Penn Square Mall

[Bimmerdude]

1901 NW Expressway
Opened March 3, 1960
Owner=Simon Properties
Sq. feet=1,100,000

Information & Latest News

2012: AMC buys and renovates theater
3/2/88: Reopens after major renovation: added 2nd level, Foley's dept. store
11/11/81: Enclosed mall area complete
6/17/80: Enclosure of the mall commences
3/3/60: Opened with John A. Brown, Montgomery Wards and Rothschild's as tenants
11/5/58: Ground breaking

Ground was broken for the first shopping mall in the Sooner State in September 1958. Originally known as the BELLEVUE SHOPPING CENTER, the prospective retail hub's name had been changed to PENN SQUARE CENTER by the time its first stores opened for business, on March 3, 1960.

The single-level, open-air complex was developed by OKC's Ben Wileman and the Rooney Family and designed by the firm of Sorey, Hill and Sorey. It was situated on a 49.5 acre tract, adjacent to the future route of Interstate 44, which was 3.5 miles northwest of the Oklahoma Statehouse.

Enveloping 575,000 leasable square feet, PENN SQUARE housed forty-six inline tenants and two anchor department stores. On the southwest was a 2-level (101,100 square foot), Oklahoma City-based John A. Brown. On the southeast stood a 2-level (168,400 square foot) Montgomery Ward.

Charter tenants included Lerner Shops, Peyton-Marcus apparel, Rothschild's apparel, Val Gene's Cafeteria, Extension One ladies' apparel, Rosenfield's Jewelers, the National Bank of Oklahoma City and an S.S. Kresge 5 and 10.

A taste of commercial competition came to PENN SQUARE in 1964, with the completion of SHEPHERD MALL {1.8 miles southwest, in Oklahoma City}. The latter was a small, community-class complex and the two shopping centers coexisted peaceably.

Other major shopping hubs built in the PENN SQUARE trade area were HERITAGE PARK MALL (1971-2010) {8.6 miles southeast, in Midwest City}, CROSSROADS MALL (1974) {10 miles southeast, in Oklahoma City} and QUAIL SPRINGS MALL (1980) {5.8 miles northwest, also in Oklahoma City}.

An enclosing renovation was done at PENN SQUARE CENTER in 1981-1982. The complex now encompassed 587,900 leasable square feet. The first nameplate change took place in September 1984, when John A. Brown was rebranded by Dillard's. In September 1985, the mall was sold to Cincinnati's JMB Federated Realty.

They initiated a 100 million dollar renovation of the property in 1986. The existing Dillard's was expanded into a 142,900 square foot operation. A second level of retail stores -including a new Food Court- was built and a 2-level (161,000 square foot), Houston-based Foley's was added to the mall's north side. Moreover, a 3-level parking garage was added, which was adjacent to the new Foley's.

The mall was officially rededicated March 2, 1988. The Dickinson Penn Square 10 multiplex, installed in new Upper Level space, showed its first features May 19, 1988. With this massive renovation, a rather mundane PENN SQUARE CENTER had reinvented itself as PENN SQUARE MALL; now the city's most upscale shopping venue.

A 2-level (126,000 square foot) J.C. Penney, built on the east end of the complex, opened for business October 30, 1995. This addition increased the mall's GLA to 1,051,000 square feet, making it the third-largest shopping mall in the state; this following Tulsa's WOODLAND HILLS (1976) and the aforementioned QUAIL SPRINGS MALL.

PENN SQUARE MALL was given a 10 million dollar facelift in the year 2000, with new flooring, lighting and soft seating areas installed. The year 2001 saw Montgomery Ward close its location. The store area was downsized to 125,500 square feet, with the remaining area dedicated to new inline tenants.

Dillard's East (a Men's and Children's store) opened in May 2002. The existing Dillard's was reconfigured as Dillard's West (dedicated to women's clothing and accessories). Foley's, on the north end of the mall, was "Macy-ated" in September 2006.

