This Dying New Jersey City may become the Hollywood of the East Coast

Everywhere across the country lie remnants of a once booming retail landscape.

From half-empty strip malls to abandoned fields, it doesn't matter where you are these places have become more and more commonplace.

Data suggests that up to 87% of large shopping malls may close over 10 years and the number of malls has declined nationwide by 16.7% per year from 2017 to 2022.

And while NJ has seen its fair share of permanent mall closures, there are few communities that have seen a shift quite as large as Atlantic City.

Photo byChermel PorteronUnsplash

Amongst its various infamous structures is Playground Pier, a 320,000+ sq foot space that was built in 1906 and has undergone new ownership over the years. It was first known as Million Dollar Pier, which operated on the site from 1906 to 1981, and the Ocean One shopping mall pier which operated there from 1983 to 2003. In 2006 the pier opened as The Pier Shops at Caesars and was finally renamed the Playground Pier in 2015.

If you were to walk around the mall today you'd notice there are about 3 or 4 stores open while the rest of the space remains unoccupied.

Photo byHansel Vespucci/Burst

The pier was once home to many upscale stores, such as Tourneau, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Armani A/X. Due to high vacancy rates in the late 2010s, Playground Pier is now considered a "dead mall."

It's quite a shame considering the space has been newly renovated, is large and spacious, and has so much potential. And that is exactly what ACX1 Studios thought when purchasing the space.

Just last year, the mall was acquired by ACX1 who hopes to turn the dying mall into an entertainment venue with a combination of retail, restaurants, entertainment, educational space, and music and film industry production space.

Photo byAnton Grimes/Burst

The production studios within the building plan will be used primarily for television and film production, with up to 150 sets, hoping to attract major film companies and actors to the area.

According to ACX1, the mall does not need major renovations or changes, and aspects such as old restaurants and stores can be reutilized to film restaurant scenes.

This seems to be the perfect solution to dying or abandoned malls in New Jersey. What do you think? Is ACX1 a saving grace to Atlantic City or is there a better-suited solution? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.