1984–2004: Development, opening, and early years: #proveit← Previous revisionRevision as of 14:28, 5 November 2026 Line 47: Line 47: == History == == History == === 1984–2004: Development, opening, and early years === === 1984–2004: Development, opening, and early years === The [[Washington, D.C.]]-based real estate developer Herbert S. Miller and his firm [[Western Development Corporation]] developed Potomac Mills as a prototype for a shopping center which would combine elements of a [[regional mall]] with discount retail, known as the Landmark Mills template.{{citation|url=https://www.westdev.com/project/potomac-mills/|title=Project Information: Potomac Mills|work=Western Development Corporation website|date=13 February 2012 |accessdate=2021-06-04|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120203143532/https://www.westdev.com/project/potomac-mills/ |archive-date=February 3, 2012}} Originally called "Washington Outlet Mall" during planning stages, it was not planned to be enclosed until the last minute. [[Washington, D.C.]]-based real estate developer Herbert S. Miller and his firm [[Western Development Corporation]] developed Potomac Mills as a prototype for a shopping center which would combine elements of a [[regional mall]] with discount retail, known as the Landmark Mills template.{{citation|url=https://www.westdev.com/project/potomac-mills/|title=Project Information: Potomac Mills|work=Western Development Corporation website|date=13 February 2012 |accessdate=2021-06-04|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120203143532/https://www.westdev.com/project/potomac-mills/ |archive-date=February 3, 2012}} Originally called "Washington Outlet Mall" during planning stages, it was not planned to be enclosed until the last minute. The {{convert|130|acres|ha}} selected for construction were mostly [[farmland]] and woods, although it included several homes and businesses. The Prince William Board of Supervisors approved the first of several rezonings for the mall on February 21, 1984, after a fight over the proposed {{convert|140|ft|m}}-tall, {{convert|1260|ft2|m2}} illuminated sign.{{Cite web|url=https://www.princewilliamtimes.com/business/at-potomac-mills-the-sign-s-of-our-times/article_75242844-5b95-11e9-adcd-ff0dbece17bb.html|title=At Potomac Mills, the sign(s) of our times|newspaper=Prince William Times|last=Snyder|first=Roger|date=April 10, 2019|language=en|access-date=2019-05-16}} Potomac Mills began construction that same year near Opitz Boulevard and [[Interstate 95|I-95]]. The mall was designed by Wah Yee Associates of [[Michigan]],{{Cite news |date=June 24, 1996 |title=TOO MUCH FOR POTOMAC MILLS? |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/business/1996/06/24/too-much-for-potomac-mills/26fbeb3a-8531-429f-b24d-d7388d9a3b2c/ |access-date=2026-03-17 |work=The Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286}} and was a [[joint venture]] involving the German-based [[Mills Corporation#KanAm Grund Group|KanAm Grunderbesitz GmbH]], which helped develop and fund the project.{{Cite web |title=KanAm - History |url=https://www.kanam.de/kanam-en/gruppe/chronik.php |access-date=2026-03-30 |website=www.kanam.de}} The {{convert|130|acres|ha}} selected for construction were mostly [[farmland]] and woods, although it included several homes and businesses. The Prince William Board of Supervisors approved the first of several rezonings for the mall on February 21, 1984, after a fight over the proposed {{convert|140|ft|m}}-tall, {{convert|1260|ft2|m2}} illuminated sign.{{Cite web|url=https://www.princewilliamtimes.com/business/at-potomac-mills-the-sign-s-of-our-times/article_75242844-5b95-11e9-adcd-ff0dbece17bb.html|title=At Potomac Mills, the sign(s) of our times|newspaper=Prince William Times|last=Snyder|first=Roger|date=April 10, 2019|language=en|access-date=2019-05-16}} Potomac Mills began construction that same year near Opitz Boulevard and [[Interstate 95|I-95]]. The mall was designed by Wah Yee Associates of [[Michigan]],{{Cite news |date=June 24, 1996 |title=TOO MUCH FOR POTOMAC MILLS? |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/business/1996/06/24/too-much-for-potomac-mills/26fbeb3a-8531-429f-b24d-d7388d9a3b2c/ |access-date=2026-03-17 |work=The Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286}} and was a [[joint venture]] involving the German-based [[Mills Corporation#KanAm Grund Group|KanAm Grunderbesitz GmbH]], which helped develop and fund the project.