Hartford Business Journal

HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | APRIL 1, 2024 13 by the fulfillment of a task as a neces- sity," Goman said. Some malls have pivoted by offering entertainment and experien- tial concepts aimed at appealing to younger people, who Goman says are "less interested in shopping for material goods and more interested in experiences." For example, a Japanese-based arcade chain recently opened a 60,000-square-foot entertainment venue at the Danbury Fair Mall that features bowling, a large selection of games, karaoke and billiards. Danbury mall's owner, Califor- nia-based real estate investment firm Macerich, has considered other new uses at the property, including converting the 75,000-square-foot former Lord & Taylor anchor store space into 144 apartments. At the Stamford Town Center Mall, a 28-court pickleball complex, known as Pickleball America, opened last summer to much excitement. It's situated in a former Saks OFF 5th department store, which closed in 2021. Goman said he believes there is only room for one regional mall in Greater Hartford — and customers have already decided their prefer- ence is Westfarms. He said Westfarms is maintaining customer traffic volumes at reason- able levels, partly due to its ideal market location — it straddles the West Hartford-Farmington line — and the quality of its anchor stores. Recently, Jordan's Furniture opened a 120,000-square-foot show- room, entertainment and restaurant space inside the former Lord & Taylor store at Westfarms. "The vast majority of malls, and I put Buckland Hills into that category, are pretty routine," Goman said. Other malls in the region are struggling, too. The Enfield Square mall lost both anchor tenants, Sears and Macy's, before being sold at auction to a New York investor in 2018 for $11.4 million. Just over a decade earlier, the mall traded hands for $82 million. In recent years, the Enfield mall has been plagued by vacancies and lack of investment, but it could soon have a new owner that has plans to redevelop the property with retail and other uses. Similarly, the Meriden Mall has been considering filling its abundance of vacant space with pickleball courts and an ambulatory healthcare center. Dick's Sporting Goods recently announced it would be closing its Meriden Mall location in late April. Bright, but different future? The hope for Buckland Hills' future lies in its location. In addition to its proximity to major highways, it's surrounded by hotels and restau- rants, which keep the area busy, said Gary Anderson, Manchester's economic development director. Anderson said he doesn't see the Shoppes at Buckland Hills disappearing any time soon. "We know the market is changing," Anderson said. "We've put in place a lot of flex- ible zoning here in Manchester to try to be ready for that. Whenever we get the ball, we're ready to try something different and ready to go wherever the market is taking us." He said the property would be ideal for housing, as it offers a beautiful view of the region. Also, the town is looking at inno- vative approaches to spur economic development through its recent Manchester Next study. It includes a conceptual plan for the Shoppes at Buckland Hills area that contemplates a variety of uses, including storefronts attached to the mall, a track-and- field facility, new parking structures lined with multifamily dwellings and mixed-use buildings, small plazas and market stands, shared-use paths and even an orchard. Anderson emphasized that the study simply identified ideas for possible uses, without making any recommendations or specific proposals. Goman said Buckland Hills needs to emerge from foreclosure before large-scale changes can occur. "It's a great location for potential multifamily residential," Goman said. "So, its got a bright future. It's just going to be different." The Shoppes at Buckland Hills mall, as of March, had an occupancy rate of 83.4%, according to Spinoso Real Estate Group. PHOTO | COSTAR Here's A Glimpse of Our Bank Portfolio... Building banks is a specialty of ours. Over the years, PDS has had the great privilege of working closely and often with some of the area's most respected banks, including TD Bank and Webster Bank. These projects have ranged from new construction to general renovation, including several new free standing buildings, one of which incorporated the latest TD Bank design with LEED Platinum credentials. In addition, we have completed fast track interior fi t-outs with all new fi nishes specifi c to our client's design needs. With in-house disciplines of engineering from civil to mechanical, PDS can design the right building to fi t your budget and timeline. SPOTLIGHT ON: COMMERICAL 107 Old Windsor Road, Bloomfi eld, CT 06002 | 860.242.8586 | pdsec.com THINK • PLAN • BUILD 4,000 SF | Wallingford, CT 4,000 SF | Norwalk, CT Various Interior Renovations PDS Engineering & Construction recently completed a new 20,000 square foot two-story building for Young Pharmaceuticals in Wethersfield, CT. Drawing inspiration from the iconic Filoli Estate in Woodside, California, the building stands out with its custom keystones, Sir Christopher Wren-style clock tower and the finishing touch of Spanish roof tiles. Overcoming supply chain hurdles, PDS's hands-on approach ensured that all materials were procured on time to meet the tight schedule. Inside, you'll find a welcoming President's office adorned with hand carved wood paneling from an 18th century English manor, striking arched windows and much more. This blend of contemporary and historic design, coupled with energy-efficient features, creates an unforgettable experience for everyone who steps inside. 107 Old Windsor Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002 | 860.242.8586 | pdsec.com Young Companies in Wethersfield, CT Here's A Glimpse of Our Bank Portfolio... Building banks is a specialty of ours. Over the years, PDS has had the great privilege of working closely and often with some of the area's most respected banks, including TD Bank and Webster Bank. These projects have ranged from new construction to general renovation, including several new free standing buildings, one of which incorporated the latest TD Bank design with LEED Platinum credentials. In addition, we have completed fast track interior fi t-outs with all new fi nishes specifi c to our client's design needs. With in-house disciplines of engineering from civil to mechanical, PDS can design the right building to fi t your budget and timeline. SPOTLIGHT ON: COMMERICAL 107 Old Windsor Road, Bloomfi eld, CT 06002 | 860.242.8586 | pdsec.com THINK • PLAN • BUILD 4,000 SF | Wallingford, CT 4,000 SF | Norwalk, CT Various Interior Renovations CONSTRUCTING EXCELLENCE Gary Anderson

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