Business & Tech

Expect Big Changes at the Arsenal Mall, Starting with the Name

Owners and developers of the mall kicked off the redevelopment Wednesday by sharing some of their visions.

Visit the Arsenal Mall this week and you will see some changes, but that is just a small start said the people behind the redevelopment of the mall and surrounding area.

Wednesday morning developers and owners of the mall held a welcome and kickoff for the project, which will upgrade the mall, add restaurants, housing and possibly a hotel in the area along the west end of Arsenal Street.

The redevelopment is known as the Arsenal Project, said Bill McQuillan, of Boylston Properties.

"It is bigger than just the mall, better than just shopping and will connect to the Charles River," McQuillan said.

He sees an opportunity to put in restaurants with outdoor dining with a view of the nearby Charles River.

The project is just starting, McQuillan said, adding that it could be up to three years before the vision becomes a reality.

Town Council President Mark Sideris welcomed the owners and developers.

"We will do anything we can do to help you create your vision for what will be a great destination," Sideris said.

Jonathan Bush, CEO of athenahealth, is one of the investors in the Arsenal Project, and he sees a big opportunity.

"I represent 3,000 employees who are working next door, and they want a place to live, play and express themselves," Bush said.

Tom Wilder, a principal at the Wilder Companies, said that malls need to change to appeal to the Millennials - people between 17 and 37. He wants to improve the product inside the mall.

"There is not enough reason to come here and venture inside the mall," Wilder said. "I hear all the time, I go to the Gap Outlet but I don't really go into the mall."

He wants to reach out to the Watertown community to see what they want in the new-look mall. 

"I know this can be great," Wilder said. "We need input and we want to collaborate with residents, the town and retailers."

The mall has a Twitter account - http://twitter.com/Arsenal_Project - and a Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/TheArsenalProjectWatertownMA.

The Arsenal Project has started to give back to the community, McQuillan said, including making a donation to the Watertown Food Pantry.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

More from Watertown