Did General Growth Properties Ever Really Intend To Have A Department Store Anchor The Elk Grove Promenade?

Wal-Mart, Target destined to be anchor of half-completed mall?

The construction progress, or more specifically the lack thereof, of General Growth Properties (GGP) Elk Grove Promenade mall has been well documented.

While EGN has derided the Chicago-based developer for back-pedaling on it's initial commitment to build an enclosed regional fashion mall and instead slapping together a strip-center-on-steroids type mall, it occurred to us today the Promenade was probably never meant to be a mall with upscale department stores despite GGP's claims.

GGP promised a mall with department store anchors like Macy's or even Penney's. A casual observer will note that with the exception of a few design facades on the north and south sides of the half-constructed shopping center (pictured here) not meant as retail floor space, the entire facility is one one level.

Most middle range mall department stores like Penney's, much less higher end stores like Norstrom's, typically operate on a minimum of two and often three levels. Likewise, mass discount merchants such as Wal-Mart and Target typically operate on a single level.

Of course this begs the question: Did GGP ever really intend to have a major department store as a primary anchor? By the looks of the design hoisted on Elk Grove, could it be that GGP always intended the Elk Grove Promenade to be anchored by a Wal-Mart of Target?