Eastfield Mall
Retailer / private label
UnclaimedA former enclosed regional shopping mall in Springfield, Massachusetts, later replaced by the Springfield Crossing open-air shopping center.
Last updated October 25, 2026
AI crawler reads
No AI crawler has read this profile yet.
Overview
Eastfield Mall was a regional shopping mall in Springfield, Massachusetts, developed by the Rouse Company and opened on April 1, 1968. Located near exit 7 of the Massachusetts Turnpike, the mall was positioned to serve Springfield and surrounding communities including Ludlow, Wilbraham, Longmeadow, and East Longmeadow. It was the first enclosed shopping mall in Western Massachusetts and, for a period, the largest enclosed shopping center in the wider Massachusetts and Connecticut market until the opening of Holyoke Mall at Ingleside in 1979. The original 724,000-square-foot complex was designed by Daverman & Associates and organized around an L-shaped, air-conditioned interior with courts, fountains, kiosks, tropical plants, and community facilities. Its opening anchors were Forbes & Wallace, Steiger's, and Sears, supported by 64 smaller tenants and a twin-screen cinema. The mall's early promotional program used public events and seasonal attractions to encourage visitors to experience the relatively new enclosed-mall format. Anchor changes defined much of Eastfield Mall's later history. Forbes & Wallace closed in 1976, and JCPenney acquired and opened in the former space in 1977. Steiger's closed in 1994 and was replaced first by Filene's and later by Macy's. Sears remained an anchor until 2018. A proposed 1974 expansion to add JCPenney was rejected by Springfield's planning board because of concerns about suburban development and the need to revitalize downtown retail; the eventual JCPenney opening occurred later through the replacement of Forbes & Wallace rather than the planned expansion. The Rouse Company sold the mall in 1998 to New Jersey-based Mountain Development Corporation, which also managed the property. Mountain Development invested approximately $30 million in renovations, including new lighting, flooring, restaurants, and retail space. A 16-screen theater opened in 1999 through a joint effort involving Mountain Development and National Amusements; it later operated under Cinemark. The mall reached full occupancy in 2006 after Steve & Barry's opened, although the store displaced several smaller businesses. Eastfield Mall weakened as its major anchors closed. JCPenney's outlet-format store closed in 2011, Macy's announced its closure in 2016, Sears closed in 2018, and Cinemark shut down permanently in 2020. Vacant areas were used at different times for temporary retailers, a COVID-19 vaccination site, and jury trials conducted by the Massachusetts court system. Various attempts to maintain traffic included a flea market, wrestling events, and other short-term attractions. Mountain Development and Cushman & Wakefield explored a mixed-use redevelopment called Eastfield Commons from 2018, but the concept did not proceed in its proposed form. Onyx Partners agreed to purchase the property in 2023 and planned to replace the enclosed mall with an open-air retail development. Eastfield Mall's final operating day was July 15, 2023. Demolition began in August 2023 and was completed in February 2024, except for the former Sears building and auto center, which had been separately sold to Eastern Retail Properties. The site was redeveloped as Springfield Crossing, whose first phase opened in December 2025 with BJ's Wholesale Club, Hobby Lobby, Chick-fil-A, and other retailers, with Target planned as a later anchor. The former Eastfield Mall therefore survives primarily as a redevelopment site and local retail landmark rather than as an operating shopping center.
