When was briarwood mall built

They were asking a lot of questions about different uses that might be permitted and might not be permitted. Simon Property Group officials declined to be interviewed for this story. But some of the ideas, according to Lenart, included adding more residential spaces, offices, hotels and even hosting outdoor sales in the parking areas, which required rezoning a segment to allow for commercial sales. Consumer tastes evolve, constantly. You can go to a tailor. Shoppers like Ann Arbor resident Shantell McCoy, 46 -- who stopped to shop at Briarwood on Thursday -- say they continue to come to the mall despite the pandemic.

She said she could hire someone to come pick up the items she buys, but would rather do it in person. McCoy hopes the mall stays healthy despite the recent closures. Changing scope. Hauptman has also been in discussions with Simon about possibilities of changing the scope of the shopping center.

It came down to providing convenient options for customers to take advantage of retail, services and entertainment, he said. Simon Property Group began in , but is an older company. This original company was formed in as a shopping center developer in Indiana. Simon now has properties they own or have a partial interest in.

These properties total million square feet, with more than 5, people working for the company worldwide. In the United States they have malls in 41 out of 50 of the states. As one of the largest mall operators Simon has many signatures that define their malls like Briarwood. During the first decade of the mall Hudson and Lord and Taylor were part of the anchors. These two anchors closed in the 90's.

Taubman Centers had to sell their portion of the mall to GM Pension Trusts, who then allowed Simon to purchase a portion in Briarwood Mall has a movie theater dating back to However, the theater is no longer seven screens, but 4. Guess I'm glad no one called us out on that!

Well, there was that giant recession in which the real estate bubble imploded a few years ago. I remember watching a giant helicopter carry the air conditioning units and carefully set them down on the roofs. I actually haven't been there to shop but once in the last five years. I too remember when it was built. It was out in the middle of nowhere and seemed like it took forever to get there.

Of course i remember Arborland being built, it too was in the middle of a corn field. I really like Briarwood although a good sprucing up would be fine. Its easy to get to from Canton or other areas, unlike 12 Oaks. Novi is a driving pit. I love the Apple store and the comfy couches in which to chill between stores. If they keep these two I am quite happy. The flow through the center court area needs to be drastically improved. Having to go up and around if cutting from JCPenney to Sears is a bit of a pain.

The lighting and flooring are an obvious place to upgrade. On rainy days some of the corridors are dark and dreary, and not inviting at all. The mall as a whole needs an update to fit the image of Ann Arbor. The ring road around the mall is in deplorable condition.

I hope that gets fixed first. Well, taking it out the the 70s will be a start. Maybe the renovation will attract some attractive food choices. And I miss the theatres there. Stopped shopping there years ago and this won't make a difference to me.

But the place is a dump and sorely in need of renovations. I would love to see more child-oriented things at the mall. The clothing stores and shoe store is nice, but what about toy stores? Also, I was just there yesterday and was sad to see Game Stop was no longer in business. It seems like the only things that Briarwood has is shoe stores, cell phones and ladies clothing.

Add some variety! My comment was for djacks, and not intended to denigrate fjord's well-played use of a Berra-ism. That's a famous phrase attributed to Yogi Berra. He used it to decline an invitation to Toots Shor's restaurant. The irony in that statement. How can it be too crowded if nobody goes there? Good to hear. I love Briarwood. I do wish they would add Club Monaco and more upscale clothing stores for men. Actually, they have replaced the tiles once.

The original tile was brown. They changed to the white not that long ago; back when they replaced the fountain. They could add another level to the mall The current system of crowded walkways, stairs, ramps, and haphazzard kiosks is pretty vulgar For awhile there it was looking like a 3rd-rate flea-market, all shoddy booths, fly-by-night gimmicks, and pushy salesman peddling junk. The mall I grew up closest to in MA added a second floor and lengthened.

It was a huge remodel and pretty awkward shopping for a bit. But it really has flourished since then! Granted it would be a massive project to convert the existing mall into that format, but the design of it seems much more fitting to the Ann Arbor area and better compete with the nearest major mall, Twelve Oaks.

