View source for Lenox Square

{{Short description|Shopping mall in Atlanta, Georgia}}
{{Use American English|date = January 2020}}
{{Use mdy dates|date = January 2020}}
{{Infobox building
| name = Lenox Square
| logo = Lenox Square logo.svg
| logo_size = 
| logo_alt = 
| logo_caption = 
| image = File:Lenox Square entrance.jpg
| image_size = 
| image_alt = 
| image_caption = Mall entrance (2022)
| coordinates = {{coord|33.84591|-84.36187|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| former_names = 
| status = Open
| building_type = [[Shopping mall]]
| location = 3393 Peachtree Road NE, [[Atlanta]], [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]], United States
| opened_date = {{start date and age|1959|8|3}}
| renovation_date = 
| owner = [[Simon Property Group]]
| management = Simon Property Group
| floor_count = 4{{efn|Neiman Marcus has three floors.}}
| floor_area = {{convert|1558678|sqft|m2}} of gross leasable area
| architect = 
| architecture_firm = 
| developer = Noble Properties
| ren_architect = 
| number_of_stores = 198
| number_of_anchors = 3
| public_transit = {{plain list|
* {{rint|marta}} [[Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority|MARTA]]:
* {{rail color box|system=MARTA|line=Gold}} at [[Lenox station (MARTA)|Lenox]]
* {{rail color box|system=MARTA|line=Red}} at [[Buckhead station|Buckhead]]
}}
| website = {{url|simon.com/mall/lenox-square}}
| references = 
}}

'''Lenox Square''' is a [[shopping mall]] in the [[Buckhead]] district of [[Atlanta]], [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]], United States. It is adjacent to [[Phipps Plaza]], both of which are owned by [[Simon Property Group]]. Lenox Square spans {{convert|1558678|sqft|m2}} of [[Floor area|gross leasable area]] and has 198 tenants, making it the third-largest mall in Georgia. It is anchored by [[Bloomingdale's]], [[Macy's]], and [[Neiman Marcus]], and is connected to the [[JW Marriott Hotels|JW Marriott]] Buckhead hotel by parkway. The mall is known of the start and finish line of the [[Peachtree Road Race]]s, with the mall being the start line of the July southbound running, and the finish line of the January northbound running.

== Development ==
=== Establishment ===
Lenox Square was the work of Ed Noble, a former developer from [[Kansas City, Missouri]], whose company J. Noble Properties, acquired the site in 1956.<ref name="AJC">{{cite web|url=http://www.ajc.com/business/12-things-to-know-100188.html|title=12 things to know about Lenox Square mall|work=[[Atlanta Journal-Constitution]]|publisher=[[Cox Enterprises]]|date=July 4, 2009|access-date=April 15, 2011|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120813030632/http://www.ajc.com/business/12-things-to-know-100188.html|archive-date=August 13, 2012}}</ref>  Groundbreaking for the shopping center occurred in July 1957, and it was completed on June 29, 1958.<ref name="history">{{cite web|url=http://www.buckhead.net/history/buckhead/index.html|title=Buckhead and Lenox Square|work=www.Buckhead|publisher=Buckhead Web Enterprises|year=2006|access-date=April 15, 2011|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718152808/http://www.buckhead.net/history/buckhead/index.html|archive-date=July 18, 2011}}</ref> The public opening ceremony for Lenox Square was held on August 3, 1959.

The three-level mall -Mall, Plaza and Market featured {{convert|800000|sqft|m2}} of retail space. It was anchored by [[Rich's (department store)|Rich's]], [[Davison's]], and a [[Colonial Stores]] supermarket. There were 52 original tenants, including a [[bowling alley]], indoor golf driving range, and a [[S. S. Kresge Corporation|Kresge]] [[five and dime]] store. The Mall Level concourse featured several statues depicting [[Uncle Remus]] characters, such as Br'er Fox, Br'er Frog and the [[Tar Baby]]. A movie theater opened on the Market Level in June 1963.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://skycity2.blogspot.com/2006/08/lenox-square-mall_04.html|title=Lenox Square Mall|author=J.T.|work=Sky City|date=August 4, 2006 |access-date=April 16, 2011|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708063806/http://skycity2.blogspot.com/2006/08/lenox-square-mall_04.html|archive-date=July 8, 2011}}</ref> {{better source|date=January 2016|reason=A self-published blog is not a reliable third-party source.}}

