{{Infobox shopping mall | name = MidCity District | logo = MidCity_District_Logo.jpg | image = | caption = | coordinates = {{coord|34.738|N|86.666|W|type:landmark|display=inline,title.}} | address = | developer = RCP Companies | website = http://www.midcitydistrict.com }}
'''MidCity District''' (formerly known as MidCity Huntsville for a brief period of time) is a mixed-use retail development center currently being built in Huntsville, Alabama on the corner of University Drive (US 72) and Research Park Boulevard (SR-255) on the land formerly used for '''Madison Square Mall'''. Madison Square Mall was the largest mall in the city; it encompassed over {{convert|929993|sqft|m2|abbr=on}}. It was also the oldest extant enclosed shopping mall (after the Heart of Huntsville Mall closed) in the city until its closure in 2017. It is expected to be completed in 2032. MidCity's first official phase opened with Topgolf and a preview center/entertainment venue called The Camp at MidCity.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Thorton|first1=William|title=First phase of $350 million MidCity development taking shape|url=http://www.al.com/business/index.ssf/2017/12/first_phase_of_midcity_taking.html|date=20 December 2017}}</ref>
==Timeline==
===1984=== thumb|right|Madison Square Mall logo thumb|right|Madison Square Mall food court entrance Madison Square Mall opened on August 1, 1984, with anchors JCPenney, Parisian,<ref name="dant840809">{{cite web |first=Herbert |last=Blueweiss |work=Daily News Record |publisher=Fairchild Fashion Media |title=Class act retailing at new Parisian |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-3386118.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021091411/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-3386118.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 21, 2012 |date=August 9, 1984}}</ref> Castner Knott, Pizitz, and a Sears which relocated from Heart of Huntsville Mall. Junior anchors included Yielding and Blach's. The opening day ceremonies were attended by the Miss America 1984 contestant, Suzette Charles, in her first public appearance as the successor to Vanessa Williams after she was forced to resign the title due to unauthorized publication of nude photographs.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Berry|first1=Lucy|title=Madison Square tenants split on Huntsville mall's future a week after retail center turns 30|url=http://www.al.com/business/index.ssf/2014/08/madison_square_businesses_give.html|website=AL.com|date=August 8, 2014|publisher=Alabama Media Group|accessdate=January 5, 2018|archive-date=January 5, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180105070852/http://www.al.com/business/index.ssf/2014/08/madison_square_businesses_give.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Clark|first1=Carson|title=30 Years Later: A look back at Madison Square's opening day|url=http://whnt.com/2014/08/03/30-years-later-a-look-back-at-madison-squares-opening-day/|website=WHNT 19|date=August 4, 2014|publisher=WHNT|accessdate=January 5, 2018|archive-date=January 5, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180105233628/http://whnt.com/2014/08/03/30-years-later-a-look-back-at-madison-squares-opening-day/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Suzette Charles made her first working appearance as Miss...|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1984/08/01/Suzette-Charles-made-her-first-working-appearance-as-Miss/9463460180800/|website=UPI|publisher=United Press International|accessdate=January 5, 2018|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180105073243/https://www.upi.com/Archives/1984/08/01/Suzette-Charles-made-her-first-working-appearance-as-Miss/9463460180800/|archivedate=January 5, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Fein|first1=Esther|title=MISS AMERICA GIVES UP HER CROWN|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1984/07/24/nyregion/miss-america-gives-up-her-crown.html|newspaper=The New York Times|date=July 24, 1984|accessdate=January 5, 2018|archive-date=January 5, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180105180602/http://www.nytimes.com/1984/07/24/nyregion/miss-america-gives-up-her-crown.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Growth=== Over time, some of the anchors moved or were bought out by bigger companies. Blach's was closed by 1987 and replaced by The Limited and Victoria's Secret. Pizitz was acquired by Jackson, Mississippi–based McRae's in 1988 and renamed as such until McRae's was acquired by Charlotte, North Carolina–based Belk. Castner Knott was acquired in 1998 by Dillard's. Yielding closed their Madison Square Mall location around 1993.
