One of the Lehigh Valley’s iconic shopping centers was recently sold for $18 million.
The former Whitehall Mall was purchased by Mishorim Gold Group in May, according to Lehigh County property records. It was the Valley’s first enclosed mall, opening in 1966 at the corner of MacArthur Boulevard and Grape Street near Route 22, in Whitehall Township.
Miami-based Mishorim Gold has changed the name of the 365,071-square-foot property to Whitehall Plaza and it plans extensive renovations.
“Our mission is to reimagine retail spaces, turning stagnant plazas into thriving community hubs,” Mishorim Gold President Mark Gold said. “Whitehall Plaza represents a tremendous opportunity to create a space where businesses can thrive, and families can enjoy a unique shopping experience.”
JLL Capital Markets worked on the behalf of the seller, Washington Prime Group, which took over full ownership in 2014.
“Whitehall Plaza represented a rare value-add opportunity to acquire a well-positioned retail center in a dynamic retail node within the Lehigh Valley,” JLL Capital Senior Managing Director Jim Galbally said. “The property’s irreplaceable positioning, strong demographics and recent leasing success made it an attractive opportunity for investors.”
JLL said Mishorim Gold specializes in acquiring and revitalizing failing shopping centers.
Whitehall Plaza has seen several stores come and go in recent years. Perhaps its biggest loss was a two-story Sears anchor that left in 2020.
Tenants include Kohl’s and Floor & Decor. A Wawa opened on the perimeter this year.
Washington Prime Group, which declared bankruptcy in 2021, has been winding down its operations in recent years by selling off its properties and laying off employees at its central office in Ohio, according to commercial real estate analysis company CoStar.