Towson Town Center

Towson Town Center is a large indoor shopping mall in Towson, Maryland, serving Baltimore County and the broader Baltimore metropolitan area. The property began as Towson Plaza, an open-air shopping center developed by Ralph DeChiaro's DeChiaro Properties on land formerly associated with Goucher College. It opened on May 13, 1959, near the Towson location of Hutzler's and became one of the early multi-level shopping centers in the region. Much of the original lower-level structure remains incorporated into the present complex. The center was enclosed in 1973 and renamed Towsontowne Centre. A further renovation in 1982, associated with the DeChiaro-Rachuba Group and the opening of Hecht's across the parking area, helped establish the property as a major suburban retail destination. During the 1980s, the mall added stores, restaurants, entertainment concepts, and architectural features intended to increase visitor traffic. These included the short-lived Warner Bros.-themed Gadgets restaurant and arcade, the Garden Cafe, fountains, and a glass elevator. Towson Town Center underwent its most consequential physical transformation in the early 1990s. A roughly $150 million redevelopment, led by the Hahn Company in partnership with the Rachuba-DeChiaro Group and Santa Anita Realty, added and reorganized the third and fourth floors. The expanded space opened on October 14, 1991, adding approximately 130 stores, the Arbor Terrace food court, new courts and fountains, and a glass elevator linking the upper levels. The project was designed by RTKL Associates and used the site's sloping terrain to place upper-level retail above a parking structure while retaining lower levels in the older portions of the complex. Ownership changed several times as the United States shopping-center industry consolidated. TrizecHahn sold the mall to the Rouse Company in 1998 as part of a wider portfolio transaction. General Growth Properties acquired Rouse and its portfolio in 2004. GGP then undertook a major expansion and renovation beginning in 2007. The approximately $76 million project improved the first and second floors, parking facilities, restaurants, and entrances, and introduced a Main Street-style exterior retail frontage. New or expanded dining and retail components included Crate & Barrel, P.F. Chang's China Bistro, The Cheesecake Factory, Stoney River Steakhouse & Grill, and T.G.I. Friday's. Brookfield Properties acquired GGP in 2018, bringing Towson Town Center into Brookfield's property portfolio. Later capital work focused on access and parking. Beginning in 2016, the mall renovated its four parking garages and installed a Park Assist system using overhead red and green indicators to identify available spaces. Entrances, lighting, signage, and enclosed connections between parking decks and the shopping center were also upgraded. The mall remains an active retail and dining destination, but its recent operating environment has become more difficult. Several tenants have departed or announced planned departures, including Crate & Barrel, Tommy Bahama, Madewell, Banana Republic, and Wockenfuss Candies. Fogo de Chão was announced as a replacement for the former P.F. Chang's space. The Apple store and Stoney River Steakhouse & Grill were also reported as scheduled to close in 2026, while Coach was reported to have closed in June 2026. Vacancy and crime concerns have prompted public pressure on the owner to reposition the property and respond to changing shopping patterns. As of April 2026, the mall was reported as approximately 74% occupied, leaving about 26% of storefronts vacant.

