Lynnhaven Mall

Lynnhaven Mall is an enclosed super-regional shopping center in Virginia Beach, Virginia, United States. Located on Lynnhaven Parkway south of Interstate 264, the mall opened in August 1981 and became one of the largest retail destinations in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area. Its reported gross leasable area is approximately 1.17 million square feet, and the center contains more than 180 stores and services. The property combines traditional department-store anchors, specialty retailers, restaurants, entertainment venues, and an adjacent open-air pedestrian district. The mall was developed by Melvin Simon & Associates, the predecessor of Simon Property Group. At opening, its anchor lineup reflected the department-store structure of the early 1980s: JCPenney and Montgomery Ward were national chains, while Rices Nachmans, Thalhimers, Miller & Rhoads, and Leggett represented regional retail groups. Most of those original anchors were later replaced or substantially reconfigured. Rices Nachmans became Hess's in 1984; Miller & Rhoads was replaced by Hecht's after the former chain's bankruptcy; Thalhimers was replaced by another Hecht's location after its dissolution; and Leggett ultimately became part of Dillard's through later corporate transactions. The center underwent extensive tenant turnover and physical redevelopment during the 1990s and 2000s. Montgomery Ward left after its 2001 bankruptcy, and the former anchor space was divided among Dick's Sporting Goods, Barnes & Noble, and Steve & Barry's. Lord & Taylor opened in 1999 but closed in 2005. The mall was sold by Simon Property Group to General Growth Properties in 2003 for a reported $256.6 million. General Growth Properties is now associated with Brookfield Properties. A major transformation followed the redevelopment of former department-store space. Dillard's consolidated and expanded its operations, while the former Leggett/Belk building was demolished and replaced by The Inlet, an open-air plaza anchored by an AMC Theatres complex. Additional tenants introduced during this period included Apple, H&M, L.L.Bean, Forever 21, and other national retailers. Dave & Buster's opened in 2013, adding a large-format entertainment and dining component to the property. From 2013 through 2016, the mall underwent a substantial renovation that added approximately 29,000 square feet, created a ground-level food court and open atrium, removed most connector bridges, and altered the parking-deck configuration. The redevelopment also reconstructed part of a long-vacant former anchor area. L.L.Bean opened in 2016, followed by Maggie McFly's in 2017. These changes shifted portions of the property from a traditional enclosed mall format toward a mixed indoor-outdoor retail, dining, and entertainment environment. Lynnhaven Mall temporarily modified operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. In March 2020, after Virginia issued a stay-at-home order, nonessential mall operations were suspended while selected essential businesses continued operating under restrictions. Hours were reduced, capacity limits and enhanced cleaning were introduced, and most normal operations resumed as public-health mandates were lifted in 2021. The mall remains a major shopping and entertainment destination in the Virginia Beach and broader Hampton Roads market.

