Owings Mills Mall
A former enclosed shopping mall in Owings Mills, Maryland, that opened in 1986 and was demolished in 2017.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Owings Mills Mall was a regional enclosed shopping mall in Owings Mills, Maryland, United States. It opened on July 30, 1986, after several years of planning for a much larger town-center development in the rapidly growing western Baltimore County community. The project was originally discussed as Owings Mills Town Center and was intended to form the commercial focus of a development that would include a large lake. Environmental concerns and changing regulatory requirements led to the abandonment of the lake concept, and the shopping center opened instead as Owings Mills Fashion Mall. The word “Fashion” was later dropped as the property was repositioned toward a broader middle-market customer base. The mall was developed by The Rouse Company, a major American shopping-center developer, and was later operated by General Growth Properties after GGP acquired Rouse’s assets in 2004. At opening, the center was approximately 95 percent leased and had three prominent department-store anchors: Saks Fifth Avenue, Bamberger’s, and Hecht’s. Over time, the anchor roster changed substantially. Saks entered liquidation in 1995 and was replaced by JCPenney. Hecht’s was later converted to Macy’s, while Boscov’s occupied the former Macy’s space. A 1998 expansion and repositioning also added Sears and Lord & Taylor, although both stores closed within several years. Temporary occupants, including Sticks ’N’ Stuff and International Furniture Liquidators, used some vacated anchor buildings before those structures were ultimately removed or left vacant. The center benefited from access to Interstate 795 and from its proximity to the Owings Mills Metro Subway Station. A shuttle initially connected the mall and station, although that service was discontinued in 1992 and later replaced by less frequent transit. A pathway between the mall and station was closed after the 1992 murder of Christina Marie Brown, a contract cleaning employee who was attacked while apparently traveling to the station. The closure made the transit connection less convenient and contributed to a lasting public perception that the property was unsafe. During the 1990s and 2000s, the mall faced increasing competition from Towson Town Center, White Marsh Mall, Arundel Mills, and other modern regional shopping destinations. Towson Town Center’s addition of Nordstrom in 1991 particularly weakened Owings Mills Mall’s upscale positioning. The property’s ownership strategy also prioritized other Maryland assets, leaving Owings Mills increasingly caught between premier fashion malls and newer open-air retail developments. Vacancies grew as national retailers departed. In 2010, a reported 22.6 percent of the mall’s space was vacant, and by 2014 the property was described as approximately half empty. The enclosed mall’s interior was quietly closed in late September 2015, leaving only selected anchor stores, restaurants, and the adjacent movie theater operating. Macy’s closed in November 2015, and JCPenney announced the closure of its store in January 2016. Mall fixtures were auctioned in March 2016. Demolition began in August 2016 and was completed in March 2017, ending the property’s operation as an enclosed shopping mall. The site was subsequently redeveloped as Mill Station, a lifestyle-oriented open-air shopping center. Announced in December 2017, the redevelopment represented an investment of approximately $108 million and was planned to contain about 575,000 square feet, at least 30 tenants, and anchors including Costco, Lowe’s, and Dick’s Sporting Goods. Construction began late in 2017, Costco opened in October 2018, and the broader project was completed in early 2019. The former Owings Mills Mall therefore survives principally as a redevelopment site rather than as an operating brand.
