Riverchase Galleria is a large super–regional shopping mall in the Birmingham suburb of Hoover. The center is Alabama's largest enclosed shopping center, as well as one of the state's most popular tourist attractions, second only to the Alabama Gulf Coast beaches. The mall is also very popular among the neighboring states of Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, and Tennessee. Nickname: The Magic City, Pittsburgh of the South, BHam, The Ham Location in Jefferson County in the state of Alabama Coordinates: Country United States State Alabama County Jefferson, Shelby Mayor Bernard Kincaid (D) Area    - City 151. ... Hoover is a city in Jefferson and Shelby counties in middle central Alabama. ... Official language(s) English Capital Montgomery Largest city Birmingham Area  Ranked 30th  - Total 52,419 sq mi (135,765 km²)  - Width 190 miles (306 km)  - Length 330 miles (531 km)  - % water 3. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ... Official language(s) English Capital Nashville Largest city Memphis Largest metro area Nashville Area  Ranked 36th  - Total 42,169 sq mi (109,247 km²)  - Width 120 miles (195 km)  - Length 440 miles (710 km)  - % water 2. ...

The word "Riverchase" is named after the subdivision on the southern end of the city of Hoover which was annexed in September of 1980.[1]

The Riverchase Galleria's center court.

Download high resolution version (441x662, 61 KB)A photograph of the Center Court of Riverchase Galleria by Randy Sandford. ... Download high resolution version (441x662, 61 KB)A photograph of the Center Court of Riverchase Galleria by Randy Sandford. ...

History

"The Galleria," as it is locally known, opened on Februrary 19, 1986 by owner Jim Wilson & Associates, at some 1.2 million square feet with anchor stores JC Penney, Parisian, Pizitz, and Rich's. In 1987, the mall saw its first Macy's store; marking the company's very first entry into the Birmingham market. Not long after this mall opened, Pizitz was acquired by McRae's of Jackson, Mississippi. The mall is located at the intersection of Montgomery Highway (US Highway 31) and Interstate 459. The Galleria is contiguous with a 330-room hotel called the Wynfrey Hotel and a 17-story, 285,000 square foot (26,000 m²) office builing located in the mall's center court. The style of this center is modeled after the Houston Galleria, but at a smaller scale. J. C. Penney Company, Inc. ... // Parisian is a moderate to upscale U.S. chain of department stores, based in Birmingham, Alabama known for its superior level of personalized service and limited distribution speciality brands such as Juicy Couture, Karen Kane, BCBG Max Azria, Garfield & Marks, Tahari, Jig Saw, 7 For All Mankind, Diesel, Paper Denim... Pizitz was a major regional department store chain centered in Birmingham, Alabama. ... Richs was a major department store retail chain, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, that operated in the southern U.S. from 1867 until March 6, 2005 when the nameplate was eliminated and replaced by Macys. ... Macys is a chain of American department stores with its flagship store in Herald Square, New York City, which has been billed as the worlds largest store since completion of the Seventh Avenue addition in 1924. ... McRaes is a department store chain based in Jackson, Mississippi. ... Interstate 459 is the 3-digit spur of Interstate 59 that creates a southern beltway that built in southern Jefferson County, Alabama, south of Birmingham. ... A sign at the entrance to the Galleria. ...

