Owners of Reisterstown Road Plaza have kicked off a $15 million project to remake the Northwest Baltimore mall, starting with renovating a dated exterior and filling large vacancies as part of a vision to create a community hub.

The mall’s owner, Tide Realty Capital, had said in August it plans to revitalize one of the largest shopping centers inside Baltimore’s beltway in partnership with a community nonprofit, giving the aging center its first face-lift in more than two decades.

A plan to remodel the mall’s main entrance and upgrade the façade is expected to be completed by mid-year. A second phase will start shortly after, to do exterior and entrance-way renovations to vacant department store space, a $4.5 million investment in all.

A soon-to-be announced entertainment-oriented tenant, new to the Baltimore market, is expected to fill that 60,000-square-foot former department store space, last occupied seven years ago by Burlington, Aaron Loeb, president and founder of Tide Realty, said Thursday. Burlington has since relocated within the 750,000-square-foot shopping center.

The mall transformation project got another boost as the recipient of a $1 million state grant through the Baltimore Vacants Reinvestment Initiative, a state program designed to replace vacant and deteriorating properties in Baltimore City with green space, affordable and mixed-use housing, and new opportunities for businesses.

The grant for mall construction, one of 37 projects receiving a combined $20 million, is being overseen by CHAI, Comprehensive Housing Assistance Inc., a nonprofit housing and community development organization serving northwest Baltimore.

Developers said they have worked with the community to remake the center as a gathering spot where people can shop, work and be entertained and take advantage of space for community and nonprofit groups to hold events.

The property has gone through several transformations since it was built as an outdoor mall on 50 acres in 1962. It was later enclosed. In the1980s, the Reisterstown Plaza metro station opened, a Stewart’s department store anchor closed and state agencies began leasing space remade into offices.

Previous owners last renovated the center in the early 2000s and “de-malled” part of the structure to add stores with exterior entrances.

When Tide Realty purchased the 750,000- square-foot center for $48.3 million in November 2023, it was struggling with about 150,000 square feet of vacant space, Loeb said Thursday. The tenant lineup includes about 250,000 square feet of state offices.

But in retail, “as soon as you have vacancy, it spirals out of control,” Loeb said Thursday. The state grant will help in “preventing the death spiral.”

“This is our backyard, and we want to do something transformative and revitalize a shopping center we’ve known our whole life,” Loeb said.

In its first year of ownership, Tide Realty has signed more than 70,000 square feet of new leases, including the large, single entertainment-focused tenant. The developer is bringing in a slew of new tenants, including urban lifestyle retailer DTLR, an Xfinity store and others to be announced soon.

Hanover-based DTLR will open its newest store there Tuesday.

For DTLR, the Reisterstown plaza store marks a milestone in its 42-year history, with its 250th location in its 21-state market, the retailer said. The store will feature the chain’s “NextGen” concept that includes digital tickers, neon signs and highlighted footwear areas and celebrates sneaker culture.

DTLR’s CEO Todd Kirssin said he grew up a couple of miles from chain’s new store and started his career selling shoes at Reisterstown Road Plaza.

“This opening is especially meaningful to me,” Kirssin said in an announcement. “We are proud to call Baltimore home.”

Kirssin said DTLR’s latest concept reflects its evolution and as it aims to become a neighborhood hub for fashion, entertainment, sports and “community empowerment.” The apparel and footwear chain targets young, trend-setting consumers with brands such as Nike, Jordan, Adidas, Armani Exchange, Hugo Boss, Timberland, Under Armour, Ugg and The North Face.

DTLR plans additional expansion in years ahead, said Antonio Gray, senior vice president of marketing and community engagement. It plans to open between 18 and 24 new stores this year.

Last year, the chain opened a dozen new stores and remodeled multiple locations.

In 2019, DTLR merged with Philadelphia-based Sneaker Villa to form one of the nation’s largest chains selling street-inspired footwear and clothing. At the time, the company had estimated sales of $500 million and planned to expand in both existing and new markets.

The mall project expects to benefit from state plans for a mixed-use, transit-oriented development nearby on nearly 26 acres of underused, state-owned parking lots near the Reisterstown Plaza subway station.

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