The Indianapolis-based Simon Property Group had acquired the center in February 2002. In 2007-2008, the mall's six entrances were rebuilt. A subsequent remodeling, done between August 2012 and May 2013, saw the Food Court and restrooms revamped and the cinema remodeled and renamed the AMC Penn Square 10.
Links

Official Site
County Assessor Record
Gallery

[Architect2010]

Definitely the latter. Kids do stupid stuff like that, they're kids. People also cuss others out regularly. I've seen that happen a lot. I mean when you consider what a mall is, a massive structure that contains thousands of humans in high contact, then it's reasonable to assume you're going to see some things like this. I wouldn't look too much into it.

[Jesseda]

lol, my wife and i went out for lunch and she was getting so heated about the teenage girls sitting behind us they where non stop talking and giggling loudly about stupid stuff, and i laughed and told her she is getting old, remember a lot of us probably pissed or annoyed older people off when we where teens

[benman]

Headed to the mall last night, since I was in the mood for some chocolate chip cookie dough cheesecake from The Cheesecake Factory Haven't been inside Penn Square in many years. What a letdown. The stores weren't bad. Seems like the clientele from Crossroads and Heritage Park Mall have set up shop at Penn Square. Witnessed a female talking s%^t to someone who was passing by and some teenage kid singing and dancing out loud in the middle of one of the walkways with no regard to foot traffic. I don't know....maybe I'm just getting old, since I cannot deal with people anymore.....

No, you are correct. A bunch of idiots hang around there. Nothing wrong with hanging at the mall, but learn how to carry yourself in a public place. Its funny you mention the dancing/singer teenager. I saw a guy rapping and dancing as he walked through the mall not too long ago. Not that I have a problem with someone enjoying themselves, but come on....Nobody wants to hear you rapping or see you with your pants down to your knees loitering through the mall.

The problem is that people these days dont seem to have any class and its really sad. I guess some people just dont understand.

[Bimmerdude]

I know teenagers will be teenagers. Been there, done that, and got a big a$$ whoopin' for that too. As mentioned before....maybe it's the sign of the times, I guess.

[Architect2010]

Nothing wrong with hanging at the mall, but learn how to carry yourself in a public place.

How should you carry yourself? I think this is interesting.

[warreng88]

How should you carry yourself? I think this is interesting.

It's simple:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkeAzqhlkNk

[OKCTalker]

Seen but not heard. I sure miss the old days!

[OKCTalker]

Cat Stevens refrain from "Father and Son" (album "Tea for the Tillerman"): "From the time that I could talk, I was ordered to listen..."

[Patrick]

One thing I will say is that the problem is even worse at Quail Springs because the large movie theater tends to attract the teenage crowd. Security has had numerous teen problems out there, especially after hours when the stores are closed and just the movie theater is open. But, it all comes with being a mall. Malls attract both upscale shoppers and low life that like to hang out as well.

[Bunty]

Headed to the mall last night, since I was in the mood for some chocolate chip cookie dough cheesecake from The Cheesecake Factory Haven't been inside Penn Square in many years. What a letdown. The stores weren't bad. Seems like the clientele from Crossroads and Heritage Park Mall have set up shop at Penn Square. Witnessed a female talking s%^t to someone who was passing by and some teenage kid singing and dancing out loud in the middle of one of the walkways with no regard to foot traffic. I don't know....maybe I'm just getting old, since I cannot deal with people anymore.....

Well, if you're homophobic, you could have seen two young guys holding hands while taking a merry stroll in the mall. Being upset by that would also be a sign of growing old. I've seen that sight before and was more concerned for their safety from the homophobes than offended by it.

[benman]

How should you carry yourself? I think this is interesting.

?? Nothing interesting about it.. Act normal and dont do things that embarass yourself or others around around. A tiny bit of respect will go a long way.

[metro]

Tis thread ranks upnthere with Thunder and megax's thread on Crossroads mall.

[adaniel]

ZOMG teens acting stupid a mall! Between this and the massive fish and bird kills it must mean the apocolypse is near!

All all seriousness, not picking on the OP. But this is the 2nd thread that suggests Penn Square is somehow going downhill and I just don't see it. But I'm not faulting you for being annoyed. I'm probably a lot closer to their age than you and I find some of the stuff teens do at the mall highly irritating. But its not like it some new phenomenon. I'm sure your generation did stuff that made your parents and grandparents shake their heads.

