Historic Shopping Mall Set for Demolition: Countdown Begins

The landscape of American shopping centers continues to evolve, with a cherished Texas mall facing demolition, reflecting a broader trend. The Shops at Willow Bend, a staple in Plano since its opening in 2001, is nearing the end of its era. The mall, once a bustling hub for local shoppers, is slated for demolition in the coming year due to a series of closures among its anchor stores.

In 2021, the expansive 1.4 million square foot property, spread over 90 acres, was acquired by Centennial and Cawley Partners. Their vision for this prime piece of real estate involves a grand redevelopment plan that could transform the area.

As rumors circulate, speculation has emerged that the site might serve as a new home for the National Hockey League’s Dallas Stars, igniting excitement among sports fans. Yet, this is just one of several possibilities being considered for the site’s future.

Other potential developments include creating an entertainment complex, constructing hotels, and developing residential and office spaces, all of which could invigorate the area with a fresh purpose and vitality.

Other possibilities include an entertainment complex, hotels, residential properties and offices. 

‘Everybody is having this big debate if the Stars are coming or if they’re not. Whether the Stars come or not, this is going to be a fabulous redevelopment,’ Cawley Partners CEO Bill Cawley told the Dallas Morning News. 

‘We are giddy to redevelop the site. This is going to be the best mixed-use site available in North Texas.’ 

But the tentative plans have sparked fury among locals who say a massive entertainment complex is ‘incompatible’ with their area.

The Shops at Willow Bend in Plano, Texas are set to be destroyed in the next year

The mall, pictured in 2013, was opened in 2001 and enjoyed popularity during its heyday

There have been rumors that the property will be the new home to the Dallas Stars hockey team

Julia Horne, who built a house nearby, said it would be a ‘disaster’ for her neighborhood if the city chose to bring in the Stars. 

‘I’m worried about not only our investment value, but also just quality of life,’ she said. ‘Our quality of life could just be ruined by this.’ 

Others have brought up concerns about traffic and parking since Plano has no widely available public transit. 

Construction on the highly anticipated project could take years, leading to heavy noise pollution and eyesores. 

‘Please don’t bring more traffic into our beautiful city,’ said one resident on Reddit.  

‘That’s close to some really nice neighborhoods. I bet they get a lot of pushback over noise and traffic issues,’ another added.

‘There’s no public transportation plan if the Stars play there,’ a third chimed in. 

Centennial CEO Steven Levin is one of the owners of the mall, purchased in 2021

Cawley Partners CEO Bill Cawley said theories that the Dallas Stars will take over the space would not impede on his plans for reconstruction

Though city officials have cited ‘earnest conversations’ with the Stars about a potential move, the organization itself has not publicly announced its next steps one way or another. 

Some say a move to Plano, while exciting for the city, could be a ‘black eye for Dallas.’

The Stars have been playing in Dallas for more than 30 years since moving from Minnesota in 1993. 

The hockey team’s contract with American Airlines Center will expire in 2031, leaving fans wondering what their next location could be. 

Cawley and Levin have not disclosed whether an arena may be part of their redevelopment plans for The Bend, the name of the ambiguous project which was approved by the Plano City Council last year.

Other potential uses could see the introduction of an 800,000 square foot restaurant and entertainment space or more than 900 residential units, hotels and office buildings.

A spokesperson for Centennial told the Daily Mail that demolition was always part of its redevelopment strategy. 

Select garages, restaurants and shops will remain operational throughout the property’s upheaval.

The shopping mall opened in 2001 and has experienced a slew of closures since the pandemic

‘Retail and residential are going to lead the day. We could be building residential today,’ Levin said. 

‘The demand is there for it, but we need to demolish the mall, so we are doing this the best way.

‘The only thing that does not work well on the site is the mall that’s sitting on it.’ 

Plans for Willow Bend have pivoted multiple times after Macy’s, Neiman Marcus and Dillard’s shuttered their doors in the past two years. 

The mall originally opened in August 2001, but the space has never been able to reach its full potential. 

It mirrors a pattern across the country as scores of once-thriving retail spaces suffer a post-pandemic death to in-person shopping. 

The mall mirrors the pattern of many other shopping centers across the US

The mall is one of many that have gone downhill since the pandemic. It is pictured in 2020

In New Jersey, the near-vacant Raritan Mall is on the brink of being closed and transformed into a five-story apartment complex.

While in California, the iconic San Francisco Centre finally shut its doors in January after years of decline. 

Malls across the country have been transformed into warehouses and government offices.

Whether it’s a new arena or a slew of apartments, experts like realtor Steve Triolet agree that something needs to change in Plano.

‘They need to do something else with the site, because it’s obviously not working as it currently is,’ he said.

The Daily Mail contacted the Cawley Group, the Stars and the Shops at Willow Bend for comment.