Charlottesville’s Dowtnown Mall is one of the longest pedestrian malls in the country. To save a dying downtown, Charlottesville converted Main Street into a $4.1 million brick-paved pedestrian mall. Stretching eight blocks in length, the pedestrian mall was designed by landscape architect Lawrence Halprin and completed in 1976.
Instead of attempting to compete with suburban shopping centers, the mall became a commercial area for nearby residential neighborhoods and downtown workers.
47 years later, Charlottesville’s historic Downtown Mall continues to thrive. Today, there are more than 120 shops and 30 restaurants housed in historic buildings along the Downtown Mall.
The CODE Building (Center of Developing Entrepreneurs) at 240 West Main Street.
Looking east on West Main Street near 2nd Street.
Just east of the intersection of West Main Street and 2nd Street.
Just west of the intersection of Main Street and 1st Street.
The Jefferson Theater was originally completed in 1912.
Today, the Jefferson Theater is the centerpiece of the Historic Downtown Mall.
Looking south down 2nd Street SE.
The Paramount Theater at 215 East Main Street.
The 2nd Act Books used book store at 214 East Main Street.
Timberlake’s Drug Store at the intersection of East Main Street and 4th Street.