Tenants are told to vacate the mall at Harborplace in downtown Baltimore

In the 1980s, Rouse’s Harborplace development in Baltimore was a model “festival marketplace” copied by declining downtowns across the country. This year, however, its mall will be closing.

The 100,769-sq.-ft. Gallery at Harborplace is within walking distance of Baltimore’s Convention Center, Orioles Park at Camden Yards, and the National Aquarium, but owner Brookfield Properties has issued tenants an order to vacate and will be considering redevelopment plans for the site.

“This mall should not be closed. The people just love this mall. It’s in the center of the city. I don’t know why they’re closing it,” Sibgha Altaf, owner of Organic Eye Brow Threading at The Gallery told the Baltimore Sun.

The James W. Rouse Company distinguished itself as a pioneer in retail real estate, as well as in downtown revival, with festival marketplaces that also include Faneuil Hall in Boston, South Street Seaport in New York, and Jacksonville Landing in Jacksonville. Brookfield will now apparently look to infuse dining and entertainment options into the marketplace—which sits at the base of a 30-story high-rise with office space and a Renaissance Hotel. Current tenants include Bat & Body Works, Pandora, and Forever 21.

The city of Baltimore promised to assist Brookfield with the remake.

“The city will continue to work with Brookfield as they consider options for significant improvements and investment in the Gallery to meet the needs of the market,” said Stefanie Mavronis, a spokeswoman for Mayor Brandon Scott told the Sun.