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There is now a CONTENT FREEZE for Mercury while we switch to a new platform. It began on Friday, March 10 at 6pm and will end on Wednesday, March 15 at noon. No new content can be created during this time, but all material in the system as of the beginning of the freeze will be migrated to the new platform, including users and groups. Functionally the new site is identical to the old one. webteam@gatech.edu
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There are approximately 1,030 enclosed malls in the United States today according to a recent report by Green Street Advisors, a real estate research firm. They estimate that 15 percent of mall stock will close or be repurposed within the next ten years, with the greatest risk among low-end venues. It is unsurprising that malls would fail if the surrounding market can no longer support them, according to Ellen Dunham-Jones, professor of architecture and urban design at Georgia Tech. Rising population in urban areas have increased the popularity of mixed-used real estate developments that combine residential housing, retailers, and businesses into a single, easy-to-navigate edifice. Dunham-Jones says that despite the negative press, mega malls aren’t doomed and goes on to identify several examples of success stories in a mall-challenged country, including Dadeland Mall, outside of Miami in Kendall, Florida. To succeed, malls must provide a combination of shopping, dining, and entertainment experiences that consumers can’t get elsewhere.
