Liberty Tree Mall
A regional shopping mall in Danvers, Massachusetts, managed by Simon Property Group.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Liberty Tree Mall is a shopping center in Danvers, Massachusetts, in the North Shore region of the United States. Construction began in 1969, and the mall opened after a dedication ceremony on February 21, 1972. Its name refers to the Liberty Tree associated with the American Revolution and Boston history. During the mall's early years, a large metal tree sculpture stood in the center court as a visual symbol of the property. The sculpture had previously been displayed at the New England Pavilion during the 1964–1965 New York World's Fair. It was removed during a major renovation in 1992 and later scrapped. The property developed as a conventional enclosed shopping mall with department-store and discount-oriented anchors. Lechmere opened with the mall in 1972, while Ann & Hope had opened on the site in 1969, before the completed mall. A food court was added in 1980, and the property underwent further renovation and expansion in 1993. From the 1980s onward, Liberty Tree Mall increasingly emphasized value, discount, and off-price retail. This differentiated it from nearby Northshore Mall in Peabody, which developed a more mainstream and upscale positioning. The two properties are less than a mile apart and have had substantial Simon Property Group involvement, allowing them to serve somewhat different customer segments. The mall's tenant mix has changed substantially as retailers have left, entered bankruptcy, or been replaced by new formats. Marshalls, which arrived during the 1980s, is identified as the only remaining original anchor. The former Lechmere and Filene's Basement spaces were demolished in 1997 and redeveloped in 1998–1999 for Target, Staples, Dollar Tree, and Best Buy. The former Ann & Hope building was rebuilt as a Kohl's after Ann & Hope closed its chain in 2001. Stop & Shop, Pier 1 Imports, a Loews multiplex, Nordstrom Rack, Off Broadway Shoe Warehouse, and other tenants were added or later removed as the center evolved. Sports Authority's 2016 bankruptcy-related closure led to the former store being replaced by Sky Zone. The current or recently identified anchor and major-format tenants include Kohl's, Total Wine & More, Marshalls, Sky Zone, Best Buy, and Aldi, with additional stores and outparcels including Target, Staples, Dollar Tree, Michaels, and Dick's Sporting Goods. The site's ownership is not completely unified: Simon Property Group owns one-third of the mall's common area and certain interior and adjacent property, Target owns the portion extending from Best Buy toward Staples, and New England Development owns property from Kohl's toward Dick's Sporting Goods. Simon Property Group manages the center. Liberty Tree Mall has also been the subject of redevelopment and use debates. In 2013, PPE Casino Resorts sought state approval for a slots parlor in a rear portion of the mall. The proposal generated competing arguments about potential employment and tax revenue versus its possible effect on the mall's character. In 2022, the property was reported to have been offered for sale after being listed in July, although it was subsequently removed from the market. The mall remains an active retail property whose identity is rooted in value-oriented shopping, large-format tenants, and adaptation to changing retail conditions.
History
Liberty Tree Mall was developed in Danvers, Massachusetts, during the expansion of enclosed suburban shopping centers in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Construction began in 1969. Ann & Hope opened on the site in 1969, before the rest of the mall was complete, and the enclosed center received its formal dedication on February 21, 1972. Lechmere opened as the other principal anchor at the mall's launch. The mall's name was drawn from Boston's Liberty Tree, a symbol associated with colonial protest and the American Revolution. To reinforce that historical association, the center displayed a large metal tree sculpture in its central court. The sculpture had been designed by Albert Surman and exhibited at the New England Pavilion during the 1964–1965 New York World's Fair. It remained a prominent feature during the mall's earlier period but was removed in 1992 to make room for renovations and was scrapped the following year. A food court was added in 1980, with early restaurants including The Roast House and The Fairgrounds. Marshalls also arrived during the 1980s and became the only original anchor identified as still operating in the mall's later history. The property was renovated and expanded again in 1993. During this period, Liberty Tree Mall increasingly adopted a discount and value-oriented role. Its proximity to Northshore Mall in Peabody created a potential overlap, but the two centers developed different market positions: Liberty Tree emphasized discount and practical shopping, while Northshore pursued a more mainstream and upscale assortment. Several major anchor changes occurred in the 1990s and 2000s. Filene's Basement subleased part of the Lechmere space in 1983 and later moved to Northshore Mall. Lechmere and Filene's Basement were ultimately removed from the property in 1997. Their former areas were rebuilt in 1998–1999 for Target, Staples, Dollar Tree, and Best Buy. Smaller-store space was also converted for f.y.e., including a music retail and video-arcade concept that replaced the earlier Dream Machine use. Other redevelopment created a Bed Bath & Beyond location. Ann & Hope closed its entire chain in 2001, including the Liberty Tree Mall store. The approximately 211,300-square-foot building was subsequently redeveloped for Kohl's. Stop & Shop and Pier 1 Imports were later constructed beside the Kohl's area, and a 20-screen Loews Theatres multiplex was added. Stop & Shop closed in January 2008; its approximately 91,000-square-foot space was converted for Nordstrom Rack and Off Broadway Shoe Warehouse, which opened in November of that year. The former f.y.e. space later became a Steve & Barry's store, although that retailer left after filing for bankruptcy. The mall continued to experience tenant turnover as retail chains changed strategy or failed. Sports Authority closed in 2016 following the company's bankruptcy and was replaced by Sky Zone. A.C. Moore announced in 2019 that it would close every store, including its Liberty Tree Mall location. Pier 1 Imports announced in 2020 that it would liquidate its locations through bankruptcy. These changes reflect the center's continuing shift from a traditional department-store mall toward a mix of off-price retail, grocery, specialty stores, entertainment, and large-format tenants. Liberty Tree Mall does not have a single unified ownership structure. Simon Property Group owns one-third of the common area and the interior area between Kohl's and Best Buy, while Target owns the portion from Best Buy toward Staples. New England Development, the original developer, owns property extending from Kohl's toward Dick's Sporting Goods. Simon Property Group manages the mall. In 2013, PPE Casino Resorts proposed a slots parlor in a rear section of the property, producing public discussion about development, employment, revenue, and the center's character. In 2022, the mall was reported as being offered for sale, but the listing was later withdrawn. Its historical role remains that of a Danvers-area regional shopping center adapted to changing retail patterns and competitive conditions.
