Arundel Mills
A large enclosed outlet and entertainment mall in Hanover, Maryland, managed by Simon Property Group.
Last updated August 22, 2026
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Overview
Arundel Mills is a super-regional enclosed outlet mall in Hanover, Maryland, in northwestern Anne Arundel County. The property is positioned at the intersection of Maryland Route 100 and the Baltimore–Washington Parkway, providing access to shoppers from Baltimore, Washington, D.C., and surrounding suburban communities. It is the largest mall in Maryland by gross leasable area, with approximately 1,930,820 square feet of space. The center was developed primarily by the Mills Corporation on former farmland and the site of the former Patapsco Ridge Beagle Club. Its name combines the Mills development concept with Anne Arundel County. Development began in the late 1990s amid concerns about traffic, retail saturation, wetlands, and public infrastructure costs. County officials approved zoning changes in 1998, construction began in July 1999, and the mall opened on November 17, 2000, with more than 250 stores. From the beginning, Arundel Mills followed the Mills Corporation's “shoppertainment” model. Rather than operating solely as a conventional enclosed shopping center, it combined outlet retail with large-format stores, themed interior neighborhoods, restaurants, entertainment venues, and a 24-screen cinema. The building used a racetrack circulation plan with a boat-like outline, while its original interior included colorful themed areas and a train-inspired food court called the Roundhouse. The property was also notable for being the first enclosed mall to include a Medieval Times dinner theater. The tenant mix has changed repeatedly. Early occupants included TJ Maxx, Books-A-Million, Saks Off 5th, Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World, Bed Bath & Beyond, and Muvico's Egyptian 24 theater. H&M opened its first Baltimore–Washington-area location at the mall in 2003. Later additions and replacements included Dave & Buster's, Forever 21, Under Armour Factory House, Ulta Beauty, Yard House, Primark, Adidas Outlet, The North Face, Vera Bradley, Hollister, True Religion Outlet, and other national brands. Ownership and management evolved alongside the Mills Corporation. Simon Property Group had joint-venture interests in the property and later acquired the Mills portfolio with Farallon Capital Management after the Mills Corporation faced an SEC investigation concerning accounting and financial reporting. The acquisition was completed in 2007, after which the Mills properties operated under the Mills, a Simon Company identity. Simon subsequently acquired full management control of the Landmark Mills portfolio in 2012. The remaining ownership interest in Arundel Mills is held by KanAm Grund Group. The mall underwent cosmetic modernization from 2017 to 2018, including new flooring, LED lighting, kiosks, seating, and a redesign of the former Roundhouse food court as the Dining Pavilion. A later renovation program replaced much of the original colorful thematic design with a white-and-gray palette and refreshed the Fashion Wing with national outlet and lifestyle retailers. Primark opened in 2023 in the former Best Buy space, marking the chain's first Maryland location. Dave & Buster's completed a major renovation and held a grand reopening in July 2024. Arundel Mills temporarily closed during the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020 and reopened in June under distancing and health-safety measures. Some retailers and the cinema remained closed for longer periods, while several national chains permanently exited the property. The mall remains active as a retail, dining, and entertainment destination, although its operations have also been affected by public-safety incidents. In September 2024, Simon introduced a youth supervision policy requiring guests under 18 to be accompanied by an adult aged 21 or older after 3 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
History
Arundel Mills developed during the expansion of large outlet and entertainment centers in the Baltimore–Washington region. In the mid-1990s, Western Development Corporation, which spun off the Mills Corporation in 1994, acquired roughly 850 acres in Hanover, Maryland. KanAm Grund Group participated in development and financing. In 1997, Somerset Construction Company and associated landowners sold approximately 400 to 450 acres to the Mills Corporation for the planned mall. The proposed center was intended to exceed 1.3 million square feet and compete with established regional malls including Owings Mills Mall and Towson Town Center. Developers emphasized outlet merchandise, entertainment, and large anchor stores as a