Springfield Town Center
Springfield Town Center is an enclosed shopping and entertainment complex in Springfield, Virginia, rebuilt from the former Springfield Mall.
Last updated November 4, 2026
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Overview
Springfield Town Center is a regional shopping and entertainment destination in the Springfield census-designated place of unincorporated Fairfax County, Virginia. The property occupies a strategically connected site at the intersection of Interstate 95 and Franconia Road, close to the Springfield Interchange, Franconia-Springfield Parkway, and the Franconia-Springfield Metro station. Its location gives the center access to surrounding residential communities and the wider Northern Virginia market. The complex opened in 1973 as Springfield Mall, an enclosed shopping mall. Its original anchor lineup included Lansburgh's, E. J. Korvette, Garfinckel's, J.C. Penney, and Montgomery Ward, although several of these stores were later replaced or rebranded. Target ultimately occupied the former Montgomery Ward space, while Sports Authority later occupied the former Garfinckel's location. Macy's joined the center in August 1991, strengthening its department-store offer. During the 1980s, the mall was also associated with the golden age of arcade culture through a highly successful Time Out amusement arcade, which became part of the property's local identity. The mall's performance weakened during the 1990s and 2000s as retail competition, changing consumer habits, and aging physical infrastructure affected many enclosed shopping centers. Vornado Realty Trust became closely associated with the property's redevelopment. In 2005, Vornado acquired an option valued at $36 million to purchase the mall from Franconia Two LP, and in early 2006 it completed the purchase for an additional $80 million. The company developed a long-range plan to reposition the aging mall and its surrounding area as a more contemporary mixed retail and entertainment destination. In March 2012, Vornado announced that all but three anchor stores would close beginning July 1, 2012, allowing a major reconstruction to proceed. The existing mall closed on June 30, 2012. The redevelopment retained a principal indoor shopping component but added a more open, pedestrian-oriented environment, exterior entrances, restaurants, and café-style outdoor seating. The project was intended to create a town-center format comparable in ambition to other prominent Northern Virginia retail destinations, including Tysons Corner Center and Dulles Town Center. The rebuilt property reopened as Springfield Town Center on October 17, 2014. The property was sold to PREIT in 2014 for a reported $465 million. The repositioned center combined department stores, specialty retail, dining, and entertainment. Dave & Buster's opened at the property in late 2015, adding a large-format restaurant and amusement component. In August 2023, LEGO Discovery Center Washington, D.C. opened in a 32,000-square-foot space near the property's main entrance. The attraction was developed by Merlin Entertainments and the LEGO Group and broadened the center's appeal to families and visitors seeking experiences beyond conventional shopping. Springfield Town Center has also been associated with several notable public events and incidents. Prince Charles and Princess Diana visited the J.C. Penney store during their 1985 American tour. The mall's Department of Motor Vehicles office was later identified as a place where September 11 hijackers Hani Hanjour and Khalid al-Mihdhar obtained Virginia identification unlawfully. The property experienced gang-related stabbings in 2005, a fatal shooting in December 2007, a fatal carjacking in September 2008, and another fatal shooting in June 2022. These incidents form part of the site's documented history but do not define its retail positioning. In February 2026, J.C. Penney announced plans to close its Springfield Town Center store, citing the terms of its lease. The location closed on May 24, 2026. In May 2026, Dick's Sporting Goods was reported to be planning a large-format House of Sport store for the former J.C. Penney space. The proposed concept would combine merchandise with experiential facilities including synthetic turf, a running track, climbing walls, multisport practice cages, and golf simulators. If completed, the project would continue the center's shift toward experience-led retail and entertainment.