Penn Square is this regions premier shopping destination so its going to attract people of all walks of life.

[animeGhost]

?? Nothing interesting about it.. Act normal and dont do things that embarass yourself or others around around. A tiny bit of respect will go a long way.

What is normal?

[circuitboard]

I have to add my 2 cents, as I was a teen not that long ago, and me and my friends used to drive mall shoppers crazy. Malls and teens go together like milk and cereal.

Northpark in Dallas is the same way. Nothing new.

[dankrutka]

?? Nothing interesting about it.. Act normal and dont do things that embarass yourself or others around around. A tiny bit of respect will go a long way.

Is there any way we could set up a meeting so you could let me know if I am normal enough?

[Soonerman]

I have to add my 2 cents, as I was a teen not that long ago, and me and my friends used to drive mall shoppers crazy. Malls and teens go together like milk and cereal.

Northpark in Dallas is the same way. Nothing new.

This. Teens hang out at malls It's just the way it is.

[Larry OKC]

What is normal?

Normal (adj)
a : according with, constituting, or not deviating from a norm, rule, or principle
b : conforming to a type, standard, or regular pattern

Love it when dictionaries define things this way "Normal: not deviating from the norm" LOL

In the context of the mall where you have a representative cross-section of ages, cultures, income levels etc etc, it is what the majority of people do in the same situation.

Now in the case of the dancing teenager, within his group of friends it may be perfectly normal for them (among themselves). Maybe the person thought "Glee" should be real life and just break out in song & dance whenever.

If the majority of mall goers sing and dance in the walkways, that would then be normal. Since most don't, it is abnormal behavior.

[oneforone]

I think one thing we all have to keep in mind that most of today's teenagers were raised by people who were children in adult bodies. Very few kids and teens are taught how to behave in public. Sure we wall annoyed the hell out of adults as kids however, the majority of the people on here new where the line was. If store employees or mall security had to get involved you took it down a notch or two and went about your business. You knew better then to bring things to a point where Mom and Dad or worse the police had to get involved. Being busted by the cops was not the badge of honor it is now.

Today only a select few have respect for others let alone authority. When things get bad enough for parents or police to be called the parents show up and blame everyone but the kid. If I were a little younger I would consider becoming a bail bondsman or a criminal defense attorney. Both those fields are about become very lucrative because many of today's teens are going to see jail or prison time at some point in their early adulthood. I predict we will soon hit a time where not being convicted of a crime will put you in the minority not the majority.

On another note, Heritage Park is closed, Crossroads is looking exactly like Heritage Park did in it's final years of existence (each passing day,month, year = another closed store and new "For Lease" sign). The kids have nowhere else to go other then Penn Square and Quail Springs. Both malls might as well go ahead and replace their security officers with off duty police officers. Otherwise the next big development in North OKC/Edmond might just suck all the stores out of both malls.

[Bimmerdude]

Fcuk it! I say Penn Square Mall should implement their version of the Mutawas (Morality) Police and correct people on the spot or else issue a citation or escort them off the mall premises.

[Soonerman]

I think one thing we all have to keep in mind that most of today's teenagers were raised by people who were children in adult bodies. Very few kids and teens are taught how to behave in public. Sure we wall annoyed the hell out of adults as kids however, the majority of the people on here new where the line was. If store employees or mall security had to get involved you took it down a notch or two and went about your business. You knew better then to bring things to a point where Mom and Dad or worse the police had to get involved. Being busted by the cops was not the badge of honor it is now.

Today only a select few have respect for others let alone authority. When things get bad enough for parents or police to be called the parents show up and blame everyone but the kid. If I were a little younger I would consider becoming a bail bondsman or a criminal defense attorney. Both those fields are about become very lucrative because many of today's teens are going to see jail or prison time at some point in their early adulthood. I predict we will soon hit a time where not being convicted of a crime will put you in the minority not the majority.

