Roosevelt Field
Roosevelt Field is a major Simon Property Group shopping mall in Uniondale, New York, built on the former airfield associated with Charles Lindbergh's transatlantic flight.
Last updated November 4, 2026
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Overview
Roosevelt Field is a large regional shopping mall in the East Garden City section of Uniondale, Nassau County, New York. It is the largest shopping mall on Long Island, the second-largest in New York State after Destiny USA, and among the largest malls in the United States. The property is owned and managed by Simon Property Group and functions as both a retail destination and a transportation hub for Nassau Inter-County Express bus services. The mall derives its name from Roosevelt Field, the airport that previously occupied the site. The airfield was originally known as Hazelhurst Field and was later renamed in honor of Quentin Roosevelt, Theodore Roosevelt's son, who died during World War I. Roosevelt Field became associated with early aviation history, serving as a departure point for several prominent aviators. Charles Lindbergh launched his 1927 solo flight to Paris from the field in the Spirit of St. Louis, making the site an important landmark in the history of transatlantic aviation. Amelia Earhart and Wiley Post also used the airfield during the era of pioneering aviation. The airport was closed after Webb and Knapp, the Manhattan real-estate company led by developer William Zeckendorf, obtained a controlling interest in 1950. Zeckendorf proposed replacing the airfield with a large commercial development. Designed by architect I. M. Pei, the resulting Roosevelt Field Mall opened in 1956 after a reported $35 million construction project. It began as an open-air, single-level shopping center and was described at the time as the largest shopping mall in North America. Its original tenant mix included Macy's, Woolworth, Walgreens, Food Fair, Buster Brown, a movie theater, a public auditorium, and an outdoor ice rink. Roosevelt Field expanded repeatedly over subsequent decades. Gimbels opened a major department store in 1962, helping the complex exceed one million square feet. A substantial extension followed in 1964, while the center became enclosed by 1968. Alexander's and J.C. Penney were added in the early 1970s, strengthening the mall's department-store concentration. Later ownership and tenant changes reflected the consolidation and restructuring of the American department-store sector. Alexander's filed for bankruptcy in 1992; its former space was redeveloped for Abraham & Straus and later Bloomingdale's. A major renovation beginning in 1991 added an upper level, expanded the food court, and moved the bus terminal to its current general location. Simon Property Group acquired ownership of Roosevelt Field in 1998 through its acquisition of Corporate Property Investors. The company subsequently continued to reposition the property toward a combination of department stores, luxury retail, specialty fashion, restaurants, entertainment, and services. Nordstrom opened a new three-story store and connecting wing in 1997. In 2012, Simon announced a major expansion anchored by Neiman Marcus. The approximately 100,000-square-foot luxury wing opened in February 2016 alongside additional stores, a new parking structure, and a broader modernization program. The mall's tenant roster has continued to change in response to retail-market trends. Primark opened its first Long Island location at Roosevelt Field in November 2022 in space previously used by Bloomingdale's Furniture Gallery. By 2023, announced or recently added tenants included Brilliant Earth, Rudsak, TYR, Kendra Scott, Savage X Fenty, Warby Parker, TAG Heuer, Armani Exchange, Offline by Aerie, and the return of Abercrombie & Fitch. Major retailers associated with the property include Macy's, Nordstrom, Bloomingdale's, Neiman Marcus, JCPenney, Primark, and Dick's Sporting Goods. Beyond retail, Roosevelt Field remains a significant regional access point. Its seven-bay bus terminal is located on the mall's southern side beside the south parking garage and is served by multiple NICE routes. The mall's historical identity has also been expressed through a plaque com…
History
The Roosevelt Field site began as an aviation facility rather than a retail property. Originally called Hazelhurst Field, the airport was renamed Roosevelt Field in honor of Quentin Roosevelt. It became prominent during the golden age of aviation, including as the departure site for Charles Lindbergh's 1927 solo transatlantic flight to Paris. Amelia Earhart and Wiley Post were also associated with the airfield. Webb and Knapp, led by developer William Zeckendorf, acquired a controlling interest in the airfield in 1950. The airport closed in 1951, enabling redevelopment of the large tract for commercial use. Zeckendorf commissioned a shopping center designed by I. M. Pei. Construction began in April 1955 on a project reported to cost $35 million, and Roosevelt Field Mall opened in 1956 as an open-air, single-level center. Its initial tenants included a large Macy's department store, Woolworth, Walgreens, Food Fair, Buster Brown, a cinema, a public auditorium, and an outdoor ice rink. The center expanded quickly. Gimbels opened in 1962 in a 250,000-square-foot building, bringing the complex above one million square feet. A major extension was completed in 1964, and Macy's received an additional upper level. The Century Roosevelt Cinema began operating in 1968, around the period when the mall became enclosed. Alexander's opened a three-level store in 1971, followed by a substantial J.C. Penney store in 1972. A renovation launched in 1991 created an upper level of stores and a food court and relocated the mall's bus terminal. Alexander's bankruptcy in 1992 led to further changes in the department-store lineup. Abraham & Straus occupied and extensively renovated the former Alexander's space, but that