Lynnhaven Mall opened in August 1981 in Virginia Beach, south of what was then State Route 44 and is now Interstate 264. Melvin Simon & Associates developed the enclosed center, which was designed as a large regional shopping destination for the rapidly expanding Hampton Roads market. Its original six anchors were JCPenney, Montgomery Ward, Rices Nachmans, Thalhimers, Miller & Rhoads, and Leggett. This combination included national department stores and prominent regional chains typical of the American mall industry at the time. The anchor lineup changed repeatedly as the department-store sector consolidated. Rices Nachmans became Hess's in 1984. Miller & Rhoads entered bankruptcy and closed its Lynnhaven location in 1990; the space was converted to Hecht's later that year. Hess's closed in March 1991, and its space was sold to Limited Brands, which divided it among several retail concepts, including a Limited superstore. Thalhimers disappeared from the mall in 1992 after the chain was dissolved, and its location was replaced by another Hecht's store. In 1997, Leggett was sold to Belk, and the location was transferred to Dillard's a year later as part of an exchange between the companies. Dillard's subsequently used multiple buildings for separate merchandise divisions. Lord & Taylor opened a new store in 1999. Montgomery Ward closed in 2001 after the retailer's bankruptcy. Between 2003 and 2005, its former space was subdivided for Dick's Sporting Goods, Barnes & Noble, and Steve & Barry's. In 2003, Simon Property Group sold the mall to General Growth Properties for a reported $256.6 million. Lord & Taylor closed in 2005 after efforts to reposition the store did not succeed. Dillard's expanded into the former Thalhimers/Hecht's building, vacating the former Leggett/Belk structure. That building was demolished and replaced with The Inlet, an open-air pedestrian plaza anchored by an AMC Theatres complex. Further tenant changes followed. Hecht's locations were converted to Macy's in 2006 after Federated Department Stores acquired May Company. H&M occupied part of the former Hess's area after The Limited moved elsewhere in the mall. Steve & Barry's closed during its 2009 liquidation, and Furniture Mart later occupied the space. Furniture Mart closed in 2012, and Dave & Buster's opened there on July 20, 2013. DSW Shoe Warehouse also left the property, with the space later used by Forever 21. Physical modernization became a central part of the mall's strategy in the mid-2010s. The carousel at the main entrance was removed at the end of 2013 in preparation for renovation. Work announced in January 2014 added about 29,000 square feet and created a new ground-level food court and open atrium. The food court opened on October 27, 2014, while the remaining mezzanine was closed for demolition. An Apple Store opened near Sephora in September 2014. A mostly vacant former Miller & Rhoads, Hecht's, and Lord & Taylor area was reconstructed into two retail spaces and a public entrance. L.L.Bean opened in the southern space in June 2016, and Maggie McFly's opened in the northern space in May 2017. The renovation also removed most connector bridges. Because the upper parking deck became less useful after the redesign, part of it was demolished between March and June 2016; the remaining section served the JCPenney area and its bridge. The cleared area became open-air parking. During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the mall reduced its hours and temporarily closed nonessential services after Virginia's stay-at-home order. Dillard's, Barnes & Noble, Pet Go Round, Everclear Eyes Optometry, and Bank of America were among the businesses identified as continuing under restrictions. By May 2021, most operations had returned to normal, with some cleaning and distancing measures retained. The property is described as owned and managed by GGP, a Brookfield Properties subsidiary, and remains one of the largest malls in the Hampton Roads region.

• 2021

  Mostly normal operations resume

  [1]Lynnhaven Mallen.wikipedia.org

  After statewide mandates were lifted, the mall returns largely to normal operations while retaining some safety practices.

• 2020

  COVID-19 operating restrictions begin

  [1]Lynnhaven Mallen.wikipedia.org

  The mall reduces hours and closes nonessential operations following Virginia's pandemic-related stay-at-home order.

• 2017

  Maggie McFly's opens

  [1]Lynnhaven Mallen.wikipedia.org

  Maggie McFly's opens its first location outside Connecticut in the reconstructed former anchor area.

• 2016

  L.L.Bean opens and parking deck is reduced

  [1]Lynnhaven Mallen.wikipedia.org

  L.L.Bean opens in June, while part of the upper parking deck is demolished during the broader redevelopment.

• 2014

  Renovated food court opens

  [1]Lynnhaven Mallen.wikipedia.org

  A new ground-level food court and open atrium open as part of a major renovation.

• 2013

  Dave & Buster's opens

  [1]Lynnhaven Mallen.wikipedia.org

  Dave & Buster's opens at the mall on July 20.

• 2003

  Property is sold to General Growth Properties

  [1]Lynnhaven Mallen.wikipedia.org

  Simon Property Group sells Lynnhaven Mall to General Growth Properties in a reported $256.6 million transaction.

• 2001

  Montgomery Ward closes

  [1]Lynnhaven Mallen.wikipedia.org

  Montgomery Ward leaves the mall after the chain files for bankruptcy.

• 1999

  Lord & Taylor opens

  [1]Lynnhaven Mallen.wikipedia.org

  Lord & Taylor opens a new department-store location at the mall.