- 2022
Mall listing is withdrawn
[1]After being listed for sale in July, the property was later removed from the market.
- 2016
Sports Authority closes and Sky Zone replaces it
[1]Sports Authority closed after its bankruptcy, and Sky Zone subsequently occupied the space.
- 2008
Stop & Shop closes and space is redeveloped
[1]Stop & Shop closed in January, and the former supermarket space was converted for Nordstrom Rack and Off Broadway Shoe Warehouse, which opened in November.
- 2001
Ann & Hope closes
[1]Ann & Hope closed its Liberty Tree Mall store as the chain shut down all of its locations; the building was later rebuilt for Kohl's.
- 1998
New large-format stores open
[1]Redeveloped space opened for Target, Staples, Dollar Tree, and Best Buy during 1998–1999.
- 1997
Lechmere and Filene's Basement spaces demolished
[1]The former anchor spaces were demolished as part of a redevelopment program.
- 1993
Major renovation and expansion
[1]The mall underwent another major renovation and expansion; the removed tree sculpture was later scrapped.
- 1992
Liberty Tree sculpture removed
[1]The mall's central metal Liberty Tree sculpture was removed to make room for renovations.
- 1983
Filene's Basement subleases part of Lechmere
[1]Filene's Basement began operating in part of the Lechmere space before later relocating to Northshore Mall.
- 1980
Food court added
[1]The mall added a food court featuring restaurants such as The Roast House and The Fairgrounds.
Products and positioning
A value-oriented regional shopping mall serving Danvers and the North Shore of Massachusetts, with a tenant mix centered on discount, department-store, grocery, specialty, and entertainment uses.
Retail property · 1972
Enclosed shopping center
Liberty Tree Mall provides an enclosed regional retail environment containing department stores, discount chains, specialty retailers, food-service businesses, and entertainment uses. Its tenant mix has changed repeatedly through renovations, anchor replacement, and the departure of retailers affected by bankruptcy or strategic closures.
Retail
Value and off-price retail
The mall's value-oriented offer includes discount apparel, department-store merchandise, and off-price shopping. Marshalls has operated at the center since the 1980s, while Kohl's and other large-format tenants support the property's practical, price-conscious positioning.
Food and beverage retail
Grocery and beverage retail
The property includes grocery and beverage-oriented uses, identified in the available material through Aldi and Total Wine & More. These categories broaden the mall's role beyond discretionary apparel and help generate frequent local visits.
Entertainment
Entertainment and recreation
Entertainment has been part of the mall's evolution through a former Loews 20-screen multiplex, a music and arcade concept associated with f.y.e., and the later replacement of Sports Authority by Sky Zone. These uses add non-retail activities to the center's tenant mix.
Brand decisions
2022
Property offered for saleStrategyBackground
The mall was reported to have been listed for sale beginning in July 2022.
Action taken
The property was marketed for sale and later removed from the market.
Aftermath
The available material does not identify a completed sale or a change in management.
2016
Replacement of Sports Authority with Sky ZoneStrategyBackground
Sports Authority closed after the retailer filed for bankruptcy.
Action taken
The former sporting-goods space was repurposed for Sky Zone, shifting the use toward indoor recreation and entertainment.
Aftermath
Sky Zone became one of the mall's identified major-format tenants.
2013
Slots-parlor proposalOtherBackground
PPE Casino Resorts sought state approval for a slots parlor in a rear portion of Liberty Tree Mall.
Action taken
The company applied to the state gambling commission, leading to public discussion about jobs, revenue, and the effect on the mall's character.
Aftermath
The available reference material does not document that the proposed slots parlor opened.
Sources2 sources
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