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Eastland Center

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Retailer / private label

Unclaimed

A formerly enclosed shopping mall in Harper Woods, Michigan, that operated from 1957 until its closure in 2021.

Last updated August 25, 2026

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Overview

Eastland Center was an enclosed shopping mall in Harper Woods, an inner-ring suburb east of Detroit, Michigan. Developed by Hudson's, the Detroit department-store chain that was also involved in the development of Northland Center, Eastland opened in 1957 and became one of the area's established suburban retail destinations. Its location near Eight Mile Road and Kelly Road placed it close to both Detroit and surrounding communities in Wayne County. The property began as a shopping center and was enclosed in 1975. That conversion brought JCPenney into the tenant mix and strengthened Eastland's role as a conventional department-store mall. During the 1980s and 1990s, the center added entertainment and dining facilities, including a food court and a twin-screen movie theater. Retail changes during this period reflected the broader consolidation of American department-store chains: MainStreet operated at the mall before its parent business was absorbed by Kohl's, while Kohl's later departed and Target replaced it in 1996. A major renovation and expansion in 1993 added Montgomery Ward as another anchor. The mall entered the 2000s with a changing anchor lineup and increasing pressure from store closures. Montgomery Ward left in 1998, and JCPenney departed in 2000. Shopco Advisory Group acquired the property in 1999 and pursued renovations and tenant additions. Hudson's was rebranded as Marshall Field's in 2001, and Sears opened in the former JCPenney space in 2003. The former theater site was redeveloped with a detached Lowe's home-improvement store, while a smaller food court was created inside the Sears wing. Marshall Field's became Macy's in 2006 after the department-store chain was acquired and rebranded. Other notable tenants included Steve & Barry's, Shoppers World, K&G Fashion Superstore, Target, Burlington Coat Factory, Sears, Macy's, and Lowe's. Ownership and management changed several times. Ashkenazy Acquisition Corporation purchased Eastland in 2005, with Jones Lang LaSalle taking over management that year. Spinoso Real Estate Group acquired the mall in 2015, followed by Kohan Retail Investment Group in 2018. By then, the center had lost most of its major anchors: Sears closed in 2013, Macy's in March 2017, Target in February 2018, and Burlington in April 2018. K&G Fashion Superstore and Shoppers World were the final principal occupants. Kohan sold the property to NorthPoint Development in June 2021. NorthPoint proposed demolishing the aging mall and replacing it with warehouse and industrial facilities. The interior remained available for part of the 2021 holiday season, although it closed in November; the remaining stores operated for a limited period before demolition began in April 2022. Eastland Center therefore ended as a traditional enclosed mall rather than being converted into a revived retail complex. A distinctive cultural feature was “The Lion and Mouse,” a nine-foot sculpture by Marshall Fredericks installed when the center opened. The small mouse component was stolen in 1957 and replaced several times. The original mouse was reportedly returned in 2007 by the person who had taken it. The property also received negative attention because of shootings and other violence in and around the mall, particularly during the 2010s. These incidents, together with anchor departures, declining occupancy, and changing retail conditions, formed part of the wider context surrounding Eastland's eventual closure and redevelopment.

History

Eastland Center was developed by Hudson's and opened in 1957 in Harper Woods, Michigan, near the Detroit boundary. It was conceived as a suburban shopping destination serving communities east of Detroit. The property was initially an open shopping center, but changing retail expectations led to its enclosure in 1975. JCPenney joined the center as an additional anchor during the enclosure project. The mall expanded its retail and entertainment offer during the 1980s. A food court and a twin-screen movie theater were added to the eastern wing in 1985. MainStreet, a Chicago-based department-store chain, also operated at Eastland during this period. After MainStreet was acquired and converted to Kohl's in 1989, the Kohl's store eventually closed in 1995. Target replaced it the following year, illustrating the mall's shift toward discount and mass-market retail. A substantial renovation and expansion took place in 1993. Montgomery Ward became a new anchor, but its closure in 1998 contributed to a decline in occupancy; the mall was reported to be operating at approximately 78 percent occupancy after the departure. JCPenney closed in 2000. Shopco Advisory Group acquired the property in 1999 and attempted to strengthen the tenant roster through renovations and new leases. Hudson's, the original developer and a long-standing anchor, was renamed Marshall Field's in 2001. Sears opened in 2003 in the former JCPenney location. That year, the twin theater was demolished and replaced by a detached Lowe's home-improvement store on the northeastern portion of the site. Retail space in the Sears wing was used to create a smaller food court. Steve & Barry's opened in the former Montgomery Ward space in 2004 and was notable for being one of the chain's largest stores at the time. Ashkenazy Acquisition Corporation bought Eastland in 2005, and Jones Lang LaSalle assumed management. K&G Fashion Superstore joined the mall in 2006. The former Marshall Field's became Macy's in 2006 as part of the national rebranding of Marshall Field's stores. Target renovated and expanded its Eastland location in 2007, adding space for a pharmacy, Starbucks, and Pizza Hut. Burlington Coat Factory was announced as a new east-end tenant in 2008 and opened in September 2009. Shoppers World replaced Steve & Barry's in 2010. The 2010s brought a succession of anchor closures. Sears left in 2013. Spinoso acquired Eastland in July 2015. Macy's closed on March 19, 2017, after nearly six decades of operation under Hudson's, Marshall Field's, and Macy's names. Target closed on February 3, 2018, and Burlington closed in April of the same year. Kohan Retail Investment Group acquired the mall in October 2018. Kohan sold Eastland to NorthPoint Development in June 2021. NorthPoint planned to demolish the mall and redevelop the land with warehouse and industrial buildings. Although the property was intended to remain open through the 2021 holiday period, the interior closed in November. K&G Fashion Superstore and Shoppers World continued briefly but had closed by the time demolition began in April 2022. Eastland's history also included the prominent sculpture “The Lion and Mouse,” created by Marshall Fredericks. The nine-foot work was installed at the mall's opening. Its mouse was stolen in 1957 and replaced multiple times; the original was returned in 2007. The mall also faced public-safety concerns because of several shootings between 2010 and 2015, including a fatal shooting near Burlington. These incidents formed part of the difficult operating environment surrounding the property's final years.