For the next 10 years, the space was used by Castner Knott/Dillard's for their menswear. Until 2008, Steve & Barry's used the space. In 2007, Belk, after purchasing Parisian, moved its store from the former McRae's space to the much larger former Parisian space and renovated it to fit the Belk model. The former McRae's building remained vacant from then until the mall closed. Belk departed for Bridge Street Town Center in late 2014.
In addition to the in-line mall stores, several other businesses are located in the Madison Square complex, including a Holiday Inn hotel, a Steak 'n Shake restaurant, and a TouchStar Cinemas movie theater. Former businesses in the complex include Romano's Macaroni Grill and Lone Star Steakhouse & Saloon.
Madison Square Mall had been renovated twice since its opening, first in 1994 and again in 2006. It had 120 stores at its peak in 2011.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=CBL & Associates Properties, Inc. |url=http://cblproperties.com/pag.nsf/CorpSiteByAlphaWeb/Madison+Square?opendocument |title=Madison Square |accessdate=January 19, 2011 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708124836/http://cblproperties.com/pag.nsf/CorpSiteByAlphaWeb/Madison%2BSquare?opendocument |archivedate=July 8, 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
===Decline=== In the years following the renovation of 2006, a decrease in foot traffic and an increased crime threat led to many tenants of the mall relocating to other locations.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.al.com/business/index.ssf/2015/09/madison_square_tenant_will_aba.html|title=Madison Square tenant will abandon struggling mall for new location in Huntsville|date=September 23, 2015|publisher=|accessdate=December 6, 2016|archive-date=June 13, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160613112449/http://www.al.com/business/index.ssf/2015/09/madison_square_tenant_will_aba.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.al.com/business/index.ssf/2014/03/future_of_madison_square_mall.html|title=Future of Madison Square Mall in Huntsville is hazy as more businesses close, officials talk redevelopment options|date=March 21, 2014|publisher=|accessdate=December 6, 2016|archive-date=October 25, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151025155623/http://www.al.com/business/index.ssf/2014/03/future_of_madison_square_mall.html|url-status=live}}</ref> A riot erupted in December 2012 over the new Nike Air Jordan; police had to use pepper spray to calm the situation. No arrests were made.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.waff.com/story/20390749/pepper-spray-used-on-unruly-crowd-at-madison-square-mall|title=Police use pepper spray on crowd waiting for new Air Jordans|first=WAFF 48 Digital|last=Staff|date=December 20, 2012|publisher=|accessdate=December 6, 2016|archive-date=December 20, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220192245/http://www.waff.com/story/20390749/pepper-spray-used-on-unruly-crowd-at-madison-square-mall|url-status=live}}</ref> In July 2014, a video surfaced online of a Belk employee attempting to fight off a shoplifter in the parking lot.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.al.com/news/huntsville/index.ssf/2014/07/video_appears_to_capture_weeke.html|title=Video appears to capture weekend shoplifting assault outside Madison Square Mall|date=July 7, 2014|publisher=|accessdate=December 6, 2016|archive-date=April 21, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180421094855/http://www.al.com/news/huntsville/index.ssf/2014/07/video_appears_to_capture_weeke.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In September 2015, a woman was robbed at gunpoint in the parking lot of the mall.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://whnt.com/2015/11/27/huntsville-police-investigate-armed-robbery-outside-madison-square-mall/|title=Huntsville Police investigate armed robbery outside Madison Square Mall|date=November 28, 2015|publisher=|accessdate=December 6, 2016|archive-date=March 29, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170329233134/http://whnt.com/2015/11/27/huntsville-police-investigate-armed-robbery-outside-madison-square-mall/|url-status=live}}</ref> thumb|Madison Square Mall's food court empty in 2016
