I happend across a new sign on my way into work the other day.
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That's right, a Saks Outlet?!
Construction has begun on a huge expansion to the popular outlet mall that will increase the number of stores by 50.
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I noticed that coming from Orlando yesterday. That mall has always been pretty dead to me. The addition of the Saks outlet anchor should be a huge bonus for that property.
Quote from: thelakelander on March 17, 2008, 10:47:25 AM
I noticed that coming from Orlando yesterday. That mall has always been pretty dead to me. The addition of the Saks outlet anchor should be a huge bonus for that property.
Same here. There was a plan to expand the mall 10 years ago that never happened. It looks like the new owner is making this a reality. I am sure the new surrounding businesses has helped push this along.
I'd say the retail market in this region is still doing pretty well despite the housing market downturn.
I'm not sure if this expansion is as was originally planned by Belz. I seem to remember that the original expansion plan was to lengthen the entire complex two-fold versus building onto the front. The entire area surrounding the mall is really exploding. There were gobs of new condos/apartments recently finished behind the mall as well as a new hotel nearing completion and the new Gander Mountain joining the mix.
Juicy Couture, Kate Spade, and Lucky Brand Jeans will be joining Saks... more to come...
This is kind of commical to me, it was my understanding that a lot of the stores that used to be in this mall (Polo, Tommy Hilfiger, Nike, etc) left that mall to go to the Premium Outlets across the highway because there was more business in the Premium Outlet Center than there was in the Prime outlet center... Now all of these new stores are coming that will draw a lot of shoppers. Now, if we can only get a Last Call by Nieman Marcus, Donald J Pliner, Barney's New York, Kenneth Cole, Lacoste, French Connection and an AG outlet I'd really have no reason to go outlet shopping down south....
Best thing for the shopper is to combine the Premium en Prime Outlet stores and create a more walkable setting. The outlet malls in Orlando are more walkable and have better food/restaurants.
Has anyone visited the new outlet shps just accros the border in georgia along the I95? ?
Lacoste, Timberland, and Saks are on the list for the new expansion.
I'll bet the expansion will also include more eateries as well.
QuoteExpansion will add 35% more space at St. Augustine outlet
St. Augustine-Prime Outlets shopping center is starting a $35 million expansion project that will add 35 percent more space.
A 28,000-square-foot Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th will anchor the 90,000-square-foot exterior expansion. Some of the other new retailers include kate spade, Lucky Brand Jeans, Ann Taylor Loft and Juicy Couture. The project also includes renovation work to the existing 250,000-square-foot interior facility with an updated 400-seat food court.
Prime Retail, a Baltimore-based national outlet center developer and a member of the private real estate owner Lightstone Group, acquired the existing center at State Road 16 and Interstate 95 in 2006 for $42 million, according to St. Johns County Property Appraiser's Office records. The company had the expansion project already in mind when it made the buy, said Regional Vice President Ted Omohundro.
"We're just really excited about this," he said.
The contractor on the project is Sequoyah Limited LLC of Knoxville, Tenn. The center will total 340,000 square feet and 90 stores when complete and is expected to open in November.
Omohundro said development plans have not been finalized for another 8-acre parcel that Prime Retail owns near the site facing I-95.
http://jacksonville.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/stories/2008/04/07/daily44.html?surround=lfn
Georgio Armani and Michael Kors will also be tennants
Quote from: gradco2004 on April 14, 2008, 04:40:38 PM
Georgio Armani and Michael Kors will also be tennants
I like the Coleman store myself! ;D
So pretty much anyone that opended a store in the Town Center will be opening an outlet... makes sence.
QuoteChanges at the Prime Outlet Mall
From Staff | Posted: Wednesday, April 30, 2008 ; Updated: 12:40 AM on Wednesday, April 30, 2008
These drawings show what the Prime Outlet Mall will look like after it is renovated and expanded.
The updated mall is scheduled to open in November and will include 90,000 square feet of additional shopping space. Prime bought the center at S.R. 16 and I-95, formerly known as Belz Mall, with the intention of an upscale makeover, according to their spokesman. From I-95, drivers will se a new 28,000-square-foot building for Off 5th, the outlet for Saks 5th Avenue, sitting in front of the current center entrance.
The plans include renovating the current building, including the 400-seat food court. Also set to open with the expansion will be kate spade, Lucky Brand Jeans, Ann Taylor Loft and Juicy Couture stores. The Guess Factory Store and BCBGMAXAZRIA Factory Store also will be opening renovated storefronts. Another structure will go in behind the Off 5th store, which will feature some of the new upscale shops.
When complete, Prime expects to have expanded the current shopping area by 35 percent and added 90 stores.
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Quote12 more designer stores sign on for Prime Outlets Mall
By KATI BEXLEY | More by this reporter | kati.bexley@staugustine.com | Posted: Monday, September 15, 2008 ; Updated: 10:11 AM on Monday, September 15, 2008
Prime Outlets announced 12 more high-end designer stores that will be part of its 90,000-square-foot expansion to open in November.
The new stores include big names such as Hugo Boss, Michael Kors and Kenneth Cole.
Sue Helondovitch, Prime Outlets spokeswoman, said last week that the mall's expansion, located at Interstate 95 and State Road 16, will have 75 new stores total.
"As we move along we'll continue to announce more stores," she said.