History
Springfield Town Center began in 1973 as Springfield Mall, an enclosed regional shopping mall in Springfield, Virginia. The original center was anchored by Lansburgh's, E. J. Korvette, Garfinckel's, J.C. Penney, and Montgomery Ward. As retail consolidation changed the department-store landscape, the anchor spaces changed hands: E. J. Korvette and Garfinckel's were replaced by later operators, Sports Authority occupied the former Garfinckel's location, and Target took over the former Montgomery Ward space. Macy's was added in August 1991. The property became particularly well known locally during the 1980s, when its Time Out amusement arcade was among the chain's strongest-performing locations. The arcade contributed to the mall's role in the region's mall and arcade culture. The center also received international attention when Prince Charles and Princess Diana visited the J.C. Penney store on November 11, 1985, during their American tour. Despite its size and strong regional access, the mall declined during the 1990s and 2000s. Vornado Realty Trust pursued control of the property, first acquiring a $36 million purchase option in 2005 and then buying the mall in early 2006 for an additional $80 million. Vornado proposed a long-term redevelopment intended to modernize the property and make the surrounding area more active and pedestrian friendly. The redevelopment required a substantial interruption to the mall's existing operation. In March 2012, Vornado announced that all but three anchor stores would close beginning July 1. Springfield Mall closed on June 30, 2012, and the two-year construction program transformed the property. The plan retained a central indoor shopping environment while adding exterior entrances, restaurants, café seating, and more walkable public areas. The rebuilt complex reopened on October 17, 2014 under the name Springfield Town Center. In 2014, PREIT acquired the property for $465 million. The post-redevelopment center expanded its mix of shopping, dining, and entertainment. Dave & Buster's opened in late 2015, and LEGO Discovery Center Washington, D.C. opened in August 2023 in a 32,000-square-foot attraction developed by Merlin Entertainments and the LEGO Group. The center's history also includes public-safety incidents and law-enforcement relevance. Its DMV office was identified as a location where Hani Hanjour and Khalid al-Mihdhar, later identified as September 11 hijackers, illegally obtained state identification. The mall experienced two gang-related stabbings in 2005, a fatal shooting in December 2007, a fatal carjacking in September 2008, and another fatal shooting in June 2022. In 2026, J.C. Penney announced the closure of its Springfield Town Center location, attributing the decision to its lease terms. The store closed on May 24, 2026. That month, Dick's Sporting Goods was reported to be planning a House of Sport store for the former anchor space, with sports-training and entertainment facilities such as a turf field, running track, climbing walls, practice cages, and golf simulators. The proposal reflects the center's continuing evolution from a conventional department-store mall toward a hybrid retail and experiential destination.
- 2026
J.C. Penney closes its store
[1]The J.C. Penney location closes on May 24 after the retailer cites current lease terms.
- 2023
LEGO Discovery Center opens
[1]LEGO Discovery Center Washington, D.C. opens in a 32,000-square-foot space near the main entrance.
- 2015
Dave & Buster's opens
[1]A major restaurant and amusement venue joins the center's tenant mix.
- 2014
Springfield Town Center reopens
[1]The redeveloped property opens on October 17 under its current name.
- 2012
Mall closes for redevelopment
[1]Springfield Mall closes on June 30 for a comprehensive conversion into a town-center-style complex.
- 2006
Vornado purchases the mall
[1]Vornado completes its purchase of the mall and advances redevelopment planning.
- 2005
Vornado acquires purchase option
[1]Vornado Realty Trust obtains a reported $36 million option to buy the property.
- 1991
Macy's joins the anchor lineup
[1]Macy's is added to the mall in August, expanding its department-store presence.
- 1985
Royal visit to J.C. Penney
[1]Prince Charles and Princess Diana visit the mall's J.C. Penney store during their American tour.
- 1973
Springfield Mall opens
[1]An enclosed regional shopping mall opens in Springfield, Virginia, with several department-store anchors.
Products and positioning
A regional Northern Virginia shopping, dining, and entertainment center combining enclosed-mall retail with pedestrian-oriented outdoor areas and experience-led attractions.
Retail real estate · 1973
Regional shopping center
The principal offering is a regional retail environment combining enclosed shopping with exterior storefronts and pedestrian-oriented public areas. The center accommodates department stores, specialty retailers, restaurants, cafés, and family-oriented attractions rather than selling a single proprietary product.
Family entertainment · 2023
LEGO Discovery Center Washington, D.C.
