Destiny USA
Encyclopedia
Destiny USA is a retail and entertainment complex under construction in Syracuse
, New York
, United States
. The project's developer, The Pyramid Companies, predicts that Destiny USA will become a major tourist destination and will have an economic impact throughout the Central New York
region. The project is planned to be a green building
, powered entirely by renewable resources, and is planned to be completed in three phases. Preparatory groundwork for the first phase, an 1300000 square feet (120,774 m²) expansion of the 1500000 square feet (139,354.6 m²) Carousel Center
, began in April, 2007, and pile driving
for the structure's foundation began on August 9, 2007. Above-ground construction began on March 28, 2008. The first sections and stores of a 1300000 sq ft (120,774 m²) phase one expansion opened to the public in November 2011, with an official opening scheduled for spring 2012.
The project has been marked by significant delays and controversy since the proposal was made public in 2000. Criticism of the project has primarily been in regards to the tax breaks granted the project and to skepticism as to whether the complex can draw the projected number of tourists from surrounding areas to fulfill its economic promises.
The project has faced numerous starts and stops since ground was first broken on a hotel in 2002. This project later stalled and various hotel and retail phases were proposed over the years until the Phase 1 which is now nearing completion was started in 2008.
in 2009, but ultimately resumed construction in 2011. Its first sections and stores opened in November 2011. The official grand opening is scheduled for spring 2012, around which time the combined expansion and original Carousel Center are scheduled to take the Destiny USA name. Pyramid estimates the expansion will house 100 businesses.
Syracuse, New York
Syracuse is a city in and the county seat of Onondaga County, New York, United States, the largest U.S. city with the name "Syracuse", and the fifth most populous city in the state. At the 2010 census, the city population was 145,170, and its metropolitan area had a population of 742,603...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The project's developer, The Pyramid Companies, predicts that Destiny USA will become a major tourist destination and will have an economic impact throughout the Central New York
Central New York
Central New York is a term used to broadly describe the central region of New York State, roughly including the following counties and cities:...
region. The project is planned to be a green building
Green building
Green building refers to a structure and using process that is environmentally responsible and resource-efficient throughout a building's life-cycle: from siting to design, construction, operation, maintenance, renovation, and demolition...
, powered entirely by renewable resources, and is planned to be completed in three phases. Preparatory groundwork for the first phase, an 1300000 square feet (120,774 m²) expansion of the 1500000 square feet (139,354.6 m²) Carousel Center
Carousel Center
Carousel Center is a , seven-story super-regional shopping and entertainment complex on the shore of Onondaga Lake in Syracuse, New York. It has eight anchor store slots - currently filled with Best Buy, Bon Ton, Forever 21 , JCPenney, Macy's, Lord & Taylor, and Sports Authority...
, began in April, 2007, and pile driving
Pile driver
A pile driver is a mechanical device used to drive piles into soil to provide foundation support for buildings or other structures. The term is also used in reference to members of the construction crew that work with pile-driving rigs....
for the structure's foundation began on August 9, 2007. Above-ground construction began on March 28, 2008. The first sections and stores of a 1300000 sq ft (120,774 m²) phase one expansion opened to the public in November 2011, with an official opening scheduled for spring 2012.
History
Carousel Center opened in October 1990 on the site of a former landfill and surrounded by several square blocks of oil tanks known as "Oil City". The Pyramid Companies expanded Carousel Center slightly by 1994, adding a Lord & Taylor store to the west end of the mall. Already before the opening of this addition, Pyramid had proposed opening a strip mall named "Carousel Landing" south of Carousel Center. However, legal disputes to remove both the industrial tenants of Oil City and their soil contamination delayed any construction. In 1997, Pyramid changed its plans, dropping the strip mall and instead proposing to double the size of Carousel Center. On April 30, 2000, Pyramid announced the resort-style project that ultimately became the Destiny USA proposal.The project has been marked by significant delays and controversy since the proposal was made public in 2000. Criticism of the project has primarily been in regards to the tax breaks granted the project and to skepticism as to whether the complex can draw the projected number of tourists from surrounding areas to fulfill its economic promises.