Anyone agree or disagree? I have to agree, I love this format of mall 3rd St. I have been to Partridge Creek, in June when the weather was great. Hey DonBee- The Fountain Walk design was much different from that of Partridge Creek, essentially they were trying to create some weird downtown setting you could both drive and walk through. It seems pretty obvious the era of big box retailers is nearing an end and as a result that whole development was doomed due to the fact it relied so heavily on that type of retailer vs the smaller 'normal' mall stores found at Twelve Oaks.

The type of mall I'm referencing is essentially a mall like Briarwood in its mix of smaller stores but with no roof over the walkway. A smaller version of this concept was proposed for a parcel of land in I and Michigan Ave in Canton a while back but was ultimately shot down which was probably great news for Briarwood as it would have most likely lost a signifiant chunk of its current customers to that new center.

Back to the indoor v outdoor debate it appears it is just one of those personal preference debates. Kyle - Go up to the 12 Oaks area Fountain Walk and see how that lifestyle mall fared. Most are doing poorly because they become 6 month shopping areas here. Many people don't like to be outside on sidewalks when it is below freezing and they have both hands full of shopping bags.

Most of the stores that did not have their own parking are closed and you see people park - go into a store - come out - get in the car - move yards and repeat. Kyle, I love Partridge Creek!

It's so fun to bring my dog shopping with me and I love all the activities such as bocce ball, fountains for the kids to play in, live music, and fire pits in the winter. My parents live near by so whenever I visit them I do my shopping at PC. From a shoppers perspective, I actually enjoy the outdoor environment vs the isolated mall experience. Granted I understand the bitter cold and precipitation can be an inconvenience for those just looking to wander through the mall and window shop all day, but if I'm going to the mall to visit a couple stores to buy something having to wear my coat isn't going to stop me from going.

If I wanted to live in a perfect climate control bubble I'd move to SoCal, but alas we live in Michigan and surviving the few months of winter just comes with northern life. Kyle - have you done any research into the sales per square foot Partridge Creek, or Eastwood up in north Lansing are vs. Do you really want to walk around outside in the rain and snow?

I think it's a great article. It is ridiculous to suggest that the County's biggest taxpayer will be undergoing a major renovation with more details to come is not a news worthy item for Ann Arbor. There should also be a food court with the traditional fast food places for those with a need for a quicker stop while shopping.

Get rid of the carnival hawkers that accost customers strolling through the mall. Would be nice if they added a fountain of youth too! I'm not a big fan of Malls, but I will say Briarwood is sorely outdated and boring compared to some Malls I've been in.

I really hope this renovation includes updating the food court area and kids play areas. And please please please reduce the number of Kiosks. Nothing more off-putting than the constant harassment by those kiosk employees! I'd be happy if they got rid of the kiosks. It makes the mall feel very dumpy, especially when you compare it to Somerset and other first-class malls. Don't get sucked in to the samples Let me show you something Or the phony compliments How do you get it so straight?

I am forced to walk by as fast as I can and not make eye contact I feel like I'm hiding. Agreed - Somerset is lovely with interesting fountains and great stores.

Oh yes, the kiosks have got to go. They are taking up valuable walking space for customers. I'd sign that petition too.

If I wanted an iPhone case with rhinestones on it, I'm sure I can acquire one at any of the many dollar stores that pepper the area. I also love the shirt vendor that makes me glad I don't have kids who can read. We wish we had a jet A2c or better yet a helicopter, but unfortunately this trip was limited to a 's era Cessna. I don't think you would get too many usable aerial photos from a jet Let's do a story on that! Yes, Melanie Maxwell shot several new aerials on a recent assignment.

Thanks for noticing! Yes, our ace photographer Melanie Maxwell took a series of aerial photos for us recently! Yes Tex, Melanie and I took a flight a couple week ago to take some photos and video footage. It was interesting to see the city from that perspective. We plan on doing similar trips in the future let use know if there are any other landmarks we should be sure to capture from a bird's eye perspective. Maybe they'll fix the parking lot.

