Originally Posted By TP2000 It looks like the developers of CementWalk, er.... GardenWalk, are in some deep financial trouble and the mall is heading towards possible foreclosure. The OC Register has a good story on the latest here... <a href="http://www.ocregister.com/news/gardenwalk-225368-shops-anaheim.html" target="_blank">http://www.ocregister.com/news...eim.html</a> I wonder if in six months time, when this mall could be up for foreclosure auction, if Disney would try and swoop in and buy it? They might not turn it into a DowntownDisney East, or brand it as a "Disney's" property, but it would be smart of Disney to own and control this key piece of land and asset for the Resort District. God knows Disney couldn't do any worse than the owners and developers that mall has now. Once you walk past PF Changs, it's like entering a depressing ghost town built into the sides of a cement canyon.
Originally Posted By believe As they say, location, location, location. Unless they connect it to DTD with something very convenient, quick, and fun), Gardenwalk will be a ghost town. There's no reason to go there when you are at the resort - it's too far and inconvenient to get to. They'll need something like the City Center (Las Vegas) tram, but better. The City Center tram is already a pain to ride because you have to go several flights up, then down to get to, in the outdoors, when it could be really cold or really hot.
Originally Posted By jmuboy Disney's ownership of this property could mean a lot. There is rumors they want to develop the hotel properties. If they owned GW they could develop the hotels to their likings. This would add constant foot traffic for the property. The current empty retail space could be filled with storefronts run by Disney. Adding the Disney name to the property would be an immediate draw on its own. There is a new parking deck coming across the street from the GW property. The deck and the GW development could be connected to the current DL property with a walkway (this would probably require some help from the Anahiem city managers) I hope Disney does take action and grabs this property if they can.
Originally Posted By Ohana i agree, Disney should grab it whatever the cost. In the long term real estate never goes down, especially when its connected to DL. i never understood how Disney "let" those multiple small properties that were made into GW get scooped up when they announced the resort expansion in the first place. It would be nice now to pick them up, developed, built and half the cost. They can definitely incorporate them. Long term between GW, repurposing employee parking, the old Grand Hotel area, it could work. They're never going to need less space.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt This news is so not surprising. GW just isn't what Anaheim needed. As believe said it's too far from DLR, and there's nothing worth going there to see or do. What a total waste that development is. "This would add constant foot traffic for the property." Yeah, foot traffic leaving the property and heading over to Disney. There needs to be a draw at GW in order to get people to spend some time there.
Originally Posted By utahjosh <Yeah, foot traffic leaving the property and heading over to Disney. There needs to be a draw at GW in order to get people to spend some time there.> I see it more as like a WDW hotel. Most of them are not walking distance to a park.
Originally Posted By TP2000 The big empty lots on the northeast and southeast corners of the property. They also were approved to place about four levels of timeshare condos on top of the parking structure on the west half of the property. That idea hasn't been mentioned in over a year, but the developers are still bravely talking about the hotel construction starting "next year".
Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA We visited GardenWalk in November 2008, and thought it was a real bust. Not surprised at all..
Originally Posted By SuperDry <<< They also were approved to place about four levels of timeshare condos on top of the parking structure on the west half of the property. That idea hasn't been mentioned in over a year, but the developers are still bravely talking about the hotel construction starting "next year". >>> Maybe that's where they could put some affordable housing instead.
Originally Posted By dshyates I still think GW would have been a success IF they had built the hotels. Without the hotels there is really no reason for the tourists to go there. But if they were staying there then the people would be walking through the place. I believe THIS is exactly what Disney was waiting for. I also believe that Disney wanted to drag their feet on the hotel thing. Locking up the parcels in negotiations while the place just died on the vine. NOW they can scoop up the whole place at a fire sale price. Well played Disney. Not really ethical, but alls fair in business. Right? That said, WHEN Disney buys the place and builds the 2 hotels and the parking garage, I believe a people mover from between GW and the parking garage to the Esplanade would be the bees knees.
Originally Posted By WorldDisney Agree with everyone here! I think Disney buying GW would only be great news for them. Not only will they be able to build hotels with very little real estate left around the resort, they will also now have more available parking they can use when they need to shift theme park guests until they get build something more permanent. And of course, those hotel rooms will create actual traffic for GW in general. Not only that, but maybe they can negotiate an entrance onto Harbor Blvd which GW SHOULD've done from the beginning making it for easier access for all those hotels guest to easily walk there. Walking all the way to Katella is a pain after you spent all day at the Resort already. Lets just hope they actually buy it though .
Originally Posted By mousermerf I kinda doubt it - i see it more likely for them to let it fail, rott, and sit there abandoned for years before they even consider it, and then they build a parking garage or something where it was.
Originally Posted By jaybee Depends on the price tag, but I agree that it makes no sense to spend nearly a quarter billion on a dead mall. Disney has enough of a challenge keeping stores open in their own Downtown Disney. The site was more appealing to purchase when it was empty.
Originally Posted By jmuboy What hotel is along Disney Way between GW and Harbor Blvd? If Disney got that as well they could create a landscaped walkway between the main resort area and the new GW / Pumba Parking structure area.
Originally Posted By Sport Goofy Buying a carcass shopping center that was based on nothing but speculation at the height of the commercial real estate boom is the last thing Disney needs to be spending its money on. There is no way to salvage GardenWalk. It was a bad idea from the start. Disney needs to stay away and focus on their resort properties.
Originally Posted By Manfried Nice thing about a default, brings fire sale prices. Disney is probably seriously thinking about it, but is also looking at the price.
Originally Posted By mousermerf Probably would cost less then building the infrastructure and road network for Flamingo Crossing in Orlando (which currently has no tenants).