The project has faced numerous starts and stops since ground was first broken on a hotel in 2002. This project later stalled and various hotel and retail phases were proposed over the years until the Phase 1 which is now nearing completion was started in 2008.
Phase 1
The first phase of Destiny USA that ultimately saw construction broke ground in 2008, was paused by a legal dispute with CitigroupCitigroup
Citigroup Inc. or Citi is an American multinational financial services corporation headquartered in Manhattan, New York City, New York, United States. Citigroup was formed from one of the world's largest mergers in history by combining the banking giant Citicorp and financial conglomerate...
in 2009, but ultimately resumed construction in 2011. Its first sections and stores opened in November 2011. The official grand opening is scheduled for spring 2012, around which time the combined expansion and original Carousel Center are scheduled to take the Destiny USA name. Pyramid estimates the expansion will house 100 businesses.
Layout
Phase one is an 1300000 sq ft (120,774 m²), three-floor expansion of Carousel Center. The expansion has two main "portals" to the original mall, one by the center atrium, and one near the mall entrance to Lord & Taylor. Unlike the original mall, the expansion does not have a public basement or "commons" level. Instead, its three floors are above ground and link to the two main retail levels of Carousel Center and its cinema level.Tenants
While the original Carousel Center mostly consists of traditional mall stores, the expansion focuses on designer stores and outlets, as well as large restaurant and entertainment venues, the later of which are to be centered around a large open courtyard named "The Canyon". 21 businesses have been published as being part of the expansion, including:Restaurants and entertainment
- Aja Nightclub
- Cantina Laredo
- Gordon Biersch Brewing CompanyGordon Biersch Brewing CompanyGordon Biersch Brewery is an American brewery founded by Dan Gordon and Dean Biersch. Gordon, a graduate from the five-year brewing engineering program at Weihenstephan, Germany, and Biersch opened their first brewery restaurant in Palo Alto, California in July 1988...
- The Melting PotThe Melting Pot (restaurant)The Melting Pot is a chain of franchised fondue restaurants located across the United States. There were 142 locations as of August 2009, with 28 more locations under development...
- Revolutions (bowling alley)
- Toby Keith's I Love This Bar & GrillToby Keith's I Love This Bar & GrillToby Keith's I Love This Bar & Grill is a restaurant and bar with multiple locations across the United States. The restaurant is named after singer Toby Keith and his #1 hit single I Love This Bar.-Current and future locations:...
Retail
- BCBG Max Azria
- Hickey Freeman HMXHickey FreemanHickey Freeman is a manufacturer of suits for men and boys, based in Rochester, New York, and founded in 1899. The Hartmarx Corporation bought the company in 1964. In August 2009, India's leading textile and apparel company, SKNL, bought Hartmarx in bankruptcy procedings.The Hickey-Freeman Co...
- Guess Factory Store
- Hugo BossHugo BossHugo Ferdinand Boss was the founder of clothing company Hugo Boss.-Early life:Boss was born in Metzingen, Germany. After completing his apprenticeship and one year of employment, he founded his own company in Metzingen in 1923.-Support of Nazism:Boss joined the Nazi Party in 1931, two years before...
- Max MaraMax MaraMaxMara, or The House of MaxMara, is a luxury Italian fashion house known for its ready-to-wear clothing. Established in 1951 in Reggio Emilia by Achille Maramotti...
- Michael KorsMichael KorsMichael Kors is an American fashion designer. He is best known for designing classic American sportswear for women.-Personal life:...
- Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th
- Salvatore FerragamoSalvatore FerragamoSalvatore Ferragamo was a Florentine and Italian shoe designer. He worked with many Hollywood stars in the 1920s, before returning to Italy to found the eponymous company making unique hand-made footwear. His scientific and creative approach to shoes spawned many innovations such as the wedge heel...