way to draw shoppers from both Baltimore and Washington. Anne Arundel County approved specialized zoning modifications in August 1998. The proposal attracted criticism over traffic congestion, stormwater runoff, wetland impacts, and the cost of related road and sewer work. The county was expected to fund approximately $28 million in infrastructure improvements. Developers revised the plans and obtained approvals from the Army Corps of Engineers and Maryland Department of the Environment; approximately 1.4 acres of wetlands were ultimately filled. Construction began in July 1999, and the mall opened on November 17, 2000, with more than 250 stores. Its architecture reflected the Mills Corporation's shoppertainment strategy. The interior circulation followed a racetrack layout, with a boat-like overall form, themed neighborhoods, sponsor-branded courts, and a train-related food court known as the Roundhouse. The property included 17 large anchor stores, an Egyptian-themed 24-screen theater, and a Medieval Times dinner theater. The early tenant roster changed quickly. H&M opened in 2003, while the Crayola Works store opened in 2002 and closed in 2004. Dave & Buster's replaced Jillian's in the mid-2000s, and Neiman Marcus Last Call occupied the former Crayola space in 2006. In the same period, the Mills Corporation faced an SEC investigation into accounting irregularities and allegedly fraudulent financial reporting. Simon Property Group and Farallon Capital Management acquired the Mills portfolio in 2007, with the properties subsequently operating as The Mills: A Simon Company. Simon later bought Farallon's interest in 2012 and assumed full management control of the Landmark Mills properties. The cinema changed operators in 2009 when Cinemark acquired the Egyptian 24 from Muvico. A 2010 renovation added Cinemark XD, upgraded sound and projection-related features, ticket kiosks, improved carpeting and lighting, and expanded concessions. A wall collapse during later construction killed a worker in July 2011. The adjacent Maryland Live! Casino opened in 2012, followed by a second phase and a hotel in later years, increasing the area's entertainment and hospitality activity. From 2017 through 2018, Simon carried out a first major interior refresh. The work introduced new tile, LED lighting, kiosks, seating areas, and a redesigned Dining Pavilion in place of the Roundhouse food court. Retail turnover continued: Neiman Marcus Last Call closed as part of a broader corporate closure plan, Under Armour Factory House opened in 2017, Ulta Beauty moved into the former Neiman Marcus space in 2019, and DuClaw Brewing Company closed in June 2019. Yard House was subsequently announced for the former restaurant location. The COVID-19 pandemic interrupted the next phase of the property's development. Arundel Mills closed on March 19, 2020, and reopened in June with public-health restrictions. Modell's Sporting Goods and Bed Bath & Beyond closed, while the Cinemark theater did not reopen until January 2021. The Disney Store closed in March 2021 as Disney reduced its North American physical-store network, and Best Buy left the property in October 2021. The mall experienced further operational and security challenges in the 2020s. It closed briefly in October 2022 after an accidentally discharged firearm in the food court caused people to flee and injured two people. Simon's later renovation program repainted and simplified the original themed interiors, added advertising displays, and refreshed the Fashion Wing with retailers including Adidas Outlet, The North Face, Vera Bradley, Velocity Denim, and Hollister. Primark announced a 2023 opening in the former Best Buy space. By July 2024, the tenant mix included DTLR, HeyDude, Pandora, Kids Empire, True Religion Outlet, and a renovated T-Mobile concept store; The North Face also expanded its footprint. Dave & Buster's reopened after a substantial renovation in July 2024. In September 2024, Simon implemented a youth supervision policy for Friday and Saturday afternoons and evenings, citing reported assaults, thefts, and robberies involving minors in the surrounding period. The mall remains an active Simon-managed regional retail and entertainment property.
- 2024
Entertainment and tenant upgrades
[1]Dave & Buster's reopened after a major renovation, while several retailers expanded or opened new locations.
- 2023
Primark announced for Maryland debut
[1]Primark announced a store at Arundel Mills in the former Best Buy location.
- 2020
Pandemic closure and reopening
[1]The mall closed in March and reopened in June with health and distancing measures.
- 2017
First major modernization begins
[1]Simon began a multi-year interior refresh and added new retail concepts such as Under Armour Factory House.
