Business & Tech

Mall Renovations to Be Done by November

New stores, storefronts, parking spots opening gradually at Whitman Shops.

Those driving by Walt Whitman Shops on Route 110 will have a much different view after construction finishes this fall. New stores, restaurants, and foliage are just a few of the things to be added from now until November.

"It's been a labor of love these past two and a half years," Francis X. Scire, Jr., assistant vice president of leasing for Simon Property Group Inc., said of the renovations.

Now called Walt Whitman Shops, the center is one of 16 properties to be redeveloped by the Simon Property Group. 

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"It's really considered one of the jewels in the Simon portfolios," Scire said. "[It] was really looked at as a center where they wanted to invest money to transform the shopping center and make it better."

So far, 18 stores have been opened in 2012, including White House Black Market, Lush, Swarovski, Anthropologie and Hanna Andersson, with 20-30 more stores opening in 2013, such as Boss, Kate Spade, lululemon and Lucky Brand.

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Some of the stores that were already in the mall have been relocated, or will be relocating by the completion of the renovations, including Starbucks, which will move from its current location as a kiosk to an inline store. Because of the move, Starbucks will have seating and an extended menu.

Brooks Brothers will also be relocating from the center of the mall to a storefront, and will include a second level. Pottery Barn will also be expanding as a storefront. Other exterior-mall stores will include Urban Outfitters, West Elm and Carhartt. According to Scire, outside stores will not have an indoor entrance to the mall like department stores do.

Scire said that in order to add storefronts they had to pop out the property by 40 feet, and remove some parking from the front. By November, however, there will be more parking spots.  

"Like-tenants work best together," Scire said, explaining that the stores will be broken up into three categories: near Macy's will be core stores, such as the Art of Shaving, in the center will be aspirational stores, such as Microsoft, and near Bloomingdale's will be contemporary stores, such as Free People.

More dining options will be added as well, such as P.F. Changs, Brio Tuscan Grille, Zinburger, a gourmet burger and wine spot, and Cups, a self-serve yogurt shop.

"This community has been hungry for a lot more restaurants," Scire said. "It will be a shopping destination as well as a dining destination."

The indoor renovations are to be completed by August or September of 2013, and will include new light fixtures, landscaping and a center sitting area with softer seating.

And, to pay homage to the poet who was born in the area and the reason for the shopping center's name, a statue of Walt Whitman will be placed by the center entrance of the mall.


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