New role for closed Macy’s in Connecticut: Submarine production
Closed anchor spaces across the nation have been re-filled with entertainment brands, restaurant round-ups, gyms, and medical centers.
But submarines?
General Dynamics’ Electric Boat unit in Groton, Conn., which designs, builds, repairs, and modernizes nuclear submarines for the U.S. Navy has acquired the 121,000-sq.-ft. Macy’s location that is connected to the Crystal Mall on Route 85 in Waterford, Conn., 5.5 miles from Electric Boat's major shipyard.
Some 700 Electric Boat employees are expected to work at the location that will provide space for submarine production, engineering, training, and laboratories. Electric Boat anticipates employees will start working in this location as early as March 2027.
"Over the past two years, we successfully worked with the Navy, Congress and the administration to secure funds that enable us to increase wages for the nuclear-powered vessel workforce and allow for significant additional investments in capacity, shipyard processes, and systems,” said Mark Rayha, president of General Dynamics Electric Boat.
"This acquisition is another example of effectively leveraging those funds to move important support functions out of the shipyard and maximize the production value of our waterfront footprint,” Rayha added.
This addition to Electric Boat's footprint follows a series of real estate acquisitions over the past six months in support of its mandate to accelerate submarine production.
"The Town of Waterford is thrilled to welcome Electric Boat," said Waterford First Selectman Rob Brule. "Electric Boat's expansion to our town is a significant investment that reinforces our strong maritime history and our commitment to economic development for our community."
Recent real estate activity for Electric Boat has included:
- Land purchase in North Stonington, Conn., to build a 480,000-square-foot warehouse (January 2025)
- Commercial lot at 435 Thames Street in Groton, Conn. (May 2025)
- The former Garbo Lobster property at 415 Thames Street, Groton, Conn. (May 2025)