History
Planning for a major commercial center in Owings Mills began by at least March 1981. Baltimore County had identified the area as a primary growth center in 1979, and The Rouse Company proposed a development inspired in part by its Columbia, Maryland, town-center model. Early concepts called for a roughly 100-acre lake around which the commercial district would be organized. Environmental regulation changes and an Army Corps of Engineers conclusion that the lake would have an adverse environmental impact caused that element to be abandoned. The project was initially known as Owings Mills Town Center during planning, but the name was not used for the completed mall. By late 1983, an opening in the summer of 1986 was planned, with three department-store anchors and room for two additional anchors. Saks Fifth Avenue, Bamberger’s, and Hecht’s were announced in 1984. The mall opened on July 30, 1986, as Owings Mills Fashion Mall. It was about 95 percent leased, although only approximately 80 percent of its stores were operating at the grand opening. Its location along Red Run Boulevard, near Painters Mill Road and Owings Mills Boulevard, and its direct regional-road access made it a significant retail destination for western Baltimore County. The Baltimore Metro Subway reached the Owings Mills area in 1987. A shuttle provided a roughly ten-minute round trip between the station and the mall, creating an important public-transportation connection. That shuttle ended in June 1992, after which less frequent bus service remained. On September 25, 1992, Christina Marie Brown, a cleaning-company employee assigned to Saks Fifth Avenue, was fatally shot while using the path between the mall and the Metro station. The crime received extensive local attention. The pathway was closed in November 1992, making the direct walk between the mall and station impractical for many visitors and employees. Bus service was improved in 1997, but the incident contributed to a long-running perception that the mall was unsafe. The center’s original upscale strategy weakened as competing Baltimore-area properties modernized. Towson Town Center added Nordstrom in October 1991, strengthening its appeal to higher-income shoppers. Saks began liquidation in November 1995 and closed in January 1996; JCPenney took over the space. In 1998, following The Rouse Company’s acquisition of Towson Town Center, Owings Mills Mall was expanded and repositioned. The “Fashion” portion of the name was dropped, and the property was intended to operate as a general middle-market center rather than directly compete with Rouse’s premier malls or the forthcoming Arundel Mills development. Sears and Lord & Taylor joined the anchor lineup. The new anchors did not produce a durable turnaround. Sears closed in 2001, Lord & Taylor in 2002, and the short-lived furniture retailer Sticks ’N’ Stuff later occupied the Sears building before leaving in 2004. The structure was then demolished for an adjacent residential development. International Furniture Liquidators temporarily occupied the Lord & Taylor building, but it also closed, leaving the building vacant until demolition. After GGP acquired Rouse assets in 2004, the company continued to promote Towson Town Center and The Mall in Columbia as stronger Maryland properties, while Owings Mills remained in a difficult competitive position. Federated Department Stores acquired Hecht’s in 2006, and the Hecht’s location became Macy’s. Boscov’s moved into the former Macy’s building, but announced in 2008 that the store would close during a nationwide retrenchment associated with its Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Macy’s and JCPenney were consequently the remaining principal anchors. Vacancy increased as national tenants departed and consumers shifted toward newer open-air centers and other regional malls. A 2010 report placed vacancy at 22.6 percent. In 2011, plans were reported for demolition and replacement with an outdoor-style center modeled in part on Hunt Valley Towne Centre. By 2014, the mall was described as about half vacant. The enclosed retail interior was quietly closed in late September 2015. Macy’s shut its store in November, and JCPenney announced in January 2016 that its location would close in the spring. Fixtures were auctioned in March 2016. Demolition began in August and was completed in March 2017. The site was then prepared for a new development rather than renovated as an enclosed mall. On December 5, 2017, the replacement project was announced as Mill Station. The approximately $108 million development was designed as a 575,000-square-foot open-air lifestyle shopping center with at least 30 tenants. Costco, Lowe’s, and Dick’s Sporting Goods were identified as anchors. Construction began in late December 2017; Costco opened in October 2018, and the overall project was completed in early 2019. The adjacent movie theater, originally a General Cinema opened in 1998 and later operated as an AMC, was also substantially remodeled. Owings Mills Mall is therefore a defunct retail property whose former site continues to serve the community under the Mill Station identity.
- 2019
Mill Station completed
[1]The replacement open-air retail center was completed after Costco opened in October 2018.
- 2017
Demolition completed
[1]The former mall was completely demolished by March, and Mill Station redevelopment was announced in December.
- 2016
Final anchor departs
[1]JCPenney closed its store, fixtures were auctioned, and demolition began in August.
- 2015
Interior closure begins
[1]The enclosed mall interior closed in late September, followed by Macy’s closure in November.
- 2004
GGP acquires Rouse assets
[1]General Growth Properties acquired The Rouse Company’s assets, including the mall portfolio containing Owings Mills Mall.
- 1998
Expansion and repositioning
[1]The mall expanded, removed “Fashion” from its name, and added Sears and Lord & Taylor.
- 1995
Saks exits
[1]Saks Fifth Avenue began liquidation and was later replaced by JCPenney.
- 1987
Metro station opens
[1]The Owings Mills Metro Subway Station opened, initially supported by shuttle service to the mall.
- 1986
Grand opening
[1]The property opened on July 30 as Owings Mills Fashion Mall.
- 1984
Original anchors announced
[1]Saks Fifth Avenue, Bamberger’s, and Hecht’s were announced as department-store anchors.
Products and positioning
Originally positioned as an upscale fashion-oriented regional mall, it was later repositioned as a broader middle-market shopping center before declining and closing.
Department stores · 1986
Department-store retail
The mall’s principal commercial offering was a collection of large department stores. Its anchor history included Saks Fifth Avenue, Bamberger’s, Hecht’s, Macy’s, Boscov’s, JCPenney, Lord & Taylor, and Sears. These stores provided apparel, accessories, home goods, seasonal merchandise, and general department-store products. The changing anchor roster reflected the property’s shift from an upscale fashion destination toward a broader middle-market center.