The pilot episode of the Food Network show, Food Court Wars was filmed at this mall. Kettle N' Spouts, the winner of the episode, received a year's worth of free rent in the mall that was valued at $100,000. Kettle N' Spouts closed only 6 months after the episode aired.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.al.com/business/index.ssf/2013/09/1_year_after_restaurant_imposs.html|title=A year after 'Restaurant Impossible,' Main Dish owners discuss Food Network, reality TV and why they closed (photos, video)|date=September 25, 2013|publisher=|accessdate=December 6, 2016|archive-date=September 18, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160918231935/http://www.al.com/business/index.ssf/2013/09/1_year_after_restaurant_imposs.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
Madison Square Mall was owned by CBL & Associates Properties, Inc.,<ref name="bw000412">{{cite news |work=Business Wire |title=Dillard's and Parisian Announced as Anchor Stores for Parkway Place Redevelopment |url=http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-27633556_ITM |date=April 12, 2000}}</ref> until it was sold to The Grove Huntsville LLC for $5 million in late April 2015.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.al.com/business/index.ssf/2015/04/report_struggling_madison_squa.html|title = Madison Square Mall in Huntsville sold for $5 million|date = 29 April 2015}}</ref> The new owners intended to redevelop the property, despite struggles with the city of Huntsville against property owners Sears, JCPenney, and most notably TouchStar Cinemas, who started a petition on June 7, 2016, to prevent their property from being demolished. Not even 24 hours later, the petition achieved over 1,000 signatures. Huntsville's Director of Urban Development, Shane Davis, made a statement regarding this move, and confirmed that the theater would not be demolished, and instead the plans would be reworked around the property.<ref name="hsvt150429">{{cite web |first=Lucy |last=Berry |newspaper=The Huntsville Times |title=Madison Square Mall in Huntsville sold for $5 million |url=http://www.al.com/business/index.ssf/2015/04/report_struggling_madison_squa.html |date=April 29, 2015 |accessdate=April 29, 2015 |archive-date=May 1, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150501190755/http://www.al.com/business/index.ssf/2015/04/report_struggling_madison_squa.html |url-status=live }}</ref> <ref name="hsvt8675309">{{cite web |first=Lucy |last=Berry |newspaper=The Huntsville Times |title=City of Huntsville calls off plans to acquire Madison Square movie theater |url=http://www.al.com/business/index.ssf/2016/06/city_of_huntsville_calls_off_p.html |date=June 7, 2016 |accessdate=June 8, 2016 |archive-date=June 8, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160608123611/http://www.al.com/business/index.ssf/2016/06/city_of_huntsville_calls_off_p.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
Madison Square Mall began liquidation in summer 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.al.com/business/index.ssf/2016/06/post_371.html|title=Huge liquidation sale going on now at Madison Square Mall in Huntsville|date=June 16, 2016|publisher=|accessdate=December 6, 2016|archive-date=September 21, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160921082347/http://www.al.com/business/index.ssf/2016/06/post_371.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The last liquidation sale ended on January 8, 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://whnt.com/2016/12/14/madison-square-mall-has-its-last-liquidation-sale/|title=Madison Square Mall has its last liquidation sale.|author=Olivia Steen|date=December 15, 2016|accessdate=January 25, 2017|archive-date=February 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202031514/http://whnt.com/2016/12/14/madison-square-mall-has-its-last-liquidation-sale/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.al.com/news/huntsville/index.ssf/2016/12/project_at_madison_square_mall.html#incart_river_home|title=Project at Madison Square Mall site could mean $250 million to Huntsville|newspaper=Al|date=December 6, 2016|publisher=al.com|accessdate=December 6, 2016|archive-date=June 26, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170626233626/http://www.al.com/news/huntsville/index.ssf/2016/12/project_at_madison_square_mall.html#incart_river_home|url-status=live}}</ref>
