Recent redevelopment plans for Provo Towne Centre mall have sparked conversation among Provo residents.
Brixton Capital, a real estate firm, bought Provo Towne Centre in 2016. Since then, they have been making plans to redevelop the mall. In 2025, Brixton Capital submitted its proposal, which is now being discussed in Provo City Council meetings.
Their proposal included building apartments and townhomes, opening new shops and shifting the mall design from a closed mall to an open-air mall, affecting nearby communities, stores and families.
While many have stated a need for change to increase the foot traffic of the “dying” mall, Provo residents have spoken about their concerns regarding the redevelopment plan.
Daniel Friend, the chair of the Central District, attended the Provo Planning Commission Meeting on March 11 and shared his thoughts regarding housing.
“We love the idea of having there be density, and there be affordable housing,” Friend said. “However, we’re very concerned about the people who will be displaced from the mobile home park and the lack of a plan for how to help them.”
Others in the planning commission meeting also shared concerns about how displaced individuals would be able to find new affordable housing in Provo.
Friend commented that he believed there needed to be more owner-occupied housing available. Jake Jensen, a teacher at Provo High School, also shared similar sentiments.
“Are there other ways to make sure that there are more places to own? It’s not super common in the U.S. and especially around here, but what about more apartments to own? Maybe we could make it a little bigger? Is that financially viable?” Jensen said.
Some Provo residents also said they did not want to see some of their favorite shops closed in the mall, particularly the mall’s gaming shops. Madison Nelson has lived in Provo for more than six years and said the mall had something special to offer that other malls did not.
“I’ve watched new life breathed into the mall through the community-focused nerdy businesses like 'We Geek Together' and others,” Nelson said. “The mall is even getting national attention as the nerdiest mall in America, according to search engines and articles. That’s something unique, something other cities don’t have.”
We Geek Together is a gaming shop that opened in Provo Towne Centre in 2022. Within the first year of opening, We Geek Together earned the Guinness World Record for the largest game of Dungeons and Dragons. Its Guinness World Record plaque is placed near the entry of the store for all to see.
Shop employee and professional dungeon master, Rhees Nielson, shared his comments about what this community means to Provo.
“It’s more than a game. This is a place where people can relax and be comfortable,” Nielsen said. “It’s a unique and fun way to meet people and build meaningful friendships.”
While Neilson and the store have some concerns about the redevelopment plan, he said they are optimistic.
“I believe the proposed plan is set to take about 10 years, so until then we will keep running this shop, and we will see what happens then,” Nielson said. “But we have such a great community, and whether it’s here or not, we’ll have a place to gather.”
Other Provo residents, such as Gary Kilpack, who has lived in Provo for more than 20 years, shared their enthusiasm for the proposed development plan.
“I think that this project is an opportunity to create a shining star. I think it could be a jewel on the West side here,” Kilpack said. “I think that it’s a great opportunity to do something really wonderful for the city of Provo.”
The new redevelopment plan for Provo Towne Centre is still set to be reviewed and discussed by the Provo City Council before a voting date is set.