After months of stalled progress and shifting plans, efforts to redevelop Concord’s Steeplegate Mall appear to be moving forward once again, according to WMUR.
City officials confirmed recently that Onyx Partners—the Massachusetts based developer behind the project—is resuming work to transform the property into a mixed use development.
The update marks a notable shift for a site that had been caught in legal disputes, leasing complications, and questions about its future.
The Bon-Ton once occupied the mall as one of its anchor store.
Mayor Byron Champlin said the renewed momentum could provide a meaningful boost to the local economy, describing the project as a potential “shot in the arm” for Concord.
A Reignited Project
The latest update follows a period of uncertainty that cast doubt on whether the original redevelopment vision would move forward at all.
Plans had been put on hold late last year as legal challenges and tenant conflicts slowed progress. Most notably, a lawsuit involving JCPenney raised questions about whether demolition and construction could proceed under the terms of the retailer’s long standing lease.
At the same time, Onyx explored an alternate path by marketing retail and office space within the existing mall structure. Listings for “Steeplegate Crossing” suggested a temporary shift away from full redevelopment, with the building positioned for partial reuse rather than transformation.
That approach left residents, business owners, and city officials with little clarity about what would come next.
Now, with key issues reportedly resolved, the project appears to be returning to its original direction.
What the Plan Still Includes
According to city officials, the core elements of the redevelopment plan remain largely unchanged.
The proposal calls for approximately 600 new apartments, along with major retail anchors such as Costco and Whole Foods, along with additional commercial space.
If completed as envisioned, the project would represent one of the largest housing additions in Concord in recent years. It would also reposition the 30 acre property as a mixed use destination rather than a traditional indoor mall.
For the city, the stakes are both economic and practical. Champlin emphasized the importance of restoring the site as a major contributor to Concord’s tax base. The property was once among the city’s top taxpayers.
Broader Impact on the Area
Local business leaders say the redevelopment could have effects beyond the mall property itself.
The Mall’s clock tower remains frozen in time.
Bryanna Marceau of the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce pointed to the potential for increased foot traffic and activity along the Loudon Road corridor, which has struggled with the visual and economic impact of the largely vacant mall.
Nearby businesses have spent the past few years navigating that reality. Some have dealt with reduced visibility, while others have worked to counter the perception that the area is closed or declining.
Lingering Questions
Details about timelines, construction phases, and final agreements have not yet been made public. It is also unclear how the project will balance new development with existing tenants that remain on the property.
Residents have also raised concerns about affordability, particularly as the plan introduces a large number of new housing units into a tight market.
A Long Awaited Update
For years, Steeplegate Mall has stood as a visible reminder of the challenges facing aging retail centers. Once a busy commercial hub, the property has sat largely vacant, caught between its past and an unfinished future.
The latest update does not mark the end of that transition, but it does suggest that movement has resumed.
For Concord, the next phase will determine whether that momentum can finally carry the project across the finish line.
