Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Simon says it will upgrade an area mall



Another suburban mall plans to overhaul retail and dining options.

The Montgomery Mall in North Wales, Pa., will start on a redevelopment plan next month, said owner Simon Property Group (NYSE: SPG), which also controls the King of Prussia Mall.

The mall plans to add an exterior-facing restaurant with patio area, a redesigned exterior and entrance, “refreshed” retail spaces, a children’s play area, new family restrooms and upgraded lighting and hardscaping.

New retailers are also promised. No specifics were offered and the mall said it is finalizing lease commitments.

New stores are planned for the holiday shopping season and into 2015. Construction will start next month and affected retailers will be relocated.

Last fall, a 126,000-square-foot Wegmans opened in the mall, and much of the renovation will focus on the north wing of the mall, near Wegmans and Macy’s. The other anchors are JCPenney, Sears and Dick’s Sporting Goods. There are 100 in-line retailers.

Aside from Wegmans, recent openings have included Francesca’s, The Icing, Pinkberry, Montgomery Dental, Spencer’s Gifts, Street Corner News, VisionWorks, and New York Thread.

The mall’s last major renovation was in 2008.

Simon Property Group’s biggest competitor in the area, Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust (NYSE: PEI), has done major redevelopments of the Cherry Hill Mall, Voorhees Town Center (formerly the Echelon Mall), the Moorestown Mall, all in South Jersey, as well as the Plymouth Meeting Mall.

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