Landmark Mall Redevelopment Nears Approval

Alexandria City Council will consider a redevelopment plan for Landmark Mall on Saturday. The project would overhaul the languishing mall that received its last renovation more than 20 years ago.

Earlier this month, the city’s Planning Commission recommended approval on the Howard Hughes Corp.’s application to demolish the central portion of the mall and replace it with a mixed-use town center with 317,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space, 400 residential units and an upscale movie theater.

The project would reflect an urban village design with a grid network of streets, while Sears and Macy’s, which each own about a third of the mall, would stay put.

A portion of the existing parking structure would be removed and replaced with mixed-use units, screening a portion of the parking structure. The project also includes a pedestrian plaza, naturalized green space and a transit center.

The renovation timeline for Landmark Mall is not set, so it's difficult to say if major redevelopments at Springfield Mall will be completed before Landmark Mall redevelopment starts.

Springfield Mall is transforming into a 'town center' in multiple phases. The first phases will be completed by the summer of 2014, according to Vornado Realty Trust. 

Earlier this spring, Vornado Realty Trust released a video preview showcasing the plans for the new Springfield Town Center. 

Some features Springfield and surrounding area residents should expect, include a multi-screen cinema, a new main entrance with valet parking, a health club, 700-seat food court, multiple kids' areas throughout the property and more than 7,600 parking spaces.

Read more about both projects:

Landmark

• Opinion - Landmark Mall: A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words
• Opinion - Landmark Promises
• Opinion - A Failed Plan for a Failed Mall
• Landmark Mall Redevelopment: Residents Hopeful
• Landmark Mall Meeting Information Now Online
• City Receives Landmark Mall Redevelopment Plans

Springfield

• Vornado Expected to Spend $225 Million on Springfield Mall Renovations by Middle of Next Year
• Vornado Releases Video Preview for Springfield Town Center
• Visions for Vacancies: Springfield Mall
• Springfield Town Center Positioned to Offer More Retail in Region

Regional Editor Beth Lawton contributed information for this article.