CityPlace Burlington
A formerly enclosed shopping mall in downtown Burlington, Vermont, later renamed CityPlace Burlington and largely closed for redevelopment.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
CityPlace Burlington was a formerly enclosed shopping mall located beside Burlington’s Church Street Marketplace in Burlington, Vermont. The property opened in 1976 as Burlington Square Mall and became one of the principal indoor retail destinations in the city. Over time, it was also known as Burlington Town Center before adopting the CityPlace Burlington name in connection with a proposed large-scale redevelopment. The mall’s original anchor was the Porteous department store. After Porteous went out of business, the property’s department-store role was later associated with Filene’s, which opened in 1999 as part of an expansion. Filene’s was subsequently acquired by Macy’s, creating Vermont’s only Macy’s location. L.L.Bean also announced plans in 2014 to open a store at the mall, adding a nationally recognized outdoor retailer to the tenant mix. In December 2013, development company Devonwood Investors acquired the Town Center for $25 million. The company was led by managing partner Don Sinex, who presented a redevelopment concept in 2014 valued at approximately $200 million. The proposal called for a mixed-use downtown project combining retail, offices, housing, a hotel, and expanded parking. By late 2016, the redevelopment had been divided into two phases and had obtained private financing. The first phase, estimated at $125 million, included a proposed 14-story tower intended in part to accommodate the University of Vermont Medical Center after the expiration of its lease at another location. The redevelopment process substantially changed the property’s commercial identity. The western portion of the mall closed and was demolished in 2017 to make way for the proposed project. Macy’s announced in January 2018 that it would close the Burlington store as part of a nationwide reduction, and the location shut in March of that year. The closure ended Vermont’s Macy’s presence. The vacant Macy’s building later received temporary civic use when Downtown Burlington High School was unveiled there in March 2021 as a replacement for its original campus. L.L.Bean announced in August 2021 that it would relocate from the mall to Williston in summer 2022. By February 2022, the remaining businesses had closed, leaving the surviving eastern portion of the former mall entirely vacant while further development plans remained unresolved. CityPlace Burlington therefore functions historically as a downtown retail property and redevelopment project rather than as an operating shopping-center brand. Its status reflects the transition of the site from an enclosed mall toward a proposed mixed-use urban development.
History
CityPlace Burlington began operation in 1976 as Burlington Square Mall, an enclosed shopping center positioned near Burlington’s Church Street Marketplace. Its first anchor was Porteous, a department store that later ceased operations. The center expanded in 1999, adding a Filene’s department store. Filene’s later became part of Macy’s, giving the mall a major national department-store anchor and making the Burlington location Vermont’s only Macy’s store. The property’s retail mix later included L.L.Bean. In 2014, the outdoor retailer announced plans for a store in the mall. The same period marked a shift from conventional mall operation toward a major urban redevelopment effort. Devonwood Investors acquired the Town Center in December 2013 for $25 million. The development company, led by managing partner Don Sinex, subsequently promoted a plan to rebuild the property as a mixed-use district rather than simply renovate the existing mall. In November 2014, Sinex announced a proposed $200 million project containing new retail space, offices, housing, a hotel, and expanded parking. By late 2016, Devonwood and Sinex had secured private financing and divided the project into two phases. The first phase was estimated at $125 million and included permit applications for a 14-story tower. The development schedule contemplated construction from July 2017 through January 2019. The University of Vermont Medical Center was expected to occupy space in the proposed tower after its lease at another site expired. The western portion of the mall closed in fall 2017 and was demolished for redevelopment. The broader project did not result in the mall continuing as a conventional operating retail center. Macy’s announced on January 3, 2018, that the Burlington store would close as part of a nationwide plan affecting 11 locations. The store closed in March 2018, removing one of the property’s most prominent anchors and ending Macy’s presence in Vermont. The former Macy’s building later found temporary institutional use. On March 2, 2021, Downtown Burlington High School was unveiled in the vacant building as a temporary replacement for the original school campus. This use did not restore the property’s former retail function. In August 2021, L.L.Bean announced that it would relocate its Burlington-area operation to Williston in summer 2022. By February 2022, all businesses remaining in the mall had shuttered. The eastern portion of the former center remained standing but vacant, while additional redevelopment work was still anticipated. The history of CityPlace Burlington illustrates the changing role of enclosed malls in downtown American retail districts. The property moved from a traditional department-store-centered shopping format to an ambitious mixed-use redevelopment concept involving commercial, residential, institutional, and hospitality uses. Because the original mall was largely closed and portions were demolished, CityPlace Burlington is best understood as a former shopping-center property and redevelopment site rather than an active retail brand.
- 2022
Remaining mall businesses close
[1]All remaining businesses have shuttered, leaving the surviving portion of the former mall vacant.
- 2021
Former Macy's building becomes temporary high school
[1]Downtown Burlington High School begins temporary use of the vacant Macy's building.
- 2018
Macy's closes
[1]The Macy's anchor closes in March after the retailer announces a nationwide store-reduction plan.
- 2017
Western mall section closes and is demolished
[1]The western section is removed to make way for the first phase of the redevelopment proposal.
- 2014
Mixed-use rebuilding plan announced
[1]The owner announces a proposed $200 million redevelopment combining retail, offices, housing, a hotel, and expanded parking.
