Eastland mall in Detroit area to be demolished, redeveloped

HARPER WOODS, Mich. (AP) — One of the oldest malls in the Detroit area will be demolished and replaced by warehouse and industrial space.

Eastland Center in Harper Woods has been limping for years after losing major anchor tenants. NorthPoint Development LLC, based in Riverside, Missouri, said the site is close to Interstate 94 and ripe for development.

“You have e-commerce demand and that would be something I think would be a good use of the site,” said Tim Conder, a local vice president for NorthPoint.

The 640,000-square-foot shopping center and a former Target store are part of the demolition. The project could be completed by spring 2023.

Mayor Valerie Kindle said it’s sad to see the mall go but she understands market conditions. Eastland opened in 1957. Tenants such as Sears, Burlington Coat Factory and Macy’s all have departed.

“The majority of you all shop at Amazon,” Kindle said at a news conference. “That’s one of the reasons that the demise of malls has happened. ... And there’s so much good that’s going to come out of this.”