chain ended operations at the mall in 1995. Bloomingdale's then opened in the space after relocating from downtown Garden City. The former Gimbels building later operated as Stern's from 1987 to 2001, followed by Galyan's in 2003 and Dick's Sporting Goods after Galyan's was acquired in 2004. Nordstrom opened a new three-story store and connecting wing in August 1997. In 1998, Simon Property Group acquired the mall through its purchase of Corporate Property Investors and has since remained its owner and manager. In March 2012, Simon announced a major expansion anchored by Neiman Marcus. The new luxury wing opened on February 19, 2016, adding approximately 100,000 square feet, new specialty retail space, a parking structure, and modernization work across the center. During this renovation, the mall removed its central glass elevators after discovering severe hydraulic-oil leakage and built replacement elevators. Bloomingdale's Furniture Gallery occupied part of the former Gimbels/Stern's complex until it closed in 2019. Primark subsequently selected the space for its first Long Island store, which opened on November 17, 2022. By 2023, Roosevelt Field had announced a broad range of newer specialty, fashion, luxury, fitness, jewelry, and direct-to-consumer brands, including Brilliant Earth, Rudsak, TYR, Kendra Scott, Savage X Fenty, Warby Parker, TAG Heuer, Armani Exchange, Offline by Aerie, and Abercrombie & Fitch. The mall continues to serve as a major commercial center for Long Island and as a bus interchange. Its Roosevelt Field Mall Bus Terminal has seven bays and is located beside the southern parking garage. As of March 2025, the terminal was served by NICE routes n15, n16, n22, n22X, n24, n27, n35, and n43. The property's identity remains linked to its aviation past, although a commemorative plaque marking Lindbergh's departure location was moved during earlier changes and removed during later renovations.
- 2022
Primark opens its first Long Island store
[1]Primark opened at Roosevelt Field on November 17 in the former Bloomingdale's Furniture Gallery space.
- 2016
Neiman Marcus wing opens
[1]A luxury expansion anchored by Neiman Marcus opened with new shops, parking, and modernization work.
- 1998
Simon Property Group takes ownership
[1]Simon acquired Roosevelt Field through its acquisition of Corporate Property Investors.
- 1997
Nordstrom wing opens
[1]A new three-story Nordstrom store and connecting wing opened in August.
- 1991
Major renovation begins
[1]A renovation added an upper retail level and food court and moved the bus terminal.
- 1968
The mall becomes enclosed
[1]The center became an enclosed mall around the time the Century Roosevelt Cinema began operating.
- 1962
Gimbels opens
[1]A 250,000-square-foot Gimbels department store opened, taking the complex above one million square feet.
- 1956
Roosevelt Field Mall opens
[1]The original open-air mall opened with Macy's and a range of retail, entertainment, and public facilities.
- 1955
Construction begins
[1]Ground was broken in April for the I. M. Pei-designed shopping center.
- 1951
Airfield closes
[1]The former airport closed, clearing the way for conversion of the site into a major shopping center.
Products and positioning
A large, accessible regional shopping and lifestyle destination combining major department stores, luxury retail, specialty brands, dining, services, and public transportation, with a distinctive identity based on the site's aviation history.
Retail real estate · 1956
Regional shopping center
Roosevelt Field's core offering is a large enclosed regional mall serving Long Island and the wider New York metropolitan area. It brings together department stores, specialty retailers, luxury brands, fashion, beauty, jewelry, sporting goods, dining, services, and entertainment in one destination. Its scale and tenant mix position it as a regional rather than neighborhood shopping center.
Luxury shopping · 2016
Luxury retail wing
Opened in 2016, the luxury-oriented expansion was anchored by Neiman Marcus and added space for premium and specialty retailers. The project formed part of a broader property modernization that also included a new parking structure and improvements to the mall's common areas and circulation.
Public transportation facility · 1991
Roosevelt Field Mall Bus Terminal
The seven-bay terminal on the south side of the mall provides direct access to Nassau Inter-County Express services. It supports Roosevelt Field's role as a regional destination by connecting the retail complex with communities across Nassau County and Long Island.
Brand decisions
2022
Primark enters the Long Island market through Roosevelt FieldProduct launchBackground
Roosevelt Field continued to refresh its tenant mix with large-format fashion retailers after the closure of Bloomingdale's Furniture Gallery.
Action taken
Primark opened its first Long Island store at the mall on November 17, 2022.
Aftermath
The opening added an international value-fashion anchor to the property.
2015
Replacement of central glass elevatorsOtherBackground
During the mall's modernization program, Simon determined that the existing scenic glass elevators had severe hydraulic-oil leakage.
Action taken
The glass elevators were removed, a play area was created in the central space, and replacement elevators were constructed.
Aftermath
The change altered a recognizable interior feature while addressing a building-maintenance issue.
2012
Luxury expansion centered on Neiman MarcusStrategyBackground
Simon Property Group sought to strengthen Roosevelt Field's position as a premier regional destination and broaden its luxury tenant mix.
Action taken
The mall announced a new approximately 100,000-square-foot wing anchored by Neiman Marcus, accompanied by additional stores, parking capacity, and modernization work.
Aftermath
The expansion opened in February 2016 and added a major luxury-oriented section to the property.
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