With recent new mixed-use development projects revolving around wave pool features such as Cannon Beach in Mesa, Ariz., and Atlantic Park in Virginia Beach, Va., it makes sense that the water park concept would also trend as a mall anchor. Perhaps due to the success of the DreamWorks Water Park in the American Dream mall in East Rutherford, N.J., at least two more U.S. malls are now in the process of potentially opening their own aquatic-related anchors.
Even though the water park-in-a-mall concept has already been successful in other countries such as the Paradise Island Water Park in the New Century Global Center mall in Chengdu, China, or the World Waterpark in the West Edmonton Mall in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, this trend is still in its infancy in the U.S. Expect the water park trend to continue to flourish in the States as a way to reinvigorate foot traffic in malls, especially as more and more shopping centers are transforming themselves into entertainment-based destinations. Similar to the ice-skating rink anchor that was popular in the 1970s and 1980s, the new family fun spot in a mall could soon become the water park tenant. Water parks can be situated in an indoor mall setting to accommodate family fun even in inclement weather, and can satisfy all age segments, from young children to thrill-seeking adolescents and adults.
Mystery Cove in the Mall of America
The Mall of America in Bloomington, Minn., owned by Triple Five Group, is hoping to break ground by this fall on a 320,000-s.f. water park, to be called Mystery Cove. The project is expected to be completed by late 2024/early 2025 and will be built in an open parking lot area between a former Sears building and a Nordstrom. Once completed, the project, expected to cost between $345M and $422M, will be the largest water park in the States. The development will be assisted by a $105M tax increment financing that was approved last year by the Bloomington City Council.
Mystery Cove will have a 1930s to 1950s visual aesthetic revolving around a story of a team of aviators who crashed their plane and have since adapted to island living. Much like Disneyland has different themed sections, Mystery Cove will have five distinct areas, each with their own attractions. The water park expects to have two separate raft-style rides, a sandy “beach” area, and multiple slides to appeal to all age demographics. Puzzle-play elements and escape room concepts are also expected to be factored into the water park attractions.
Roaring Rivers Water Park in the River Oaks Center
In an effort to reinvigorate Calumet City, a suburb of Chicago, the Calumet City Council approved $22M in funding toward the $79M redevelopment of the River Oaks Center mall, in which the first phase is the Roaring Rivers Water Park. The proposed water park will take over the mall’s former 330,000-s.f. Sears anchor site, which has been closed for the last 10 years. A Chicago-based developer, Jackson Nuckolls Group, is undertaking the project, which should break ground by late 2023/early 2024, and be completed by 2025.
The indoor water park will include features such as multiple water slides and a lazy river, as well as an area for rock climbing and arcade games. Phase two will be the construction of one wing of an adjacent hotel, which will also provide additional entertainment features for young children. Phase three will be the building of another wing of the hotel along with conference space and a rooftop pool/bar. The mayor of Calumet City hopes to eventually turn the rest of the River Oaks Center, which currently has Macy’s and JCPenney as its anchors, into a world-class tourist entertainment destination. Although the Sears building is owned by the city and is expected to be sold to Jackson Nuckolls Group for redevelopment, the City Council continues to negotiate with the mall’s current owner, Namdar Realty Group, in order to acquire and renovate the shopping center.