On November 28, 2016, Sears announced it would be closing on January 29, 2017, making it the last tenant or anchor to close in the mall. Sears also announced it would return to the MidCity Huntsville development that will replace Madison Square Mall in a smaller store.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://whnt.com/2016/11/18/sears-madison-square-mall-store-to-close-in-january-of-2017-will-relocate-within-huntsville/|title=Sears' Madison Square Mall store to close in January of 2017, will relocate within Huntsville|date=November 18, 2016|publisher=|accessdate=December 6, 2016|archive-date=December 11, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161211002848/http://whnt.com/2016/11/18/sears-madison-square-mall-store-to-close-in-january-of-2017-will-relocate-within-huntsville/|url-status=live}}</ref> In December 2016, JCPenney announced it would close on January 28, 2017. JCPenney exited the Huntsville area in 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.al.com/news/huntsville/index.ssf/2016/12/jcpenney_closing_store_at_hunt.html|title=JCPenney closing store at Huntsville's Madison Square Mall|date=December 5, 2016|publisher=|accessdate=December 6, 2016|archive-date=November 17, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171117070056/http://www.al.com/news/huntsville/index.ssf/2016/12/jcpenney_closing_store_at_hunt.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
===2017=== {{wide image|Madison Square Mall, Huntsville, Alabama.jpg|700px|alt=Madison Square Mall, February 2017|Madison Square Mall, February 2017}} With the closure of Sears and JCPenney, Madison Square Mall permanently closed on January 29, 2017. Demolition of the former mall began on February 6, 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.waff.com/story/34366260/final-days-of-madison-square-mall|title=Final days of Madison Square Mall|publisher=waff.com|author=Matt Chandler|date=January 28, 2017|accessdate=January 30, 2017|archive-date=February 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202080929/http://www.waff.com/story/34366260/final-days-of-madison-square-mall|url-status=live}}</ref>
Demolition lasted several months, concluding sometime in June. As demolition began to slow down, construction of Topgolf began in April. National Real Estate Investor listed MidCity as one of the 12 largest retail developments underway slated for delivery in 2017 or 2018.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bell |first1=Diana |title=12 of the Largest Retail Real Estate Developments Underway in 2017 |url=https://www.nreionline.com/retail/12-largest-retail-real-estate-developments-underway-2017 |work=National Real Estate Investor |accessdate=9 January 2019 |date=17 May 2017}}</ref> In June, it was announced that High Point Climbing and Fitness would be coming to Midcity Huntsville, with construction beginning sometime in the fall.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.al.com/business/index.ssf/2017/06/high_point_climbing_and_fitnes.html|title = High Point Climbing and Fitness coming to MidCity|date = 23 June 2017}}</ref> A smaller project, The Camp at Midcity, which is a small music and arts venue, was developed on the former Lone Star Grill property. It opened on August 9.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://thecamphuntsville.com/event/fireside-music-festival/ |title=Fireside Music Festival – The Camp |website=thecamphuntsville.com |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170811053251/https://thecamphuntsville.com/event/fireside-music-festival/ |archive-date=2017-08-11}}</ref> Topgolf opened December 22, 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://press.topgolf.com/2017-12-18-Topgolf-Opens-Friday-in-Huntsville|title = Topgolf Opens Friday in Huntsville}}</ref>
===2018=== In February 2018, it was announced that Dave & Buster's would be opening in July 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.al.com/business/index.ssf/2018/02/dave_busters_coming_to_huntsvi.html|title = Dave & Buster's coming to Huntsville's MidCity|date = 24 February 2018}}</ref><ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=http://whnt.com/2018/02/26/new-developments-and-new-restaurants-coming-to-huntsville/|title = New developments and new restaurants coming to Huntsville|date = 27 February 2018}}</ref> There was also the announcement of a Wahlburgers opening sometime in the future as well.<ref name="auto"/> In March 2018, it was announced that RCP companies had brought in Mark Taft to plan multiple restaurants and eating locations throughout Midcity.<ref>[https://www.bizjournals.com/birmingham/news/2018/03/15/several-food-concepts-restaurants-planned-for.html Several food concepts, restaurants planned for Huntsville mixed-use projects] bizjournals.com March 15, 2018 (subscription required)</ref>
Sometime in late 2018, construction on High Point Climbing and Fitness began, as well as Dave and Buster's.