Towson Town Center originated as Towson Plaza, an open-air shopping center developed by Ralph DeChiaro's DeChiaro Properties on land sold by Goucher College. The center opened on May 13, 1959, beside Hutzler's in Towson. Its early design was notable for its multi-level arrangement, and portions of the original lower-level structure remain part of the current mall. In 1973, Towson Plaza was enclosed and renamed Towsontowne Centre. The property was renovated again in 1982 through the DeChiaro-Rachuba Group, with Hecht's opening across the parking area. During this period the mall expanded its retail, food, and entertainment offer. A Warner Bros.-themed restaurant and arcade called Gadgets operated for a short period in the early 1980s. Other historical features included the Garden Cafe, a dandelion fountain, multiple court fountains, and a glass elevator. The largest early redevelopment took place in the early 1990s. The Hahn Company, working with the Rachuba-DeChiaro Group and Santa Anita Realty, developed the third and fourth floors in a project reported at approximately $150 million. The expanded mall opened on October 14, 1991, adding about 130 stores and the Arbor Terrace food court. RTKL Associates designed the redevelopment. Because the property occupies sloping ground, the upper floors were constructed above a parking garage while the lower levels retained a downhill configuration. The project also introduced new fountains and a glass elevator linking the upper floors. The mall's retail and dining mix continued to change during the 1990s and 2000s. Rainforest Cafe opened in 1999, while the Garden Cafe closed in early 2000 and was replaced by Bistro Sensations. TrizecHahn sold the property to the Rouse Company in 1998. General Growth Properties acquired Rouse in November 2004 in a transaction covering the wider Rouse portfolio. In September 2007, GGP began a reported $76 million expansion and renovation. Work included the first and second floors, parking areas, entrances, restaurants, and a Main Street-style exterior frontage. The project, largely completed in October 2008, added or accommodated a flagship Crate & Barrel, P.F. Chang's, The Cheesecake Factory, Stoney River Steakhouse & Grill, and T.G.I. Friday's. GGP bought out Rainforest Cafe's lease, and the restaurant closed permanently in January 2009. A further capital program began in November 2016 and concentrated on the four parking garages and customer access. The mall installed Park Assist technology, remodeled entrances, enclosed bridges connecting parking decks to the center, improved lighting, and updated signage, including a large standardized sign package. Brookfield Properties acquired GGP in August 2018 and became the mall's owner and manager through its property platform. The 2020s brought greater pressure from store closures, changing consumer behavior, and reported concerns about vacancies and crime. Crate & Barrel announced its departure in December 2021. Fogo de Chão was announced in 2023 as a future replacement for the former P.F. Chang's location. In late 2025 and 2026, additional departures were reported involving Tommy Bahama, Madewell, Banana Republic, Wockenfuss Candies, Apple, Stoney River, and Coach. The reported April 2026 occupancy rate was 74%, indicating substantial vacant space. These developments have led shoppers and observers to call for Brookfield Properties to adapt the center's tenant mix and overall strategy.

• 2018

  Brookfield Properties becomes owner

  [1]Towson Town Centeren.wikipedia.org

  Brookfield Properties acquires GGP and its assets, including Towson Town Center.

• 2016

  Parking and access modernization begins

  [1]Towson Town Centeren.wikipedia.org

  The mall starts renovating its parking garages and adding Park Assist technology, improved lighting, signage, and enclosed parking connections.

• 2007

  Expansion and renovation begins

  [1]Towson Town Centeren.wikipedia.org

  GGP begins a major project involving retail floors, restaurants, parking, entrances, and a Main Street-style facade.

• 2004

  GGP acquires Rouse

  [1]Towson Town Centeren.wikipedia.org

  General Growth Properties acquires the Rouse portfolio, including Towson Town Center.

• 1998

  Ownership passes to Rouse

  [1]Towson Town Centeren.wikipedia.org

  The Rouse Company acquires Towson Town Center from TrizecHahn.

• 1991

  Upper-floor redevelopment opens

  [1]Towson Town Centeren.wikipedia.org

  A major redevelopment adds the third and fourth floors, about 130 stores, Arbor Terrace food court, and new circulation and court features.

• 1982

  Major renovation

  [1]Towson Town Centeren.wikipedia.org

  A renovation associated with the DeChiaro-Rachuba Group accompanies the opening of Hecht's nearby.

• 1973

  The center is enclosed

  [1]Towson Town Centeren.wikipedia.org

  Towson Plaza is enclosed and renamed Towsontowne Centre.

• 1959

  Towson Plaza opens

  [1]Towson Town Centeren.wikipedia.org

  The original open-air shopping center opens on May 13 in Towson, Maryland.

A major suburban regional mall combining national specialty retailers, department-store-style shopping, restaurants, and structured parking for consumers in Towson and the Baltimore area.

• Shopping center · 1959

  Enclosed retail mall

  Towson Town Center provides a multi-level enclosed shopping environment with national and specialty retailers, interior courts, food-service areas, and connections to structured parking. Its design combines retained portions of the original Towson Plaza structure with major upper-floor and entrance expansions.

• Food and beverage · 1991

  Dining and restaurant program

  The property has hosted a changing selection of restaurants and food venues, including Arbor Terrace food court, Rainforest Cafe, The Cheesecake Factory, P.F. Chang's, Stoney River Steakhouse & Grill, and other casual and full-service concepts. Fogo de Chão was announced as a replacement for the former P.F. Chang's location.

• Customer services · 2016

  Parking and access facilities

  Four parking garages support the mall, with later improvements including Park Assist indicators, upgraded lighting and signage, remodeled entrances, and enclosed pedestrian bridges between parking decks and the retail center.