The mall was expanded in 1996 to include Sears, with the new wing making Riverchase Galleria total 1.7 million square feet (160,000 m²) in size. The expansion made it the largest mixed-use project in the Southeast and one of the top 10 largest mixed-use projects in the United States. It was later renovated in 1998 and again in 2001. In 2003, the mall began to worsen when it lost its Macy's anchor store as it consolidated with Rich's (the 255,000 sq. ft. store was the only Macy's that operated in the state of Alabama prior to the 2005 name change). The former Macy's location then sat empty while various department stores chains attempted to fill in the void. Then in 2004, the location was extensively renovated and reopened as a Proffitt's, by that time a part of Saks Incorporated. One year later in 2005, the mall's former Rich's was converted to Macy's on March 6, 2005 marking Macy's second entry into the Birmingham market. Also in 2005, McRae's closed its 131,000 sq. ft. store due the acquisition of McRae's and Proffitt's by Belk. On March 8, 2006, the mall's Proffitt's store was converted to Belk. Currently, the former McRae's location sits empty with rumors that perhaps Dillard's may purchase the location and enter the Birmingham market. In 2006, Belk acquired the Parisian stores from Saks Incorporated and convert them to Belk in Fall 2007. Since there is already a Belk store in this mall (which was converted from Proffitt's in March 2006), it is certain that the Parisian store will close or be sold to another retailer. Sears Holdings Corporation NASDAQ: SHLD is the third largest retailer in the United States, behind Wal-Mart and The Home Depot. ... Official language(s) English Capital Montgomery Largest city Birmingham Area  Ranked 30th  - Total 52,419 sq mi (135,765 km²)  - Width 190 miles (306 km)  - Length 330 miles (531 km)  - % water 3. ... Proffitts is a department store chain based in Alcoa, TN. In 2006, all Proffitts and McRaes stores will be converted into Belk stores. ... Saks Incorporated (NYSE: SKS) is an operator of department stores in the United States. ... McRaes is a department store chain based in Jackson, Mississippi. ... Belk, headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, is the United States largest privately-held department store chain. ... March 8 is the 67th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (68th in Leap years). ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Proffitts is a department store chain based in Alcoa, TN. In 2006, all Proffitts and McRaes stores will be converted into Belk stores. ... Belk, headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, is the United States largest privately-held department store chain. ... McRaes is a department store chain based in Jackson, Mississippi. ... // Dillards (NYSE: DDS), based in Little Rock, Arkansas, is a major department store chain in the United States, with 329 stores in 29 states as of 2005. ... // Parisian is a moderate to upscale U.S. chain of department stores, based in Birmingham, Alabama known for its superior level of personalized service and limited distribution speciality brands such as Juicy Couture, Karen Kane, BCBG Max Azria, Garfield & Marks, Tahari, Jig Saw, 7 For All Mankind, Diesel, Paper Denim... Saks Incorporated (NYSE: SKS) is an operator of department stores in the United States. ... Belk, headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, is the United States largest privately-held department store chain. ... Proffitts is a department store chain based in Alcoa, TN. In 2006, all Proffitts and McRaes stores will be converted into Belk stores. ...

In the center of the Grand Atrium/food court, sits a full-size, authentic 19th Century Dentzel Carousel. In the past, the carousel was dismantled for part of the year, with foilage and a fountain in its place, and reassembled for the holiday season. Currently, the carousel has remained in place for several years. Occasionally, the traditional carousel animals are replaced with reindeer for the holiday season as well. The cost of rides is currently $2 per person. A carousel in a summer festival in London, with traditional animal mounts, barley twist poles and fairy lights. ...

The Galleria Today

Currently, the Galleria has 200 stores and restaurants and is anchored by 5 department stores (J.C. Penney, Belk, Parisian, Macy's, and Sears). There was also a 10-screen Regal Cinemas movie theater nearby but it was closed in 2006. There are two parking decks located on the property (attached to Belk and various mall entrances) of The Galleria, giving the center some 5,000 total parking spaces. J. C. Penney Corporation, Inc (NYSE: JCP; most commonly known today by the name JCPenney or simply Penneys) is a mid-range chain of American department stores based in Plano, Texas, a suburb of Dallas. ... Belk, headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, is the United States largest privately-held department store chain. ... // Parisian is a moderate to upscale U.S. chain of department stores, based in Birmingham, Alabama known for its superior level of personalized service and limited distribution speciality brands such as Juicy Couture, Karen Kane, BCBG Max Azria, Garfield & Marks, Tahari, Jig Saw, 7 For All Mankind, Diesel, Paper Denim... Macys is a chain of American department stores with its flagship store in Herald Square, New York City, which has been billed as the worlds largest store since completion of the Seventh Avenue addition in 1924. ... Sears Holdings Corporation NASDAQ: SHLD is the third largest retailer in the United States, behind Wal-Mart and The Home Depot. ... Regal Entertainment Group is North Americas largest movie theater chain, operating 6,119 screens in 562 locations in 39 states. ...

In late 2003, Jim Wilson & Associates (JW&A) sold 50% of the Galleria to General Growth Properties (GGP), which assumed management control. GGP also bought outright another JW&A property, the Mall of Louisiana, and is currently developing a new lifestyle center in Macon, Georgia with JW&A. 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... General Growth Properties NYSE: GGP is a publicly-traded real estate investment trust in the United States. ... Mall of Louisiana is a shopping mall in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. ...