=== Early expansions ===
In keeping with a then current retail trend, a major renovation and expansion in the early 1970s enclosed the entire shopping center. It included a new wing and the addition of the first [[Neiman Marcus]] location outside of [[Texas]] and [[Florida]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/The-Neiman-Marcus-Group-Inc-Company-History.html|title=The Neiman Marcus Group Inc. Company History|access-date=April 16, 2011|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110824120802/http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/The-Neiman-Marcus-Group-Inc-Company-History.html|archive-date=August 24, 2011}}</ref> It is still to this day the company's only location in the state.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.neimanmarcus.com/store/info/index.jhtml?navid=stores_footer|title=Store finder|work=[[Neiman Marcus]]|access-date=April 16, 2011|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110407140521/http://www.neimanmarcus.com/store/info/index.jhtml?navid=stores_footer|archive-date=April 7, 2011}}</ref>

A second expansion completed in 1980 added a three-level section at the back of the mall which included a [[food court]]. This replaced the previous open-air Plaza Court and supermarket. Lenox Square then encompassed 1.04 million leasable square feet. The new food court was soon joined by a 19-story, 370,000 sqft (gross), class-A office building, a twin-like 24-story hotel, 1,800 space, five-level partially submerged combined hotel-office parking garage (two below ground), and 800-space four-level retail pre-cast concrete parking deck. These were adjacent to the [[Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority|MARTA]]'s [[Lenox (MARTA station)|Lenox transit station]], which opened in December 1984.

Davison's, owned by Macy's since 1924, was rebranded as Macy's in 1986.<ref name="fds">{{cite web|url=http://www.fds.com/company/aag_1_2.asp|title=Federated At A Glance|work=[[Macy's]]|publisher=[[Federated Department Stores]]|access-date=April 15, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070618184232/http://fds.com/company/aag_1_2.asp|archive-date=June 18, 2007}}</ref> In 1991, Rich's relocated their flagship store to Lenox Square from [[downtown Atlanta]]. In 1995, the mall underwent its largest expansion, adding a second story above the original Mall Level. The expansion made Lenox Square the largest shopping center in Georgia, with 1.457 million square feet (140,000&nbsp;m²) divided among 200 stores and [[restaurant]]s.<ref>[http://www.simon.com/mall/mall_info.aspx?ID=207 Lenox Information] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070814175505/http://www.simon.com/mall/mall_info.aspx?ID=207 |date=2007-08-14 }}</ref> This distinction was relinquished to the newly built, {{convert|1.7|e6sqft|m2|adj=on}} [[Mall of Georgia]] in 1999. In 2000, the celebration of the [[Rich's Great Tree]] moved to the flagship store from [[Underground Atlanta]], after having been held [[downtown Atlanta|downtown]] for decades.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://content.time.com/time/covers/0,16641,19611215,00.html|title=TIME Magazine Cover: Christmas Shopping - Dec. 15, 1961|website=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|access-date=7 May 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160904150925/http://content.time.com/time/covers/0,16641,19611215,00.html|archive-date=4 September 2016}}</ref>

=== Effects of Macy's conversions ===
[[File:lenoxsquarerichs2007.jpg|thumb|left|The Macy's store, one of the company's flagship stores.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=84477&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1105123&highlight=|title=Macy's, Inc.|website=Macy’s, Inc.|access-date=7 May 2018}}</ref>]]

In 2003, [[Federated Department Stores]] began integrating the [[Macy's]] name with their other regional department store brands, including [[Rich's (department store)|Rich's]]. Following the news, the Lenox [[Macy's]] location closed and the building (along with the location at [[Perimeter Mall]]) was renovated extensively to house the first [[Bloomingdale's]] in the South, which opened in October 2003.

In 2005, [[Federated Department Stores]] dropped the regional names of all of their department stores. The former Rich's-Macy's location at Lenox Square became the flagship of [[Macy's Family|Macy's Central]] until all of the company's divisions had consolidated into one.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/macys-cutting-4-workforce-quarterly/story.aspx?guid={562D06BC-6B17-4908-ACCB-C0A1ADE742EC}&dist=msr_3|title=Macy's cutting 4% of workforce, quarterly dividend|last=Witkowski|first=Wallace|date=February 2, 2009|publisher=Marketwatch.com|access-date=February 2, 2008|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090301114251/http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/macys-cutting-4-workforce-quarterly/story.aspx?guid=%7B562D06BC-6B17-4908-ACCB-C0A1ADE742EC%7D&dist=msr_3|archive-date=March 1, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/macys-inc-expand-my-macys/story.aspx?guid={C96A1DC1-ADD6-4A86-9A52-122083F2AA8B}&dist=msr_5|title=Macy's, Inc. to Expand "My Macy's" Localization Initiative, Adopt New Operating Structure, Reduce Expenses|date=February 2, 2009|publisher=Marketwatch.com|access-date=February 2, 2009|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090301061052/http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/macys-inc-expand-my-macys/story.aspx?guid=%7BC96A1DC1-ADD6-4A86-9A52-122083F2AA8B%7D&dist=msr_5|archive-date=March 1, 2009}}</ref>