- 2012
Simon gains full management control
[1]Simon acquired Farallon's interest in 26 Landmark Mills properties, including management control related to Arundel Mills.
- 2007
Simon-led acquisition completed
[1]Simon Property Group and Farallon Capital Management completed the acquisition of the Mills portfolio.
- 2003
H&M opens regional debut store
[1]H&M opened its first Baltimore–Washington-area location at the mall.
- 2000
Grand opening
[1]Arundel Mills opened on November 17 with more than 250 stores.
- 1999
Construction begins
[1]Construction started in July after environmental and development approvals.
- 1998
Specialized zoning approved
[1]Anne Arundel County approved zoning modifications for the proposed shopping center.
Products and positioning
A regional value-oriented shopping and entertainment destination combining outlet retail, national chains, dining, and family attractions.
Outlet shopping · 2000
Arundel Mills outlet retail
The mall's central offering is a broad collection of outlet and value-oriented stores spanning apparel, footwear, accessories, beauty, home goods, sporting goods, and specialty retail. Its large regional catchment allows national brands to combine discounted merchandise with conventional mall services and dining.
Cinema and entertainment · 2000
Cinemark Egyptian 24
A 24-screen cinema that originally operated under Muvico and was later acquired and rebranded by Cinemark. The venue retained Egyptian-themed design elements and received upgrades including a Cinemark XD auditorium, improved guest services, kiosks, and refreshed concessions.
Food court · 2018
Dining Pavilion
The renovated food-court area formerly known as the Roundhouse. Simon updated the space with contemporary finishes, LED lighting, seating, charging facilities, and Wi-Fi-oriented amenities, adding restaurants alongside continuing operators such as Sbarro.
Family entertainment · 2005
Dave & Buster's
A restaurant and arcade venue that replaced Jillian's. Its 2024 renovation added The Arena immersive gaming area, digital darts, and social gaming bays designed for group entertainment.
Dinner theater · 2000
Medieval Times
A themed dinner-theater attraction included in the original development. Its presence exemplified the Mills Corporation's strategy of combining shopping with destination entertainment.
Controversies
2006
SEC investigation into Mills Corporation reporting
The Mills Corporation was investigated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission over accounting irregularities and fraudulent financial reporting allegations. The episode contributed to the subsequent sale of the company's property portfolio, including Arundel Mills.
Brand decisions
2024
Youth supervision policyStrategyBackground
Simon cited reported crime and vandalism incidents involving minors in the area.
Action taken
Simon required guests under 18 to be accompanied by an adult aged 21 or older after 3 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
Aftermath
Unaccompanied minors subject to the policy could be restricted from the property.
2023
Primark store announcementProduct launchBackground
The former Best Buy space became available after Best Buy permanently exited the mall.
Action taken
Primark announced a September opening at Arundel Mills, its first Maryland store.
Aftermath
The opening expanded the mall's fashion-oriented national tenant mix.
2020
Temporary pandemic closureStrategyBackground
Public-health restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic required temporary closure of Simon properties.
Action taken
Arundel Mills closed on March 19 and reopened in June with social-distancing and other operating restrictions.
Aftermath
Some tenants remained closed, and the cinema resumed operations only in January 2021.
2017
Phase I interior renovationStrategyBackground
Simon sought to modernize the mall and align it visually with nearby casino and hotel development.
Action taken
Simon renovated flooring, lighting, kiosks, seating, and the former Roundhouse food court, which became the Dining Pavilion.
Aftermath
The mall adopted a more contemporary appearance and added new dining and retail concepts.
2007
Acquisition of the Mills portfolioM&ABackground
The Mills Corporation was under regulatory scrutiny and faced competing acquisition proposals.
Action taken
Simon Property Group and Farallon Capital Management acquired the Mills portfolio for $1.64 billion, including Arundel Mills.
Aftermath
The properties were operated under The Mills: A Simon Company, and Simon later obtained full management control of the Landmark Mills portfolio.
Portfolio acquisition value. $1.64 billion (2007)
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