Arsenal Mall

Arsenal Mall is a shopping mall located in Watertown, Massachusetts, near the Charles River and Boston. The mall has undergone significant changes over the years, with various owners and renovations, including Federal Realty Investment Trust and Boylston Properties. It is situated near several major highways, including Interstate 90 and U.S. Route 20, making it easily accessible from Boston and surrounding cities like Cambridge and Newton. The mall's history is also closely tied to the nearby Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

● History

The history of the mall dates back to the early 20th century, when the site was used as a United States Army arsenal, with connections to World War I and World War II. The arsenal was later closed, and the site was redeveloped into a shopping mall in the 1980s, with the help of Turner Construction and Skanska. The mall opened in 1983, with Sears and Kohl's as anchor stores, and was initially managed by General Growth Properties. Over the years, the mall has undergone several renovations, including a major expansion in the 1990s, which added new stores like Target and Best Buy. The mall has also been affected by the rise of e-commerce and the decline of traditional retail, with stores like Toys "R" Us and Gymboree closing their locations.

● Location

The mall is located in Watertown, Massachusetts, a city with a rich history dating back to the American Revolution and the Suffolk Resolves. The city is also home to several other notable landmarks, including the Watertown Arsenal and the Perkins School for the Blind, which was founded by Samuel Gridley Howe. The mall is situated near the Charles River, which offers beautiful views and recreational opportunities, including kayaking and fishing. The surrounding area is also home to several major companies, including Biogen and athenahealth, which are headquartered in nearby Cambridge.

● Architecture

The architecture of the mall is typical of 1980s-era shopping centers, with a large, enclosed space and a food court, designed by RTKL Associates. The mall's design is similar to other shopping centers of the time, such as the Natick Mall and the South Shore Plaza, which were also developed by General Growth Properties. The mall's exterior is characterized by a mix of brick and glass façades, with a large parking lot and several entrances, designed by HOK. The interior of the mall features a large atrium, with a skylight and several levels of retail space, including stores like Macy's and JCPenney.

● Stores_and_services

The mall is home to a variety of stores and services, including department stores like Macy's and JCPenney, as well as specialty stores like Apple and Victoria's Secret. The mall also features a food court, with options like Sbarro and Subway, as well as several restaurants, including The Cheesecake Factory and California Pizza Kitchen. The mall is also home to several entertainment options, including a Regal Cinemas movie theater and a Dave & Buster's arcade, which are popular with visitors from nearby Boston University and Tufts University.

● Redevelopment

In recent years, the mall has undergone significant redevelopment efforts, with a focus on mixed-use development and urban renewal, led by Boylston Properties and Federal Realty Investment Trust. The mall's owners have announced plans to add new residential and office space, as well as retail and entertainment options, including a hotel and a grocery store, which will be developed by Starwood Capital Group and Tishman Speyer. The redevelopment efforts are part of a larger effort to revitalize the surrounding area, which includes the nearby Watertown Square and the Charles River Path, which are popular with visitors from Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The project is expected to bring new economic growth and development to the area, with the help of Massachusetts Department of Transportation and Massachusetts Port Authority.