Destiny USA

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Destiny USA
File:Destiny USA logo.png
Destiny USA.png
Destiny USA in 2013
Map
LocationSyracuse, New York, U.S.
Coordinates43°04′15″N 76°10′13″W / 43.0709°N 76.1703°W / 43.0709; -76.1703Coordinates: 43°04′15″N 76°10′13″W / 43.0709°N 76.1703°W / 43.0709; -76.1703
Address9090 Destiny USA Dr, Syracuse, NY 13204
Opening dateOctober 15, 1990; 32 years ago (1990-10-15)
DeveloperThe Pyramid Companies
OwnerThe Pyramid Companies
No. of stores and services231
No. of anchor tenants15
Total retail floor area2,400,000 sq ft (220,000 m2)
No. of floors6 (4 retail)
Parking5,500
Websitewww.destinyusa.com

Destiny USA (stylized as destiny usa and also known by its former name Carousel Center) is a six-story, automobile-oriented super-regional shopping, dining, and entertainment complex on the shore of Onondaga Lake in the city of Syracuse, New York. It is the largest shopping mall in the New York and the 6th largest in the country. In 2021, Destiny USA was included among the top 20 most visited shopping centers in America, attracting over 26 million visitors a year.[1] The mall currently features Macy's, At Home, Dick's Sporting Goods, Burlington Coat Factory, Forever 21, DSW, Old Navy, Nordstrom Rack, and TJ Maxx.

Destiny USA opened on October 15, 1990 as the Carousel Center mall.[2] The mall has six above-ground floors and one underground floor. The lower three floors and the underground floor are used for retail shops. The first and second floors span the length of the mall and house the various shops, vendors, restaurants, and entertainment venues, with the major food court and namesake carousel located on the second floor. The third floor includes a 19-screen Regal Cinemas, restaurants, and entertainment options. The fourth floor is primarily administrative offices. The underground floor, known as the Commons floor, houses medium-sized stores, a chapel, kiosks, and two underground parking garages.[3] The Commons floor does not span the full length of the mall and is in only the original mall structure built in 1990.

Destiny USA has outside parking surrounding the mall on nearly all sides. On the Hiawatha Boulevard side, additional parking lots are located across the street from the mall and a pedestrian bridge was built to connect the parking lot to the second floor of the 2012 addition. Parking includes one above-ground and two underground parking garages. The mall is served by CENTRO buses.[4] There are main entrances on nearly all sides of the mall. Other entrances are located through the anchor stores and from the underground parking lots.

History

Destiny USA in its Carousel Center form, before expansion

Background and Construction

The site of Destiny USA was originally a landfill named Marley Scrap Yard, surrounded by several square blocks of oil tanks, collectively named "Oil City".[5][6] South of these oil tanks sat the Franklin Square industrial neighborhood. In 1987, The Pyramid Companies studied redevelopment of the neighborhood. In July 1987, The Pyramid Companies announced plans for a 1,000,000 sq ft (93,000 m2) shopping center at the scrap yard site.[7] The plan caused controversy with other local shopping centers and malls. The Galleries of Syracuse, a smaller mall (now offices) had recently finished construction in Downtown Syracuse and there was concern that the mall at Oil City would put an end to downtown retail.[8]

Two of the biggest opponents to the project were the competing mall developers in the area, Wilmorite Corp. and Eagan Real Estate Inc, which both operated several malls in Syracuse's suburbs. Wilmorite, which was building the Great Northern Mall in the nearby town of Clay, was accused by the Syracuse city government of using associates in Connecticut to form the "Citizen's League for an Environmentally Acceptable Northeast," which lobbied against construction of the Carousel Center mall at Oil City.[9] Eagan meanwhile filed criticism of the mall, claiming that a 25-percent drop in downtown retail sales would occur if the mall were built.[10] It proposed an additional downtown mall with a "Walt Disney-like attraction."[11]

During construction the mall faced several delays, primarily around environmental cleanup, as the site is a brownfield cleanup site.[12] The mall opened on October 15, 1990, as Carousel Center,[2] named for the 1908 Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters (PTC) carousel, PTC #18 operating within the mall.