  • 2022

    Demolition begins

    [1]

    Demolition of the former mall begins in April after the remaining retailers leave.

  • 2021

    NorthPoint buys the property for redevelopment

    [1]

    NorthPoint Development acquires Eastland and proposes replacing the mall with industrial and warehouse facilities.

  • 2018

    Kohan Retail Investment Group acquires the mall

    [1]

    Kohan purchases Eastland in October after the loss of several major anchors.

  • 2015

    Spinoso acquires Eastland

    [1]

    Spinoso Real Estate Group purchases the mall in July.

  • 2007

    Target completes a renovation and expansion

    [1]

    Target expands and renovates its store, adding space for a pharmacy and food-service tenants.

  • 2006

    Marshall Field's becomes Macy's

    [1]

    The original Hudson's anchor operates under the Macy's name after the Marshall Field's rebranding.

  • 2005

    Ashkenazy acquires the property

    [1]

    Ashkenazy Acquisition Corporation purchases Eastland, with Jones Lang LaSalle taking over management.

  • 2003

    Sears opens and the theater site is redeveloped

    [1]

    Sears occupies the former JCPenney space, while the demolished theater site is replaced by a detached Lowe's store.

  • 1999

    Shopco acquires the mall

    [1]

    Shopco Advisory Group purchases Eastland and begins efforts to renovate and refresh its tenant mix.

  • 1993

    Major renovation and expansion

    [1]

    Eastland undergoes a major redevelopment and adds Montgomery Ward as an anchor.

Products and positioning

A community-oriented suburban enclosed mall serving Harper Woods and the eastern Detroit metropolitan area, with a broad department-store and discount-retail tenant mix.

  • Shopping-center services · 1975

    Enclosed mall retail space

    Eastland's principal offering was leased retail space within an enclosed regional shopping mall. The center housed department stores, apparel retailers, discount merchants, specialty stores, food-service operators, and service businesses. Its tenant mix changed substantially over time as traditional department stores closed and discount-oriented operators became more prominent.

  • Department stores · 1957

    Department-store anchor program

    The mall was anchored at different times by Hudson's, Marshall Field's, Macy's, JCPenney, Montgomery Ward, Sears, Target, Burlington Coat Factory, K&G Fashion Superstore, and Shoppers World. These stores provided the main traffic drivers for the center and reflected the changing structure of American department-store retail.

  • Food service · 1985

    Food court

    A food court was added in 1985 and later reduced in size when retail space in the Sears wing was repurposed. It formed part of the mall's customer amenities alongside the former cinema and other convenience-oriented services.

  • Home improvement retail · 2003

    Lowe's home-improvement store

    A detached Lowe's store was built on the former twin-theater site in the northeastern corner of the property. Although separate from the enclosed mall, it broadened the site's retail offer beyond apparel, department-store, and specialty shopping.

  • Public art · 1957

    The Lion and Mouse

    Marshall Fredericks created the nine-foot sculpture known as “The Lion and Mouse” for Eastland's opening. The mouse was stolen in 1957 and replaced repeatedly; the original mouse was returned to the mall in 2007. The sculpture was one of the property's best-known visual features.

Brand decisions

  • 2021

    Convert the mall property to industrial useStrategy

    Background

    After years of anchor closures and declining retail viability, Kohan sold the site to NorthPoint Development.

    Action taken

    NorthPoint planned to demolish the mall and redevelop the property with warehouses and industrial buildings.

    Aftermath

    The interior closed in November 2021, the remaining retailers departed, and demolition began in April 2022.

    Source

  • 2003

    Replace the former theater site with Lowe'sStrategy

    Background

    The mall's twin theater had become a redevelopment opportunity as the property adjusted its entertainment and retail footprint.

    Action taken

    The theater was demolished and a detached Lowe's home-improvement store was constructed on the site.

    Aftermath

    The property gained a large-format home-improvement tenant outside the enclosed mall.

    Source

  • 1975

    Enclose the shopping centerStrategy

    Background

    Eastland began as a shopping center and faced the broader industry shift toward climate-controlled enclosed malls.

    Action taken

    The property was enclosed and JCPenney was added as an anchor.

    Aftermath

    The conversion established Eastland as a conventional enclosed mall for the following decades.

    Source

Sources1 sources

  1. 1Eastland Center (Michigan)en.wikipedia.org

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