From Airport to Shopping Paradise: The Evolution of Staten Island Mall
Before it became Staten Island’s premier shopping destination, the land beneath Staten Island Mall served a very different purpose. The site was once home to the Staten Island Airport, which opened in 1941. After the airport closed, the property was sold in 1955, with early plans envisioning a combined shopping and amusement center. Serious development did not begin until 1970, and the enclosed mall officially opened on August 9, 1973, anchored by Macy’s and Sears.
Early Design and Ownership Changes
Developed by Feist and Feist Realty Corporation, the mall was originally designed as a two-story, T-shaped structure with a large outdoor plaza facing Richmond Avenue. In 1980, ownership transferred to The Rouse Company, which modernized the interior by removing the small “Honeycomb” shops in the center court, installing additional escalators, and adding fountains and landscaping to create a more open atmosphere.
Expansion and Retail Evolution
A major renovation in 1993 introduced a new JCPenney wing, bringing the department store to the mall from Forest Avenue Shoppers Town. Over the following decades, Staten Island Mall steadily updated its tenant mix. By the 2010s, national and higher-end brands began reshaping the mall’s image, signaling a shift toward a more contemporary retail experience.
A Modern Retail and Transit Hub
Between 2016 and 2019, the mall expanded significantly, adding new retail space, entertainment venues, and relocating the food court into a rebranded “Food District.” With additions like Primark, AMC Theatres, and Dave & Buster’s, the mall reinforced its role as both a shopping and social hub. Today, as the borough’s only indoor mall and a major transit center, Staten Island Mall remains a central fixture in island life—continually evolving while retaining its longstanding importance.
Matthew Christopher NY Staten Island Feb 09, 2026 History Malls Retail Stores
Feb 09, 2026
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