1990s

When it opened, Carousel Center featured a range of upscale and popular chains. Anchors included Bonwit Teller, Kaufmann's, Chappell's, Steinbach, JCPenney, Lechmere, and Hills. A basement "Commons" area featured covered parking and additional junior anchors, including The Rx Place[13] and Filene's Basement.[14]

Another unique feature of the mall was the Skydeck, which was on the top levels of the central tower. This offered an events space that would be used for fundraisers, proms, fashion shows, and many public and private uses.[5]

In 1990, The Pyramid Companies began clearing oil tanks south of the mall for a strip center called Carousel Landing, which would feature 650,000 square feet of additional retail.[15]

In 1992, Chappell's became The Bon Ton because of a merger with the parent company.

An additional anchor space was built for Lord & Taylor in 1994.[5][16]

By 1995, Carousel Landing was still not built because of potential environmental impact.[17] By 1996, The Pyramid Companies finally got approval to condemn the oil tanks.[18]

In 1996, Steinbach was replaced with Home Place, a Northeast-based upscale home furnishings store.[19] Nobody Beats the Wiz also opened in 1996 in the Commons level.[20]

In November 1997, less than a month after Lechmere closed (a result of parent company Montgomery Ward eliminating the chain),[21] the Pyramid Companies announced they would build an expansion to Carousel Center that would double the mall size instead of building Carousel Landing. Under this plan, the expansion would house about 150 new stores and three anchors, with many of the stores both new to the market. The Pyramid Companies officials claimed the expansion would be complete by the year 2000.[22][23][24]

In 1998, CompUSA store and a Kahunaville restaurant opened in the Commons Level and[25][26] Best Buy opened in part of the former HomePlace/Steinbach location.[27]

In 1999, Hills was acquired and rebranded by Ames Department Stores.[28] In March 1999, DSW Shoe Warehouse opened in part of the former Lechmere.[29] In October 1999, Bally Total Fitness opened with a grand opening featuring the cast of Baywatch.[30] The Bally Total Fitness filled in the remaining part of HomePlace/Steinbach location that wasn't occupied by Best Buy.

2000s and Potential Expansions

In March 2000, Bonwit Teller shuttered their location at the mall while the chain filed for bankruptcy. The space was taken that year by one of the first American outposts for H&M. It was also the first mall location. In May of that year, Kaufmann's Furniture Galleries opened in the mall.[31]

In 2001, The Pyramid Companies announced an expansion project that instead of doubling the size of the mall would triple the size of the mall. The new project proposed to rename the mall from Carousel Center to "Destiny USA".[32] The Skydeck was closed for new administrative offices for the complex.[33] There would also be a large Central New York Visitors Center inside the mall.[34] However, the path to Destiny USA would not be easy. The Pyramid Companies needed public funds and tax breaks to make the project possible and people worried the mall would be obsolete before all of it was paid.[35][36] Eventually it was decided the mall would be developed in phases, with an 800,000 square foot addition built first.[37] Despite this, The Pyramid Companies continued to unveil further plans for Destiny USA.[38] Eventually, the large tax breaks and the magnitude of the project would cause much controversy.

In 2004, DSW moved down into the Commons Level while Circuit City took its place. Circuit City previously operated a pocket store in the mall before initially closing. Circuit City would later close in 2009, after the company failed to find a buyer for itself.[39]

In August 2005, Sports Authority moved in as a new anchor store.[40]

In September 2006, Kaufmann's became Macy's.[41]

In 2007, The Pyramid Companies proposed the first phase of Destiny USA: a new addition that would add 800,000 square feet (74,000 m2) to Carousel Center. This would make Destiny USA the largest mall in New York and the 6th largest in the country.[42] The project was planned to be a green building, powered entirely by renewable resources.