===2019=== On April 25, 2019, High Point Climbing and Fitness opened.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.al.com/news/2019/04/high-point-climbing-center-opens-at-huntsvilles-midcity.html|title = High Point climbing center opens at Huntsville's MidCity|date = 25 April 2019}}</ref>
On April 30, 2019, the official name was changed from MidCity Huntsville to MidCity District.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/MidCityDistrict/|title=MidCity District|website=www.facebook.com|accessdate=6 May 2023}}</ref>
On August 10, 2019, Dave & Buster's opened.<ref>{{cite web | url-access=limited |archive-url = https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/facebook/683075991831132/1403549509783773 |archive-date = 2022-04-30| url = https://www.facebook.com/MidCityDistrict/posts/1403549509783773 |title = MidCity District on Facebook |website=Facebook}}{{cbignore}}{{User-generated source|certain=yes|date=March 2022}}</ref>
In November, REI Co-Op opened.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.al.com/news/2019/11/outdoor-outfitter-rei-celebrates-huntsville-opening.html|title = Outdoor outfitter REI celebrates Huntsville opening|date = 15 November 2019}}</ref>
In December, it was announced that the Touchstar Cinemas Madison Square 12 would be replaced with a brand new venue, featuring the largest movie screen in Alabama. The new theater is scheduled to open in 2022.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.al.com/news/2019/12/huntsvilles-midcity-getting-alabamas-largest-movie-screen.html|title = Alabama's largest movie screen coming to Huntsville|date = 12 December 2019}}</ref>
===2020===
In January, it was announced that a Hotel Indigo would be developed on MidCity property, which is slated to feature 120 rooms and is planned for opening in mid-2021.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.al.com/news/huntsville/2020/01/new-to-huntsville-hotel-coming-to-midcity-district.html|title = New-to-Huntsville hotel coming to MidCity District|date = 10 January 2020}}</ref>
In February, RCP Companies announced two new food venues for the MidCity development. Kung Fu Tea, a bubble tea shop; and Kamado Ramen, an upscale traditional Ramen restaurant. Also announced was Color Me Mine, which will be an interactive art experience allowing customers to decorate their own ceramics.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.al.com/news/huntsville/2020/02/2-new-to-alabama-concepts-coming-to-huntsvilles-midcity-district.html|title = 2 new-to-Alabama concepts coming to Huntsville's MidCity|date = 19 February 2020}}</ref>
In August, AL.com reported that local artist Logan Tanner will be creating a mural in dedication to the late Little Richard, which is set to appear on the Wahlburger's planned to open in the district.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.al.com/life/2020/08/larger-than-life-little-richard-mural-set-for-huntsville.html|title='Larger than life' Little Richard mural set for HSV|date=18 August 2020}}</ref>
===2021===
In March, MidCity District broke ground on its first multi-family project, [https://metronomemidcity.com/ Metronome Apartments].
In July, Huntsville awarded MidCity the honor of becoming its next entertainment "purple cup" district. Patrons will be able to walk the district with a "purple cup," allowing them to enjoy an alcoholic beverage outside establishments.
In August, MidCity welcomed a new mural - Unity is Love - by Ase Sela, located behind Kamado Ramen.
In September, Trader Joe's officially opened to the public.
In December, MidCity broke ground on its newest project, Blue Oak BBQ, an award-winning BBQ restaurant based out of New Orleans.
===2021=== The last remnant of the mall, Touchstar's Madison Square 12 theater, closed its doors permanently on May 2, 2021, and was demolished months afterwards.
===2022=== In February, artist Morgan Echols completed a colorful, geometric shipping container mural next to Kamado Ramen.
In May, the Orion Amphitheater held its Grand Opening and celebrated with the community with The First Waltz.
The Salt Factory Pub also opened in May.
===2023=== Notable business introduced to MidCity this year include TOUS les JOURS,<ref>https://www.restaurantnews.com/tous-les-jours-opens-first-alabama-location-in-huntsville-041323/</ref> Starbucks Coffee,<ref>https://whnt.com/news/huntsville/starbucks-now-open-in-midcity-district/</ref> and Tupelo Honey.<ref>https://www.fsrmagazine.com/growth/nextgen-casual/tupelo-honey-opens-first-alabama-based-restaurant/</ref>
==References== <references />
==External links== *[https://web.archive.org/web/20161105092440/http://www.madisonsquaremall.com/ Madison Square Mall (archived site)]
Category:Retail buildings in Alabama