If you grew up in Montgomery County, there’s a good chance you have a Lakeforest Mall story.

Holiday shopping under the skylights. Food court meetups. Maybe even your first job.

For years, Lakeforest has felt more like a ghost mall than a gathering place — 100 acres of prime land sitting quietly in the heart of Gaithersburg. That’s finally changing.

Montgomery County and local leaders are moving forward with a plan to transform the former mall into a mixed-use, walkable “mini-city” with homes, jobs, retail, and a major transit upgrade.

What’s Planned for the Lakeforest Site?

The redevelopment covers roughly 100 acres at 701 Russell Avenue near Lost Knife Road and MD-355.

• About 1,600 new homes including apartments, condos, and townhomes
• Commercial and retail space for shops, dining, and entertainment
• Office and employment space to keep more jobs local
• Parks and open areas replacing surface parking with public gathering spaces

This is a full teardown and rebuild — creating real streets, sidewalks, and a true neighborhood feel.

The New Lakeforest Transit Center

The transit center will move directly onto the Lakeforest property and integrate with future Bus Rapid Transit along MD-355.

• Improved service for existing Ride On bus routes
• Safer, more efficient rider transfers
• Future-ready infrastructure for BRT connectivity

For residents and buyers, walkable transit access changes how daily life works — fewer car trips and more flexibility.

What This Means for Nearby Homeowners

Short-term, expect construction activity and traffic changes. Long-term, projects like this typically bring stronger demand, better amenities, and increased neighborhood visibility.

As Lakeforest becomes a true live-work-play destination, buyer perception of Gaithersburg is likely to shift.

Opportunities for Buyers and Investors

• First-time buyers: Opportunity before prices fully reflect redevelopment
• Move-up buyers: Space + transit access at a balanced price point
• Investors: Strong rental demand near jobs and transit

Timeline: When Will Change Happen?

The redevelopment will roll out in phases — demolition, infrastructure, early buildings, and full buildout over time.

The new transit center is expected to open within the next few years, bringing early benefits before the full neighborhood is complete.

How I Can Help

If you own near Gaithersburg or Montgomery Village, are thinking about buying, or want to understand how this redevelopment affects your long-term plans, I’d be happy to help you map out a smart strategy.