Mockingbird Station

[tamtagon]

Funding the pedestrian bridge should be included with the Presidential Library, if that's where it gets put.

I agree that NCTCOG TOD incentives should target struggling areas rather than successful/booming areas.

[carousel]

Funding the pedestrian bridge should be included with the Presidential Library, if that's where it gets put.



Good Idea.

[DallasTT]

unless there has been significan change in the last 6 months, I'd bet 70-80% know nothing of Mockingbird Station, West Village, conversions DT, or the Uptown boom. More than that don't realize the TRP is underway, and will continue to be clueless about the bridges until the wires are being spun from the main arches. You'll see an article: "What's that big arch in the middle of the Trinity Floodplain?"


HAHAHAHH I could not agree more.

[msutton]

Even if it was Dallas' leadership, I agree, you can't fund everything fully. As more development proposals come on board, the more selective the city and other organizations will have to be in dolling out funds. Odds are even without city funds, something will happen here.

[Agnus Dei]

Is Virgin at Mockingbird closing? I was in there a few weeks ago and I didn't see anything indicating it. But they've cut back their hours and on their site it says:

APRIL/MAY
FOND FAREWELL!!!!!
Thanks to all the loyal Virgin Megastore customers who have shopped this location over the years. We truly appreciate your business and would like you to experience our FOND FAREWELL SALE with storewide savings of 25% OFF everything in the store.
Fashion, Games, Books, Electronics, Music and Movies….everything 25% OFF!!! Be sure to stock up on your favorite titles and items while they last!!!!!!!

I hadn't heard anything about it, so I thought maybe there was some other explanation.

*edit* Found confirmation on a Dallas blog. June 18 is the last day.

[BigD5349]

^dang, that's bad news!

I guess selling CDs and DVDs is a tough biz these days.

[Agnus Dei]

Yeah, it's going to leave a big empty slot there. I hope something else comes in soon.

I actually prefer Tower and some of our indie stores to this place, but it was convenient being on the rail. (I really wish Tower and Good Records were on the rail.) Plus, it often had vinyls and imports when others didn't. But price-wise they were easy to beat.

[BigD5349]

Yeah, it's going to leave a big empty slot there. I hope something else comes in soon.

I actually prefer Tower and some of our indie stores to this place, but it was convenient being on the rail. (I really wish Tower and Good Records were on the rail.) Plus, it often had vinyls and imports when others didn't. But price-wise they were easy to beat.

Yeah, I agree. Tower has an unbeatable selection. When I was building up my ipod collection, I found it was better to hit the 2nd hand stores -- you get songs cheaper than the .99 cent on-line price, plus you really own them without Apple lacing your collection with DRM restrictions.

But, it was cool to have a Virgin in Dallas... hope something good happens in that spot.

[Geaux Tigers]

I think the Virgin Megastore at Grapevine Mills is remaining open. Damn, that is going to leave a big hole in Mockingbird Station.

[Hunter Wadle]

I heard that the new european owners of Mockingbird raised the rents and virgin up and left....

[msutton]

Wonder if they will re-open in Victory or something like that...

[Agnus Dei]

The reason given on the Observer's blog is low sales. True or not, I don't know. Not impossible, though, 'cause I only ever saw lines at the registers during in-store events.

[grantboston]

Maybe it's a wider issue with the company? The store here in Boston is closing. it could reopen, Virgin hasn't made that clear.

But iTunes and other music services (legal or otherwise) have taken a huge bite from traditional sales. What little is left, I imagine places like Wal-Mart beat Virgin on price.

[edirp]

Perhaps WEST ELM will take over the Virgin space?

[FoUTASportscaster]

With prices that high, I can understand that they went out of buisness. I don't care how good their location is, on a rail line and all, but I won't overpay for the conveneince.

[HarryMoto]

Wonder if they will re-open in Victory or something like that...