This 32,000-square-foot indoor attraction opened at the center in 2023. It was co-created by Merlin Entertainments and the LEGO Group and adds an immersive, family-focused experience to the property's retail and dining offer.
Experiential retail · 2026
Dick's House of Sport proposed location
Dick's Sporting Goods announced plans for a large-format House of Sport concept in the former J.C. Penney space. The proposed store would combine sporting-goods retail with a synthetic turf field, running track, climbing walls, multisport practice cages, and golf simulators.
Brand decisions
2026
Replacement of the J.C. Penney anchorGeneration changeBackground
J.C. Penney announced that its Springfield Town Center store would close, citing its current lease terms.
Action taken
The store closed on May 24, 2026. Dick's Sporting Goods was reported to be planning a House of Sport concept for the former anchor space.
Aftermath
The proposed replacement would shift the space from traditional department-store retail toward sports merchandise combined with active-use facilities and experiential programming.
2023
Opening of LEGO Discovery Center Washington, D.C.Product launchBackground
The center continued expanding its family entertainment and experience-led offer after redevelopment.
Action taken
Merlin Entertainments and the LEGO Group opened a 32,000-square-foot LEGO Discovery Center near the main entrance.
Aftermath
The attraction added a destination-oriented family experience alongside the center's retail, dining, and entertainment tenants.
2014
Sale to PREITM&ABackground
Following completion of the redevelopment, ownership of the repositioned retail property changed hands.
Action taken
The center was sold to PREIT.
Aftermath
PREIT became the reported owner after the transaction, although later ownership information is not established in the supplied material.
Reported sale price. $465 million (2014)
2012
Conversion to a town-center formatStrategyBackground
Vornado sought to modernize the property and respond to changing shopping patterns by moving beyond the traditional enclosed-mall model.
Action taken
The mall closed on June 30, 2012, and underwent a two-year redevelopment that added exterior entrances, restaurants, café-style seating, and a more pedestrian-friendly environment.
Aftermath
The property reopened as Springfield Town Center on October 17, 2014.
2006
Redevelopment of Springfield MallStrategyBackground
The aging enclosed mall had experienced declining fortunes, while its location and regional scale supported a broader repositioning strategy.
Action taken
After acquiring the property, Vornado Realty Trust developed a long-term plan to create a more contemporary town-center-style destination with indoor retail, outdoor entrances, restaurants, and pedestrian amenities.
Aftermath
The plan led to the mall's 2012 closure and its 2014 reopening as Springfield Town Center.
Reported acquisition consideration. $80 million purchase price in early 2006, following a reported $36 million option in 2005 (2005-2006)
Recent events
- 2026
J.C. Penney announces Springfield closure[1]
Other
J.C. Penney announced that its Springfield Town Center store would close because of its existing lease terms; the store closed on May 24, 2026.
- 2026
Dick's House of Sport planned for former J.C. Penney space[1]
Product launch
Dick's Sporting Goods was reported to be planning a large-format House of Sport location with sports facilities and experiential features in the former J.C. Penney space.
- 2023
LEGO Discovery Center Washington, D.C. opens[1]
Product launch
A 32,000-square-foot LEGO Discovery Center opened near the property's main entrance, bringing an indoor family attraction created by Merlin Entertainments and the LEGO Group.
- 2015
Dave & Buster's opens at Springfield Town Center[1]
Product launch
Dave & Buster's opened at the center, adding a large entertainment and restaurant venue to the property's post-redevelopment tenant mix.
- 2014
Springfield Town Center reopens after redevelopment[1]
Product launch
The rebuilt property reopened on October 17, 2014, with a renovated indoor retail area, new exterior entrances, restaurants, and pedestrian-oriented public space.
- 2014
PREIT acquires Springfield Town Center[1]
M&A
The redeveloped shopping center was sold to PREIT for a reported $465 million.
- 2012
Springfield Mall closes for major redevelopment[1]
Other
The former Springfield Mall closed on June 30, 2012, after plans were announced to convert the aging enclosed mall into a more open town-center-style retail and entertainment complex.
Sources2 sources
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