A decision that Fashion Fair Mall’s Forever 21 building isn’t eligible for historic status clears the way for the mall to partner with Dick’s Sporting Goods to construct the retailer’s new experimental sports concept.

On Monday, experts presented to the Fresno Historic Preservation Commission the history of the nearly 60-year-old three-story building that capstones the mall, designed by Charles Luckman, the architect behind Madison Square Garden.

In its place on the mall’s east end, Dick’s would build its House of Sports concept that goes beyond a standard sporting goods store. House of Sports offers soccer, baseball, and golf cages; rock climbing, soccer fields, and even ice rinks at some locations.

Mall Fortunate to Quickly Have New Anchor Tenant

Building the planned 120,000-square-foot House of Sports without demolishing the former Forever 21 space would be “very difficult,” said Andy Greenwood, VP of development for Macerich, the mall’s owner.

He said the mall and Dick’s have been working since summer 2025 on the project and could have construction completed by the end of 2027.

Adapting the building would take a lot of work that would likely turn the retailer off from the investment, Greenwood said.

“They would likely not take the time to do that. They would explore other opportunities,” Greenwood said.

Like for most malls, keeping anchor space occupied is a challenge, he said. Macerich has courted bowling alleys, theaters, and other businesses so that demolition wouldn’t be necessary.

“We believe Fresno is quite fortunate to have a committed occupant within one year of Forever 21’s closure,” Greenwood said.

Dick’s does not currently list any House of Sports locations in California.

Fashion Fair’s Role in Fresno’s Urban Sprawl

The mall’s role in the community’s history became part of the commission’s discussion about the former Forever 21 building.

While likely not directly designed by Luckman, commissioner Paul Halajian — himself an architect — said even having his name associated with the building brings acclaim.

The building was built “semi-independently” of the mall, developed by Carter Broadway Hale about the same time Fashion Fair was built. The building originally housed Weinstock’s and then Gottschalks before becoming Forever 21 in 2011.

Commissioners Halajian and Sarah Johnston said the mall should be considered as a whole for its cultural contributions.

Halajian said it was Fresno’s first regional mall.

“It changed retailing, it changed socialization, it changed everything. I think it changed the perception of Fresno,” Halajian said.

Commission chair James Sponsler said the mall served as a reminder of Fresno’s urban sprawl. In the 1960s, ahead of Fashion Fair’s construction, Manchester Mall and Fig Garden Shopping Center had begun the northward spread away from downtown.

Fresno elected leaders were already thinking about urban decay when they approved the construction of the downtown pedestrian Fulton Mall, which opened in 1964. That downtown focus quickly changed when the city council gave the OK for Fashion Fair to build amid one of the biggest political controversies in  city history.

The debate pitted neighbor against neighbor, rumors of bribes surfaced, and there was talk that if Fashion Fair received the thumbs-up, a Macy’s would be built downtown. The crucial council hearing was carried live on two radio stations.

That downtown Macy’s was never built, and Fashion Fair opened in 1970 — long before more northern growth led to the development of the Herndon Avenue corridor and points farther north.

“Not anything against Fashion Fair, but in the history and development of Fresno, that kind of created this kind of death knell for anything we were trying to do with downtown,” said Sponsler.

Commission Vice Chair Jason Hatwig countered, saying malls evolve with time.

“It doesn’t look the same as it does when I was in college,” Hatwig said.

Others said having such a large vacancy could threaten the mall.

You can read about the building’s history and architecture at this link.