Virginia Center Commons
Virginia Center Commons was an enclosed regional shopping mall in Glen Allen, Virginia, that operated from 1991 until its permanent closure in 2022.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Virginia Center Commons was an enclosed shopping mall in Glen Allen, near Richmond, Virginia. Opened in 1991, it was developed as a major regional retail destination serving the northern Richmond metropolitan area. Its arrival substantially altered the local competitive landscape: the mall drew customers and anchor tenants away from older shopping centers including Azalea Mall, Fairfield Commons, and Willow Lawn. Azalea Mall, which had been Richmond's first enclosed mall, subsequently declined, closed, and was demolished. Fairfield Commons lost its Sears anchor and eventually closed in 2015 for redevelopment as a smaller open-air center. Willow Lawn also shifted away from its former role as a regional mall and repositioned itself as a community-oriented shopping center. The mall's original or early anchor lineup included Proffitt's, Leggett, Sears, JCPenney, and a former Hecht's store that later became Macy's. Proffitt's and Leggett were converted into Dillard's locations in the late 1990s. Dillard's later closed the former Proffitt's building in 2011, after which the property became a Burlington Coat Factory, while the former Leggett location was reduced to an outlet format and closed later that year. The former Leggett building was subsequently occupied by American Family Fitness, which remained a separate anchor during the site's final redevelopment phase. Ownership changed several times. Simon Property Group owned Virginia Center Commons until 2014, when the property was separated from Simon and transferred to Washington Prime Group. In January 2017, Washington Prime sold the mall to Kohan Retail Investment Group. The property's physical and commercial decline accelerated as department-store anchors departed. Macy's closed its location in spring 2016 as part of a nationwide store-reduction program. Sears announced in November 2018 that it would close the Virginia Center Commons store, and the location shut in early 2019. Redevelopment plans ultimately replaced the enclosed mall format. In early 2020, Virginia Center Commons was sold for $8.3 million to VCC Partners LLC and Shamin VCC LLC. Demolition of the former Macy's and Sears buildings began in January 2021 to make room for an indoor sportsplex. The former JCPenney building was also acquired that month. Plans called for most of the remaining mall, excluding the American Family Fitness anchor, to be demolished and replaced by a mixed-use project featuring the sportsplex and a hotel operated by Shamin Hotels. Remaining tenants had their leases terminated in preparation for redevelopment, and Virginia Center Commons closed permanently on October 31, 2022.
History
Virginia Center Commons opened in 1991 in Glen Allen, Virginia, north of Richmond. Designed as an enclosed regional shopping mall, it entered a market that already included established retail centers such as Azalea Mall, Fairfield Commons, and Willow Lawn. Its scale and anchor mix allowed it to capture a substantial share of regional shopping traffic. The shift was particularly damaging to Azalea Mall, the area's first enclosed mall, which declined after losing business to Virginia Center Commons and was eventually closed and demolished in the 1990s. Fairfield Commons lost its Sears anchor to the new mall and later closed in 2015 for conversion into a smaller open-air development. Willow Lawn also changed its market role, moving toward a community-shopping-center format rather than competing primarily as a regional enclosed mall. The mall's early anchor tenants included Proffitt's and Leggett, a Belk division, in addition to Sears and JCPenney. Proffitt's and Leggett were subsequently converted to Dillard's stores in 1997 and 1998, respectively. Dillard's later closed the former Proffitt's location in 2011; that building became a Burlington Coat Factory. The former Leggett location was reduced to an outlet store and closed later in 2011. American Family Fitness later occupied the former Leggett building and was treated as a surviving anchor during the final redevelopment plans. Ownership and retail conditions changed substantially during the 2010s. Simon Property Group owned the property until 2014, when Virginia Center Commons was spun off to Washington Prime Group. Washington Prime sold the mall to Kohan Retail Investment Group in January 2017. Department-store closures then weakened the traditional enclosed-mall model. Macy's, operating in a former Hecht's location, closed in spring 2016 as part of a nationwide reduction of 36 stores. Sears announced in November 2018 that it would close the Virginia Center Commons store, one of 40 locations targeted in a broader closure plan; the store closed in early 2019. A new ownership and redevelopment phase began in early 2020, when VCC Partners LLC and Shamin VCC LLC acquired the property for $8.3 million. The redevelopment concept called for replacing much of the mall with a mixed-use project centered on an indoor sportsplex and a hotel associated with Shamin Hotels. Demolition of the former Macy's and Sears buildings began in January 2021. The former JCPenney building was also acquired that month, and the announced plan called for it and most of the remaining mall to be razed. American Family Fitness was excluded from the planned demolition area. Remaining tenants had their leases terminated by the mall's licensor as preparations advanced. Virginia Center Commons closed permanently on October 31, 2022, ending its role as an enclosed shopping mall and leaving the property associated primarily with redevelopment rather than ongoing retail operations.
