$70 Million Renovation Proposed for Charlestowne Mall

Fans of the carousel might not be pleased, but a San Fransciso-based development company has plans for a $70 million renovation, including partial demolition, of Charlestowne Mall.

The Krausz Companies Inc. plan to relaunch the mall as a regional destination point featuring shopping, entertainment and dining, feauring the existing anchor stores, theater and food court, but with more amenities to draw in visitors. One idea being tossed about is a fireplace where visitors can sit and visit while friends or family members shop.

Krausz representatives pitched their “very preliminary” conceptual plans for the project to the St. Charles City Council Planning and Development Committee on Monday night, Sept. 9, 2013, and said they hope to close on the purchase of the mall in November.

Monday’s presentation was more of a courtesy call, in which Krausz executives laid out their vision for the property to city officials and residents, but at the same time noting the pllans are “very preliminary” and likely to undergo changes as they refine their plans.

In the meantime, Krausz is preparing for a formal presentation to the St. Charles Planning Commission, probably in October, the first official step toward redeveloping the property.

Krausz Executive Vice President David Pyle and Project Director Charles May pitched their vision for the mall to aldermen, saying part of the project will involve some demolition work to “right-size” the mall and position it to be more successful than it has been in the past.