The center opened on July 30, 1975, as the then-largest mall in North Carolina with three anchor department stores, Belk, J.C. Penney, and Ivey's.

It ceased operations on June 30, 2010, and was purchased by the city of Charlotte from Boxer Properties, and the owners of the vacant anchors in hopes of selling it to a developer.

A large percentage of materials were recycled or preserved, including the mall's four entrance signs which will become part of a public art exhibit.

Development began on a shopping center in east Charlotte in the early 1970s after seeing the success of SouthPark Mall about 6 miles (10 km) away.

In 1997, The Coffee Beanery Inc., a tenant at the mall, sued ownership claiming its sales decline was a result of the increase in crime.

[21] On March 8, 2007, the Urban Land Institute Advisory Council shared its recommendations: to tear the mall down and make it into a vibrant community center with mixed-use shopping and an amusement park.

Fred's and Prime Time closed as well, followed by the Dillard's Clearance Center and movie theater in October 2008.

[25] In an earnings press release dated July 23, 2008, Glimcher Realty Trust announced that it "will not fund any further cash deficits at the property."

[28] In 2007, Charlotte's then-mayor Pat McCrory labeled the area "corridors of crap" due to its inexpensive and aging retail structures.

On April 16, 2010, the remaining tenants were given notice to vacate by June 30, 2010, because of a foreclosure action filed against the mall.

"[35] On June 28, 2010, ownership of the inner stores, parking lot and a few of the smaller outside buildings surrounding Eastland Mall were sold by LNR, the loan servicer, to Boxer Properties for $2.2 million.

Boxer was expected to bring in retail and small-office tenants that fit with the diverse nature of Charlotte's east side, similar to the company's redevelopment of La Gran Plaza in Fort Worth, Texas.

A studio known as Central Avenue Studios, expressed interest in purchasing the entire property for film uses, and as use as a film school, in conjunction with local education institutes like Central Piedmont Community College, Queens University of Charlotte, and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.

[40] The city government plans to use its land as a catalyst for neighborhood redevelopment, envisioning a mixed-use district with housing and offices.

Construction started on 39 acres in August of 2022 which include 155 single-family homes and townhomes, 280 multi-family units, 17,500 square feet of office and retail space, and a five-acre Mecklenburg County park.

The first is a 115,000 square foot indoor sports complex with outdoor soccer field, playground and jogging trail.

The second is an outdoor sports facility, including six multi-use athletic fields with a 20,000 square foot Esports center and event space.