Shopping mall specialty stores · 1986
Specialty retail
The enclosed mall contained a large mix of specialty shops and eateries, reportedly reaching approximately 155 stores and restaurants during its operating history. The tenant mix included fashion, accessories, services, home-related retail, and other conventional mall categories. Vacancies increased substantially during the property’s later years as national chains closed stores and shoppers moved toward competing malls and open-air retail centers.
Dining and cinema · 1998
Restaurants and entertainment
Dining and entertainment complemented the mall’s retail offer. Out-parcel restaurants operated next to the property in Owings Mills Restaurant Park, while an adjacent movie theater opened in 1998 as a General Cinema and later operated as an AMC. The theater continued through the mall’s closure and was remodeled as part of the Mill Station redevelopment.
Controversies
1992
Murder of Christina Marie Brown
Christina Marie Brown, an employee of a cleaning company contracted by Saks Fifth Avenue, was found fatally shot on September 25, 1992, along the path between the mall and the Owings Mills Metro station. Reports described the killing as occurring during a robbery attempt. The pathway was closed in November 1992, and the case received extensive local media attention. The incident contributed to a long-standing perception that the mall and its transit connection were unsafe.
Brand decisions
2017
Redevelop the property as Mill StationStrategyBackground
After the enclosed mall was demolished, the site required a new retail concept suited to changing shopping patterns and local competition.
Action taken
The property was redeveloped as a roughly 575,000-square-foot open-air lifestyle center with Costco, Lowe’s, Dick’s Sporting Goods, and other tenants.
Aftermath
Construction began in late 2017, Costco opened in October 2018, and the replacement center was completed in early 2019.
Announced redevelopment investment. $108 million (2017 announcement)
2015
Close the enclosed mall interiorStrategyBackground
Vacancy had grown materially, with the property reported as 22.6 percent vacant in 2010 and about half vacant by 2014.
Action taken
The interior was closed in late September 2015 while selected anchors, restaurants, and the movie theater continued operating temporarily.
Aftermath
Macy’s and JCPenney subsequently closed, fixtures were auctioned, and the mall was demolished.
2008
Boscov’s store closureOtherBackground
Boscov’s entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy and announced a nationwide program to close ten locations.
Action taken
The Owings Mills Boscov’s store, located in the former Macy’s building, was closed.
Aftermath
Macy’s and JCPenney remained as the mall’s principal anchors before the property’s final decline.
1998
Reposition the mall for the middle marketStrategyBackground
Competition from stronger regional malls and the planned Arundel Mills development made the original fashion-oriented positioning less sustainable.
Action taken
The property expanded, dropped “Fashion” from its name, and added Sears and Lord & Taylor while being promoted as a more general shopping center.
Aftermath
Both new department-store anchors eventually closed, and the mall continued to experience vacancies and competitive pressure.
Recent events
- 2017
Owings Mills Mall closes and is demolished[1]
Other
The mall interior had closed in 2015, its final anchor JCPenney departed in 2016, and demolition was completed in March 2017.
- 2017
Mill Station redevelopment announced[1]
Other · Product launch
The demolished mall site was selected for redevelopment as Mill Station, an open-air lifestyle center anchored by Costco, Lowe’s, and Dick’s Sporting Goods.
- 2008
Boscov’s announces closure[1]
Bankruptcy · Other
Boscov’s announced that its Owings Mills store would close as part of a nationwide reduction during the company’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings.
- 1998
Mall expansion and middle-market repositioning[1]
Other
The property expanded, dropped “Fashion” from its name, and added Sears and Lord & Taylor as part of a strategy to compete with newer Maryland shopping centers.
- 1995
Saks Fifth Avenue leaves Owings Mills Mall[1]
Other
Saks began liquidation in November 1995 and was subsequently replaced by JCPenney, marking a shift away from the mall’s original upscale positioning.
- 1992
Owings Mills Metro Subway Station connection changes[1]
Other
A shuttle serving the mall and the nearby Metro station was discontinued in June, leaving a less frequent bus connection. Later that year, a pedestrian pathway between the locations was closed after the murder of Christina Marie Brown.
- 1986
Owings Mills Mall opens as a regional fashion mall[1]
Other
The shopping center opened on July 30, 1986, with Saks Fifth Avenue, Bamberger’s, and Hecht’s among its department-store anchors.
Sources1 sources
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