On another note, Heritage Park is closed, Crossroads is looking exactly like Heritage Park did in it's final years of existence (each passing day,month, year = another closed store and new "For Lease" sign). The kids have nowhere else to go other then Penn Square and Quail Springs. Both malls might as well go ahead and replace their security officers with off duty police officers. Otherwise the next big development in North OKC/Edmond might just suck all the stores out of both malls.

^ 100% spot on with this post. It all goes back to parenting.

[Swake2]

I think one thing we all have to keep in mind that most of today's teenagers were raised by people who were children in adult bodies. Very few kids and teens are taught how to behave in public. Sure we wall annoyed the hell out of adults as kids however, the majority of the people on here new where the line was. If store employees or mall security had to get involved you took it down a notch or two and went about your business. You knew better then to bring things to a point where Mom and Dad or worse the police had to get involved. Being busted by the cops was not the badge of honor it is now.

Today only a select few have respect for others let alone authority. When things get bad enough for parents or police to be called the parents show up and blame everyone but the kid. If I were a little younger I would consider becoming a bail bondsman or a criminal defense attorney. Both those fields are about become very lucrative because many of today's teens are going to see jail or prison time at some point in their early adulthood. I predict we will soon hit a time where not being convicted of a crime will put you in the minority not the majority.

Completely false. Juvenile crime is falling and has been falling for the last 30 years. Kids today are not worse than before and are in fact much less likely to commit crimes.

http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/ojjdp/228479.pdf
http://www.urban.org/Uploadedpdf/youth-crime-drop.pdf
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontl...ats/basic.html

[Ginkasa]

I think one thing we all have to keep in mind that most of today's teenagers were raised by people who were children in adult bodies. Very few kids and teens are taught how to behave in public. Sure we wall annoyed the hell out of adults as kids however, the majority of the people on here new where the line was. If store employees or mall security had to get involved you took it down a notch or two and went about your business. You knew better then to bring things to a point where Mom and Dad or worse the police had to get involved. Being busted by the cops was not the badge of honor it is now.

Today only a select few have respect for others let alone authority. When things get bad enough for parents or police to be called the parents show up and blame everyone but the kid. If I were a little younger I would consider becoming a bail bondsman or a criminal defense attorney. Both those fields are about become very lucrative because many of today's teens are going to see jail or prison time at some point in their early adulthood. I predict we will soon hit a time where not being convicted of a crime will put you in the minority not the majority.

On another note, Heritage Park is closed, Crossroads is looking exactly like Heritage Park did in it's final years of existence (each passing day,month, year = another closed store and new "For Lease" sign). The kids have nowhere else to go other then Penn Square and Quail Springs. Both malls might as well go ahead and replace their security officers with off duty police officers. Otherwise the next big development in North OKC/Edmond might just suck all the stores out of both malls.

I don't buy this at all. First off, wha are you trying to imply by current teens being raised by children in adult bodies? What about the current "teen-parent" generation would suggest they are children in adult bodies en masse? I'm not saying there aren't really horrible parents, but surely not most of them.

I also think you're using selective viewing. You allege that teenagers are becoming worse and acting out more and wearing a criminal record like a badge of pride. However, those teenagers are the only ones you are seeing and hearing about. You are comparing these bad kids with your childhood and declaring everyone everyone under 21 (or whatever) a delinquent. I'm willing to bet, though, that you were a good kid who hung out with good kids and generally stayed away and ignored the bad kids. There are punks in your day, sure, but you didn't mess with them or their lifestyle so they seemed much less numerous. All you saw, for the most part, were the good kids.

You don't care about the good kids nowadays. You don' notice them. You have no interest in them and they don't do anything to draw your attention. The bad kids, though... You care about them. You hear news stories about them doing bad things. You see trends and fads that appear distasteful to you and draw erroneous conclusions on everyone who wears them. Then you really pay attention to the few that actively cause trouble in your presence. They swear or fight or just do horrible things. They are truly in the minority, but you only pay attention to them so they feel much more prevalent than they really are.

Anyway, just a thought.

[ljbab728]

Fcuk it! I say Penn Square Mall should implement their version of the Mutawas (Morality) Police and correct people on the spot or else issue a citation or escort them off the mall premises.

LANGUAGE PLEASE!!!!!! This isn't an adult only forum. Minor's do read these posts.