Sign outside the new J Malden Center apartment building advertising the Holiday Pop-Up. Photo by Julie Huynh.
During an interview with Mayor Christenson and Ron Hogan, the City’s Strategic Planning Analyst, regarding the plans for J Malden Center and where it is heading, many descriptive details were shared on what they want it to look like by the end of 2020.
Christenson stated that his reasoning for demolishing City Hall and replacing it with Malden Center was “to bring downtown back, which was what [they] had been asked to do since 2011.” He also explained that City Hall had outgrown them, saying that the old building was 130,000 square feet, and the new one will be 48,000 square feet, which fits their needs.
A few of the stores and restaurants that will replace City Hall include Soul City Yoga and Malden Center Fine Wines. Malden Center’s aesthetic value is going to be a big factor as it will grab the citizens’ attention which is why the stores are so detailed and unique. Hogan says that the stores will be installed quickly, not only because they are experienced chains, but also because the building process will take three to four months or five to seven months depending on the details involved.
Hogan and his team are determined to have 100% of the building completed by the end of 2020 as they have set the bar high for any future projects like this. Christenson explained that “it will be the first in the state, if not the country, where apartment complexes, offices, and retail are all under the same roof.” Unlike places such as Assembly Row in Somerville, J Malden Center will be one building.
“[It is] a unique approach to a unique problem that required some unique solutions,” said Christenson. Christenson continued that, “[he feels] grateful, proud, [and] excited,” as well as many other contributors and citizens in Malden.
Many are looking forward to the BitBar, a well-known restaurant that is located in Salem, MA. The location is unique because it used to be a prison, and the BitBar in Malden is hoping to replicate off of the original one in Salem, with fan favorites such as Tetris Tater Tots and the vintage games, Donkey Kong and Pac-Man.
Landsmith’s Coffee is an outdoor cafe and lounge place founded by Heather Schmidt, whose mission is to “connect [people] to the outdoors.” Landsmith’s is considered to be a place where “coffee drinkers, runners, cyclists and adventurers alike” can meet.
Both Hogan and Christenson will continue to update the public, as well as the J Malden Center website.
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