Macy’s At Northgate Mall To Reopen As Duke Health Clinic

Durham, NC — The former Macy’s department store at Northgate Mall in Durham is getting a new lease on life as the shopping center works to reinvent itself.

Durham Realty Inc. announced Friday (Dec. 15) that it has purchased the two-story building that previously housed the department store and plans to convert it into a Duke University Health System medical clinic to provide health services to Durham residents.

“Duke University is excited to announce plans for a combination of health clinics and offices to help with the revitalization of the Northgate community, which was chosen for its easy access, good visibility and ample parking,” said Scott Selig, associate vice president for real estate at Duke, in a written statement.

Northgate Mall, at 1058 West Club Blvd., opened in 1960, but the shopping center is working to reinvent itself as a new generation of shoppers make their purchases online and have them delivered. Retailers across the country are grappling with this new consumer behavior.

Earlier this year, Planet Fitness signed a lease at the mall, and testing firm Measurement Inc. was expected to reserve 21,000 square feet of office space.

Several mall management firms around the country are now working to re-purpose those hulking commercial centers that were once bustling destinations for shoppers of all ages.

According to the real estate developers, the former Macy’s building, which occupies 183,840 square feet and was an anchor tenant at Northgate, will be redone from top to bottom.

The upgrades are expected to include new walkable connections for parking and patient drop-off areas as well as new exterior landscaping.

Officials said more than 1,000 Duke staffers, doctors and patients are projected to use the facility each day. Multiple health care services will be offered at the center, which developers said will provide a more efficient and accessible experience for patients.

It was not immediately clear when the new health center will open.

Source: www.wral.com