On the other hand, I have to agree with Mady somewhat. This is an announcement announcing that there will be an announcement on March 5. On the other hand, if they hadn't reported it as both the Detroit News and Free Press did you'd complain that they didn't let us know.

Tex, We tried to get more information from Briarwood but they are keeping plans very close to the vest until March 5. We felt that it was important for the community to know that something big was coming. I hope the renovations include a traditional food court with affordable meal options that are not just pretzels and fro-yo, a discount theater, and an updated play area. Please make the mall a family destination. I would spend more time there if I could get affordable food instead of having to go in to a restaurant or eating snacks.

We go to one or two stores but when we get hungry we leave. I agree. Sometimes I have to take care of some business, like getting glasses, and I'm hungry. I just want to spend a couple bucks and get some fries or a hotdog.

Not the most nutritious thing going but something fast and simple. Or even a little shop to buy a yogurt or a baguette or whatever. If they had a traditional food court in place many of the chains would flock. There is no place for the traditional mall food places to set up shop. Sticking a restaurant in the middle of one of the wings wouldn't do nearly the business that it would paired up with other places. The food courts are successful because they off varieties for people in your party at an affordable cost.

Plus they are great for the mall employees. Briarwood may not decide which retailers lease space in the mall, but the fact remains If they would put one in, as obviouscomment suggests, it would probably fill up with vendors who are looking for that type of smaller and less expensive spaces.

Perhaps some of the vendors who set up in Mark's Carts downtown? Really Chipotle is the only real quick meal option besides that.

Ok so Briarwood does not decide, but why can't they reach out to some places they don't have that their customers may enjoy Maybe those other restaurants aren't there because they do not have a food court for them. All the other places you mentioned are, as I stated before, mostly for snacks, and ok, drinks.

Am I the only person that has ever been to malls with food courts? I love the convenience of having all the choices in a central location for everybody to choose what they like. That's all I'm saying people.

And we do eat at the restaurants outside the mall, but I'm not talking about restaurants outside the mall. It is hurting mall business when I have to leave to get food because I'm not going back after. And designing space for a food court IS about changing common areas.

If they make the space available then maybe these vendors will come. Wow I didn't realize this comment would hit a nerve with so many people.

Obvious, Briarwood does NOT decide what retailers are int he mall. If you hit the outer ring on mall property there is also Red Robin, a sit down Mexican place and a fine dining restaurant in the Kensington Hotel. It sounds to me like you have an unrealistic expectation that because YOU want it, the entire world will jump to give it to you.

Remodeling a mall is NOT about the vendors, it is changing the common areas. I have walked the entire mall and it seems they have gotten rid of all the traditional mall restaurants that we like.

We love California Pizza Kitchen but it is not always ideal to sit down for an hour meal. And we do like the pretzels and froyo but whatever happened to the traditional mall food courts with Sbarro, Chinese, and other misc fast food joints available for a quick and easy meal?

I know other malls have them and actually Briarwood is the first and only mall I've ever been to that doesn't. So California Pizza Kitchen is your kind of thing eh Obvious? I say bring back Hot Sam's! Just get your brats a pretzel and some froyo to go! I remember when they added the play area during a renovation about 10 years ago.

It was fun for a while, but my kids very quickly outgrew it. And on busy days, it was small enough that it got very crazy very quickly! It's funny how difficult it can be to realize what food options are there. My daughter loves to go there with her friends and eat at a Japanese restaurant. I don't even know where it is in the shopping center.

We don't consider it a slow news day when we find out the city's largest taxpayer is announcing what they call a 'major renovation' with 2 weeks notice. I'm not going to speculate, but it does sound like a significant investment. I'm also curious about what kinds of changes beyond cosmetic ones could be in the works.

The mall has a lot of parking spaces that aren't fully utilized for more than just a handful of days per year. Paula, Briarwood Mall doesn't have one single thing that I can't buy somewhere else at a much better price. In addition, the management took away my last reason to go there when they closed down the dollar movies and put in yet another sporting goods store. I stand by every word I've said.