Chandler Fashion Center

Chandler Fashion Center is a large regional shopping center in Chandler, Arizona, at the northwest corner of Loop 101 and Loop 202. It is positioned as a destination for fashion retail, department stores, dining, entertainment, and family-oriented attractions, and also functions as a Valley Metro bus transit center. The property is owned by Macerich and was developed by Westcor, the former Arizona-focused development subsidiary associated with Macerich. The mall opened on October 19, 2001, with 229 stores and five principal anchors: Nordstrom, Sears, Dillard's, Robinsons-May, and Harkins Theatres. Its opening expanded the retail infrastructure of Chandler and the southeastern Phoenix metropolitan area. The center later became part of Macerich's portfolio in 2002. An Apple Store opened shortly after the mall's launch as the first Apple location in Arizona, although that store subsequently moved to another part of the property in 2016. A freestanding Best Buy was also added to the surrounding retail complex. Architecturally, the enclosed mall is organized in an A-shaped plan, with the food court at the apex and three shopping wings radiating outward. Its interior uses stone columns, marble floors, and extensive skylights. Large photographic murals depicting the Grand Canyon, Sedona, and the Sonoran Desert give the center a distinctly Arizona-oriented visual identity. An adjacent outdoor district known as The Village combines restaurants, entertainment, and leisure uses, including Harkins Theatres, Escape the Room, and Buffalo Wild Wings. The former Dancing Waters fountain was removed in 2014 and replaced with a more passive outdoor area featuring patio seating, lawns, and a children's splash pad. The tenant mix has changed substantially over time. Robinsons-May was converted to Macy's in 2006. Sears announced a closure in 2018 as part of the retailer's broader retreat from traditional department-store operations. The former Nordstrom space was later redeveloped for Scheels, a large sporting-goods and entertainment retailer that opened its first Arizona location at the center on September 30, 2023. The Scheels facility incorporates attractions such as a Ferris wheel, a large saltwater aquarium, an arcade, sports simulators, a wildlife-themed mountain, a restaurant, and a candy shop. Crayola Experience opened near the food court in 2019. Round1 Bowling & Arcade opened in the former Sears space in February 2025, while Seafood City was announced for the second floor of that building with a supermarket and food hall planned for a later opening. Chandler Fashion Center remains one of the major enclosed retail destinations in the Phoenix area. Its identity has evolved from a conventional department-store-anchored mall into a mixed retail, dining, entertainment, and experiential destination, supported by nearby commercial developments such as Chandler Festival, Chandler Gateway, Chandler Village Center, and the Boulevard Shops at Chandler Fashion Center.

Chandler Fashion Center was developed in Chandler, Arizona, by Westcor and opened on October 19, 2001. Its original launch brought 229 stores and five major anchors to the southeastern Phoenix metropolitan area: Nordstrom, Sears, Dillard's, Robinsons-May, and Harkins Theatres. The project was designed as a regional shopping destination near the junction of Loop 101 and Loop 202, with Chandler Boulevard providing another access route. It also became a stop in the Valley Metro bus network. The mall joined The Macerich Company's portfolio in 2002. Its early tenant mix included Arizona's first Apple Store, which opened shortly after the center's debut and later relocated within the mall in 2016. A freestanding Best Buy was subsequently built on the property. In 2006, the Robinsons-May anchor was converted to Macy's, reflecting the consolidation of the department-store sector. The center's physical design is a notable part of its identity. The enclosed mall follows an A-shaped layout, with the food court at the top and three retail wings extending from it. Stone columns, marble floors, and skylights create a contemporary interior, while large photographic murals present images of the Grand Canyon, Sedona, and the Sonoran Desert. Adjacent to the food-court entrance, The Village provides an outdoor setting for restaurants, entertainment, and leisure activities. Its former Dancing Waters fountain was removed in summer 2014 and replaced by a picnic-style area with patios, lawns, and a children's splash pad. Over time, several restaurants in The Village closed, leaving the district with reduced occupancy according to the cited reference material. The property experienced further anchor changes during the late 2010s and 2020s. In 2018, Sears announced that it would close as part of its broader withdrawal from traditional store operations. Crayola Experience opened near the food court in 2019, adding an experiential family attraction. Nordstrom announced in May 2020 that it would close its Chandler location, citing a broader business pullback during the COVID-19 period. In May 2021, Scheels was announced as the replacement for the former Nordstrom space. The resulting store opened on September 30, 2023, as Scheels' first Arizona location, combining sporting-goods retail with a Ferris wheel, aquarium, arcade, sports simulators, wildlife-themed displays, dining, and specialty candy. The former Sears building was later adapted for entertainment and international grocery retail. Round1 Bowling & Arcade opened on February 8, 2025, on the first floor. Seafood City was announced for the second floor, including a supermarket and a food hall with approximately 300 seats. The supplied reference material describes a planned July 2026 public opening for that Seafood City location; because that date is future-dated relative to this record, it is treated as a plan rather than a completed historical event. Across its history, Chandler Fashion Center has shifted from a conventional department-store-led mall toward a broader mixed-use retail and entertainment destination. The center's regional role is reinforced by its freeway location, transit access, nearby commercial developments, and continuing replacement of legacy anchors with experiential and specialty operators.

1. 2025Round1 opens in former Sears building

   Round1 Bowling & Arcade opened on the first floor of the former Sears space.

   Source
2. 2023Scheels opens first Arizona location

   Scheels opened in the former Nordstrom space with retail, entertainment, dining, and aquarium attractions.

   Source
3. 2019Crayola Experience opens

   A family-oriented experiential attraction opened near the food court.