In late 2009, it was announced that Destiny USA would use RFID technology but required tenants to turn over profits to Pyramid.[43][44]

2010s: Expansion and Name Change

In May 2011, an agreement between Citigroup and The Pyramid Companies was finalized and the addition continued. Destiny USA was set to feature a retail mix featuring entertainment, luxury, and outlet stores. Documents from the trial showed several stores leased in the new expansion.[45] In June 2011, the Syracuse Post-Standard asked people to email the newspaper ideas of what people would like to see in Destiny USA, with Destiny officials listening in. Residents listed several ideas, including entertainment venues like Dave & Buster's, and upscale restaurants like P.F. Changs, but nothing was officially announced.[46]

In November 2011, Destiny USA became the largest mall in New York and the 6th largest in the country. Parts of the new addition opened, mostly featuring temporary holiday stores and signs showing what's yet to come.[47][48]

By late summer of 2012, the CarouselCenter.com webpage merged in with the DestinyUSA.com webpage, as new signage went up. In August 2012, the mall's name officially changed to "Destiny USA",[49] ending all references to Carousel Center. New major stores in the mall included Burlington Coat Factory[50] in the Commons level, Dick's Sporting Goods, and a P.F. Chang's restaurant also opened. New amusement activities opened including WonderWorks, Dave and Buster's, Billy Beez Indoor Play Park, APEX Entertainment, a bowling and restaurant venue with a bar and dance area, RPM Raceway Indoor Karting, and Canyon Climb, the world's largest indoor rope course.[51]

On June 14, 2013, Regal Cinemas opened their IMAX & RPX screens featuring Man of Steel in 3D. The IMAX & RPX also feature a separate entrance and concession stand.[52][53]

On January 4, 2015 it was announced via the Destiny USA website that Nordstrom Rack would be opening. The 33,357-square-foot store opened in fall of 2015. The store is located on the first level.[54]

In October 2016, At Home opened as a new anchor,[55]replacing Sports Authority, who closed as a result of the company’s bankruptcy.

A $48 million, seven story, 209-room Embassy Suites hotel opened at the Destiny complex in September 2017.[56]

On October 9, 2019, A new LEGO store opened.[57]

2020s

On August 27, 2020, Lord & Taylor announced they would shutter their brick-and-mortar fleet after modernizing into a digital collective department store.[58]

In 2021, A new Regal Cinemas 4DX theater was announced, along with renovations to the theaters. An indoor trampoline park called Get Air was also announced.[59]

An upstate New York mall manager said "Retailers were hesitant to sign deals during the pandemic, but as business is beginning to return to normal, leasing activity is picking up".[60]

By 2022, the mall had seen an uptick in growth of tenants. New stores included Anthropologie, Ardene, Armani, Earthbound Trading Co, Hugo Boss, Offline by Aerie, Hobby Lobby, Untuckit, and Urban Outfitters. [61][62][63]

