is not fully consistent, the precise sequence of ownership should be treated cautiously. The city ultimately supported replacing the aging shopping center with a new facility. Wayzata Bay Center closed on August 15, 2011. The Original Pancake House, a tenant since 1994, was the last business to leave and moved to Plymouth. Adele's Frozen Custard, which had opened at the center in 2009, closed its Wayzata operation. Other final occupants included a True Value hardware store, a jewelry business, a health-food store, and a furniture retailer. Demolition began in April 2012. The replacement project, known as The Promenade, was planned as a mixed-use community incorporating senior living, condominiums, a boutique hotel, offices, and retail space. Construction started in June 2013 after several delays and pauses involving the city council. The new development ended the mall's physical presence and shifted the property's role from a single enclosed shopping center to a broader residential, commercial, and community-oriented district.

• 2013

  The Promenade construction begins

  [1]Wayzata Bay Centeren.wikipedia.org

  Construction began on the mixed-use development that replaced the mall.

• 2012

  Demolition starts

  [1]Wayzata Bay Centeren.wikipedia.org

  The former shopping center was demolished beginning in April.

• 2011

  Mall closes

  [1]Wayzata Bay Centeren.wikipedia.org

  Wayzata Bay Center ceased operations on August 15, ending nearly five decades of enclosed-mall retailing at the site.

• 2008

  Redevelopment plan approved

  [1]Wayzata Bay Centeren.wikipedia.org

  Approval of a redevelopment proposal accelerated the departure of major tenants, including The Foursome.

• 2004

  Redevelopment proposals and local acquisition

  [1]Wayzata Bay Centeren.wikipedia.org

  Vacancy reached 33 percent, redevelopment concepts were discussed, and local purchasers associated with The Foursome acquired the property for $16 million in December.

• 2002

  Vacancy begins documented rise

  [1]Wayzata Bay Centeren.wikipedia.org

  The center's reported vacancy rate stood at 13 percent as the property entered a prolonged period of retail pressure.

• 1980

  Four outparcels added

  [1]Wayzata Bay Centeren.wikipedia.org

  Four buildings were developed in the parking area for restaurants and services, including a Goodyear location.

• 1967

  Wayzata Bay Center reaches full planned form

  [1]Wayzata Bay Centeren.wikipedia.org

  The southern phase was completed, creating the center's approximately 127,000-square-foot enclosed retail complex.

• 1964

  Northern phase completed

  [1]Wayzata Bay Centeren.wikipedia.org

  The first, northern phase of the shopping center was completed on a former wetland site in Wayzata.

A community-oriented suburban enclosed shopping center serving Wayzata and nearby Twin Cities communities, with a mix of everyday retail, restaurants, local businesses, and community events.

• Grocery retail · 1964

  Country Club Market

  Country Club Market was the original grocery anchor associated with Wayzata Bay Center. Its presence gave the center an everyday-shopping function in addition to specialty retail and dining.

• Restaurant · 1994

  The Original Pancake House

  The Original Pancake House operated at Wayzata Bay Center from 1994 and became the final tenant to leave when the mall closed. The restaurant relocated to neighboring Plymouth rather than continuing at the redeveloped site.

• Hardware retail

  True Value

  True Value was among the center's later retail occupants, offering hardware and home-improvement merchandise. It remained one of the businesses identified among the mall's final tenants.

• Food service · 2009

  Adele's Frozen Custard

  Adele's Frozen Custard operated at Wayzata Bay Center beginning in 2009. Unlike some other final tenants, it closed its Wayzata location rather than relocating to the neighboring community.

• Automotive service · 1980

  Goodyear outparcel

  A Goodyear location occupied one of the outparcels added to the shopping center's parking area during the 1980 expansion.

• 2013

  Construction of The PromenadeStrategy

  Background

  The former mall site was selected for a broader community development rather than another enclosed shopping center.

  Action taken

  Construction began on The Promenade, combining senior living, condominiums, a boutique hotel, offices, and retail space.

  Aftermath

  The mixed-use project replaced Wayzata Bay Center as the principal development on the site.

  Source

• 2011

  Permanent closure of the shopping centerOther

  Background

  The City of Wayzata agreed to construction of a new facility on the property after years of discussion about the mall's decline and future.

  Action taken

  Wayzata Bay Center closed on August 15, 2011.

  Aftermath

  All remaining tenants relocated or closed, and demolition began the following year.

  Source

• 2008

  Approval of replacement developmentStrategy

  Background

  Persistent vacancies and the limits of the existing enclosed-mall format prompted a plan to replace or substantially transform the property.

  Action taken

  The redevelopment plan was approved, leading to the departure of The Foursome and other tenants.

  Aftermath

  Wayzata Bay Center eventually closed in 2011 and was demolished in 2012 for a mixed-use project.

  Source

• 2004

  Consideration of partial demolition and mixed-use redevelopmentStrategy

  Background

  Rising vacancies led the city and the then-owner to consider removing part of the enclosed mall, renovating the balance, adding four condominium buildings, and potentially introducing a grocery store.

  Action taken

  The proposed plan was not carried out after the property was sold and the previous redevelopment effort was abandoned.

  Aftermath

  The center continued to experience vacancies and was later targeted for a more comprehensive redevelopment.

  Source

• 2013

  Replacement mixed-use project begins construction[1]Wayzata Bay Centeren.wikipedia.org

  Other

  Construction of The Promenade, a development incorporating senior housing, residential, hotel, office, and retail uses, began in June 2013 after municipal delays.

• 2012

  Demolition begins after final tenants depart[1]Wayzata Bay Centeren.wikipedia.org

  Other

  Demolition began in April 2012 after the remaining stores and restaurants had either relocated or closed.

• 2011

  Wayzata Bay Center closes[1]Wayzata Bay Centeren.wikipedia.org

  Other

  The enclosed shopping center closed its doors on August 15, 2011, after the city agreed to replacement development on the property.

• 2008

  Redevelopment approval leads to major tenant departures[1]Wayzata Bay Centeren.wikipedia.org

  Other

  Following approval of a redevelopment plan, The Foursome closed its large Wayzata location and moved to Plymouth. Additional businesses left as the center's vacancy problem worsened.

• 2004

  Wayzata Bay Center ownership changes amid redevelopment discussions[1]Wayzata Bay Centeren.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  After vacancy rates increased and earlier redevelopment ideas were abandoned, local purchasers associated with The Foursome acquired the shopping center for $16 million in December 2004.

1. 1Wayzata Bay Centeren.wikipedia.org