Landmark Redevelopment Agreements Approved By Alexandria Council

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Alexandria City Council approved redevelopment agreements for the former Landmark Mall Tuesday, providing a path forward for the transformation of the now-vacant mall area. The vote was unanimous.

The redevelopment of Landmark Mall, anchored by Inova Alexandria Hospital, will have approximately 4 million square feet of development. Inova Alexandria Hospital will be relocated from its current location on Seminary Road. The initial agreement to advance the redevelopment was announced in late 2020.

"This long-anticipated project will not only revitalize a currently vacant site many had given up on and provide significant new economic activity, but will also be a catalyst for redevelopment and enhancements throughout the West End of our City, said Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson in a statement. "This truly transformational redevelopment of the Landmark mall site will provide a new, modern hospital facility where Inova can continue to provide world-class care to our community and to the region. In addition, the much-needed mixed-income housing; new municipal facilities and services; and new open space will come together at this site to support and enhance the health, wellness and quality of life of the West End and our entire community for generations to come.”

The redeveloped Landmark is envisioned as a mixed-use walkable development to revitalize Alexandria's West End. Uses will include the Inova hospital, medical office buildings, multifamily units for sale and rent, retail, commercial, entertainment and parks. The Alexandria Fire Department's Fire Station 208 would also be relocated, and Landmark would anchor the city's proposed bus rapid transit network.

The new Inova Alexandria Hospital location will offer a larger emergency room, private patient rooms, and the Inova Schar Cancer Institute at Alexandria Hospital with full cancer services, including radiation and infusion. It would be one of three Level II trauma centers in Northern Virginia, seven in Virginia, and 270 nationwide, providing 24-hour specialty services for brain injuries, complex fractures, and other trauma care. An addition of a medical office building would allow an estimated 50 specialty physicians to see patients on the same campus as the new hospital.

"We are thrilled that Council’s action tonight officially paves the way for us to move forward with building a new state-of-the-art hospital and medical campus, one that will expand access to our seamless system of care, enhance our services, and elevate the healthcare facilities in Alexandria and the Northern Virginia region for decades to come," said Inova president and CEO J. Stephen Jones in a statement.

City Council previously approved rezoning of the Inova Alexandria Hospital site on Seminary Road to allow for future residential uses. The city and Inova hope the rezoning will facilitate the sale of the property ahead of the hospital's relocation to Landmark.

City Council also approved $54 million in public bond financing for land acquisition for the hospital to lease to Inova. Another $86 million in public bond financing was approved for site preparation and infrastructure at the Landmark site and adjacent Duke Street and Van Dorn Street corridors. The city expects investments in the redevelopment could generate over $1 billion in city tax revenue over the bonds' 30-year period, covering principal and interest on the bonds as well as contribute to the city's general fund.

The Landmark Mall has been vacant for years, although it has served as temporary space for Carpenter's Shelter while its new building was constructed as well as a filming location for "Wonder Woman 1984." Most of Landmark Mall's stores closed in 2017, and the Sears store closed earlier in 2020.

Redeveloping Landmark Mall is a partnership between the city, Inova, and the joint venture known as Landmark Land Holdings, LLC that includes Foulger-Pratt, Howard Hughes Corporation and Seritage. Construction at the Landmark Mall site could begin as soon as 2025, and the first buildings could be ready as early as 2025.