Deerbrook Mall's Final Days Captured By Photographer

DEERFIELD, IL — More than a decade after plans to convert the interior portions of Deerbrook Mall to an open-air layout were first approved by the Village of Deerfield, demolition began last month at the Waukegan Road location.

Under the latest plan, OfficeMax, Art Van Furniture, Jewel-Osco and Ultra will build new stores on the site of the former mall, part of which will become an access road. Plus, the owners have been discussing a deal for a new Sam's Club as an anchor tenant.

Much of the former space is now gone, but a couple of weeks ago, an enterprising photographer and preservationist managed to get inside the site, and snapped some amazing photographs of the last days of the General Theater, the abandoned TJ Maxx, and more. For anyone who remembers the "heyday" of the Deerbrook Mall, these pictures are worth checking out:

» Photos: Deerbrook in Headlights

Deerfield Village Manager Kent Street said the mall's ownership approached the village seeking tax breaks five years ago for a plan to get rid of the interior mall and provide exterior entrances to all tenants but he said the company withdrew the plan and he doesn't expect any such requests this time, the Deerfield Review reports.

Related:

• Jewel-Osco Will Move To Larger Space in Deerbrook Mall
• Hobby Lobby Hopes to Open at Deerbrook Mall
• TJ Maxx Moving from Deerfield to Northbrook
• Cadwell's Corner Sees New Addition Completed

Top photo | Deerbrook Mall | Courtesy: jonrevprojects