   Source
4. 2014Dancing Waters area is renovated

   The former fountain was removed and replaced with outdoor seating, lawns, and a children's splash pad.

   Source
5. 2006Robinsons-May becomes Macy's

   The Robinsons-May anchor was converted into a Macy's store.

   Source
6. 2002Property enters Macerich portfolio

   Chandler Fashion Center became part of The Macerich Company's portfolio after its initial development by Westcor.

   Source
7. 2001Chandler Fashion Center opens

   The center opened on October 19 with 229 stores and five principal anchors.

   Source

A regional destination shopping center combining department stores, specialty retail, dining, entertainment, family attractions, and transportation access.

• Regional shopping centerRetail property2001

  Chandler Fashion Center provides enclosed, climate-controlled shopping across multiple wings organized around a central food court. Its tenant base spans apparel, department stores, specialty retail, beauty, gifts, sporting goods, restaurants, and entertainment. The center is designed to serve both routine local shopping and destination visits from across the Phoenix metropolitan area.

• The VillageOutdoor dining and entertainment district2001

  The Village is an outdoor area adjoining the mall's food-court entrance. It has hosted restaurants, Harkins Theatres, Escape the Room, Buffalo Wild Wings, and other leisure operators. The former Dancing Waters fountain was replaced with a picnic-oriented public area featuring patios, lawns, and a children's splash pad.

• Scheels ChandlerSporting goods and entertainment2023

  Scheels occupies the former Nordstrom space and combines sporting-goods retail with substantial entertainment programming. Its reported attractions include a 65-foot Ferris wheel, a 16,000-gallon saltwater aquarium, an arcade, sports simulators, a wildlife-themed mountain, a restaurant, and a specialty candy shop. It opened as Scheels' first Arizona store in 2023.

• Crayola ExperienceFamily entertainment2019

  Crayola Experience is an interactive family attraction located near the mall's food court. Its presence broadens the center's appeal beyond shopping by adding an activity-based destination for children and families.

• Round1 Bowling & ArcadeEntertainment2025

  Round1 Bowling & Arcade occupies the first floor of the former Sears building. The concept adds bowling, arcade, and related leisure activities to the center's post-department-store tenant mix.

• Seafood City ChandlerGrocery and food hall

  Seafood City was announced for the second floor of the former Sears building. The planned Arizona location includes a supermarket and a food hall designed to seat approximately 300 people. The supplied reference describes a planned July 2026 opening, which is not treated here as a completed launch.

• 2025Convert former Sears space to entertainment and grocery usesStrategy

  Sears closed its location after announcing a broader retreat from conventional brick-and-mortar retail.

  What changed. Round1 opened on the first floor, while Seafood City was announced for the second floor with a supermarket and food hall.

  Aftermath. The redevelopment further diversified the former department-store footprint into entertainment, grocery, and food-service uses.

  Source
• 2021Redevelop former Nordstrom space for ScheelsGeneration change

  Nordstrom announced the closure of its Chandler store in 2020, creating a major vacant anchor space.

  What changed. Scheels was selected to reconstruct and occupy the former Nordstrom location with a large sporting-goods and entertainment concept.

  Aftermath. The Scheels store opened in 2023 as the retailer's first Arizona location and added multiple experiential attractions.

  Source
• 2014Replace Dancing Waters with an outdoor leisure areaStrategy

  The former fountain attraction was removed during a renovation of The Village area.

  What changed. The property created a picnic-style space with patio seating, lawn areas, and a children's splash pad.

  Aftermath. The change shifted the area from a programmed fountain spectacle toward informal outdoor recreation and seating.

  Source

• 2025Round1 Bowling & Arcade opens in former Sears space

  Round1 Bowling & Arcade opened on February 8 in the first-floor portion of the former Sears building.

  Product launch
  Source
• 2023Scheels opens its first Arizona store

  Scheels opened at the center on September 30, introducing its first Arizona location and a large collection of retail, dining, and amusement features.

  Product launch
  Source
• 2021Scheels selected to redevelop former Nordstrom space

  Scheels was announced as the replacement tenant for the former Nordstrom space, with a large-format store planned to combine sporting goods and entertainment attractions.

  Product launch
  Source
• 2020Nordstrom announces Chandler closure

  Nordstrom announced plans to close its Chandler Fashion Center store along with additional locations during its pandemic-related retrenchment.

  Other
  Source
• 2019Crayola Experience opens near the food court

  Crayola Experience opened near the food court, adding a family-oriented experiential attraction to the property.

  Product launch
  Source
• 2018Sears announces closure at Chandler Fashion Center

  Sears announced that its mall location would close as part of the retailer's wider reduction of conventional brick-and-mortar operations.

  Bankruptcy
  Source
• 2011Police standoff causes mall lockdown

  A shooting incident involving a suspect and two police officers led to a temporary lockdown. The suspect surrendered, and no deaths or injuries were reported.

  Other
  Source
• 2006Robinsons-May location converts to Macy's

  The Robinsons-May anchor was converted into a Macy's department store.

  Other
  Source
• 2002Macerich adds Chandler Fashion Center to its portfolio

  The property, originally associated with Westcor, became part of The Macerich Company's portfolio.

  M&A
  Source
• 2001Chandler Fashion Center opens with major department-store anchors

  The mall opened on October 19 with 229 stores and five principal anchors: Nordstrom, Sears, Dillard's, Robinsons-May, and Harkins Theatres.

  Other
  Source

1. Chandler Fashion Center
2. Chandler Fashion Center official website