MILLS CORP
EXHIBIT 10.4
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-10.4
<SEQUENCE>3
<FILENAME>a2086873zex-10_4.htm
<DESCRIPTION>EXHIBIT 10.4
<TEXT>
<HTML>
<HEAD>
<TITLE>
</TITLE>
</HEAD>
<BODY BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" LINK=BLUE  VLINK=PURPLE>
<BR>
<FONT SIZE=3 ><A HREF="#02WDC2161_2">QuickLinks</A></FONT>
<font size=3> -- Click here to rapidly navigate through this document</font>
<!-- TOC_END -->
<P ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2><A
NAME="kc2161_exhibit_10.4"> </A>
<A NAME="toc_kc2161_1"> </A>
<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>EXHIBIT 10.4    <BR>  </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>June&nbsp;6,
2002 </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>John
M. Ingram<BR>
c/o Ingram Realty Advisors<BR>
600 Unicorn Park Drive<BR>
Woburn, MA 01801 </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>Re:
Consulting Services </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>Dear
John: </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;This
letter (the "Agreement") confirms the terms and conditions under which you have agreed to perform consulting services for The Mills Corporation and its affiliates (collectively, the
"</FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>Company</B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>"). </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1.</FONT><FONT
SIZE=2><I>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Scope of Work.</I></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Under this Agreement, you will provide consulting services to the Company with respect to such
development, leasing and other transactions as may be assigned to you from time to time. We envision that in some instances you will take a primary role in negotiating business deals on behalf of the
Company. In other instances, your role will be more secondary in nature, consisting primarily of reviewing drafts of transaction documents and advising the Company on business terms, strategies, etc.
In this regard, we anticipate that your efforts will be focused on areas including (a)&nbsp;assessing opportunities for the Company in the Boston region; (b)&nbsp;assisting with the evaluation of
pre-development sites in other areas of the United States; (c)&nbsp;aiding in the development of relationships with department stores and the periodic review of those relationships; and,
(d)&nbsp;the development of relationships and potential negotiations of agreements with major retailers in Europe. We envision that the services you perform on behalf of the Company will require, on
average, approximately 25% of normal business hours. In performing your services under this Agreement, you will, of course, be interacting with various business executives and attorneys of the
Company. Your services should be coordinated with James F. Dausch, the Company's Senior Executive Vice President-Development (as to development matters) and Judith S. Berson, Executive Vice
President-Leasing (as to leasing matters). They will assist you in prioritizing the various projects that may be assigned to you from time to time. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2.</FONT><FONT
SIZE=2><I>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Term.</I></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The term of this Agreement shall be for eighteen (18)&nbsp;months, beginning as of June&nbsp;1,
2002. At the conclusion of the term, we will meet to explore whether an extension of the term of this agreement will be mutually acceptable. Either party may terminate this Agreement for its own
convenience at any time, with or without cause, by giving thirty (30)&nbsp;days written notice to the other party. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;3.</FONT><FONT
SIZE=2><I>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Independent Contractor Relationship.</I></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;You will be an independent contractor and not an employee of the
Company. Neither you nor the Company shall represent directly or indirectly that you have authority to bind the Company, or to incur any liabilities or obligations of any kind in the name of or on
behalf of the Company. You shall not assign or subcontract any of your obligations hereunder without prior written consent of the Company. </FONT></P>


<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4.</FONT><FONT
SIZE=2><I>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Payment for Services.</I></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Company will pay you for services rendered pursuant to this Agreement a fee (the
"Fee") which shall be calculated and payable as follows: the Company shall pay you a monthly guaranteed draw (the "</FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>Draw</B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>"), payable on the first business
day of each month, in the amount of $15,000 per payment with respect to services performed during the preceding month. Fees payable pursuant to this Agreement will be in addition to, and not in lieu
of, fees that you earn in your capacity as a director of the Company. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;5.</FONT><FONT
SIZE=2><I>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Expense Reimbursement.</I></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Company will reimburse you for reasonable and pre-authorized travel
expenses for purposes of face-to-face client meetings. Such reimbursement shall be made in accordance with and subject to the Company's standard policies concerning
reimbursable expenses. </FONT></P>

<HR NOSHADE>
<!-- ZEQ.=1,SEQ=1,EFW="2086873",CP="THE MILLS CORPORATION",DN="2",CHK=874926,FOLIO='blank',FILE='DISK008:[02WDC1.02WDC2161]KC2161A.;5',USER='WAVILES',CD='14-AUG-2002;12:40' -->

