WATERFORD – General Dynamics Electric Boat announced Monday that most activity at Crystal Mall will end on March 31, but a “small number” of remaining tenants will remain open after that date.
“The vast majority of tenants have already moved out of the mall,” company spokesperson Myra Lee said in a release Monday. “Some remaining tenants will still operate with Electric Boat after (March 31) to meet their specific business needs.”
Lee said March 31 is “the target date when most of the remaining tenants will move out. Electric Boat works with the tenants on a case-by-case basis because they all have different lease agreements and we try to accommodate some of their business needs.”
The announcement brings the mall’s rebirth as office space for defense contractors one step closer to reality. The mall was sold to the company in October, months after the company purchased the Macy’s anchor store.
The company said it plans to use the space to expand engineering, training and software development for production of Columbia- and Virginia-class submarines. It is expected that 4,000 to 5,000 people will eventually work at the mall. Employees are expected to start working at the mall as early as mid-2027, the company said.
Lee said Monday the Waterford Planning and Zoning Commission approved the company’s request to amend the site plan
A new special permit to change the use of the land and building from retail to commercial operations was also obtained last week.
“Electric Boat will continue to work with the town on investments to improve traffic flow, aesthetics and other aspects of the area,” she said.
Li said the company is working on the design and development of the shopping mall.
“The first phase of design development for the mall will be completed this spring, followed by renovations that will begin at the former Macy’s location,” Lee said.
The influx of workers could also lead to residential growth, including development on some nearby state-owned land.
According to Lee, the company has also scheduled a recruitment event at the mall from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on April 11. Interested parties are asked to enter the mall at the entrance next to Buffalo Wild Wings to learn about job opportunities and attend on-site interviews. More information and applications are available through this link .
This report contains previous reporting by Alex Soule and Luther Turmelle.
This article was originally published on Electric Boat says Crystal Mall to close as defense contractor takes over space.
