Abrams Seeks to Demolish Concord Mall
Redevelopment plan would replace most of the Brandywine Hundred mall with a one-story retail building while keeping Boscov's and the former Sears.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Retail
Live Poll
Do you think your area's shopping options are getting better or worse?
Abrams Realty and Development filed a redevelopment application with New Castle County in August 2026 proposing to demolish the 846,896-square-foot Concord Mall in Brandywine Hundred. The plan would replace it with a 233,100-square-foot general retail building while retaining the former Sears and Boscov's.
Why it matters
The proposal would remove the mall's middle section, including the Macy's anchor, reshaping one of the region's major shopping destinations. Its approval path affects tenants such as Cafe Riviera, which is waiting on answers about the property's future.
The application would cut the mall's footprint from 846,896 square feet to a proposed 233,100-square-foot retail building, about 72% smaller. The county's Land Use Department completed its first review in September, and the developer has not yet answered the required revisions.
The players
Abrams Realty and Development
A real estate developer that filed the redevelopment application and has also acquired another mall in Reading, Pennsylvania.
Namdar Realty Group
The owner of Concord Mall, which has not publicly commented on the redevelopment plans.
New Castle County Land Use Department
The county agency that completed the first review of the redevelopment plan and requested revisions.
The details
The project is classified as a minor land development, so it does not need New Castle County Council approval. The plans include landscaping the parking lot and a boulevard-style entrance from Concord Pike, and Abrams Realty has not responded to multiple requests for comment from Delaware Online/The News Journal.
Timeline
August 2026: Abrams Realty filed the redevelopment application with New Castle County.
September 2026: The county completed its first review and advised required revisions.
Mid-2027: Cafe Riviera's current lease ends.
Market Landscape
The plan reflects a broader pattern in which enclosed malls are shrunk into open-format retail as anchor tenants leave. Keeping Boscov's and the former Sears while removing the Macy's anchor positions the property to compete with newer strip-style retail along Concord Pike.
Shoppers who rely on Concord Mall should expect Boscov's and the former Sears to remain open while the Macy's section is removed. Tenants and nearby residents will not see changes until the county approves the plan and construction is scheduled.
The takeaway
Redevelopment of a large mall takes months of county review before any demolition can start, so the timeline for change remains uncertain. Readers tracking the property should watch for revised county filings and any announcement from the tenants.
What happens next
Demolition cannot begin until the project completes county review and receives approval. Cafe Riviera's current lease ends in mid-2027, a date that will shape its decision on whether to relocate.
Further reading
For more on how local shopping centers are changing, explore Retail coverage across the Wilmington region.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The News Journal.
Live Poll
Do you think your area's shopping options are getting better or worse?