That would be nice but rent at Victory is probably not going to be any cheaper. If we're wishing for a corporate-backed record store, I'd like to see Hear Music (a boutique West Coast chain bought out by Starbucks) come into this market. Even better would be the one indie-operated record-store chain making money these days, Amoeba Music out of San Francisco.

I know it's the sign of the times but I hate to see any record store close, even a mediocre, overpriced one like Virgin. But better they go under than Tower (which carries a far deeper selection of both imports and local acts) or any of the indies who've managed to keep their doors open.

If Virgin is replaced by something like Pier One, that gives Mockingbird Station one less place to browse, read and hang out before/after movies/food. But then browsing and reading doesn't pay the bills or keep the lights on. So bye, bye Virgin.

[Agnus Dei]

I know it's the sign of the times but I hate to see any record store close, even a mediocre, overpriced one like Virgin. But better they go under than Tower (which carries a far deeper selection of both imports and local acts) or any of the indies who've managed to keep their doors open.

I actually thought we'd lose Tower first. Austin's closed two years ago and then they filed bankruptcy (or something like it). For now we have the only Tower in Texas. But the new leadership is supposedly revamping the company and it's on the way up again --I hope. Oh, and the Grapevine Mills location is staying open. I can't believe it's outlasted the Mockingbird location.

I don't see any indie store doing well in Victory. I'd love it, but I just don't see it. (Though isn't Bill's relocating in the next year? That'd be the most un-Victory-like establishment I could imagine. Ha.)

Btw, that Observer blog has one line that says the rumour is a Pottery Barn will replace Virgin. But it gives no source and I pray pray pray it's not true. But I won't be surprised...

[HarryMoto]

I actually thought we'd lose Tower first. Austin's closed two years ago and then they filed bankruptcy (or something like it). For now we have the only Tower in Texas. But the new leadership is supposedly revamping the company and it's on the way up again --I hope. Oh, and the Grapevine Mills location is staying open. I can't believe it's outlasted the Mockingbird location.

I don't see any indie store doing well in Victory. I'd love it, but I just don't see it. (Though isn't Bill's relocating in the next year? That'd be the most un-Victory-like establishment I could imagine. Ha.)

Btw, that Observer blog has one line that says the rumour is a Pottery Barn will replace Virgin. But it gives no source and I pray pray pray it's not true. But I won't be surprised...

ITA. I doubt there's going to be any music store in Victory but a Hear Music or Amoeba is wishful thinking on my part. Though now it is part of the Starbucks empire, Hear could probably afford Victory's rents. (Note that the other Starbucks-affiliated locations are in "tourist trap" areas like Santa Monica's 3rd Street Promenade, Miami's South Beach, and San Antonio. www.starbucks.com/hearmusic).

And I too thought Tower would be the first to go but, for once, the (relative) good guys won out.

As for Bill's, isn't he relocating to smaller quarters because business is so bad that he can't stay where he is? I know he's beloved around here but I can't abide any place where items aren't marked and the owner is so blatantly open with subjective pricing, based on if he likes you or not.

[Geaux Tigers]

Oh, and the Grapevine Mills location is staying open. I can't believe it's outlasted the Mockingbird location.

The Grapevine Mills location probably sees more foot traffic.

[Agnus Dei]

ITA. I doubt there's going to be any music store in Victory but a Hear Music or Amoeba is wishful thinking on my part. Though now it is part of the Starbucks empire, Hear could probably afford Victory's rents. (Note that the other Starbucks-affiliated locations are in "tourist trap" areas like Santa Monica's 3rd Street Promenade, Miami's South Beach, and San Antonio. www.starbucks.com/hearmusic).

And I too thought Tower would be the first to go but, for once, the (relative) good guys won out.

As for Bill's, isn't he relocating to smaller quarters because business is so bad that he can't stay where he is? I know he's beloved around here but I can't abide any place where items aren't marked and the owner is so blatantly open with subjective pricing, based on if he likes you or not.