- 2013
Devonwood Investors acquires the property
[1]Devonwood Investors purchases the Town Center for $25 million.
- 1999
Mall expansion adds Filene's
[1]An expansion adds Filene's, which later becomes the Macy's location at the property.
- 1976
Burlington Square Mall opens
[1]The enclosed shopping center opens in downtown Burlington with Porteous as its original anchor department store.
Products and positioning
Former downtown enclosed shopping mall and proposed mixed-use redevelopment site
Retail property · 1976
Enclosed shopping mall
CityPlace Burlington’s principal historic offering was enclosed retail space serving downtown Burlington. The center housed department stores, specialty retailers, and service businesses, with its tenant mix anchored at different times by Porteous, Filene’s, Macy’s, and L.L.Bean. The property’s retail role declined as redevelopment planning altered the site and major tenants departed.
Department store · 1999
Macy's Burlington
The Macy’s store occupied the former Filene’s anchor space created through the 1999 expansion. It served as one of the mall’s principal anchors until Macy’s announced its closure in 2018. The store closed in March of that year, and the building was later used temporarily by Downtown Burlington High School.
Outdoor retail · 2014
L.L.Bean Burlington
L.L.Bean was planned as a major specialty retailer for the mall and announced its CityPlace location in 2014. The retailer later decided to relocate its operation to Williston, with the move announced for summer 2022. Its departure further reduced the property’s active retail presence.
Mixed-use development · 2014
CityPlace mixed-use redevelopment
The proposed redevelopment was intended to replace or substantially transform the enclosed mall with a combination of retail, office, residential, hotel, parking, and institutional space. Its first phase included a proposed 14-story tower and was associated with a planned University of Vermont Medical Center occupancy.
Brand decisions
2021
Former Macy's building receives temporary institutional useOtherBackground
The former anchor building was vacant after Macy's departure while the wider property awaited further development.
Action taken
Downtown Burlington High School began using the building as a temporary replacement campus.
Aftermath
The temporary school use provided a non-retail function for part of the property but did not reopen the shopping center.
2021
L.L.Bean relocates from the mallStrategyBackground
L.L.Bean remained one of the mall’s notable retail tenants as the property’s redevelopment and vacancy issues continued.
Action taken
L.L.Bean announced a move to Williston scheduled for summer 2022.
Aftermath
The relocation removed another prominent tenant from CityPlace Burlington and contributed to the property’s final loss of active businesses.
2018
Macy's anchor closesOtherBackground
Macy's included the Burlington location in a nationwide plan to close 11 stores.
Action taken
The Burlington store closed in March 2018.
Aftermath
The closure left Vermont without a Macy's location and removed a major anchor from the property.
2017
Western portion closed for redevelopmentStrategyBackground
The redevelopment was divided into phases, with the western side selected for initial construction activity.
Action taken
The western portion of the mall was closed and demolished.
Aftermath
The remaining eastern structure continued to stand but progressively lost its retail tenants.
2014
Owner proposes mixed-use redevelopmentStrategyBackground
The existing enclosed mall was to be repositioned as a larger downtown district with uses beyond traditional retail.
Action taken
Devonwood Investors announced a plan involving retail, offices, housing, a hotel, expanded parking, and later a proposed 14-story first-phase tower.
Aftermath
The western portion closed and was demolished in 2017, while the broader redevelopment did not restore the property as an operating enclosed mall.
Announced redevelopment value. $200 million (November 2014)
2013
Devonwood Investors purchases Burlington Town CenterM&ABackground
The downtown mall changed ownership as the property faced the need for repositioning and long-term redevelopment.
Action taken
Devonwood Investors acquired the property for $25 million.
Aftermath
The acquisition was followed by a proposal to transform the conventional mall into a mixed-use downtown project.
Acquisition price. $25 million (December 2013)
Recent events
- 2022
Remaining CityPlace Burlington businesses shutter[1]
Other
By February 2022, all businesses remaining in the mall had closed, leaving the surviving structure vacant pending further development.
- 2021
Downtown Burlington High School uses former Macy's building[1]
Other
The vacant Macy's building was unveiled as the temporary site of Downtown Burlington High School, providing interim civic use for part of the property.
- 2021
L.L.Bean announces relocation to Williston[1]
Other
L.L.Bean announced that it would leave the mall and relocate to Williston in summer 2022.
- 2018
Macy's announces Burlington closure[1]
Other
Macy's announced that its Burlington store would close as part of a nationwide program affecting 11 stores; the location shut in March 2018.
- 2017
Western portion closes for redevelopment[1]
Other
The western part of the enclosed mall closed and was demolished as the first step toward the planned redevelopment.
- 2014
L.L.Bean announces a CityPlace Burlington store[1]
Product launch
L.L.Bean announced plans to open a location at the mall, strengthening the property’s planned retail lineup.
- 2014
Mixed-use redevelopment plan announced[1]
Other
Devonwood Investors presented a proposed $200 million rebuilding program involving retail, offices, housing, a hotel, and expanded parking.
- 2013
Devonwood Investors acquires Burlington Town Center[1]
M&A
Devonwood Investors acquired the downtown shopping center for $25 million, beginning a new phase of ownership and redevelopment planning.
Sources2 sources
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