Woodfield Mall
Woodfield Mall is a major regional shopping center in Schaumburg, Illinois, and the largest shopping mall in the state.
Last updated August 22, 2026
AI crawler reads
No AI crawler has read this profile since Oct 28, 2026.
Overview
Woodfield Mall is a large regional shopping center in Schaumburg, a northwest suburb of Chicago, Illinois. Located near the intersection of Golf Road and Interstate 290, it is approximately 27 miles from the Chicago Loop and serves as a major retail, dining, entertainment, and tourism destination for the Chicago metropolitan area. The mall attracts more than 27 million visitors annually and has helped make Schaumburg one of the principal commercial centers of the northwest suburbs. The mall was developed by Taubman Centers on approximately 191 acres of former prairie and farmland. Construction began in October 1969, and Woodfield opened on September 9, 1971, with 59 stores. It was named by combining the names of General Robert E. Wood, a former Sears chairman, and Marshall Field, founder of Marshall Field and Company. At opening, Woodfield promoted itself as the world's largest shopping center and was the largest mall in the United States. Its initial retail area was approximately 1.9 million square feet; by the 1970s it had expanded to roughly 189 stores and continued growing through successive additions and renovations. Woodfield's tenant mix has historically been anchored by large department stores and complemented by specialty retailers, restaurants, entertainment venues, and services. Its principal traditional anchors have included JCPenney, Macy's, Nordstrom, and Sears. Marshall Field's was converted to Macy's in 2006 following Macy's acquisition of the department-store chain. Sears, which had operated at Woodfield since the mall's opening, closed in November 2021; the former upper-level Sears space later became home to Primark, which opened in October 2023. Other portions of the former Sears building have been used for furniture and entertainment concepts. The property has repeatedly been repositioned in response to changes in retailing and consumer behavior. Notable additions over the decades included Lord & Taylor, Nordstrom, Apple, the LEGO Store, H&M, Forever 21, Zara, Uniqlo, lululemon, and a broad range of restaurants. A large Dining Pavilion opened in 2017 as part of a major modernization program. The adjacent Streets of Woodfield outdoor center and other nearby developments expanded the broader commercial district around the mall, while attractions such as IKEA and multiplex cinemas reinforced the area's destination-shopping character. Taubman continued managing Woodfield after ownership changed from its original development structure to institutional investors including CalPERS, Miller Capital Advisory, and GM Pension Trusts. At the end of 2012, GM Pension Trusts sold its interest to Simon Property Group. Simon assumed management on January 1, 2013, and became a 50% owner under the subsequent ownership arrangement. Woodfield remains an active shopping and entertainment destination, although its anchor strategy and tenant roster have evolved in response to department-store closures, e-commerce competition, and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
History
Woodfield Mall was conceived during the rapid suburbanization of the northwest Chicago region. Taubman Centers developed the property on roughly 191 acres of land in Schaumburg that had previously been used for farming and included a village tavern. Its name joined General Robert E. Wood, associated with Sears, and Marshall Field, the founder of Marshall Field and Company. The choice reflected the importance of both department-store traditions to the mall's identity and anchor strategy. Construction began in October 1969. Woodfield opened on September 9, 1971, with 59 stores and approximately 1.9 million square feet of retail space. The opening was promoted as a major metropolitan event, featuring entertainment from performers including singer Carol Lawrence and actor Vincent Price, together with marching bands. The property expanded rapidly: by 1973 it had approximately 189 stores, and a Lord & Taylor wing had been added. A distinctive 135-foot water tower supplied the mall and nearby areas and became a visible symbol of the development. During the 1980s and 1990s, Woodfield developed from a newly built shopping center into a mature regional destination. Its offerings expanded beyond department stores to include restaurants, cinemas, specialty retailers, and family-oriented attractions. A 1991 anniversary expansion added stores including The Disney Store. In 1995, a roughly $110 million expansion introduced a new wing, a three-level Nordstrom, an enlarged Lord & Taylor, and many specialty retailers designed as flagship or high-profile chain locations. Rainforest Cafe also opened that year. Related projects around the property included Woodfield Village Green, the Streets of Woodfield, and new parking infrastructure. These developments helped create a larger commercial district rather than an isolated enclosed mall. The mall's growth influenced Schaumburg's broader economic development. As the village's population and business base expanded, Woodfield became a regional focal point for office, hotel, restaurant, and retail investment. Nearby developments included an IKEA store, outdoor shopping, restaurants, and multiplex entertainment. The surrounding commercial ecosystem strengthened Woodfield's role as a destination for shoppers from across the Chicago suburbs. In the 2000s, Woodfield continued refreshing its tenant mix. The Apple Store, LEGO Store, Torrid, P.F. Chang's, Texas de Brazil, and other national concepts joined the property. Decorative fountains, a waterfall, and aquariums were removed in 2004 as the interior environment was modernized. Marshall Field's became Macy's in September 2006 after Macy's acquired the chain. Former cinema areas were repurposed over time, including for a restaurant and an improv-comedy venue, illustrating the property's shift toward flexible entertainment and dining uses. Ownership and management also changed. After Taubman sold the mall to a group that included CalPERS, Miller Capital Advisory, and GM Pension Trusts, Taubman continued to manage it for many years. GM Pension Trusts sold its interest to Simon Property Group at the end of 2012. Simon assumed management on January 1, 2013, and became a 50% owner under the resulting arrangement. Woodfield undertook further modernization in the 2010s. A renovation announced in 2015 addressed flooring, the grand court, elevators, and uneven interior sections. A second major project announced in 2017 created the Dining Pavilion, a large upper-level food court with approximately 820 seats and fast-casual restaurants. New retailers including H&M, Forever 21, lululemon, Arhaus, Zara, Timberland, Uniqlo, and others helped keep the mall relevant as department-store-led retail weakened. The 2020s brought significant anchor disruption. Lord & Taylor closed in August 2020 after the chain went out of business, and Sears closed on November 14, 2021, after approximately 50 years at the property. Woodfield responded by subdividing and reusing former anchor space. Primark opened in the former Sears building in October 2023, while other new additions included Miniso, Radio Flyer, Abercrombie & Fitch, Gilly Hicks, Showcase, Lovisa, Offline by Aerie, Earthbound, Athleta, Warby Parker, and The North Face. Radio Flyer opened its first branded retail store there in November 2023 but announced its closure in January 2025. Zellano Home Furniture moved into part of the former Sears area in 2024, and Velocity Esports opened in March of that year. These changes reflect Woodfield's continuing transition from a traditional department-store mall to a mixed retail, dining, and entertainment destination.
