Heart of Huntsville Mall
Retailer / private label
UnclaimedA former enclosed shopping mall in Huntsville, Alabama, that operated from 1961 until its demolition in 2007.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Heart of Huntsville Mall was an enclosed shopping mall in Huntsville, Alabama, United States. It opened in 1961 as the first enclosed shopping mall in the city and occupied a site just outside downtown at the intersection of Clinton Avenue and Memorial Parkway. The single-story complex measured approximately 250,000 square feet and was anchored at its southern end by a 48,000-square-foot Sears store. For several decades, the mall served both as a retail destination and as a community gathering place. Its event calendar included Scout Expos, craft fairs, and other local activities. The Delta Zeta Arts and Crafts Show began at the mall in 1967 and became a long-running event with approximately 100 booths. During the mid-to-late 1990s, the property also hosted punk-rock shows, reflecting the mall's changing role as traditional retail weakened and local or specialized uses occupied more of the space. The mall's competitive position deteriorated after Madison Square Mall opened in west Huntsville in 1984. Sears relocated to Madison Square, and other major tenants gradually closed or moved. Woolworth's, one of the better-known chains associated with the property, closed in 1992. Lower rents subsequently attracted smaller local businesses, allowing the center to continue operating despite the loss of major anchors. By the late 1990s, the property had been renamed Market Square. Burlington Coat Factory and Gold's Gym became its principal tenants, while the remaining occupants included smaller businesses such as the club 721, an exercise-equipment shop, and Ivey's Restaurant. The rebranding and tenant mix represented an attempt to reposition the aging mall as a lower-cost, locally oriented commercial center rather than a conventional enclosed shopping destination. In the early 2000s, owner and developer Scott McLain began planning a redevelopment of the site. By the middle of 2007, nearly all tenants had vacated, with a tanning salon reportedly the last remaining occupant. The former mall was demolished in 2007 to make way for Constellation, a proposed mixed-use development tied rhetorically to Huntsville's space-industry identity. The redevelopment was projected to include retail, restaurants, hotels, offices, residential units, and structured parking, with an estimated value of $150 million in contemporary project plans. Construction began in spring 2008, and work on a SpringHill Suites hotel started in August of that year. The broader project experienced delays and remained incomplete for many years. By August 2021, the SpringHill Suites was open, while other portions of the development had only begun construction again in late 2020. A tree planted in 1961, the mall's opening year, was intended to be preserved as part of the redevelopment. The mall itself no longer operates, but its site remains connected to Huntsville's commercial history and to the transition from enclosed suburban retail toward mixed-use urban redevelopment.
History
Heart of Huntsville Mall opened in 1961 at Clinton Avenue and Memorial Parkway in Huntsville, Alabama. It was the city's first enclosed shopping mall and contained about 250,000 square feet of retail space in a single-story layout. Sears occupied a prominent 48,000-square-foot anchor position at the southern end of the complex. The property combined ordinary retailing with a strong community function. It hosted Scout Expos, craft fairs, and other local events. The Delta Zeta Arts and Crafts Show was established at the mall in 1967 and reportedly began with about 100 booths. In the mid-to-late 1990s, the site also accommodated punk-rock performances, illustrating how the property was used for activities beyond traditional shopping. The mall prospered for many years, but its position weakened when Madison Square Mall opened in west Huntsville in 1984. Sears moved to the newer center, and other national retailers gradually disappeared. Woolworth's closed in 1992. As chain stores left, local operators took space at lower rents and kept portions of the property active. During the late 1990s, the center was renamed Market Square. Burlington Coat Factory and Gold's Gym became the principal tenants. Smaller occupants included the 721 club, an exercise-equipment retailer, and Ivey's Restaurant. This tenant mix reflected a transition from a traditional department-store mall toward a more fragmented commercial property centered on discount retail, fitness, food, entertainment, and local businesses. Owner Scott McLain began planning a larger redevelopment in the early 2000s. By mid-2007, virtually all tenants had left, reportedly leaving only a tanning salon before demolition. The mall was removed in 2007 to make room for Constellation, a planned mixed-use development. Contemporary plans described a project of approximately 415,000 square feet, including retail and restaurants, two five-story hotels with a combined 160 rooms, 60,000 square feet of office space, a seven-story residential tower with as many as 80 units, and a multi-level parking garage. The proposed $150 million figure referred to the redevelopment plan rather than to the mall's operating revenue or valuation. The name Constellation was explained as a reference to Huntsville's space heritage and to a collection of different venues. Possible restaurant concepts such as Hard Rock Cafe and Cheesecake Factory were considered but later regarded as unsuitable for the market. In early 2008, Huntsville officials also discussed whether the site could accommodate a new City Hall. Construction began in spring 2008. Work on a SpringHill Suites hotel commenced in August 2008, while a Courtyard by Marriott was described as a future component. The redevelopment did not proceed fully on its original timetable. By August 2021, the SpringHill Suites was open, but most of the planned development remained incomplete, with additional construction reportedly restarting in late 2020. A tree planted in 1961 was identified for retention in the new project, preserving a physical link to the mall's opening year. The Heart of Huntsville Mall is therefore a defunct retail property whose principal historical significance lies in its role as Huntsville's first enclosed mall and in the later redevelopment of an obsolete shopping-center site.
