From hunting land to retail plans
In 1988, the Patapsco Ridge Beagle Club sold its wooded property in Hanover, Maryland, setting in motion the commercial blueprint that would define Arundel Mills.
Throughout the 1990s, The Mills Corporation collaborated with Anne Arundel County officials on rezoning approvals that paved the way for the new regional mall project.
Plans expanded to cover 1.93 million square feet of leasable retail space at the intersection of Route 100 and the Baltimore–Washington Parkway, replacing previously vacant fields.
Construction crews cleared the former hunting land, and surveyors plotted the circular layout that would later give the mall its racetrack shape.
The project was one of the largest retail real estate developments in county history, designed to anchor both local and highway traffic.
The land deal and permits finalized in the late 1990s ensured that The Mills Corporation could bring its model of outlet shopping and destination dining to Maryland.
Arundel Mills was envisioned as a hybrid, striking a balance between brand outlets and leisure tenants.
By the end of the decade, excavation and roadwork connected the parcel to Route 100 and MD 295, creating new infrastructure that supported parking and future bus service.
Developers pushed ahead with contracts for anchor tenants and entertainment operators.
These early years laid the groundwork for what would soon become a retail hub and one of the most visited places in the region, often listed among things to do south of Baltimore, MD.
Opening Maryland's largest retail hub
Arundel Mills opened on November 17, 2000, with more than 250 stores and 15 anchor tenants. It was, and still is, the largest shopping mall in the state of Maryland.
The Mills Corporation built it with a looping interior that let shoppers circle the property without retracing their steps.
The exterior footprint assumed a boat-like shape, and inside, sections were divided into distinct "neighborhoods."
Each neighborhood had a corporate sponsor, including Coca-Cola, Comcast, Discover Card, The Baltimore Sun, and Toyota, so even the maps and signs doubled as advertisements.
One of the biggest draws was Medieval Times, the first enclosed version of the dinner theater chain in the United States. Families lined up for the knights and jousting.
Next door, Muvico Egyptian 24 opened as a full-scale multiplex, featuring Egyptian themes, with 24 screens and a lobby decorated to resemble a temple.
The anchor lineup was dominated by national chains, including Bass Pro Shops, Burlington, Books-A-Million, and T.J. Maxx.
Smaller corridors were filled with outlet versions of Nike, Gap, and other apparel brands.
Discounts were the hook, but the entertainment options gave the property a wider appeal than a typical outlet mall.
In the first year, sales came from both retail and attractions, and the mall established a reputation as a one-stop destination for shopping and leisure.
Its location made it a midpoint between Baltimore and Washington, easy to reach from either city.
Ownership change and anchor turnover
In 2007, Simon Property Group and Farallon Capital Management bought The Mills Corporation.
The deal handed Simon 59.3 percent of Arundel Mills and full control of leasing and operations.
Anchor spaces began to shift soon after. Chains that once seemed permanent adjusted their national strategies and pulled out.
In March 2009, Cinemark acquired the Muvico Egyptian 24, rebranding the theater while retaining the large complex intact.
Simon leaned on entertainment and discount apparel to keep steady traffic during the recession.
Casino referendum and construction years
In 2008, Maryland voters approved the legalization of slot machines, paving the way for new gaming projects.
Arundel Mills quickly became a leading candidate for development.
By November 2010, Anne Arundel County voters passed a referendum allowing a casino near the mall, tying retail with entertainment on a larger scale.
Construction advanced with The Cordish Company leading the project. Crews prepared the site next to the inner ring road, across from the food court entrance.
The design created a freestanding complex, close enough for pedestrian traffic but separate from the main retail building.
On June 6, 2012, Live! Casino welcomed its first guests, launching with thousands of slot machines and food service venues. By September 2012, it was fully open.
With 380,000 square feet, the facility included 4,750 machines and a parking structure with 5,000 spaces.
Restaurants included The Cheesecake Factory and Phillips Seafood, while Rams Head opened a 300-seat cabaret-style music venue inside the property.
The new destination introduced gaming, dining, and live performance revenue streams, altering the commercial rhythm around Arundel Mills.
Entertainment expansion and retail exits, 2013–2019
By the mid-2010s, Arundel Mills was leaning harder on entertainment. In 2018, the connected Live! Hotel opened with 310 rooms, a spa, and a conference center.
It was used for graduations, corporate events, and overnight stays tied to the casino and mall.
Retail anchors were moving in the opposite direction.
Best Buy closed its store, part of the chain's wider retreat from enclosed malls. Bed Bath & Beyond also left, leaving one of the larger boxes empty.
Forever 21 followed soon after, cutting off a brand that once brought younger shoppers.
Smaller retailers filled in-line spaces, but the bigger vacancies were slower to turn over.
In 2019, The Hall at Live! opened as a concert venue with thousands of seats for national tours.
By then, as many people came for tickets and events as for outlet shopping.
Anne Arundel County police reports from these years also noted robberies and fights, often in parking lots or nearby hotels, making safety a recurring issue alongside the property's growth as an entertainment hub.
Retail turnover and stability, 2020s
Arundel Mills remained Maryland's largest mall, spanning 1.93 million square feet.
Primark opened in September 2023, adding a fast-fashion draw.
Saks OFF 5TH, Burlington, Bass Pro Shops, Books-A-Million, TJ Maxx, and Sun & Ski Sports held their spots.
Cinemark kept the 24-screen theater operating, Dave & Buster's remained popular with families, and Medieval Times continued as a unique dinner theater in the mall setting.
In the side corridors, outlet tenants filled smaller spaces with apparel, shoes, and specialty shops, maintaining the discount format.
Leasing leaned toward categories that could still drive traffic in a shifting market.
Costco and Walmart sit just outside the racetrack layout of Arundel Mills, acting as big-box anchors that complement the mall's outlet and entertainment mix.
Costco opened on December 1, 2001, introducing a membership warehouse that features a gas station, bakery, pharmacy, and tire service, which continues to operate today.
Next door, Walmart established its store, later included in a 2018 plan where the company invested $28 million across eight Maryland locations, adding in-store upgrades and online pickup services.
Both remain open, drawing steady daily traffic that feeds into the wider commercial activity surrounding the mall.
Recent challenges of 2024–2025
In September 2024, the mall's parking lot became the focus of a homicide investigation.
The incident led to increased patrols and a youth supervision policy that requires visitors under 21 to be accompanied after 3 p.m. on weekends.
December 2024 brought another case when four teenagers were arrested near the McDonald's.
Police said the group assaulted two other juveniles and took their belongings before being tracked to a transit vehicle and detained.
In June 2025, two serious incidents were reported near Arundel Mills within a short period of time.
On June 16, two armed men robbed a hotel guest in a room after a setup involving a woman.
Four days later, on June 20, police responded to gunfire exchanged between two vehicles on Arundel Mills Boulevard. A woman was caught in the crossfire and wounded, but survived.
Arundel Mills in 2024–2025 appears as a mall that still draws steady crowds and offers a wide range of shopping options, but it is far from perfect.
People mention the heat inside when air conditioning fails, and parking can feel chaotic. Some wish for better coffee or dining choices beyond the casino and hotel.
Even with these complaints, most reviews describe the mall as safe, busy, and holding its ground as a major retail and entertainment stop.