History
Eastfield Mall was conceived during the expansion of enclosed suburban shopping in the United States. The Rouse Company announced the project in June 1965, selected a location near the Massachusetts Turnpike, and held a groundbreaking ceremony on July 1 of that year. Connecticut General Life Insurance Company provided $6 million in permanent financing. Designed by Daverman & Associates, the completed building cost $15 million and contained approximately 724,000 square feet of space. The mall opened on April 1, 1968, with Forbes & Wallace, Steiger's, and Sears as its principal anchors. It included 64 other retail tenants, a twin-screen cinema, interior courts with fountains and plantings, and a community center with kitchen facilities and seating capacity for approximately 300 people. Promotional events, including holiday celebrations and themed character appearances, helped introduce local consumers to the enclosed-mall format. The property became an important regional destination because of its highway access and proximity to several communities east and south of Springfield. In 1974, the Rouse Company proposed adding a JCPenney store, but Springfield's planning board rejected the expansion under a policy aimed at protecting downtown retail. The plan was abandoned in its proposed form. Forbes & Wallace closed in August 1976, and JCPenney opened in that space in August 1977. Steiger's later closed in 1994; May Department Stores converted the location to Filene's, and it became Macy's in 2006 after Federated Department Stores acquired May. The opening of Holyoke Mall at Ingleside in 1979 reduced Eastfield's regional distinctiveness. The mall also experienced underinvestment during the late 1980s and early 1990s. A $6 million renovation in 1986 modernized the interior and added a food court on the site of the original cinema. In April 1998, Mountain Development Corporation purchased the property when it was reportedly about half leased. The new owner invested approximately $30 million in improvements, adding restaurants and retail space and updating lighting and flooring. A 16-screen cinema opened in 1999, initially associated with National Amusements and later operated by Cinemark. Steve & Barry's arrival in 2006 brought the mall to full occupancy for the first time since 1978. The property nevertheless entered a prolonged decline as its anchors disappeared. The JCPenney outlet closed in 2011, Macy's closed in 2016, Sears closed in 2018, and Cinemark closed in 2020. Mountain Development purchased the former JCPenney and Macy's buildings after those closures, while the former Sears property was sold separately to Eastern Retail Properties in 2020. Vacant areas served temporary purposes, including seasonal retail, a pandemic vaccination site, and jury trials in former cinema auditoriums. Management also experimented with events such as flea markets and professional wrestling. A mixed-use redevelopment proposal known as Eastfield Commons was explored beginning in 2018 in partnership with Cushman & Wakefield. The concept included housing, retail, offices, services, and preservation of parts of the existing mall, but it was not realized as proposed. Onyx Partners agreed to acquire the site in 2023. The mall closed on July 15, 2023, and demolition took place from August 2023 through February 2024. Onyx subsequently developed Springfield Crossing, an open-air shopping center. Its first phase opened in December 2025 with BJ's Wholesale Club, Hobby Lobby, Chick-fil-A, and additional retail space; a later phase was planned to include Target. The redevelopment marked the end of Eastfield Mall as a physical shopping center while retaining its significance in Springfield's commercial history.
- 2025
Springfield Crossing phase one opens
[1]The replacement open-air shopping center held its ribbon cutting on December 15 and opened to the public on December 17.
- 2024
Demolition completed
[1]The main mall building was demolished; the former Sears property was retained.
- 2023
Final closure
[1]Onyx Partners prepared to acquire and redevelop the property, and Eastfield Mall closed on July 15.
- 2018
Eastfield Commons redevelopment concept explored
[1]Mountain Development and Cushman & Wakefield proposed a mixed-use redevelopment concept for the site.
- 2006
Steve & Barry's brings the mall to full occupancy
[1]The retailer's arrival reportedly restored full occupancy for the first time since 1978.
- 1999
Sixteen-screen cinema opens
[1]A new multiplex opened as part of the post-acquisition renovation program.
- 1998
Mountain Development acquires the mall
[1]Mountain Development purchased the property and began a broad renovation and repositioning program.
- 1986
Interior renovation and food court added
[1]A major renovation modernized the property and created a food court.
- 1979
Holyoke Mall increases regional competition
[1]The opening of Holyoke Mall at Ingleside ended Eastfield Mall's position as the largest enclosed shopping center in the Massachusetts-Connecticut region.
- 1977
JCPenney opens
[1]JCPenney opened in the former Forbes & Wallace location.
Products and positioning
A centrally accessible, family-oriented regional shopping destination serving Springfield and neighboring communities, initially differentiated as Western Massachusetts's first enclosed mall and later challenged by newer suburban retail centers.
Department stores · 1968
Department-store retail
Eastfield Mall's principal commercial offering was department-store retail. Over its life, the anchor lineup included Forbes & Wallace, Steiger's, Sears, JCPenney, Filene's, and Macy's. These stores provided apparel, home merchandise, appliances, automotive services, and other broad assortments typical of a regional enclosed mall.
