Plans for White Marsh Town Center were proposed in 1965. Construction of the adjacent Interstate 95 in 1969 justified the proposal and plans for rezoning.[3] The first project, White Marsh Mall, developed by the Rouse Company, opened in 1981.
The Avenue was developed as a town-center in a suburb without a center. Its design is drastically different from previous suburban malls and part of a wave of similar destination retail sites across the country.[5] Construction on the Avenue started in 1996 and was completed in 1998 with stores opening to the public as they were ready.[6] Federal Realty Investment Trust purchased The Avenue in early 2007.
The concept for the Avenue at White Marsh was modeled in part after the Reston Town Center, which also blends office, residential, entertainment and retail components.[7] The Avenue stores are situated on both sides, at the beginning, and at the end of a quarter-mile main street.[8] The layout was planned to feel old-fashioned from the stone plaza to the architecture. The Avenue was criticized early on as a "street without a town.[9]"
In 2016, the Avenue at White Marsh was renovated to include a plaza, as well as additional retail space.[10]
A plaza is located at the center of the main street where regular entertainment can take place. Each year in November The Avenue at White Marsh hosts a community Tree Lighting Celebration and in December hosts the White Marsh Holiday Parade. The plaza hosts an ice skating rink during the winter season.[11] During the summer months, the plaza hosts local bands and other entertainment.
In 2018, a longtime tenant, Don Pablo's Mexican Restaurant, closed its restaurant at the Avenue in White Marsh, and was replaced by independently-owned Wayward Smokehouse and The Curious Oyster in 2019. In 2019, another longtime tenant and arts and crafts retailer AC Moore closed their store at the Avenue at White Marsh due to the Company's bankruptcy.
The Avenue supplements White Marsh Mall with retail, food, and service options.[12] More information can be found at www.theavenueatwhitemarsh.com.
The Avenue implemented a youth escort policy in February, 2019.[13]
Nottingham Square
Nottingham Square is a collection of large retail stores and restaurant franchises. This property is located on Campbell Boulevard between Interstate 95 and Maryland Route 7.[14] Patrons can access to Nottingham Square from two signalized intersections and two unsignalized intersections from Campbell Boulevard.
Retail stores are located in front of a large parking area with perimeter access roads. Behind the parking lots are several restaurants and other services.