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;6.</FONT><FONT
SIZE=2><I>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Tax Treatment.</I></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;You and the Company agree that the Company will treat you as an independent contractor for
purposes of all tax laws (local, state and federal) and file forms consistent with that status. As an independent contractor, you acknowledge that you will not be entitled to receive unemployment
benefits in the event this Agreement terminates, or workers' compensation benefits in the event that you are injured in any manner while performing obligations under this Agreement. You will be solely
responsible to pay any and all local, state, and/or federal income, and social security and unemployment taxes. The Company will provide you with a Form&nbsp;1099 to the extent required by law. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;7.</FONT><FONT
SIZE=2><I>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Changes.</I></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;This Agreement shall not be changed, modified, supplemented or amended except by express written
agreement signed by you and the Company. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;8.</FONT><FONT
SIZE=2><I>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Burden and Benefit.</I></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;This Agreement shall be binding upon, and shall inure to the benefit of, the Company, its
successors and assigns, and you and your heirs. The Company shall have the right to
assign its rights hereunder to any successor in interest, whether by merger, consolidation, sale of assets, or otherwise. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;9.</FONT><FONT
SIZE=2><I>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;No Waiver.</I></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The failure of either party to execute a right or to require performance by the other party of any
part of this Agreement shall not affect the full right to exercise such right or to require such performance at any time thereafter, nor shall the waiver by either party of a breach of any provision
of this Agreement constitute a waiver of any later breach of the same or any other provision. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;10.</FONT><FONT
SIZE=2><I>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Complete Agreement.</I></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;This Agreement is the complete and exclusive statement of the Agreement between the
parties and supersedes any and all prior or contemporaneous representations, communications and contractual agreements relating to the subject matter of this Agreement, whether written or oral. </FONT></P>


<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;11.</FONT><FONT
SIZE=2><I>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Applicable Law.</I></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the
Commonwealth of Virginia without regard to the conflict of laws provisions thereof. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;12.</FONT><FONT
SIZE=2><I>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Severability.</I></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed severable, and the invalidity or
unenforceability of any one or more of the provisions hereof shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any one or more of the other provisions hereof. </FONT></P>


<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;13.</FONT><FONT
SIZE=2><I>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Notices.</I></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;All notices, demands, requests or other instruments which may be or are required to be given
hereunder shall be in writing and sent to you or the Company to the addresses set forth in this Article, by hand delivery, via facsimile, certified mail-return receipt requested, or via
overnight courier, and shall be deemed sufficient notice and demand in any case arising under this Agreement. Each party may give notice to the other party of a change of its address for the purposes
of giving notice under this paragraph which thereafter, until changed by a like notice, shall be the address of such party for all purposes of this Agreement. </FONT></P>

<!-- User-specified TAGGED TABLE -->
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0 CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="5%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="16%"><FONT SIZE=2>Client:</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="74%"><FONT SIZE=2>The Mills Corporation<BR>
Attn.: General Counsel<BR>
1300 Wilson Blvd.<BR>
Suite 400<BR>
Arlington, VA 22209<BR>
Telephone: 703-526-5155<BR>
Facsimile: 703-526-5298</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="5%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="16%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Consultant:</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="74%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
John M. Ingram<BR>
c/o Ingram Realty Advisors<BR>
600 Unicorn Park Drive<BR>
Woburn, MA 01801<BR>
Telephone: 781-938-4460<BR>
Facsimile: 781-932-3092<BR></FONT>
</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<!-- end of user-specified TAGGED TABLE -->

<HR NOSHADE>
<!-- ZEQ.=2,SEQ=2,EFW="2086873",CP="THE MILLS CORPORATION",DN="2",CHK=478880,FOLIO='blank',FILE='DISK008:[02WDC1.02WDC2161]KC2161A.;5',USER='WAVILES',CD='14-AUG-2002;12:40' -->

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Please
confirm your agreement to the foregoing matters by signing and returning a copy of this letter. We look forward to working with you. </FONT></P>

<!-- User-specified TAGGED TABLE -->
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0 CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="47%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD COLSPAN=3><FONT SIZE=2>Very truly yours,</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="47%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD COLSPAN=3><BR><FONT SIZE=2>THE MILLS CORPORATION</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="47%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="5%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
By:</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="45%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>LAURENCE C. SIEGEL</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Laurence C. Siegel<BR>
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="47%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="5%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="45%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="47%"><FONT SIZE=2>CONFIRMED AND AGREED:</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="5%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="45%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD WIDTH="47%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>JOHN M. INGRAM</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> John M. Ingram<BR></FONT>
</TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="5%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="45%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<!-- end of user-specified TAGGED TABLE -->

<HR NOSHADE>
<!-- ZEQ.=3,SEQ=3,EFW="2086873",CP="THE MILLS CORPORATION",DN="2",CHK=460722,FOLIO='blank',FILE='DISK008:[02WDC1.02WDC2161]KC2161A.;5',USER='WAVILES',CD='14-AUG-2002;12:40' -->
<!-- THIS IS THE END OF A COMPOSITION COMPONENT -->
<BR>
<P><br><A NAME="02WDC2161_2">QuickLinks</A><br></P><!-- TOC_BEGIN -->
<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_kc2161_1">EXHIBIT 10.4</A></FONT><BR>
<!-- SEQ=,FILE='QUICKLINK',USER=YLEE,SEQ=,EFW="2086873",CP="THE MILLS CORPORATION",DN="2" -->
<!-- TOCEXISTFLAG -->
</BODY>
</HTML>

</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
