Ellsworth Place officially opened a reconstructed indoor playground with a ribbon-cutting ceremony held in the ground floor space Feb. 20.

“The new and modern play area, right in the center of top retail stores, adds convenience and fun to the shopping experience,” said Olivia Dial, vice president, design and property of mall owner GBT Realty Corp. in a press release. “The Silver Spring community is such a special place that we wanted to do something a little different with this asset renovation.’

The $300,000 project, which was built in partnership with [email protected] and Landscape Structures, is the first in a number of upgrades planned for the mall in the next 12 to 18 months, she added.

The new area, outside the interior entrance to TJ Maxx, includes two primary house structures and four secondary activity stations with slides, tunnels and interactive panels. There are barriers to provide protection from shoppers’ traffic and benches for parents and shopping center patrons.

“We have plans to continued to upgrade Ellsworth Place and bring new, unique businesses to the Silver Spring community,” said Trey Culpepper, vice president of GBT’s Capital Holdings Division, during the ceremony.

“We’re also excited for the renovations that our neighbors, Downtown Silver Spring, are currently undertaking,” he added.

As part of the ceremony, Jane Redicker, president & CEO of the Greater Silver Spring Chamber of Commerce, presented a congratulatory plaque. In addition, Reemberto Rodriguez, director of the Silver Spring Regional Center, delivered a proclamation on behalf of County Executive Marc Elrich.

GBT Realty, based in Brentwood, Tenn., bought the mall for a reported $92 million in July 2018 and took over the management of building the following November.

From left, Jane Redicker, Trey Culpepper, Olivia Dial and Reemberto Rodriguez but the ribbon on the new playground. Photo courtesy GBT Realty.