Rock Commercial pushing 'creative' redevelopment for York Galleria's J.C. Penney anchor

Don't assume retail will be back in the J.C. Penney space at the York Galleria in Springettsbury Township.

York-based Rock Commercial Real Estate LLC is now marketing the 111,000-square-foot space in the mall, which is owned by Tennessee-based CBL & Associates Properties Inc. And creative redevelopment ideas are certainly possible.

“I think there are some positive attributes to uses that we have considered nontraditional mall uses, but they put people in the center,” said Ben Chiaro, brokerage adviser at Rock.

That could include potential office users, including medical offices.

“We have single-use prospects, but we’re open to splitting the space by floor or taking each floor and splitting it up,” he said.

In Kentucky and Tennessee, CBL bought Sears stores that were closing, razed them and built new multitenant spaces. Those spaces are now home to restaurants, junior anchors and multiple specialty retail shops.

Interior changes are more likely at the Galleria, Chiaro said, but demolition is not off the table. The mall has been up for sale since last year.

“The mall is open to any type of creative scenario that makes sense and adds value,” he said. “There are a lot of opportunities that don’t require demolishing the space. It is front and center with good visibility and multiple points of access, both exterior and interior.”

The lateral amenities to an office user in a mall setting are strong, he added, citing walking for wellness programs, food and shopping options, plus easy access and plenty of parking.

On the retail side, Rock will focus on attracting other department stores, discount retailers, club stores, as well as entertainment venues. Furniture, sporting goods and stores that sell children’s goods are other possibilities.

Source: Central Penn Business Journal