Tanglewood Mall, Roanoke, Virginia. East exterior entrance near JCPenney, scheduled to be renovated. Photographed 1/12/07.
Tanglewood Mall, Roanoke, Virginia. Original pole lamp at east exterior entrance near JCPenney, scheduled to be removed. Photographed 1/12/07.Previously on LiveMalls
Tanglewood Mall, Roanoke, Virginia
The main entrance seems to be garishly outdated and overshadows the warmth of the nearby Applebee's restaurant-- whose own facades would be repainted in warmer tones. The entire entrance space would be redesigned to feature a centralized water fountain, brick paving, and extensive landscaping. The main entrance portal would feature an architecture more alinged with a regional context.
ReplyDeleteNitek, there is no regional design basis for Tanglewood Mall. It is an entity unto itserlf, and that's part of made it so special when it opened and makes it special thirty-three years later.
ReplyDeleteContextually, within the framework of the mall's signature design elements, this entrance works. However garish, the tinted glass and pole lights add a counterpoint to the solid elements of the facade.
It's just old, and old is not a thing that malls are allowed to be.
Perhaps due to their overwhelmingly suburban locations, a majority of regional malls lack any architectural connection to the regions and cities in which they are located. Perhaps if enclosed malls emmulated regional design themes in order to provde a sense of place, they wouldn't be abandoned by the community.
ReplyDeleteArchitectural emulation is not the answer to what ails malls like Tanglewood: it's marketing. While a stronger architectural connection to the community seems like a good idea, a pretty, regionally relevant shell does not ensure someone will want to shop there without the right stores.
ReplyDeleteWhat type of retail competition does Tanglewood have? Is there another regional mall in the vicinity?
ReplyDeleteThere is a mall across town, Valley View Mall, that is the dominant regional retail player. If you think Tanglewood is bad, you'll really hate Valley View. But to its credit, Valley View has the right combination of stores and it's sucessful because of this.
ReplyDeleteHey, where's the French Quarter information? Do you have any info on that besides on DeadMalls.com?
ReplyDeleteI have more information in my head, but it's hard to have enough time to write it all down to put on LiveMalls.
ReplyDelete