University Place (Orem, Utah)

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575 East University Parkway
Orem, UT 84097
(801) 224-0694
www.universityplaceorem.com/

A large mall in Orem built some 30 years ago. The west wing is the original section of the mall. ZCMI retail was on the west end, JC Penney on the east end, and were connected with a shopping corridor in between. The north wing was added about 10 years later with Mervyn's at the north end, turning the building into an L shape. After 20 years the mall began to show its age with its dimly lit halls and featureless, white exterior. Then when the new and modern Provo Towne Centre Mall was built, University Mall was quickly losing appeal.

To cope, the mall went through a huge renovation around 2000. The entire building was given a face lift inside and out with a beautiful southern facing storefront. Restaurants including PF Chang's, California Pizza Kitchen, Cold Stone Creamery and The Spaghetti Factory were added all with outer facing entrances. JC Penny was torn down and the south corridor was expanded further east capped off by Nordstrom's department store. All interior corridors were upgraded, ceilings were lifted, and warmer, brighter colors were used throughout. Interior court fountains were removed and replaced with Utah nature themes and pleasing forest foliage, including a huge children's play tree house. A spacious food court was also built on the east side.

The Mall is currently doing very well holding its own along with Provo's mall. ZCMI was replaced by Meyer & Frank during the renovation, and has recently changed again to Macey's. There was a huge water main break in the tree house court that flooded several storefronts and ruined the tree house play area. The tree house was removed and is in the process of being replaced by a larger one.