• 1992

  Thalhimers is replaced

  [1]Lynnhaven Mallen.wikipedia.org

  Following Thalhimers' dissolution, its space is converted to a second Hecht's location.

Showing the 10 most recent.

Large enclosed super-regional shopping and entertainment center serving Virginia Beach and the Hampton Roads metropolitan area.

• Retail · 1981

  Department-store retail

  The mall's principal retail offering is department-store shopping, represented by anchors including Dillard's, JCPenney, and Macy's. These stores provide apparel, accessories, beauty products, home goods, and other general merchandise, supporting the center's role as a super-regional destination.

• Retail · 1981

  Specialty retail

  Lynnhaven Mall contains a broad specialty-retail mix spanning fashion, footwear, electronics, books, sporting goods, and outdoor equipment. Named tenants have included Apple, H&M, Barnes & Noble, Dick's Sporting Goods, L.L.Bean, Old Navy, and Forever 21.

• Food and beverage · 2014

  Dining and food court

  The mall's dining offer includes a ground-level food court created during the 2014 renovation, restaurants in and around the property, and entertainment-oriented dining venues. The Inlet open-air plaza broadened the center's food-and-leisure role beyond conventional enclosed-mall retail.

• Entertainment · 2013

  Entertainment venues

  Entertainment is anchored by an 18-screen AMC Theatres complex in the adjacent open-air plaza and Dave & Buster's, which opened in 2013. These venues help position Lynnhaven Mall as a shopping, dining, and leisure destination rather than solely a collection of stores.

• 2020

  Pandemic operating responseOther

  Background

  Virginia's COVID-19 stay-at-home order required temporary restrictions on nonessential commercial activity.

  Action taken

  The mall reduced hours, temporarily closed nonessential services, and allowed selected essential businesses to operate with capacity and appointment restrictions.

  Aftermath

  Additional retailers reopened as restrictions eased, and mostly normal operations resumed by May 2021.

  Source

• 2014

  Major mall renovation and format modernizationStrategy

  Background

  The property sought to update its traditional enclosed-mall layout and improve food, circulation, and public-space facilities.

  Action taken

  The renovation added approximately 29,000 square feet, introduced a ground-level food court and open atrium, removed most connector bridges, and initiated reconstruction of former anchor space.

  Aftermath

  The redevelopment produced a more mixed indoor-outdoor format, including The Inlet, revised parking, new retail space, and additional dining and entertainment uses.

  Source

• 2003

  Sale to General Growth PropertiesM&A

  Background

  Simon Property Group developed and owned the mall before selling it during a period of continuing ownership changes in the U.S. shopping-center sector.

  Action taken

  Simon Property Group sold Lynnhaven Mall to General Growth Properties.

  Aftermath

  The mall became part of General Growth Properties' portfolio; GGP is identified in the reference material as a Brookfield Properties subsidiary.

  Reported transaction value. $256.6 million (2003)

  Source

• 2020

  Lynnhaven Mall temporarily closes nonessential operations during COVID-19 restrictions[1]Lynnhaven Mallen.wikipedia.org

  Regulation · Other

  Following Virginia's stay-at-home order, nonessential mall operations were temporarily suspended, hours were reduced, and selected essential businesses continued operating with public-health restrictions.

• 2014

  Lynnhaven Mall begins major renovation[1]Lynnhaven Mallen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  The mall announced a renovation that added approximately 29,000 square feet, including a new ground-level food court and open atrium.

• 2013

  Dave & Buster's opens at Lynnhaven Mall[1]Lynnhaven Mallen.wikipedia.org

  Product launch

  Dave & Buster's opened at the mall on July 20, adding a major entertainment and dining tenant to the Virginia Beach property.

• 2003

  Lynnhaven Mall changes ownership in sale to General Growth Properties[1]Lynnhaven Mallen.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  Simon Property Group sold Lynnhaven Mall to General Growth Properties in a transaction reported at $256.6 million.

1. 1Lynnhaven Mallen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Lynnhaven Mall official websitelynnhavenmall.com