I think Bill's relocating as a combo of that and high rent. (Which is essentially the same problem, I guess.) I agree that it's got problems. I haven't bought anything there in a while now --the pre-Net days made it a great place. Now, it's not hard to track down much of that stuff yourself. I only go there for old/collector's stuff now. I don't like the way I smell when I leave.

Are HMVs still around? As far as chains I liked 'em, but they suffered from Virgin over-pricing, so I don't know that they'd do better. But I don't know how I missed the Hear Music when I was in San Antonio last month. I would've liked to see what it's like.

Geaux- Yeah, you're probably right. I guess I'm projecting, 'cause I really dislike that mall and won't make the drive just for that Virgin. But it must be doing well...at the very least tourists seem to go, so that's one big demographic it's getting.

[edirp]

Williams Sonoma (parent company of Pottery Barn) is aggressively growing it's newest retail concept, "West Elm" and is about to enter the Dallas market.

West Elm fits Mockingbird Station much more than Pottery Barn.

www.westelm.com


Also: maybe Crate & Barrel will FINALLY move forward on their roll-out of "CB2",
which is similar to West Elm, but better.

www.cb2.com

[Lionel Hutz]

I can't imagine that space will stay empty long. It's a great location. Just hard to sell CDs these days. I buy 90% of my stuff from iTunes and will occasionally buy a CD, but I like to shop at local places, like Good Records or CD Source or CD Exchange.

[noelamador]

Williams Sonoma (parent company of Pottery Barn) is aggressively growing it's newest retail concept, "West Elm" and is about to enter the Dallas market.

West Elm fits Mockingbird Station much more than Pottery Barn.

www.westelm.com


Also: maybe Crate & Barrel will FINALLY move forward on their roll-out of "CB2",
which is similar to West Elm, but better.

www.cb2.com

a friend of mine who works for PB says that West Elm is seriously looking at the Virgin space. it's not a done deal, so it might also go into West Village.

[Insidetheloop]

The Virgin store at Mockingbird was really lacking. The magazine rack always had out of date magazines by a month or two and the entry atrium is always dirty.

[Mballar]

I heard that the new european owners of Mockingbird raised the rents and virgin up and left....


Maybe it's a wider issue with the company? The store here in Boston is closing. it could reopen, Virgin hasn't made that clear.

But iTunes and other music services (legal or otherwise) have taken a huge bite from traditional sales. What little is left, I imagine places like Wal-Mart beat Virgin on price.


On June 2, 2005, Mballar, after looking at his crystal ball suggested the following:


^I don't know what [the new European owners] plan to do to make it better either, but whatever they do can't hurt. I agree that Mockingbird Station has yet to realize its full potential.

On a side note: With the increasing popularity of electronic files over DVDs and CDs, does anyone else here wonder how long the Virgin store in Mockingbird Station will last?

[JSteffen]

Dallas' Virgin Megastore closing
Furniture retailer will take over space at Mockingbird Station



09:58 PM CDT on Monday, May 1, 2006
By STEVE BROWN / The Dallas Morning News


One of Dallas' big-name music and video outlets is closing to make way for a new home furnishings store.

The Virgin Megastore at Mockingbird Station will close next month to be replaced by a West Elm store.

The Virgin entertainment store has been an anchor in the complex on North Central Expressway since Mockingbird Station opened in 2000.

But the store recently announced to customers that it is shutting and has started a liquidation sale.

Brokers with United Commercial Realty – which leases retail space in Mockingbird Station – said they have a deal in the works to replace the 25,000-square-foot Virgin store with Dallas' first West Elm location. "We knew that Virgin was leaving, so we've been hunting a replacement," said broker Brandon Harris.

Indeed, Mockingbird Station's owners requested that Virgin depart earlier than planned to make way for the new store.

A spokeswoman for Virgin did not return calls. The company still has a location at Grapevine Mills mall.

Industry trends have made business tough for traditional music stores like Virgin.

CD sales are down as digital music downloads become more popular. And big retailers such as Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and Best Buy Inc. are taking customers away from specialized retailers such as Virgin, said Russ Crupnick, an analyst with NPD Group.

"Music buyers are shopping in more places," he said. "The loyalty to any one retailer is declining."

West Elm is owned by Williams-Sonoma Inc. and got its start in 2002.

The home furnishing and accessories firm has more than a dozen U.S. stores, including one in Houston.

Brokers say that the Mockingbird Station location is set to open this fall.

Technology writer Crayton Harrison contributed to this report.

E-mail stevebrown@dallasnews.com

[incrediculous]

I can't imagine that space will stay empty long. It's a great location. Just hard to sell CDs these days. I buy 90% of my stuff from iTunes and will occasionally buy a CD, but I like to shop at local places, like Good Records or CD Source or CD Exchange.

The location is good, but who wants to buy music in such a sterile environment? Virgin's got it all wrong. People don't like shopping for music beneath banks of LCD televisions playing music videos. At least nobody I know does. And it's nice to actually have someone who knows a thing or two about music on-hand for suggestions.

I hit CDSource and Good Records twice a week, and I never leave empty handed. You'd have to pay me to buy something at Virgin.

About the only thing I do at Mockingbird Station is go to the Angelika. Everything else seems a little too enthusiastic and omnipresent.

[BigD5349]

Pacesetting project repositions
New strategy at Mockingbird Station aims to lure hip, older shoppers

Dallas Business Journal - by Sandra ZaragozaStaff Writer
http://dallas.bizjournals.com/dallas/stories/2006/06/12/story1.html

Mockingbird Station in Dallas is ready to grow up.

The mixed-use development at Mockingbird Lane and North Central Expressway -- which houses Angelika Film Center, hip retailers like Urban Outfitters and specialty boutiques like Movida -- isn't trying to shed its cool image.

But it wouldn't mind attracting more hip, older shoppers as well.

That's one reason the development's owners are putting up a two-story, 16,000-square-foot retail building. The new building, to be built on a parking lot north of where Virgin Megastore now sits, will connect to the second-level terrace at the Angelika.

Trendy furniture retailer West Elm is set to move into the Virgin space in October.

The development's latest phase is part of an overall effort to reposition Mockingbird Station's retail from a 20-something hot spot to one that has something for all ages, its management says. Behind the changes are a European investment group, Oppenheim Immobilien-Kapitalanlagegesellschaft MBH, that in 2005 purchased the project -- then boasting 150,000 square feet of office space, roughly 180,000 feet of retail space and 211 loft apartments -- for an undisclosed price.

The project's new retail strategy includes a new emphasis on retailers for mothers and children, fresh marketing and branding initiatives and more parking.

Brandon Harris of Dallas-based United Commercial Realty, which leases Mockingbird Station, says the development plans to bring in a mix of restaurants and soft-goods shops catering to older adults -- from 30 to 50 years old -- and children.

"We want to try and broaden the appeal," Harris said. The family-oriented retailers will draw shoppers from the surrounding M Streets, Lakewood and Highland Park neighborhoods, he believes.

Several retailers are interested in the new retail building, but no leases have been signed yet, Harris said. UCR's Lawrence Attaway is also marketing Mockingbird Station's retail space, which is 89% leased. About 20,000 square feet of retail space is currently unoccupied, including a 10,000-square-foot restaurant space close to Angelika.

Mockingbird Station was the first mass-transit-oriented project announced in North Texas, and many projects have since mimicked it. Original developer Ken Hughes opened the lofts and office and retail space, built around the Mockingbird light-rail station, in 2001. The office tower has been at the site since the 1970s.

As part of its latest phase, Mockingbird Station also will build a two-deck parking garage behind the new retail space and reconfigure the lot in front of the West Elm space to include more store-front parking, according to John Brown of Selzer Associates, a Dallas-based architecture firm.

[SDORN]

Yes virgin is almost gone , there isn't much left there. I tihnk the closing date is June 18, 2006. I we have bought several Dvd in there but many were over priced. they were good for find old hard to find Old movie which me and my wife Pamela enjoy. Yes West Elm will go In there . If you approach it from the Angelika you will see it up high above the Virgin sign. Here is one I took in 1999 on the Virgin side

http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/1295/virginside19994jx.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

I have lots more of the staion being built let me know If you would like me to post more shots
Njoy
Scott

[Lakewooder]

"Oppenheim Immobilien-Kapitalanlagegesellschaft " Can you say that three times?

'the development plans to bring in a mix of restaurants and soft-goods shops catering to older adults -- from 30 to 50 years old -- and children.

"We want to try and broaden the appeal," Harris said. The family-oriented retailers will draw shoppers from the surrounding M Streets, Lakewood and Highland Park neighborhoods, he believes.'

OMG that's me -- for a couple of more years at least. Then I'll be older and more hip?

[BigD5349]

^That new concept scares me a little. For older people, but still for younger people. Hip, but for families, too.

Hmmm. Sounds like a train wreck waiting to happen.

I am excited to see them build on the parking lot north of Virgin. Anyone know of any renderings?

[clipper]

That site north of the Virgin store is engineered for a high-rise. A shame to waste it with a two-story box retail store.

[carousel]

That site north of the Virgin store is engineered for a high-rise. A shame to waste it with a two-story box retail store.

My thoughts exactly. Maybe Mockingbird Station can retain the service of Schafer Properties to design this baby.

[BigD5349]

I seem to remember that it was originally going to be a hotel tower. You're right, seems like a waste and it would be awesome to do something mixed use. They said they need more parking, maybe they couldn't find enough parking to go higher with it?

I also don't see how they will add more parking in front of the West Elm space.

[clipper]

First it was a hotel then they talked about high-rise residential. It's got the foundation for at least a 10 story building.

[clipper]

Original plan.

[Quiz03]

First it was a hotel then they talked about high-rise residential. It's got the foundation for at least a 10 story building.

Seems like they would be better off waiting to see how the Palomar condos sell. That whole area should be home to mid rise buildings and be one of the more walkable areas in town

[Agnus Dei]

Virgin's "fond farewell" sale is one of the suckiest I've ever seen, I must say. They held on to only 30something percent off for a long time, while removing all discounts. So albums I had bought a few weeks prior at 9.99 a piece were back up to 18.99. Then I went this weekend to see the 50% off stuff and they must have shipped out their big names to Grapevine Mills or somebody else. There's no way they were cleaned out of every artist I went to look for --especially the ones they always overstocked. /end gripe

[BigD5349]

That whole area should be home to mid rise buildings and be one of the more walkable areas in town

That's why I hate hearing them talking about shoe-horning more street parking in front of Virgin/West Elm. There's already too much car congestion on that side of the shopping center.

[Bryant]

^That new concept scares me a little. For older people, but still for younger people. Hip, but for families, too.

Hmmm. Sounds like a train wreck waiting to happen.

I think this move probably makes good financial sense. The area is only 89% leased and there is an open restaurant space, as mentioned. Drawing in a new demographic is probably wise and will push lease rates higher. The owners probably want to capitalize on the Palomar residents' proximity.

[HarryMoto]

^That new concept scares me a little. For older people, but still for younger people. Hip, but for families, too.

Hmmm. Sounds like a train wreck waiting to happen.

I am excited to see them build on the parking lot north of Virgin. Anyone know of any renderings?

West Elm and the Angelika already appeal to this demographic to a certain extent. To paint a very broad stereotype, sounds like the new Euro owners are going after the NPR-listening/HBO-watching/NY-Times-on-Sunday-reading/Subaru-Prius-Saab-Volvo-with-a-baby-seat-driving/Whole-Foods-REI-and-maybe-Target-cuz-it's-ironically-cool-shopping/my-kid-is-smarter-than-your-kid crowd.

