SJC Ventures to begin construction at former Macy’s at Harford Mall site next week

BEL AIR, Md. — SJC Ventures, a premier Atlanta-based mixed-use, retail and multi-family development firm, will begin the demolition process at the former Macy’s at the Harford Mall property next week, beginning on July 22 with interior demolition and major demolition activities occurring shortly thereafter.

Fencing went up around the property this week and first steps will include land clearing, preparing for the future Derby Place, a 95,000-square-foot mixed use center anchored by a Whole Foods Market.

Using basic excavation equipment, Fulton, Maryland-based family and woman-owned general contracting firm Buch Construction will first disconnect the Macy’s building from the remaining mall building before taking down the entire Macy’s building. This will be a slow process, expected to take a number of weeks and will not include any explosives or wrecking ball equipment.

SJC Ventures closed on the property last month, marking the second phase of the mall redevelopment. CBL Properties, a national shopping mall owner, still owns the remainder of the mall property and will be redeveloping it on a separate schedule.

CBL Properties has owned the entire mall property for more than 20 years and has been working to redevelop the property into a large-scale mixed-use destination. During the first phase, SJC Ventures purchased and redeveloped the former Sears property at the Harford Mall and turned it into Shops of Harford Mall, which was completed in 2024.

Located at the intersections of Veterans Memorial Highway, Baltimore Pike and North Tollgate Road, the future Derby Place will be anchored by a 35,000-square-foot Whole Foods and complemented by 60,000 square feet of luxury boutiques, restaurants, shops and amenities.

SJC Ventures plans to incorporate pedestrian walkways and greenspace that will allow for greater connectivity in the space, forming a large mixed-use complex for residents and visitors. The enhanced pedestrian and vehicular connectivity, with the creation of an access drive between Baltimore Pike and Boulton Street, will make shopping more accessible and enjoyable, fostering a vibrant community hub.

A residential component will also be included at Derby Place, featuring 249 multi-family units with an on-site parking deck. Construction on the residential portion is anticipated to start in fall 2026 by another developer.

Vertical construction at Derby Place will start this winter, with first tenant openings projected for spring 2028.

Pre-leasing efforts for the center are ongoing for restaurants, medical, soft goods retailers and service users. For retail leasing inquiries, contact Natalie Battisti at natalie@sjcventures.com, Ray Schupp at rschupp@hrretail.com, Suzanne Katz at skatz@hrretail.com and Bryan Davis at bdavis@hrretail.com.

About SJC Ventures

Founded in 2007, SJC Ventures is a privately held, mixed-use commercial real estate and retail development firm. The company has acquired and developed more than 60 retail, mixed-use, multifamily and office projects throughout the continental U.S. The company is headquartered in Georgia. For more information, visit www.sjcventures.com.

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For more information, please contact:

Candice Brown-McElyea

Candice@oneeightohpr.com

941-232-9046