=== Later expansions ===
A significant 2007 expansion enlarged the existing Neiman Marcus by {{convert|52000|sqft|m2}} and added a {{convert|36000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} an upper level to the wing connecting the store to the main mallway. The shopping center then housed 1.545 million leasable square feet and 240 stores and services.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=113968&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=696053&highlight=|title= Neiman Marcus to Expand at Lenox Square|last=Morris|first=Les|work=[[Simon Property Group]]|access-date=April 15, 2011}}</ref> In Fall 2013 another renovation took place in the mall with additions of both exterior and interior with new lightning, landscaping, windowing, and many more. The renovations were completed as of 2014.

By 2023, since the [[COVID-19 lockdowns|government lockdown]], Lenox Square had announced several newest additions, among them are [[Psycho Bunny]], [[Savage X Fenty]], [[Cotton On]], [[Moncler]], [[Sandro Paris|Sandro]], [[The Webster]], [[Ferrari]], in addition to an entirely new store format for [[Apple Inc.|Apple]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://whatnowatlanta.com/apple-lenox-square-opening-november-20-buckhead/ | title=Apple's New Two-Story Buckhead Store Opens Nov. 20 &#124; What Now Atlanta | date=November 16, 2020 }}</ref> It also has the largest [[Pottery Barn]] in their chain as well as one of the largest [[Forever 21]] stores in the Southeastern United States.

== Economic impact ==
Lenox Square is the third largest shopping mall in the state, as well as one of the largest in the Southeast. Only the [[Mall of Georgia]] and [[Perimeter Mall]] have a larger [[gross leasable area]].<ref name="rtm">{{cite web |url=http://retailtrafficmag.com/mag/retail_mall_georgia_debuts/ |title=Mall of Georgia debuts |access-date=September 24, 2007 |date=September 1, 1999 |work=Retail Traffic Mag |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070309135604/http://retailtrafficmag.com/mag/retail_mall_georgia_debuts/ |archive-date=March 9, 2007 }}</ref> Visited by more than 35 million people a year, Lenox Square is one of the most popular and profitable retail centers in the [[United States]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.jcdecauxna.com/pages/mall/pdf/MallRates.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2010-06-25 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071213223256/http://www.jcdecauxna.com/pages/mall/pdf/MallRates.pdf |archive-date=2007-12-13 }}</ref> Together with Phipps Plaza, an estimated $1 billion was generated in 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frommers.com/destinations/atlanta/0002010031.html|title=Shopping in Atlanta - Frommer's|website=www.frommers.com|access-date=7 May 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170807020214/http://www.frommers.com/destinations/atlanta/0002010031.html|archive-date=7 August 2017}}</ref> An estimated 40% of all visitors to the shopping center in 2009 were tourists.<ref name="AJC"/>

The area around Lenox has grown immensely in the past few decades following its opening, with expanding retail developments and over 75 restaurants within a mile radius.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.postproperties.com/ga/atlanta/buckhead/post-alexander-reserve|title=Post Alexander Reserve: Post Properties Buckhead Apartments|website=www.postproperties.com|access-date=2016-05-25|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160529140943/http://www.postproperties.com/ga/atlanta/buckhead/post-alexander-reserve|archive-date=2016-05-29}}</ref> In addition, [[Phipps Plaza]] is located to the northeast of Lenox Square across Peachtree Road. Traffic levels around Lenox are high and the streets are confusing for those unfamiliar with the area. [[Georgia 400]] opened in 1993, restricting traffic to and from the west after it cut many existing roads. However, the BUC (Buckhead Uptown Connection), the free shuttle bus service around Buckhead, is available, supported voluntarily by a self-taxing district (Buckhead CID) which includes Lenox, and by GRTA and other agencies. The Peachtree Streetcar initiative would also extend free or low-fare streetcars to Lenox in the north, through midtown and downtown, to a proposed mixed-use redevelopment around historic [[Fort McPherson]], {{convert|14|mi|km}} south. [[Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority|MARTA]], the city's main mass transit system, provides [[Lenox (MARTA station)|one station]] across the street from the J W Marriott, as well as the [[Buckhead station]] a quarter mile Northwest on Peachtree Road.

