Lakeside Mall redevelopment plans: The Lakeside Mall in Sterling Heights will be closed and then demolished as part of plans to redevelop the site into a $1B mixed-use city center. The mall will close on July 1, according to officials.
The mall will be replaced with Lakeside Town Center, a new bustling complex with shops, restaurants, and offices. Officials say the new development will create a lively atmosphere.
A central park featuring restaurants and outdoor seating will serve as a focal point for the community. It will host gatherings, music, art, and events. A two-story community center anchoring the park will provide recreational amenities such as pools, fitness facilities, and lending libraries.
Sterling Heights Mayor Michael Taylor said the city “eagerly anticipates” implementation of the Lakeside Mall redevelopment plans.
In 2022, the City Council approved a memorandum of understanding with Out of the Box Ventures, the private owners of the Lakeside mall, to redevelop the 110-acre site.
According to Lionheart, the decision to close and demolish Lakeside Mall comes after several years of study, planning and consideration by stakeholders.
“Lakeside Mall’s closure marks the beginning of an exciting transformation,” remarked Allison Greenfield, Principal and Chief Development Officer of Lionheart Capital. “We are committed to collaborating with the City of Sterling Heights to create a vibrant urban center that celebrates the area’s unique character and history.”
“As the City of Sterling Heights continues to reimagine the future of Lakeside Mall. Macomb County remains committed to helping create an environment which will ignite transformational development,” said Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel. “Working together, we ensure that this site will bolster our local economy and be a model for strategic redevelopment.”
The City of Sterling Heights will share project updates with residents and engage them in the transformation process by providing frequent updates across communications platforms.
The developer and a variety of tax incentive plans will support the mall and pay for the infrastructure to create a town center. Officials say they will probably complete the entire process over 10-15 years.
Construction crews will begin building a two-and-a-half-mile bike/hike trail this year. It will connect the Lakeside Town Center development to the Iron Belle Trail, Freedom Trail, and Dodge Park
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After the Lakeside Mall is demolished, what next?
The Town Center will undergo phased construction. Developers will eventually build 2,219 housing units, including 750 units for independent living and assisted living. They will construct about 180,000 square feet of retail, food, and beverage spaces. The plans include a 120-room hotel with an attached parking deck. Developers will also construct approximately 70,000 square feet of office space as part of this multi-use Town Center project.
Officials informed tenants that they must move out by July 1. Tenants are already making plans to vacate in order to facilitate the next phase of the project.
Alfred Taubman built Lakeside Mall in 1976. Developers expanded it in 1990 and last renovated it in 2007. However, Lakeside experienced a trail of tenant departures in recent years as shoppers turned their attention to online retail experiences.
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When will demolition crews demolish Lakeside Mall?
After owners close the mall, it will sit vacant for roughly 18 months. Officials said demolition crews will begin demolishing it in the latter part of 2025.
“The next step of this process will be the actual demolition of the mall and moving forward with construction,” said Sterling Heights City Manager Mark Vanderpool.
After crews clear the demolished remains, they will start work on grid systems for underground sewage systems, roads, and sidewalks, before constructing the physical buildings.
Vanderpool said Lionheart Capital will submit its planned unit development and site plan to the city for review.
The private owner will apply for a transformational brownfield through the state. The brownfield will capture local and state-level taxes that the new development generates over 30 years.
The economic impact of the Lakeside Mall redevelopment project on the region
Sterling Heights officials say although the mall is in a state of decline, the immediate area around Lakeside Mall at M-59 and Schoenherr is thriving. Over the past few years, a number of new restaurants and developments have located there.
City officials anticipate demolishing the Lakeside Mall and replacing it with Lakeside Town Center will eventually add to that vibrancy.
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