Exton Square Mall in West Whiteland Township is under contract to sell to a local developer with plans to overhaul the struggling property, according to sources familiar with the deal. Elkins Park-based Abrams Realty & Development's plans include tearing down a portion of the mall and adding residences along with a variety of other uses to the retail center, the sources say. Abrams specializes in building and owning retail properties in the Philadelphia area and owns a portfolio of 3.1 million square feet. The PREIT-owned, nearly 990,000-square-foot mall is anchored by Boscov’s and Macy’s. It was 62% occupied as of the spring. Philadelphia-based PREIT has identified the property as “non-core” and considered adding non-retail uses given its struggles as a traditional mall. The 72-acre property sits at the intersection of Route 100 and Route 30, about four miles from the Pennsylvania Turnpike. The entire site is within West Whiteland’s town center zoning designation, meaning a mix of residential and nonresidential uses are allowed at the highest density permitted in the township. Allowable nonresidential uses include retail, restaurants, office, hotels and fitness clubs.
Source: Philadelphia Business Journal; 11/7/2024