== Incidents ==
Seven shootings occurred at Lenox Square in 2020.{{cn|date=July 2024}} A robbery occurred outside of the mall in 2021 after it was closed.{{cn|date=July 2024}} After a string of shootings and robberies, the mall now has security measures in place and requires people under the age of 18 to have adult supervision after 3 pm.
<ref>[https://www.ajc.com/news/breaking-gunshot-reported-but-no-one-hit-inside-lenox-square/IBNG6JYWF5HLZLWOZGHIZFQNZU/ BREAKING: Gunshot reported, but no one hit inside Lenox Square] The Atlanta Journal-Constitution</ref>

== In pop culture ==
Within its first few years Lenox Square would be a part of several major events in the city. It is the starting point, as of 2025, the summer southbound running, and starting in 2025, the finishing point of the winter northbound running, of the 10 kilometer [[Peachtree Road Race]]s, one of the largest 10 kilometer races in the world.<ref name='at history'>{{cite web|url=http://www.atlantatrackclub.org/at02008.htm |title=History of Peachtree |access-date=February 7, 2008 |work=Atlanta Track Club |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080101051557/http://www.atlantatrackclub.org/at02008.htm |archive-date=January 1, 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | first=Ken | last=Sugiura | title=Peachtree Road Race, 3 festivals moved from Piedmont Park | date=January 11, 2008 | url =http://www.ajc.com/wireless/content/metro/atlanta/stories/2008/01/11/piedmont_0112.html | archive-url =https://archive.today/20120729063220/http://www.ajc.com/wireless/content/metro/atlanta/stories/2008/01/11/piedmont_0112.html | url-status =dead | archive-date =July 29, 2012 | work =The Atlanta Journal-Constitution | access-date = February 7, 2008 }} </ref>

== List of anchor stores ==
{|class="wikitable sortable"
! Name
! {{abbr|No.|Number}}<br />of floors
! Year<br />opened
! Year<br />closed
! class="unsortable" | Notes
|-
| [[Bloomingdale's]]
| 4
| 2003
| {{N/A}}
| Replaced the first Macy's
|-
| [[Colonial Stores]]
| 
| 1959
| 1980
| 
|-
| [[Davison's]]
| 4
| 1959
| 1986
| 
|-
| rowspan="2" | [[Macy's]]
| 4
| 1986
| 2003
| Replaced Davidson's
|-
| 3
| 2003
| {{N/A}}
| Replaced Rich's; co-branded Rich's&ndash;Macy's from 2003&ndash;2005
|-
| [[Neiman Marcus]]
| 2
| 1972
| {{N/A}}
| 
|-
| [[Rich's (department store)|Rich's]]
| 3
| 1959
| 2003
| 
|-
|}

== Gallery ==
<gallery>
File:Lenox Square.jpg|Lenox Square Mall, Peachtree Road front before renovations (2006)
File:Neiman Marcus Wing.jpg|Interior of mall looking toward the Neiman Marcus wing (2019)
</gallery>

== See also ==
{{Portal|Architecture}}
*[[List of shopping malls in the United States]]
*[[Phipps Plaza]]
*[[Buckhead Village District]]

== Notes ==
{{note list}}

== References ==
{{ref list}}

== External links ==
{{commonscat}}
*[http://www.simon.com/mall/?id=207 Lenox Square Mall] (official site)
*[http://skycity2.blogspot.com/2006/08/lenox-square-mall_04.html Sky City: Lenox Square Mall]
*[http://mall-hall-of-fame.blogspot.com/search/label/Atlanta%27s%20Lenox%20Square Mall Hall of Fame article]
* [http://tonetoatlanta.blogspot.com ToNeTo Atlanta]
{{Atlanta shopping}}
{{Atlanta landmarks}}
{{Shopping malls in Georgia (U.S. state)}}
{{Simon Property Group}}

[[Category:Buildings and structures in Fulton County, Georgia]]
[[Category:Simon Property Group]]
[[Category:Shopping malls established in 1959]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Atlanta]]
[[Category:Shopping malls in the Atlanta metropolitan area]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Atlanta]]
[[Category:1959 establishments in Georgia (U.S. state)]]