When large-scale shopping malls were being developed, they were built in places with easy transportation access, near densely populated areas to create a built-in customer base.

Online shopping, food delivery and other consumer habit changes have rendered many of the traditional indoor malls to be functionally obsolete, but their strategic locations have made those sites attractive for new types of development. Phoenix’s booming and low retail vacancy continue to drive the need for more stores and restaurants, but they will look very different than the bygone enclosed power center mall.

Here is a look at some former and existing malls in the Valley, and what is next for them.

Los Arcos, an early mall redevelopment, became SkySong

Los Arcos, which was once floated as a potential landing spot for the Arizona Coyotes, has become SkySong, the ASU Scottsdale Innovation Center. SkySong was developed primarily as an office development, also featuring apartments, a hotel and retail and restaurant space. Construction began in 2006, and the first buildings opened in 2008. The site is mostly built out but does have some remaining land for development.

Park Central reused for offices, parking lot makes way for medical school

The redevelopment of Park Central reused and converted large department stores into office spaces and other uses. Instead of razing the whole site, developers stripped down the layers of paint and stucco on the walls to expose ductwork. They removed parts of the walls to add roll-up garage doors to make offices with indoor and outdoor workspace. Creighton University’s Health Sciences campus was built on the surface parking lot of the mall, along with an apartment complex, a hotel and additional retail pads.

Metrocenter to become an urban village

Metrocenter Mall, now called the Metropolitan, began demolition of the buildings in November, and now the site is being cleared for new construction. The site will be redeveloped as a heavily residential project, which will mostly focus on for-sale townhomes. The development team has also begun work to find the right stores, restaurants and entertainment venues to take spaces at the Metropolitan.

Paradise Valley, now PV, leans into high-end local businesses

The former Paradise Valley Mall, now called PV, is in the middle of a redevelopment that also focuses on both residential and retail, with some office space. Phoenix-based RED Development bought the mall in early 2021 and demolished most of it. The 100-acre site allows for up to 3,000 apartment units, including about 1,000 that are already complete or under construction. Local favorites like Blanco Reserva Cocina + Cantina and Flower Child are open, and Federal Pizza, the Vig, Cala and Wren House Brewing all either under construction or planned.

Fiesta Mall, a blank canvas

Fiesta Mall was demolished in 2023. The early phases of the new development could take shape soon, Matt Brucker, director of real estate for Verde Investments, the site’s owner, said in an email. No decisions have been finalized, but the early phases will likely include apartments and retail. The city has rezoned for a wide variety of uses at the Fiesta Mall site. Brucker said the size and location of the site, one of the largest infill parcels in the region, lends it well to almost any new use.

Superstition Springs could get a refresh

Another Mesa mall that could be ripe for a refresh, but likely not a full redevelopment, is Superstition Springs Center near Southern Avenue and Power Road. Mesa Economic Development Director Jaye O’Donnell said Macerich, the owner of the mall but not all of the anchor stores, has expressed interest in adding new shopping and restaurants in and around the mall site. O’Donnell said Superstition Springs presents a “great opportunity” to see what the city and developer can do to keep the mall vital.

Christown planned for multi-decade changes

The mall remains open but is subject to a long-term redevelopment plan. An apartment planned for the site of a former Costco Auto Center is the first piece of the redevelopment at the site, which is supposed to take 20 to 25 years to complete.

Scottsdale Fashion Square and Chandler Fashion Center embrace additions

Chandler Fashion Center, also owned by Macerich, made a major addition in 2023, opening the Phoenix area’s first Scheel’s store. Scottsdale Fashion Square has undergone several major renovations, including a new luxury wing that opened in 2018 and ongoing efforts to add more stores. At Biltmore Fashion Park, the development of the Life Time luxury health club and plans to add a mixed-use tower in the parking lot keep the center fresh.

In the pipeline: Verrado and Laveen to get new large-scale retail

Phoenix-based Vestar is under construction on Verrado Marketplace and is in the planning stages of Laveen Towne Center, along with a smaller-scale retail center in north Phoenix called Black Mountain Village.

Laveen Towne Center is a partnership between Vestar and Brio Investment Group. It is planned to include up to 530,000 square feet of commercial and retail space, along with up to 1,456 residential units. Verrado Marketplace, which will bring more than 50 restaurants and stores to Buckeye, is under construction, with opening anticipated in the first half of next year.

The mall will be anchored by Target, Safeway, Ross, Marshalls, HomeGoods and a Harkins Backlot, which includes a movie theater and other family entertainment activities. The project will have about 500,000 square feet of new buildings.