Shopping and dining · 1968
Specialty retail and food court
The mall housed dozens of smaller stores, restaurants, kiosks, and food-court vendors. Its tenant mix changed over time as ownership attempted to respond to competition and changing consumer patterns. Seasonal and temporary operators also occupied vacant areas during the mall's later years.
Entertainment · 1968
Cinema entertainment
Entertainment was part of the property from its opening twin-screen cinema through the later sixteen-screen multiplex. The larger theater opened in 1999 and was subsequently operated by Cinemark before closing permanently in 2020.
Community services · 1968
Community and temporary civic uses
Beyond retail, the property included community facilities and hosted temporary public uses. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the former Macy's served as a vaccination site, while Massachusetts courts used three former cinema auditoriums for jury trials.
Controversies
2020
Eastfield Mall sues Cinemark over departure
In a lawsuit reported on August 21, 2020, Eastfield Mall sued Cinemark over the cinema chain's departure from the mall. The suit alleged that Cinemark broke a twenty-year lease, owed back rent, and destroyed theaters and concession stands when it left the mall. The report did not specify the amount sought, the court involved, or any response from Cinemark.
Marketing campaigns
- 2023Closure transition support
Springfield, Massachusetts
As part of the closure agreement, Onyx Partners provided $500,000 to waive rent and utility charges for the mall's 43 remaining tenants until the final closing date.
Outcome. The measure supported remaining small businesses during the transition to demolition and redevelopment.
- 2004Teen escort policy
Springfield, Massachusetts
Eastfield Mall introduced a policy requiring customers younger than 15 to be accompanied by an escort after 5:00 p.m.
Outcome. The policy became part of the mall's operating approach to evening visitation and youth supervision.
- 1968Opening-period community promotions
Springfield · Western Massachusetts
The mall promoted the novelty of enclosed shopping through public events, including a New Year's Eve celebration and costumed appearances tied to George Washington's birthday.
Outcome. These events helped introduce Eastfield Mall as a regional destination during its opening period.
Brand decisions
2023
Closure and conversion to open-air retailStrategyBackground
After the loss of its major anchors and years of declining traffic, Onyx Partners sought to acquire the property and redevelop it.
Action taken
The enclosed mall closed on July 15, 2023, was demolished, and was replaced by the Springfield Crossing open-air shopping center.
Aftermath
The first phase of Springfield Crossing opened in December 2025, ending Eastfield Mall's operating history while creating a new retail format on the site.
2018
Eastfield Commons mixed-use redevelopment proposalStrategyBackground
The closure or downsizing of major anchors left substantial vacant space and reduced the viability of the traditional enclosed-mall model.
Action taken
Mountain Development partnered with Cushman & Wakefield to study a project combining residential buildings, retail, offices, services, the theater, and the food court.
Aftermath
The proposed mixed-use concept was not implemented in its announced form before Onyx Partners pursued a different redevelopment strategy.
Projected redevelopment cost. $200 million (2018 proposal)
1998
Mountain Development acquisition and repositioningM&ABackground
The mall was approximately 50 percent leased when Mountain Development acquired it, amid competition from newer regional centers.
Action taken
The new owner invested in renovations, lighting, flooring, restaurants, and additional retail options, and added a sixteen-screen cinema.
Aftermath
The mall later reached full occupancy in 2006, but anchor closures in the following decade undermined the recovery.
Renovation investment. $30 million (After 1998 acquisition)
1986
Interior modernizationStrategyBackground
The mall faced the need to refresh its aging enclosed environment and strengthen customer amenities.
Action taken
A major interior renovation added a food court and upgraded approximately 90,000 square feet of existing space, alongside new construction.
Aftermath
The project updated the mall's format and expanded its dining offer, although longer-term competitive pressure remained.
Renovation investment. $6 million (1986)
1974
Expansion proposal rejectedStrategyBackground
The Rouse Company proposed expanding Eastfield Mall with a JCPenney store, but Springfield's planning board applied a policy intended to prioritize downtown retail revitalization.
Action taken
The proposed expansion was abandoned. JCPenney later entered the mall by taking over the former Forbes & Wallace location.
Aftermath
Critics later argued that the decision weakened Springfield's ability to capture retail-related tax revenue as newer competing malls opened elsewhere.
Recent events
Sources2 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/eastfield-mall · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled