For more than three decades, Lisbon Center has been part of daily life in western Howard County. Whether picking up groceries, grabbing a meal or visiting a local business, generations of residents have relied on the neighborhood shopping center as a convenient stop close to home.
Now, following a $3.3 million renovation by St. John Properties, Lisbon Center has become much more than a place to shop. It’s a place designed to encourage people to gather and connect.
Completed in spring 2025, the renovation modernized the 86,762-square-foot center while preserving the businesses that residents already depend on. The project team also included Development Design Consultants as the civil engineer; Watts Design Group as the mechanical/electrical engineer; Human Rohde as the landscape architect; JP2 Architects as the building architect; and Shore United Bank as lender.
Exterior improvements, updated lighting, refreshed storefronts and enhanced landscaping gave the property a fresh new appearance, while ADA-accessible walkways, resurfaced parking areas and traffic-calming measures improved safety and accessibility for visitors.
Perhaps the most noticeable change is the addition of new public gathering spaces. A former asphalt drive aisle has been transformed into an inviting outdoor plaza featuring dining patios, bistro lighting, Adirondack chairs and landscaping. Nearby, a new 12,000-square-foot pocket park provides shaded seating, open green space and outdoor dining areas that encourage neighbors to spend time together instead of simply passing through.
“Two tenets of our mission are to put our clients’ needs first, and act as long-term investors in the communities we serve,” said Bill Holzman, Senior Vice President of Retail Leasing at St. John Properties. “We have owned and managed Lisbon Center for 36 years and wanted to modernize the appearance of the shopping center and make it more welcoming.”
Rather than replacing a successful neighborhood center, St. John Properties chose to invest in one that has served the community for decades. The result is a destination that continues to support local retailers while creating new opportunities for people to gather, dine outdoors and enjoy a more connected community experience.
In this article: St. John Properties, Development Design Consultants, JP2 Architects, Watts Design Group, Human & Rohde, Inc., Shore United Bank.