ALEXANDRIA, Va. — At long last, Landmark Mall is finally being replaced. In May, the wrecking ball finally started taking down what might have been a vibrant place to shop in the 20th century.
Landmark Mall was antiquated by and even before the 21st century began. I do not believe I visited it more than twice prior to moving here in 2007. Late that year, it was announced Landmark would be torn down and re-imagined as a town center development.
That didn’t happen.
Over the next several years, it continued to decline. My brother astutely noted that “Chik-fil-a” was the anchor store. In early 2017, it finally closed for real.
This time they mean it
After several false starts Landmark Mall was chosen as the site for a new Inova Alexandria Hospital. The mall briefly served as the set of Wonder Woman ’84 which I never saw. On May 12, the end finally began.
[Long-awaited Landmark Mall demolition and redevelopment begins – ALX Now]
This is exciting news as a Alexandrian. One, that location will actually be useful again in a few years. We’ll get a modern hospital as well. Plus the reaction to redevelopment of the old site will be amusing as the self-proclaimed Bring Integrity Back to Alexandria! will be measured and thoughtful. For the uninitiated, the BIBAs are the local NIMBY/BANANA faction. That’s “not in my backyard” or “build absolutely nothing anywhere near anything.”
Vintage photos
The Facebook embed isn’t working, so you’ll have to go to the Friends of the Virginia Room Library Facebook link directly to see Landmark Mall photos from the past.