See also

References

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  2. ^ a b "Carousel Center Opens to Raves". The Post-Standard. October 16, 1990. 8810110383. Retrieved November 20, 2011.
  3. ^ Carousel Center. "PDF Directory Download" (PDF). Retrieved November 20, 2011.
  4. ^ "CENTRO Carousel Center Schedule" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on April 15, 2012. Retrieved November 20, 2011.
  5. ^ a b c "Carousel Center 20th Anniversary (1990–2010)" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on August 11, 2011. Retrieved November 19, 2011.
  6. ^ "Syracuse officials want to hear more about Weitsman's plans for Roth Steel site (photos)". Syracuse.com. November 14, 2014. Retrieved January 30, 2019.
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  8. ^ "Galleries Already Feels Pyramid Mall's Heat". The Post-Standard. December 15, 1987. 8712150114. Retrieved November 20, 2011.
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  10. ^ "Eagan Officially Files Criticism of Pyramid's Proposed Mall". Syracuse Herald-Journal. October 14, 1987. 8712140408. Retrieved November 20, 2011.
  11. ^ "Eagan Floats Alternatives to Oil City". Syracuse Herald-Journal. October 14, 1987. 8801300012. Retrieved November 20, 2011.
  12. ^ "Carousel Center Mall to Open a Year Later than First Planned". Syracuse Herald-Journal. October 11, 1988. 8810110383. Retrieved November 20, 2011.
  13. ^ "Drugstore to Close as Chain Contracts". The Post-Standard (Syracuse, NY). October 7, 2001. Archived from the original on January 25, 2013. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
  14. ^ "Filene's Basement Branching Out Again". Boston Globe. October 18, 1990. On Wednesday, a branch store opened at the Carousel Mall in Syracuse, NY, ...
  15. ^ "OIL CITY TANK FARMS CONDEMNED". Syracuse Herald-Journal (NY). April 28, 1992. (subscription required)
  16. ^ "Borders bookstore in Carousel Center mall will be closing in March". syracuse.com. Retrieved February 17, 2017.
  17. ^ Published on July 6, 1995, Post-Standard, The (Syracuse, NY) IMPACT OF NEW PLAZA AT CAROUSEL LANDING IS TOPIC OF HEARING, NewsLibrary.com
  18. ^ Published on July 13, 1996, Post-Standard, The (Syracuse, NY) COURT APPROVES CONDEMNATION OF OIL CITY THE DECISION BRINGS A PROPOSED SHOPPING CENTER ONE STEP CLOSER TO REALITY, NewsLibrary.com
  19. ^ 9806100030 Published on June 10, 1998, Post-Standard, The (Syracuse, NY) DOORS ARE CLOSING AT CAROUSEL CENTER'S HOMEPLACE
  20. ^ "Bankruptcy Beats the Wiz". The Post-Standard. December 17, 2006. 9712180225. Retrieved November 20, 2011.
  21. ^ "Carousel Mall Still Looking for Lechmere Replacement". Syracuse Herald-Journal. September 24, 1997. 9709240947. Retrieved November 20, 2011.
  22. ^ Article ID: 9711020160 Published on November 2, 1997, Syracuse Herald American (NY) CAROUSEL SPINS GRAND PLAN
  23. ^ Published on November 5, 1997, Post-Standard, The (Syracuse, NY) PYRAMID PICTURES A SMARTER MALL THE ADDITION TO CAROUSEL CENTER WOULD BE BUILT THE WAY PEOPLE SHOP – WITH A MIXTURE OF STORES THAT ARE BIG AND SMALL, UPSCALE AND DOWN.
  24. ^ Article ID: 9711010364 Published on November 1, 1997, Syracuse Herald-Journal (NY) CAROUSEL CENTER'S SIZE COULD DOUBLE PYRAMID COS. PLANS A MAJOR EXPANSION OF THE MALL.
  25. ^ Article ID: 9806140137 Published on June 14, 1998, Syracuse Herald American (NY) COMPUSA COMING SOON TO CAROUSEL CENTER, NewsLibrary.com
  26. ^ NOW ENTERING KAHUNAVILLE, A PLACE TO EAT AND BE DAZZLED: [FINAL EDITION] Niedt, Bob. Syracuse Herald American [Syracuse, N.Y] October 11, 1998: E1.
  27. ^ Article ID: 9808160034 Published on August 16, 1998, Syracuse Herald American (NY) ELECTRONICS COMING BACK TO CAROUSEL IN A BIG WAY
  28. ^ "Ames Takes Over the Hills Store Sites". Syracuse Herald American. January 24, 1999. 9901240051. Retrieved November 20, 2011.
  29. ^ Article ID: 9910240113 Published on October 24, 1999, Syracuse Herald American (NY) NEW SHOE WAREHOUSE STEPS INTO CAROUSEL