- 2022
Mall closes permanently
[1]Virginia Center Commons closes on October 31 after lease terminations prepare the site for redevelopment.
- 2021
Anchor demolition begins
[1]Demolition starts on the former Macy's and Sears buildings for an indoor sportsplex project.
- 2020
Redevelopment ownership is established
[1]VCC Partners LLC and Shamin VCC LLC acquire the property for $8.3 million.
- 2017
Kohan Retail Investment Group acquires the mall
[1]Washington Prime Group sells Virginia Center Commons to Kohan Retail Investment Group.
- 2014
Property leaves Simon ownership
[1]Simon Property Group separates the mall from its portfolio and transfers ownership to Washington Prime Group.
- 2011
Dillard's anchor locations are reduced and closed
[1]The former Proffitt's building is closed by Dillard's and later becomes Burlington Coat Factory; the former Leggett store is downgraded to an outlet before closing later the same year.
- 1998
Leggett becomes Dillard's
[1]The Leggett anchor, a Belk division, is converted to Dillard's.
- 1997
Proffitt's becomes Dillard's
[1]The original Proffitt's anchor is converted to a Dillard's store.
- 1991
Mall opens in Glen Allen
[1]Virginia Center Commons opens as an enclosed regional shopping mall serving the Richmond metropolitan area.
Products and positioning
A large enclosed regional shopping mall serving the northern Richmond area, positioned around department-store anchors, specialty retail, dining, and family-oriented shopping. In its later years, the property was repositioned through redevelopment planning toward mixed-use, sports, hospitality, and community uses.
Shopping center · 1991
Enclosed regional shopping mall
The core offering was an enclosed retail environment with interior common areas, department-store anchors, specialty shops, dining, and customer services. It was designed to function as a regional destination rather than only a neighborhood convenience center. This format defined the property from its 1991 opening until its permanent closure in 2022.
Department stores · 1991
Department-store anchor portfolio
Virginia Center Commons hosted a succession of major department-store anchors, including Proffitt's, Leggett, Dillard's, Sears, JCPenney, Hecht's, and Macy's. These stores supplied broad assortments such as apparel, footwear, home merchandise, appliances, and seasonal goods, and were central to the mall's original regional-shopping proposition.
Fitness services
American Family Fitness
American Family Fitness occupied the former Leggett anchor building. Unlike the traditional department-store tenants, it represented the property's later adaptation toward service and experiential uses. It was identified as an anchor excluded from the main demolition area in the announced mixed-use redevelopment plan.
Brand decisions
2021
Conversion from enclosed mall to mixed-use developmentStrategyBackground
The departure of Macy's, Sears, and other traditional tenants left major portions of the property available for a new use.
Action taken
The owners began demolishing former anchor buildings and planned an indoor sportsplex, hotel, and broader mixed-use replacement, while retaining the American Family Fitness anchor outside the main demolition area.
Aftermath
The remaining mall tenants had their leases terminated, and the enclosed shopping center closed permanently in October 2022.
2020
Sale to redevelopment entitiesM&ABackground
The mall's declining department-store base and vacant anchor buildings created an opportunity to replace the enclosed retail format with a mixed-use project.
Action taken
VCC Partners LLC and Shamin VCC LLC purchased the property for $8.3 million.
Aftermath
The new ownership advanced plans for an indoor sportsplex, a Shamin Hotels property, and replacement of most of the mall buildings.
Property sale price. $8.3 million (Early 2020)
2017
Sale to Kohan Retail Investment GroupM&ABackground
After three years under Washington Prime Group, the mall changed ownership again as its traditional department-store model came under pressure.
Action taken
Washington Prime Group sold Virginia Center Commons to Kohan Retail Investment Group.
Aftermath
The property subsequently moved toward further anchor closures and eventual redevelopment.
2014
Transfer from Simon Property Group to Washington Prime GroupM&ABackground
The property was separated from Simon Property Group's ownership structure during a period when traditional enclosed malls faced increasing competition and changing tenant economics.
Action taken
Virginia Center Commons was spun off from Simon and transferred to Washington Prime Group.
Aftermath
Washington Prime became the mall's owner until its sale to Kohan Retail Investment Group in 2017.
Sources2 sources
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