- 2024
Velocity Esports opens
[1]Velocity Esports opened at the mall on March 23.
- 2023
Primark opens in former Sears space
[1]Primark opened on the upper level of the former Sears anchor on October 12.
- 2021
Sears closes
[1]The Sears anchor closed on November 14, ending the chain's Illinois presence.
- 2019
Vehicle attack and evacuation
[1]A vehicle entered the mall and damaged retail areas; no injuries were reported.
- 2017
Dining Pavilion opens
[1]A new upper-level food court with approximately 820 seats opened in the Sears wing.
- 2015
Interior renovation announced
[1]Woodfield announced a renovation addressing the grand court, floors, elevators, and interior circulation.
- 2013
Simon assumes management
[1]Simon Property Group assumed management and acquired a 50% ownership interest.
- 2006
Marshall Field's becomes Macy's
[1]The Marshall Field's department store was rebranded as Macy's following Macy's acquisition of the chain.
- 2001
Apple Store opens
[1]An Apple Store opened in the Lord & Taylor wing.
- 1998
IKEA opens nearby
[1]A three-story IKEA location opened across from Woodfield, strengthening the surrounding retail district.
Products and positioning
A large-scale regional shopping and entertainment destination serving the Chicago metropolitan area, combining department stores, national specialty retailers, restaurants, leisure concepts, and nearby complementary commercial developments.
Anchor retail · 1971
Department stores
Woodfield's traditional anchor model has centered on large department stores. Current or historically prominent anchors include JCPenney, Macy's, Nordstrom, and Sears. Sears operated from the mall's opening until 2021, while Marshall Field's was converted to Macy's in 2006. Primark subsequently occupied part of the former Sears space.
Apparel and accessories · 1971
Fashion and specialty retail
The mall hosts a broad range of national and international fashion retailers, including concepts such as H&M, Forever 21, Zara, Uniqlo, lululemon, Timberland, Athleta, Abercrombie & Fitch, Gilly Hicks, and The North Face. The tenant mix is periodically refreshed as brands open, relocate, or leave the property.
Food court · 2017
Dining Pavilion
Opened in 2017, the Dining Pavilion is a large upper-level food court in the Sears wing. It was designed around approximately 820 seats and includes fast-casual restaurants such as Chipotle Mexican Grill and Blaze Pizza, alongside other dining operators.
Leisure and entertainment · 1971
Entertainment venues
Woodfield has used entertainment to supplement its retail offer. Earlier cinema facilities and a former theater area were replaced or repurposed over time. More recent concepts include Level 257, later Enterrium, and Velocity Esports, which opened in 2024.
Controversies
2019
Vehicle attack at Woodfield Mall
On September 20, 2019, a driver drove a Chevrolet TrailBlazer through a Sears entrance and into the mall's interior, striking kiosks and retail areas. The mall was placed under lockdown and later evacuated amid unfounded reports of an active shooter. No injuries were reported. The driver was arrested and later identified as Javier Garcia. Prosecutors initially charged him with terrorism; in 2023 he pleaded guilty to criminal damage and an unrelated vehicle-arson charge and received a seven-year sentence, later reduced for good behavior.
Brand decisions
2021
Repositioning after Sears closureStrategyBackground
Sears announced the closure of its Woodfield location in September 2021 amid the continuing contraction of the department-store sector.
Action taken
After Sears closed on November 14, the mall began repurposing portions of the former anchor space for new retail, furniture, and entertainment uses.
Aftermath
Primark opened in part of the former Sears space in 2023, while Zellano Home Furniture later occupied another portion.
2017
Creation of the Dining PavilionStrategyBackground
The mall was adapting its offer toward food, social visits, and fast-casual experiences as traditional retail patterns changed.
Action taken
Woodfield introduced a large food court in the Sears wing with approximately 820 seats and several fast-casual restaurant operators.
Aftermath
Dining became a more prominent part of the mall's tenant mix and visitor proposition.
2015
Modernization of the mall interiorStrategyBackground
Woodfield sought to refresh a large, aging enclosed-mall environment and improve circulation and common areas.
Action taken
The announced renovation covered the grand court, flooring, elevators, and the leveling of several multi-level floor sections.
Aftermath
The project was intended to modernize the customer experience and support continued specialty-retail leasing.
2013
Simon Property Group takes ownership and management roleM&ABackground
Woodfield had previously been developed and managed by Taubman and was later held by institutional investors. GM Pension Trusts sold its stake to Simon Property Group at the end of 2012.
Action taken
Simon assumed management on January 1, 2013, and became a 50% owner under the resulting arrangement.
Aftermath
The transaction placed Woodfield under Simon's operating platform while preserving institutional co-ownership.
Sources1 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/woodfield-mall · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled