Situation
Dying malls are ripe for being reimagined into “indoor downtowns.”
In Oklahoma City, the Crossroads Mall is undergoing a transformative renewal to benefit the local community. The two-story, 1.2 million-square-foot mall is conveniently located near I-240 and I-35, providing easy access for residents. Purchased by the nonprofit Crossroads Renewal Project, the mall has a bright future as a revitalized gathering place for people of all ages.
The abandoned mall was in decline when the Crossroads Renewal Project decided to purchase it. This gave the nonprofit control over which businesses would move into the renewed spaces. Rather than attracting chain stores and national franchises, the focus is to emphasize local businesses—a true community revitalization.
Solution
A complex, imaginative master plan to transform Crossroads Mall.
Storyland Studios came alongside the Crossroads Renewal Project to design a master plan for the sprawling property. The master plan includes a revitalization of the entire 62-acre parking lot, multi-family housing (up to 362 units), retail, a chapel, and much more.
Santa Fe South Schools, a charter school district, is leading the charge on the mall’s transformation. Hobby Lobby stepped up to back the redevelopment project, alongside the Butterfield Foundation and the Inasmuch Foundation.
Transformation
A true community hub anchored by a charter school.
The Crossroads Renewal Project hopes to include a no-barriers healthcare facility, as well as a combination of retail, dining, entertainment, medical, dental, housing, childcare, play zones, and service-based businesses.
A Santa Fe South Schools campus occupies two of Crossroads Mall’s anchor stores, and the renovation will give its mall location room to grow. The school’s students are primarily of Hispanic descent, so the Storyland team worked to keep the designs true not only to Oklahoma, but to the students’ heritage as well. Our team went to great lengths to ensure their renovated campus feels like home.