WATERFORD, Conn. – In a striking example of adaptive reuse General Dynamics Electric Boat the manufacturer of nuclear submarines for the U.S. Navy has acquired the majority of the largely vacant Crystal Mall here. The move signals a major corporate expansion that will repurpose a struggling retail center into a vibrant office and technology hub.
The company, which already purchased the mall’s former Macy’s location earlier this year now owns most of the property with the former Sears store being the only exception.
Breathing New Life into a Vacant Property
Announced at a gathering outside the mall Electric Boat President Mark Rayha revealed plans to renovate the property with groundbreaking expected in mid-2026. The transformed facility is projected to open in 2027 and will house between 3,000 and 5,000 employees.
The site will be dedicated to engineering, training, software development, and other support functions, creating a centralized campus for these roles. The actual production of Virginia-class and Columbia-class submarines will continue at the company’s existing shipyard in Groton, located just five miles away.
A Strategic Location for a Growing Workforce
Rayha highlighted the strategic logic behind choosing the mall site. “You build a mall in a location where you can track a lot of people from a lot of areas,” he said. “So doing this here is a great opportunity.”
This acquisition is a direct response to the company’s significant growth, driven by increased demand for its submarine programs, and its need to consolidate and expand its white-collar workforce.
A Win for the Local Economy
Local officials hailed the decision as a major economic victory that will solidify southeastern Connecticut’s status as a submarine manufacturing and technology hub.
Waterford First Selectman Rob Brule captured the sentiment, stating, “We are repurposing a regional destination into a dynamic engine of opportunity again.”
The redevelopment also addresses the national trend of declining shopping malls. The Crystal Mall, like many others, has seen its occupancy plummet, dropping from 64% in 2023 to just 25% in late 2025. This project demonstrates a viable path forward for repurposing such large-scale retail properties, turning a liability into a community asset.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).
1. What is General Dynamics Electric Boat?
It is a leading manufacturer of nuclear-powered submarines for the U.S. Navy, including the Virginia-class and Columbia-class submarines. Its primary shipyard is in Groton, Connecticut.
2. What has the company acquired?
Electric Boat has acquired the majority of the Crystal Mall in Waterford, Connecticut, having previously purchased the former Macy’s anchor store. The former Sears store is the only major part not included.
3. What will the mall be turned into?
The mall will be renovated into a large office and technology center for 3,000 to 5,000 employees who work in engineering, software development, training, and other support roles.
4. Will submarines be built at the mall?
No. All submarine production will remain at the company’s existing manufacturing facility in Groton, which is about five miles away. The mall site will be for administrative and technical support staff.
5. When will the new facility open?
Groundbreaking is expected in mid-2026, with the facility estimated to open in 2027.
6. Why is this significant for the community?
This project repurposes a largely vacant mall, bringing thousands of high-skilled jobs back to the property, boosting the local economy, and reinforcing the region’s identity as a center for submarine technology and manufacturing.
