Goldblatt Bros., Inc. v. Addison Green Meadows, Inc.

Goldblatt Bros., Inc. (Goldblatt) (plaintiff) leased a department store in a new shopping center that Addison Green Meadows, Inc. (Addison) (defendant) developed. Goldblatt’s lease stated that Addison would (1) pave the whole area around the shopping center for parking, (2) create at least 1,000 parking spaces in this paved area, and (3) pave a driveway connecting the back of the shopping center to a nearby road. The lease included a map of the shopping center showing these improvements. Shopping centers succeed based on how easy they are to get to and how nice they look. Although Addison did some work on these improvements, Addison did not completely fulfill its promises. Addison paved the front of the shopping center for parking, but left large areas behind the center unpaved and unused. The parking areas Addison created could only fit 732 cars. However, other than the grand opening, there was never a time when the 732 spots were insufficient for shopping-center customers. Also, Addison paved some of the driveway, but Addison never connected the driveway with the nearby road. Goldblatt sued Addison, asking the court to award specific performance and require Addison to complete the development in accordance with the lease map. Goldblatt argued that its lease was less valuable and its business was less profitable because of Addison’s failure to complete the improvements. Addison argued that it had substantially performed its contract obligations. The trial court ruled in favor of Addison. Goldblatt appealed.