Goodbye Stratford Square Mall, hello “The Grove.”
The Village of Bloomingdale Wednesday revealed renderings of a major transformation of the former site of the decades-old Stratford Square Mall into a new $78 million mixed-use development called “The Grove,” with shopping, dining, entertainment, apartments, and a massive first tenant expected to open in 2027.
“The Grove represents the next chapter in Bloomingdale’s growth — a place where families, friends, and visitors can come together to live, dine, shop and celebrate,” Mayor Franco Coladipietro said in a release. The first official tenant of the site, The Bloomingdale Yard, is set to be a 100,000 square-foot indoor sports and family recreation venue, including space for birthday parties, a childcare center, sports training, leagues and more.
“We look forward to announcing many more tenants as this project comes to life,” Coladipietro said.
In 2024, the Village of Bloomingdale, which acquired Stratford Square Mall after failed attempts to collaborate with its owner, announced on Facebook that the mall was set to permanently close its doors. Later that year, the village set to forth an ambitions redevelopment project for the site that would be financed through bonds and a TIF, or Tax Increment Financing, earned from forthcoming commercial real estate.
Renderings of the new site were released Wednesday, and include a large, man-made lake, a central lawn for concerts outdoor summer and winter events, 280 “modern, luxury residences,” a dedicated dog park with a “walk up bar,” and a mix of other dining, retail and entertainment tenants.
“The district will also include outdoor common areas where guests can enjoy beverages from The Grove’s bars and restaurants while strolling the property or attending its events, further enhancing the walkable, community-focused feel of the space,” the release said.
A first look at the renderings, provided by Carol Fox and Associates, can be found below. The photos show one remaining department store, a Kohl’s, that is now freestanding.
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