Nestled in central Tucson, just south of Broadway Boulevard, the El Con Mall neighborhood has a story interwoven with the city’s growth, heritage, and enduring sense of community. For longtime residents and newcomers alike, this district is far more than a shopping destination. It’s a reflection of Tucson’s evolving cultural and economic landscape and a living archive of the city’s changing character.
Origins: The Birth of El Con and its Namesake
The name “El Con” is a cherished abbreviation for El Conquistador, a nod to Arizona’s Spanish colonial past. The story begins in the 1920s, when Tucson was still an expanding small city. The area, then on the eastern fringe of town, was mostly desert brush bordered by what we now know as Broadway Boulevard on the north and North Country Club Road on the west.
In 1928, the grand El Conquistador Hotel opened its doors at 3600 E. Broadway Blvd. This Spanish Revival resort instantly became the jewel of Tucson. Built for winter visitors, it was known for its luxury, sprawling courtyards, and dramatic views of the Catalina Mountains. The lavish pool, tennis courts, and palm-shaded gardens made it a social hub for decades, attracting celebrities and dignitaries—including movie stars and politicians—during the heyday of train and car tourism in the Southwest.
The Rise of the Mall: Gateway to Modern Tucson
As post-war Tucson boomed through the 1950s and ‘60s, the city’s population swelled and its layout sprawled eastward. The El Conquistador Hotel’s massive grounds offered an ideal site for the city’s new retail ambitions.
By 1960, Tucson had embarked on an ambitious project: the construction of El Con Mall, one of the first shopping malls in Arizona and the very first in Tucson. Where the glorious hotel once stood, a modern retail palace quickly took shape. The cherished hotel was a casualty of progress, but the mall inherited its name, shortening El Conquistador to the familiar El Con.
With its white brick arches and mid-century design, El Con Mall was more than a retail hub—it was a destination. Locals remember shopping at anchor stores like Levy’s, Montgomery Ward, and later, Sears and Macy’s. The iconic El Con Theatre, built in 1962, became a community fixture and the backdrop to countless first dates and movie memories.
Neighborhood Evolution: Streets and Stories
The El Con area has always had a strategic position. Bounded by East Broadway Boulevard, North Country Club Road, East 22nd Street, and North Alvernon Way, it sits at a vital crossroads of east-central Tucson. The surrounding neighborhoods—San Clemente, Julia Keen, and Miramonte—grew alongside the mall, with leafy residential pockets, classic mid-century ranch homes, and local institutions like St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and Arroyo Chico Park.
Nearby Randolph Park (now Gene C. Reid Park), home to the city’s zoo and one of Tucson’s largest public spaces, only enhanced the area’s appeal, offering families and joggers a green escape just blocks away.
The broad avenues surrounding the mall remain some of Tucson’s busiest. East Broadway Boulevard, in particular, evolved into a commercial spine linking downtown to the east side. Over time, El Con Mall and its neighborhood became synonymous with central Tucson living—a place where commerce and community intertwined.
Notable Landmarks and Institutions
Though the original El Conquistador Hotel is gone, the neighborhood’s layers of history are still visible.
- El Con Mall: While much of the original indoor mall has been repurposed or rebuilt, some sections retain the classic lines and feel of the mid-century era. Today, major retailers such as Target, Home Depot, Ross Dress for Less, and local favorites share space with newer amenities.
- El Con Theatre: Longtime Tucsonans fondly recall the grand El Con Theatre, famous for its large screens and plush seating. Though it eventually closed and was demolished in 2011, its memory lingers in Tucson's collective nostalgia.
- St. Joseph’s Catholic Church: Located at 215 S. Craycroft Rd., just east of the mall, this community anchor’s roots stretch back to the 1940s, serving generations of Tucson families.
- Gene C. Reid Park: Known simply as “Reid Park” to most locals, this massive public park is just a short stroll to the west. With a zoo, rose garden, and sports fields, it has offered recreation to generations.
- Nearby Arroyo Chico Park and Elementary: These spaces provide neighborhood greenbelts and community hubs for events or simply an afternoon’s respite.
Decades of Change: Retail, Reinvention, and Resilience
The heyday of “mall culture” reached its peak in El Con by the 1970s and 1980s. Horse statues, elaborate fountains, and holiday parades became hallmarks. The community revolved around this central meeting place—an indoor oasis from the summer heat and a venue for civic and social events.
But the latter decades brought new challenges. Retail habits changed, big-box stores moved in, and newer malls drew shoppers away. El Con’s indoor spaces shrank, and some historic buildings were lost to the march of progress. The once-grand El Conquistador Hotel was razed, the El Con Theatre was closed, and parts of the original mall made way for larger retailers with street-facing storefronts.
Yet, the neighborhood’s spirit never faded. Instead, El Con adapted. The rise of mixed-use spaces, the anchoring of essential services and flagship stores, and the blend of national chains with local businesses have kept El Con a vibrant locale. Restaurants, gyms, salons, and shops now serve a diverse demographic—from students at nearby University of Arizona to families living in the adjoining historic districts.
Today’s El Con: Heartfelt Heritage and Community Connections
In today’s Tucson, El Con Mall and its surrounding neighborhood continue to bridge the past and present. Walking through the area, you might pass seniors who remember the old hotel, parents herding kids into Target for school supplies, or neighbors gathering at nearby parks for soccer or yoga.
The story of El Con Mall is inseparable from Tucson’s broader history. It’s a microcosm—rising, fading, and reinventing alongside the city itself. If you stroll along Broadway Boulevard, past the palms and bright storefronts, let your mind wander to the days of elegant guests in the El Conquistador’s lobby, or bustling families on a Saturday at the mall.
For Tucsonans, El Con is more than a name. It’s a living timeline—of changing styles, shifting fortunes, but enduring community. And in a fast-growing city, that sense of heritage is something truly special to cherish.