  30. ^ October 27, 1999, Post-Standard, The (Syracuse, NY) BALLY BRINGS IN "BAYWATCH' AND ESPN FOR MALL OPENING, NewsLibrary.com
  31. ^ Article ID: 0005311328 Published on May 31, 2000, Post-Standard, The (Syracuse, NY) FURNITURE STORE FILLS A NICHE KAUFMANN'S FURNITURE GALLERIES OPENS IN CAROUSEL CENTER FRIDAY
  32. ^ Published on November 1, 2001, Post-Standard, The (Syracuse, NY) NEW NAME, NEW LOOK, NewsLibrary.com/sites/sy
  33. ^ Article ID: 0111030471 Published on November 4, 2001, Post-Standard, The (Syracuse, NY)
  34. ^ Article ID: 0111290178 Published on November 29, 2001, Post-Standard, The (Syracuse, NY) DESTINY USA'S NEW DEAL
  35. ^ Article ID: 0112010126 Published on December 1, 2001, Post-Standard, The (Syracuse, NY) DRISCOLL PUSHES FOR A NEW MALL DEAL
  36. ^ Article ID: 0112010394 Published on December 2, 2001, Post-Standard, The (Syracuse, NY) MALL WILL BE OBSOLETE LONG BEFORE ITS PAID FOR
  37. ^ Article ID: 0112070157 Published on December 7, 2001, Post-Standard, The (Syracuse, NY) WALL STREET WANTS MALL IN PHASES, PYRAMID TELLS COUNTY
  38. ^ Article ID: 0112150254 Published on December 15, 2001, Post-Standard, The (Syracuse, NY) DESTINY ATRIUM PLAN UNFOLDS, NewsLibrary.com
  39. ^ "DCircuit City is closing all of its stores, including at Syracuse's Carousel Center mall". Syracuse.com. Retrieved March 6, 2022.
  40. ^ Published on August 3, 2005, Post-Standard, The (Syracuse, NY) SPORTS AUTHORITY OPENS IN CAROUSEL IN OCTOBER, NewsLibrary.com/sites/sy
  41. ^ "Macy's Plans to Make It's [sic] Big Splash Sept. 9". The Post-Standard. August 16, 2006. 0608160080. Retrieved November 20, 2011.
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  44. ^ "A chronology of Robert Congel's Destiny USA project". Syracuse.com. June 6, 2012. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
  45. ^ "TWC News – Central NY – Syracuse, Ithaca, Utica, Cortland, Oswego, CNY". centralny.ynn.com. Retrieved February 17, 2017.
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  48. ^ "Carousel Center mall in Syracuse will soon get busy on some major retail shifts and expansions". syracuse.com. Retrieved February 17, 2017.
  49. ^ "The Carousel Center mall name rides into the sunset as Syracuse's super-regional mall officially becomes Destiny USA". syracuse.com. Retrieved February 17, 2017.
  50. ^ Guse, Maren (June 6, 2012). "Burlington Coat Factory to open at Destiny USA this fall". WSTM. Retrieved February 17, 2017.
  51. ^ "'World's largest' ropes challenge course to soar above Destiny USA's Canyon floor". Syracuse.com. Retrieved October 19, 2017.
  52. ^ "July 2013 Press Kit". Destinyusa.com. Retrieved February 17, 2017.
  53. ^ Hagerty, James R. (February 11, 2021). "Mall Developer Robert Congel Pursued Towering Ambitions". Wsj.com. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
  54. ^ "News – Press Releases from Destiny USA". Destinyusa.com. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
  55. ^ "Home furnishing superstore opens today at Destiny USA". Syracuse.com. October 27, 2016.
  56. ^ "Destiny USA Embassy Suites opens $48 million hotel, see first photos". Syracuse.com. Retrieved April 28, 2018.
  57. ^ "LEGO® Store Grand Opening Event happening at Destiny USA to celebrate new LEGO store" (Press release). Syracuse, New York: ILoveNY. October 9, 2019.
  58. ^ "Lord & Taylor at Destiny USA to close". Syracuse.com. August 3, 2020.
  59. ^ "Get blasted with rain, wind at new Destiny movie theater". Syracuse.com. March 12, 2020.
  60. ^ "Eastview Mall and Destiny USA adjust to new normal". Waynepost.com.
  61. ^ "Huge well-known craft store now open at Destiny USA". Syracuse.com. December 30, 2021.
  62. ^ "Destiny USA rebounds with new tenants following difficult period". Spectrumlocalnews.com.
  63. ^ "Amazon 4-star coming to Destiny USA". Localsyr.com. January 21, 2022.

External links

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