Virgin didn't fit into that, theoretically going more for the Adventure-Club-listening/MTV2-and-Fuse watching/Blender-reading/Scion-driving/hipper-than-your-kid consumer. (But then they're all downloading music or going to CD Source, Good Records or maybe the better-stocked and cheaper Tower if they want the real thing so bye, bye Virgin). With Palomar upscale condos/retail across the street, the retooled Mockingbird Station might strike a chord.

[clipper]

Tower will close soon, too. The day of the music store is over.

[BigD5349]

LOL. I like these new 21st century demographics. Sure is a lot better than "black", "white" or "boomers".


West Elm and the Angelika already appeal to this demographic to a certain extent. To paint a very broad stereotype, sounds like the new Euro owners are going after the NPR-listening/HBO-watching/NY-Times-on-Sunday-reading/Subaru-Prius-Saab-Volvo-with-a-baby-seat-driving/Whole-Foods-REI-and-maybe-Target-cuz-it's-ironically-cool-shopping/my-kid-is-smarter-than-your-kid crowd.

Virgin didn't fit into that, theoretically going more for the Adventure-Club-listening/MTV2-and-Fuse watching/Blender-reading/Scion-driving/hipper-than-your-kid consumer. (But then they're all downloading music or going to CD Source, Good Records or maybe the better-stocked and cheaper Tower if they want the real thing so bye, bye Virgin). With Palomar upscale condos/retail across the street, the retooled Mockingbird Station might strike a chord.

[Boredkid]

That's why I hate hearing them talking about shoe-horning more street parking in front of Virgin/West Elm. There's already too much car congestion on that side of the shopping center.

I always thought all that parking in the center needs to be taken out and have grass and trees put back in place. Force people to park in the parking garage or across the rail in the dart parking lot. Make it only for people.

[grantboston]

Wouldn't it make sense to have parking as close to a furniture store as possible? As much as I would love to see people haul a love seat on the red line, I doubt most people will do so.

[Texan#1]

To paint a very broad stereotype, sounds like the new Euro owners are going after the NPR-listening/HBO-watching/NY-Times-on-Sunday-reading/Subaru-Prius-Saab-Volvo-with-a-baby-seat-driving/Whole-Foods-REI-and-maybe-Target-cuz-it's-ironically-cool-shopping/my-kid-is-smarter-than-your-kid crowd. LMAO :D

[gshelton91]

I agree they should remove the parking in the center… everyone tries to get a parking spot and only a few can so everyone ends up in a big line.. it is just a big hassle… I think everyone would be happier if that was not even an option and had to park in the garage.

Also if they put something in the center like an interactive water fountain… as in Millennium park it might attract more visitors to the area.

[Boredkid]

Wouldn't it make sense to have parking as close to a furniture store as possible? As much as I would love to see people haul a love seat on the red line, I doubt most people will do so.

I used to take my golf clubs with me up to cityplace to go the the driving range there. Always got some odd looks on the train.

[CityLove]

Wouldn't it make sense to have parking as close to a furniture store as possible? As much as I would love to see people haul a love seat on the red line, I doubt most people will do so.

LOL. I love the visual you've painted here.

The solution is fairly simple though. Remove the parking in the center. I definitely like that idea. Add a "loading dock" area where people can pull up to (from their spot in the parking garage) and load their furniture. Seems like it would work to me.

[crescentboi]

The solution is fairly simple though. Remove the parking in the center. I definitely like that idea. Add a "loading dock" area where people can pull up to (from their spot in the parking garage) and load their furniture. Seems like it would work to me.

That's exactly what I was thinking! Fully agree! I also think that it'd be good and could even work if they took out the lane that fronts Starbucks and make a one way exit on the side that fronts Cafe Express.