- 2021
Partial status of the replacement development
[1]The SpringHill Suites is open, while much of the broader Constellation plan remains incomplete and additional construction has resumed.
- 2008
Constellation construction begins
[1]Site work begins in spring, followed by construction of the planned SpringHill Suites hotel in August.
- 2007
Demolition
[1]The former mall is demolished for the planned Constellation mixed-use redevelopment.
- 1992
Woolworth's closes
[1]The national chain's closure reflects the mall's declining chain-store presence.
- 1984
Madison Square Mall opens
[1]A newer west Huntsville shopping center opens, beginning a period of intensified competition for Heart of Huntsville Mall.
- 1967
Delta Zeta Arts and Crafts Show begins
[1]The mall becomes the starting venue for a long-running arts-and-crafts event with roughly 100 booths at its launch.
- 1961
Opening of the first enclosed mall in Huntsville
[1]Heart of Huntsville Mall opens near downtown Huntsville with approximately 250,000 square feet and a major Sears anchor.
Renaming as Market Square
[1]The property is renamed Market Square in the late 1990s and adopts a more varied, value-oriented tenant mix.
Products and positioning
Originally positioned as Huntsville's first enclosed shopping mall and a convenient retail center near downtown, the property later shifted toward value-oriented retail, fitness, entertainment, local businesses, and community events after losing major national tenants.
Department store anchor · 1961
Sears
Sears was the principal anchor of Heart of Huntsville Mall, occupying approximately 48,000 square feet at the southern end of the complex. Its later relocation to Madison Square Mall removed one of the property's most important national retail draws and contributed to the mall's subsequent decline.
Discount apparel retailer
Burlington Coat Factory
Burlington Coat Factory became one of the principal tenants after the property was renamed Market Square. Its value-oriented apparel offer formed part of the mall's later repositioning after department-store traffic and other national anchors had weakened.
Fitness facility
Gold's Gym
Gold's Gym served as one of the two principal tenants during the Market Square period. Its presence reflected the shift toward service and activity-based uses that could occupy space in an aging mall even as conventional retail chains departed.
Community event · 1967
Delta Zeta Arts and Crafts Show
Beginning in 1967, this arts-and-crafts show used Heart of Huntsville Mall as its venue and reportedly opened with approximately 100 booths. It became one of the property's notable recurring community events.
Brand decisions
2008
Begin construction of the Constellation replacement developmentProduct launchBackground
Following demolition, the site was planned as a mixed-use project connected to Huntsville's space-industry identity.
Action taken
Construction began in spring 2008, with the SpringHill Suites component starting in August.
Aftermath
Only part of the planned project was operating by 2021, while later construction activity resumed on other portions.
2007
Replace the mall with the Constellation mixed-use projectStrategyBackground
After years of competitive pressure, anchor departures, and a shift toward smaller tenants, owner Scott McLain pursued redevelopment of the aging property.
Action taken
The mall was cleared and demolished for a proposed development combining retail, restaurants, hotels, offices, housing, and structured parking.
Aftermath
The mall ceased to exist as a retail property. The replacement project was only partially completed for many years, with the SpringHill Suites opening and other construction progressing much later.
Projected redevelopment cost. $150 million projected (2007 redevelopment plans)
Sources1 sources
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