Phoenix is a city that loves to reinvent itself, but nothing quite hits the nostalgia button like Metrocenter Mall Phoenix Arizona. If you grew up in the Valley during the 70s, 80s, or 90s, this wasn’t just a place to buy shoes. It was the absolute center of the universe. Honestly, it's hard to explain to people who weren't there how a massive slab of concrete in the middle of a desert heatwave became a cultural landmark. It was the first mall in the state with two levels. It had an ice rink. It was even the backdrop for Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure.
But then, it died.
The decline of Metrocenter wasn't some overnight tragedy. It was a slow, painful grind that mirrored the struggles of indoor malls across the United States. You've probably seen the "dead mall" photos—eerie shots of empty fountains and boarded-up storefronts. They’re haunting. Yet, the story of this specific Phoenix icon isn’t actually over. We're currently watching one of the most ambitious urban redevelopment projects in Arizona history take place on that very soil.
The Glory Days of 1973 and the Bill & Ted Factor
When Metrocenter opened in 1973, it was a beast. Developed by Westcor, it sat on a massive 312-acre site near I-17 and Dunlap Avenue. At the time, it was one of the largest shopping centers in the entire country. Imagine five major department stores—Sears, Rhodes, Diamond’s, Goldwater’s, and Levy’s—all anchored in one spot. It was basically the retail equivalent of an Avengers lineup.
People traveled from all over the state just to walk the corridors. It had this futuristic, slightly space-age vibe that defined the era. And the ice rink? It was located right in the middle of the food court. You could literally eat a slice of pizza while watching teenagers fall over on the ice two stories below. It was peak 1980s.
Then came 1989. The movie Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure hit theaters, and suddenly, Metrocenter was immortalized. The scenes where the historical figures go on a rampage through a mall? That was filmed right here. When Genghis Khan is smashing things or Joan of Arc is leading an aerobics class, that’s the spirit of Metrocenter captured on film. It gave the mall a sort of "cool factor" that lasted for years, even as the neighborhood around it started to shift.
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Why the Concrete Kingdom Eventually Crumbled
Why did it close? People ask that a lot, looking for a single smoking gun. There wasn't one. It was a "death by a thousand cuts" situation.
First, the competition got fierce. When Scottsdale Fashion Square and Arrowhead Towne Center leveled up, they started siphoning off the higher-end shoppers. Metrocenter began to feel a bit... dated. By the late 90s and early 2000s, the demographics of North Phoenix were changing, and the mall struggled to keep its identity.
Retailers started fleeing. One by one, those massive anchors—the ones that brought in the foot traffic—pulled the plug. Once Sears and Macy's left, the writing was on the wall. The interior stores, the little mom-and-pop shops and kiosks, couldn't survive on their own. By the time the mall officially closed its doors in June 2020, it was a ghost town. The pandemic was just the final nail in a coffin that had been under construction for a decade.
There's also the "cruising" aspect. For years, the area around Metrocenter was famous (or infamous) for car culture. Thousands of people would bring their cars to cruise the loops. It was a vibe, sure, but it also led to security concerns and traffic nightmares that eventually pushed regular shoppers away. It's a weird paradox: the thing that made the mall a local hang-out also contributed to its reputation as a "rough" area toward the end.
The $950 Million Rebirth: What's Actually Happening Now
Forget the "dead mall" narrative for a second. Metrocenter Mall Phoenix Arizona is currently undergoing a massive $950 million transformation. This isn't just a face-lift; it's a total demolition and resurrection.
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The City of Phoenix, in partnership with developers like Concord Wilshire Capital and Hines, is turning the site into a "village." Think of it as a city within a city. We're talking about roughly 2,600 multi-family housing units, 150,000 square feet of commercial space, and a ton of public parks.
The most important piece of the puzzle? The Light Rail.
The Northwest Extension Phase II of the Valley Metro Light Rail literally terminates at a multi-modal station on the Metrocenter site. This is a game-changer. It connects the former mall site directly to Downtown Phoenix, Tempe, and Mesa. By integrating transit with housing and retail, the developers are betting that people will want to live in a place where they don't necessarily need a car for every single errand.
What stays and what goes?
- The Rose Mofford Sports Complex: This stays nearby and remains a huge draw for local families.
- The Landmark Sign: There has been a lot of talk about saving the iconic Metrocenter pylon sign. It’s a piece of Phoenix history, and developers have expressed interest in keeping that mid-century aesthetic alive in some form.
- The Shops: Don't expect a traditional mall. Expect "walkable retail." Think boutiques, breweries, and outdoor dining rather than a giant enclosed building with a Cinnabon in the middle.
Addressing the "Luxury" Elephant in the Room
One thing that worries locals is whether this new development will be affordable. Phoenix has seen a massive spike in housing costs over the last few years. While the new Metrocenter plan includes thousands of units, critics wonder if it will just be another "luxury" apartment complex that the average Phoenician can't afford.
The developers have countered this by pointing out the sheer density of the project. By building thousands of units in a concentrated area, the goal is to increase the housing supply enough to keep prices somewhat competitive. Plus, the proximity to the light rail makes it an ideal spot for workers who want to save money on commuting.
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It's a bold plan. Honestly, it has to be. You can't just put another retail-only center in that spot and expect it to work in the age of Amazon. It needs people living there, 24/7, to sustain the businesses.
Navigating the Site Today: A Reality Check
If you drive by the site today, don't expect to see much of the old mall. The demolition phase has been extensive. Most of the main structure is gone, or in the process of being leveled. It's a dusty, noisy construction zone.
Is it safe? The area has had its ups and downs. However, the sheer amount of investment being poured into this square mile is staggering. When you have nearly a billion dollars on the line, security and infrastructure become top priorities. The Phoenix Police Department and city planners are working closely with the developers to ensure the new "Metrocenter District" doesn't fall into the same traps the old mall did toward the end.
If you’re a photographer or an urban explorer, the time for "dead mall" tours is over. The site is a high-activity construction area now. You're better off looking at the archives or waiting for the grand opening of the first phase of the new apartments.
Actionable Steps for Phoenix Residents and Investors
If you're looking to get involved or just want to keep tabs on the progress, here is what you should actually do:
- Monitor the Valley Metro Light Rail Schedule: The extension to Metrocenter is already a reality. If you work downtown, look at the transit maps now to see how your commute might change once the housing units open.
- Watch the Zoning Meetings: If you live in North Phoenix, stay active in the Alhambra Village Planning Committee meetings. This is where the nitty-gritty details about park space, traffic lights, and building heights are decided.
- Investment Potential: The "Path of Progress" is real. The neighborhoods surrounding Metrocenter—specifically those north of Dunlap and west of I-17—are seeing a slow but steady increase in property values because of this project. It’s a "buy and hold" zone for long-term real estate interest.
- Support Local Heritage: Keep an eye on the Phoenix Museum of History or local "Old Phoenix" groups. They often hold events or fundraisers specifically aimed at preserving the physical artifacts from the mall, like the original signage or architectural drawings.
The era of the indoor mega-mall is largely over, but the land itself remains valuable. Metrocenter is the ultimate test case for whether Phoenix can turn a sprawling, car-centric relic into a modern, walkable urban hub. It's a huge gamble, but given the city's growth, it's one that might just pay off.