On May 5, 2006, the mall opened the state's first Sephora store. May 5 is the 125th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (126th in leap years). ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Sephora, a company of LVMH is a leading cosmetic emporium with 515 stores in 14 countries. ...

Anchor & Major Stores

• Abercrombie & Fitch (10,498 sq. ft.)
• Belk (255,000 sq. ft.)
• Express/Express Men (11,032 sq. ft.)
• Forever 21 (15,000 sq. ft.)
• Gap/Gap Kids (16,100 sq. ft.)
• JCPenney (135,163 sq. ft.)
• Macy's (220,000 sq. ft.)
• Parisian (203,500 sq. ft.,)
• Sears (150,000 sq. ft.)

This article does not cite its references or sources. ... Belk, headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, is the United States largest privately-held department store chain. ... Express is an American clothing company owned by Limited Brands. ... Forever 21 is a chain of clothing retailers throughout the United States, offering inexpensive, trendy fashions and accessories for women and junior girls. ... Gap (originally The Gap) is a San Fransisco-based apparel and accessories retailer founded in 1969 by Donald Fisher and Doris Fisher. ... J. C. Penney Company, Inc. ... Macys is a chain of American department stores with its flagship store in Herald Square, New York City, which has been billed as the worlds largest store since completion of the Seventh Avenue addition in 1924. ... // Parisian is a moderate to upscale U.S. chain of department stores, based in Birmingham, Alabama known for its superior level of personalized service and limited distribution speciality brands such as Juicy Couture, Karen Kane, BCBG Max Azria, Garfield & Marks, Tahari, Jig Saw, 7 For All Mankind, Diesel, Paper Denim... Sears Holdings Corporation NASDAQ: SHLD is the third largest retailer in the United States, behind Wal-Mart and The Home Depot. ...

Former Anchors

• Macy's (opened 1987, mall's first Macy's store, closed 2003) (255,000 sq. ft.)
• McRae's (opened 1986 as Pizitz, became McRae's 1987, closed 2005) (131,000 sq. ft.)
• Pizitz (opened 1986, became McRae's 1987, closed 2005) (131,000 sq. ft.)
• Proffitt's (opened 2004 in former Macy's, became Belk 2006) (255,000 sq. ft.)
• Rich's (opened 1986, became Macy's 2005) (220,000 sq. ft.)

Macys is a chain of American department stores with its flagship store in Herald Square, New York City, which has been billed as the worlds largest store since completion of the Seventh Avenue addition in 1924. ... McRaes is a department store chain based in Jackson, Mississippi. ... Pizitz was a major regional department store chain centered in Birmingham, Alabama. ... Proffitts is a department store chain based in Alcoa, TN. In 2006, all Proffitts and McRaes stores will be converted into Belk stores. ... Richs was a major department store retail chain, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, that operated in the southern U.S. from 1867 until March 6, 2005 when the nameplate was eliminated and replaced by Macys. ...

Trivia

• The Riverchase Galleria is home to the world's longest skylight at some 200 feet.
• Taylor Hicks, the 2006 winner of American Idol, worked at the Riverchase Galleria, where he dressed as an Easter Bunny. Two weeks before his final victory, Hicks returned to the Galleria for a rally in his honor in the atrium, attended by an estimated 10,000 fans.
• An easily overlooked monument is on the second level in front of the escalator. A floor tile is engraved with an inscription identifying it as the final tile installed in the mall's 2001 renovation.
• The Galleria is serviced by Exit 13B "Galleria Boulevard" from Interstate 459. The Patton Creek Shopping Center, built adjacent to the Galleria in 2003 is also serviced by this interchange.

Taylor Reuben Hicks[1] (born October 7, 1976[2]) is an American soul singer, songwriter, and musician. ... American Idol, formerly known as American Idol: The Search for a Superstar, is an American television series. ... A porcelain Easter Bunny The Easter Bunny (sometimes known controversially as the Spring Bunny in some parts of the United States) is an imaginary or mythical rabbit which leaves gifts for children at Easter (or at springtime). ... Interstate 459 is the 3-digit spur of Interstate 59 that creates a southern beltway that built in southern Jefferson County, Alabama, south of Birmingham. ... 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

External links

• Official Website