Re: Patriots Place
The problem is that malls are in an economic decline. General Growth, one of the biggies, is collapsing, Simon is pulling in its horns a bit (how's that high rise at Copley Place coming, boys). The value just isn't there. In line store sales are falling, anchors struggling.
Patriots Place was a brilliant concept, just too late to catch the market, as well as banal in its execution. The things that might have enlivened it: a mini convention center with hotels, a strong condo content...there is no market.
So, you've got an ordinary suburban mall with (other than Bass) nothing that you can't get within 5 miles of anywherever you live.
By the way, malls can be outdoors, e.g. South Shore Mall started "open air", Derby Street Shoppes (or is it "Shops or "Shoppies").