• 2021

  Manage the departure of Crate & BarrelOther

  Background

  Crate & Barrel announced that it would leave the center in February 2022.

  Action taken

  The tenant exited, and the space was reported to have remained vacant afterward.

  Aftermath

  The departure became one of the visible signs of pressure on the mall's large-format retail inventory.

  Source

• 2016

  Upgrade parking and visitor circulationStrategy

  Background

  The mall sought to improve arrival, parking convenience, wayfinding, and connections between garages and retail areas.

  Action taken

  GGP renovated four parking garages, installed Park Assist, upgraded entrances and lighting, enclosed parking bridges, and replaced or standardized signage.

  Aftermath

  The work modernized the customer-access infrastructure without changing the mall's core enclosed format.

  Source

• 2007

  Modernize the mall and add dining frontageStrategy

  Background

  GGP pursued a major renovation to refresh the center, improve customer access, and strengthen its retail and restaurant mix.

  Action taken

  The first and second floors, parking, restaurants, entrances, and facade were renovated, while several major retail and dining tenants were added.

  Aftermath

  The project was largely completed in October 2008 and created a Main Street-style component with expanded dining options.

  Reported project cost. $76 million (2007-2008)

  Source

• 1991

  Add upper floors and expand the retail offerGeneration change

  Background

  The owners sought to increase the mall's scale and competitiveness through a major redevelopment.

  Action taken

  The third and fourth floors were developed, adding approximately 130 stores, Arbor Terrace food court, new courts, fountains, and a glass elevator.

  Aftermath

  The redevelopment significantly expanded the center and reinforced its super-regional role.

  Reported redevelopment cost. $150 million (Early 1990s)

  Source

• 1973

  Enclose and reposition the shopping centerStrategy

  Background

  The original Towson Plaza operated as an open-air center and faced the need to develop a more substantial regional-shopping format.

  Action taken

  The center was enclosed and renamed Towsontowne Centre.

  Aftermath

  The change established the property as a larger indoor shopping destination and laid the foundation for later expansions.

  Source

• 2026

  Apple and Stoney River closures reported for 2026[1]Towson Town Centeren.wikipedia.org

  Other · Leadership change

  The Apple store was reported as scheduled to close on June 20, while Stoney River announced a planned June 26 closure affecting 68 employees.

• 2025

  Multiple retailers announce planned departures amid rising vacancy[1]Towson Town Centeren.wikipedia.org

  Other

  Tommy Bahama, Madewell, Banana Republic, and Wockenfuss Candies announced departures, with closures reported by January 2026.

• 2021

  Crate & Barrel announces departure[1]Towson Town Centeren.wikipedia.org

  Other

  Crate & Barrel announced that it would leave the mall in February 2022, and the space subsequently remained vacant.

• 2018

  Brookfield Properties acquires GGP[1]Towson Town Centeren.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  Brookfield Properties acquired General Growth Properties, including Towson Town Center.

• 2007

  Expansion and renovation add retail, dining, and Main Street frontage[1]Towson Town Centeren.wikipedia.org

  Product launch

  GGP began a major expansion and renovation that upgraded the first two floors, restaurants, parking, and entrances and added several prominent retail and dining tenants.

• 2004

  GGP completes acquisition of Rouse portfolio[1]Towson Town Centeren.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  General Growth Properties acquired the Rouse Company and its shopping-center portfolio, including Towson Town Center.

• 1998

  Rouse Company acquires Towson Town Center[1]Towson Town Centeren.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  TrizecHahn sold the mall to the Rouse Company as part of a broader portfolio transaction.

• 1991

  Major upper-level redevelopment opens[1]Towson Town Centeren.wikipedia.org

  Product generation

  A large redevelopment added the third and fourth floors, approximately 130 stores, Arbor Terrace food court, updated courts, fountains, and vertical circulation.

• 1973

  Towson Plaza is enclosed and renamed Towsontowne Centre[1]Towson Town Centeren.wikipedia.org

  Other

  The original open-air center was enclosed and given a new name as the property developed into a larger regional mall.

• 1959

  Towson Plaza opens as an open-air shopping center[1]Towson Town Centeren.wikipedia.org

  Other

  The shopping center that later became Towson Town Center opened on May 13, 1959.

1. 1Towson Town Centeren.wikipedia.org
2. 2Towson Town Center official websitetowsontowncenter.com