{{Cite web |title=KanAm - History |url=https://www.kanam.de/kanam-en/gruppe/chronik.php |access-date=2026-03-30 |website=www.kanam.de}} Line 57: Line 57: AMC Theatres expanded to 15{{nbsp}}screens, and at around October 1996, The Mills Corporation, under new CEO Laurence C. Siegel, announced a {{convert|300,000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} expansion to add more entertainment-based chains, and [[theme restaurant]]s to Potomac Mills, inspired by the development of [[Ontario Mills]] near [[Los Angeles]], California; this would include expanding AMC Potomac Mills 15{{nbsp}}to 30{{nbsp}}screens.{{Cite news |last=Shear |first=Michael D. |date=October 10, 1996 |title=EXPANSION PLANNED FOR POTOMAC MILLS |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1996/10/10/expansion-planned-for-potomac-mills/9df7276d-548f-489f-b4ab-5d6f2301ded5/ |access-date=2026-11-03 |work=The Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286 |url-access=subscription}} Around 2004, AMC Theatres relocated within the mall, and opened the expanded AMC Potomac Mills 18 [[movie theater]].{{Cite news |date=September 10, 2004 |title=MARQUEE |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/style/2004/09/10/marquee/a7676132-1dff-43ef-9bce-92d9d9822749/ |access-date=2026-11-02 |work=The Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286 |url-access=subscription}} AMC Theatres expanded to 15{{nbsp}}screens, and at around October 1996, The Mills Corporation, under new CEO Laurence C. Siegel, announced a {{convert|300,000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} expansion to add more entertainment-based chains, and [[theme restaurant]]s to Potomac Mills, inspired by the development of [[Ontario Mills]] near [[Los Angeles]], California; this would include expanding AMC Potomac Mills 15{{nbsp}}to 30{{nbsp}}screens.{{Cite news |last=Shear |first=Michael D. |date=October 10, 1996 |title=EXPANSION PLANNED FOR POTOMAC MILLS |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1996/10/10/expansion-planned-for-potomac-mills/9df7276d-548f-489f-b4ab-5d6f2301ded5/ |access-date=2026-11-03 |work=The Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286 |url-access=subscription}} Around 2004, AMC Theatres relocated within the mall, and opened the expanded AMC Potomac Mills 18 [[movie theater]].{{Cite news |date=September 10, 2004 |title=MARQUEE |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/style/2004/09/10/marquee/a7676132-1dff-43ef-9bce-92d9d9822749/ |access-date=2026-11-02 |work=The Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286 |url-access=subscription}} Waccamaw Pottery later downsized to Waccamaw's HomePlace; a portion of the space was taken over by [[Vans Skatepark]], which opened on April 15, 2000, and closed on December 31, 2004. Waccamaw's HomePlace closed in June 2001.{{Cite news |last=McCrummen |first=Stephanie |date=January 1, 2005 |title=For Skaters, the Walls Come Down |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/2005/01/01/for-skaters-the-walls-come-down/7a76d398-f328-472b-adf3-d818353f7267/ |access-date=2026-11-04 |work=The Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286 |url-access=subscription}} Waccamaw Pottery later downsized to Waccamaw's HomePlace; a {{convert|61,640|sqft|m2|abbr=on}} portion of the space was taken over by [[Vans Skatepark]], which opened on April 15, 2000,{{Cite web |title=Skateboarding goes mainstream with skatepark in mall |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/20000514/4020900/skateboarding-goes-mainstream-with-skatepark-in-mall |access-date=2026-11-05 |website=Seattle Times |url-access=subscription}} and closed on December 31, 2004, due to high operating costs and the rise of free public parks. Waccamaw's HomePlace closed in June 2001.{{Cite news |last=McCrummen |first=Stephanie |date=January 1, 2005 |title=For Skaters, the Walls Come Down |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/2005/01/01/for-skaters-the-walls-come-down/7a76d398-f328-472b-adf3-d818353f7267/ |access-date=2026-11-04 |work=The Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286 |url-access=subscription}} === 2006–2020: Simon Property Group === === 2006–2020: Simon Property Group ===