Westfield Sunrise
A former two-level regional shopping mall in East Massapequa, New York, operated under the Westfield Sunrise name from 2005 until its reversion to Sunrise Mall in 2020.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Westfield Sunrise was the former Westfield-branded identity of Sunrise Mall, a regional shopping center in East Massapequa, New York. The property opened on August 30, 1973, after being developed by Muss-Tankoos Corporation. At approximately 1.3 million square feet, it was promoted as Long Island's first two-level shopping mall and initially contained about 140 stores, including four department-store anchors: JCPenney, Gertz, Macy's, and E. J. Korvette. Its original tenant mix also included national and regional retailers such as F. W. Woolworth, Fanny Farmer, Herman's, Thom McAn, Lerner Shops, Nathan's, and Sam Goody. The center added an entertainment component in the 1970s when United Artists opened a five-screen cinema in 1976; two additional screens were added in 1979. A major renovation in 1991 modernized the interior and introduced features including a glass elevator and skylights. In 1996, a 4,000-gallon duck pond was converted into a koi pond, which became one of the mall's distinctive interior attractions. The theater closed when its lease expired in 1999 and the space was subsequently reused for retail. The Westfield Group acquired the mall in 2005 for $143 million and renamed it Westfield Sunrise. Under the Westfield identity, the property continued to function as a conventional enclosed regional mall, but it faced the same pressures affecting many mature U.S. shopping centers: department-store retrenchment, tenant turnover, changing consumer behavior, and competition from newer retail formats. Walmart, which had operated at the mall for 12 years, closed in March 2015 and was replaced by Dick's Sporting Goods. JCPenney announced its closure in 2017 after a brief delay to its liquidation timetable, eventually leaving the property that July. A proposed SeaQuest interactive aquarium was announced in 2018 but abandoned in 2019 after a lengthy approval process and opposition from activists. The mall also closed temporarily on March 19, 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic and reopened on July 15. On August 4, 2020, it was announced that the property would return to its original Sunrise Mall name, ending the Westfield Sunrise branding. Urban Edge Properties acquired the center from Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield on January 4, 2021, for $29.7 million. The property's decline accelerated after the rebranding. Sears closed in October 2021, and in February 2022 Urban Edge said it would not renew the leases of the remaining interior tenants while considering redevelopment options. The mall's koi were relocated to local schools and the Long Island Aquarium in 2022. Macy's closed on March 23, 2025, and the final listed anchor, Dick's Sporting Goods, was reported to close on April 4, 2026. The former mall site is therefore associated with an enclosed retail complex that has ceased normal mall operations, while redevelopment discussions continue.
History
Sunrise Mall opened in East Massapequa, New York, on August 30, 1973. Developed by Muss-Tankoos Corporation, the approximately 1.3-million-square-foot center was described as Long Island's first two-level shopping mall. Its original design accommodated roughly 140 stores and four major department-store anchors: JCPenney, Gertz, Macy's, and E. J. Korvette. The opening tenant roster also included F. W. Woolworth, Fanny Farmer, Herman's, Thom McAn, Lerner Shops, Nathan's, and Sam Goody, reflecting the department-store and specialty-retail model common to large American malls of the period. The mall expanded its leisure offering in 1976 when United Artists opened a five-screen cinema. Two more screens were added in 1979. A substantial renovation in 1991 updated the interior and added a glass elevator and skylights. In 1996, an existing 4,000-gallon duck pond was converted into a koi pond, giving the center a distinctive visual feature. The United Artists theater closed at the end of its lease in 1999, and the space was converted to retail uses. The Westfield Group bought the property in 2005 for $143 million and changed its name to Westfield Sunrise. The rebranding placed the center within Westfield's international shopping-center portfolio, but the property remained a local and regional mall rather than a globally recognized destination. During this period, it experienced tenant changes typical of an aging enclosed mall. Walmart closed in 2015 after a 12-year tenancy, with Dick's Sporting Goods taking over the space. JCPenney announced its exit in 2017. Although liquidation was initially scheduled to begin in April, the retailer delayed the process after seeing increased shopper traffic; the store finally shut on July 31. The mall also pursued a proposed interactive aquarium. SeaQuest announced plans in October 2018, but withdrew in May 2019, citing the length of the approval process and resistance from activists. The episode illustrated the difficulty of introducing new attractions into an established suburban retail property. The COVID-19 pandemic forced the mall to close on March 19, 2020. It reopened on July 15, but the Westfield identity did not last. In August 2020, the property announced that it would again be called Sunrise Mall. Urban Edge Properties acquired the center from Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield on January 4, 2021, for $29.7 million. The transaction marked the end of Westfield's ownership association with the property and placed the center under a different redevelopment-oriented owner. Sears closed in October 2021. In February 2022, Urban Edge stated that it would not renew leases for the remaining interior tenants and was assessing redevelopment alternatives. The mall's approximately 50 koi were moved to local schools and the Long Island Aquarium later that year. Macy's, one of the last major department-store anchors, closed on March 23, 2025. Dick's Sporting Goods was reported to close on April 4, 2026, leaving the former enclosed mall vacant. Redevelopment discussions continue, but the available reference material does not establish a final redevelopment plan.
- 2026
Final reported anchor closure
[1]Dick's Sporting Goods was reported to close on April 4, leaving the former mall completely vacant.
- 2025
Macy's closes
[1]Macy's closed its anchor store on March 23.
- 2022
Interior tenant wind-down begins
[1]Urban Edge announced that remaining interior leases would not be renewed while redevelopment options were studied.
- 2021
Urban Edge acquisition
[1]Urban Edge Properties acquired the property from Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield.
- 2020
Pandemic closure and name reversal
[1]The mall closed during the COVID-19 pandemic, reopened in July, and announced a return to the Sunrise Mall name in August.
- 2017
JCPenney exits
[1]JCPenney completed the closure of its Sunrise Mall store on July 31.
- 2015
Walmart replacement
[1]Walmart closed after 12 years and its space was replaced by Dick's Sporting Goods.
- 2005
Westfield acquisition and rebranding
[1]The Westfield Group acquired the mall and renamed it Westfield Sunrise.
- 1999
Mall cinema closes
[1]The United Artists theater closed when its lease ended, and the space was reused for stores.
- 1996
Koi pond installed
[1]A 4,000-gallon duck pond was converted into an interior koi pond.
Products and positioning
A large suburban regional shopping mall serving Massapequa and surrounding Long Island communities; during its Westfield period, it was positioned as a branded enclosed retail and lifestyle destination.
Retail property · 1973
Enclosed regional shopping mall
The core offering was a large enclosed shopping environment containing approximately 140 individual retail units and multiple department-store anchors. The property served consumers in Massapequa and nearby Long Island communities through a mix of department stores, specialty shops, food outlets, and services.
Entertainment · 1976
United Artists cinema
A United Artists movie theater opened in 1976 with five screens and expanded to seven in 1979. It operated as an entertainment component of the mall until closing at the end of its lease in 1999.
Customer amenity · 1996
Interior koi pond
The mall maintained a 4,000-gallon interior water feature. Originally a duck pond, it was converted into a koi pond in 1996 and remained a recognizable public amenity until the fish were relocated in 2022.
Brand decisions
2022
Interior tenant lease wind-downStrategyBackground
The property faced declining occupancy and the loss of major department-store anchors.
Action taken
Urban Edge announced that it would not renew leases for the remaining interior tenants while considering redevelopment options.
Aftermath
The enclosed mall's retail operations continued to contract, and its koi were relocated to local schools and the Long Island Aquarium.
2021
Sale to Urban Edge PropertiesM&ABackground
Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield sold the property after the Westfield branding had been discontinued.
Action taken
Urban Edge Properties acquired Sunrise Mall on January 4.
Aftermath
Ownership moved away from the Westfield group, and the new owner subsequently evaluated redevelopment and reduced interior retail operations.
Acquisition price. $29.7 million (January 4, 2021)
2020
Return to Sunrise Mall brandingStrategyBackground
Following the pandemic closure and changes in the property's ownership structure, the mall announced that it would no longer use the Westfield name.
Action taken
The property resumed its original Sunrise Mall name.
Aftermath
The Westfield Sunrise brand ceased to be the property's operating name.
2005
Acquisition and Westfield rebrandingM&ABackground
The Westfield Group acquired the established Sunrise Mall as part of its shopping-center portfolio.
Action taken
The property was purchased and renamed Westfield Sunrise.
Aftermath
The mall operated under the Westfield name until the property later reverted to Sunrise Mall branding.
Acquisition price. $143 million (2005)
Sources1 sources
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