The stores will offer savings of 25 to 65 percent off regular price. The renovation will be complete on Nov. 8. The mall is already 250,000 square feet.
The expansion also includes a 28,000-square-foot building for Off 5th, the outlet for upscale retailer Saks Fifth Avenue.
Ted Omohundro, Prime's vice president for this region, has said St. Johns County is one of the wealthiest counties in Florida and is a great tourist market.
Prime bought the property on the northeast side of Interstate 95 and S.R. 16 two years ago with the intention of creating this upscale makeover. It was formerly called the Belz Mall.
Prime Retail, the parent company of Prime Outlets, is one of the largest retailers in the United States and has 8 million square feet of stores throughout the nation and Puerto Rico, according to the company. It has outlet malls in Orlando, Texas, Williamsburg, Va., and Pennsylvania.
Source: http://staugustine.com/stories/091508/news_091508_059.shtml
More tax dollars staying in the local area, rather than heading to Orlando, Tampa, Atlanta, or Miami.
That is great for the area... of course on this site if it doesnt happen to the urban core it is derided as sprawl and unhip...
Yeah, its sprawl. But unlike Avenues Walk, there are no plans or existing means for any sort of transit in the forseeable future. I'm just glad that St. Augustine as a whole is still seeing development, especially retail. Says good things about the economy.
QuotePrime Outlet expansion proceeds
By KATI BEXLEY | More by this reporter | kati.bexley@staugustine.com | Posted: Wednesday, October 1, 2008 ; Updated: 12:42 AM on Wednesday, October 1, 2008
With nothing but bad news about the economy, Prime Outlets is staying positive and forging ahead with its $35 million expansion opening in November.
And as part of the 20 to 25 new high-end stores, Saks Fifth Avenue has announced it will bring even more of its upscale merchandise to its new 28,000-square-foot store.
Karen Fluharty, Prime marketing senior vice president, said Tuesday that at previous Prime Outlets, Saks has distanced itself from its outlet store, calling the store Off 5th. But in the St. Augustine store, the company has shifted its emphasis, and the name is Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th. This is the second outlet store where Saks has made the change, Fluharty said.
"It's a subtle difference," Fluharty said. "But you'll see stronger representation in upscale merchandise like Prada and Chanel."
Fluharty and other Prime Outlet staff gave media a tour Tuesday of the property.
The expanded mall will be 340,000 square feet when completed on Nov. 7. Numerous construction workers were busy doing various jobs at the site and the building was surrounded by equipment. Reporters were not allowed to go into the new stores, which are not yet completed.
Fluharty said despite the sour economy, Prime Outlets is confident the mall will do well. She said the stores can draw from a strong, affluent base in St. Johns County and Jacksonville, as well as tourists.
"The consumer in this area is very sophisticated, savvy and brand-conscious," she said. "We're bringing the brands that they love at smart prices.
"People want to shop smart now."
The latest store to announce it will be a tenant in the new mall is American Apparel.
Other new stores include Hugo Boss, Michael Kors, Kenneth Cole, Juicy Couture and Kate Spade. They will offer savings of 25 to 65 percent off regular price.
Prime bought the property on the northeast side of Interstate 95 and State Road 16 two years ago with the intention of creating this upscale makeover. It was formerly called the Belz Mall.
Prime Retail, the parent company of Prime Outlets, is one of the largest retailers in the United States and has 8 million square feet of stores throughout the nation and Puerto Rico, according to the company. It has outlet malls in Orlando, Texas, Williamsburg, Va., and Pennsylvania.
I cant wait for American Apparel. I sure hope there's tons of sexual harassment going on!
QuoteThat is great for the area... of course on this site if it doesnt happen to the urban core it is derided as sprawl and unhip...
I wouldn't agree to this, seems to me that a City that's been around since 1564 next to a bigger City that has been settled (in part) since 1563, are "all in the family". I welcome St. Augustines success, outlet malls are a major attraction and venue unto themselves. A Disney World for bargain hunters.
IDEAS?
St. Augustine should come aboard with JTA and offer a shuttle bus from both malls to BOTH cities.
The Malls would make a fantastic PARK AND RIDE facility, if we would enhance our MCI coaches for the long distance commute.
That would equate to local services into both cities, and a freeway flyer into JAX.
As the St. Augustine Airport expands into more commercial destinations, the local buses should stop there as well.
FINALLY: as commuter rail becomes a reality, a direct AIRPORT-RAIL-TOWN-MALL connector would rock.
MALL PROPERTY:
The two malls, FDOT, St. Johns County and St. Augustine, should push for a roadway to connect the two mall halves together. Next to that a micro-Skyway, built with amusement park technology, it could be done on the cheap. At the very least give us a pedertrian over-pass. At best, do all three. OCKLAWAHA
there will be a Cole Haan outlet, too!
Add Gucci:
http://jacksonville.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/stories/2008/10/20/daily6.html
I drove by the Prime Outlets on Sunday. The exterior is a big improvement over Bealz. I would assume the interior has been completely overhauled also.
I walked through today & there is still PLENTY of work to be done prior to the anticipated Nov. 7 grand opening. Some stores are already open though - Lucky being one of them; that's in addition to some of the existing stores that were carryovers. I'm really curious to see what will become of the local "Mom & Pops" that are still in there. Nascar memorabilia & knick-knack shops don't seem like they'd play well with the likes of Gucci & Saks - even if they are outlets. Although I wish any entrepreneur the best, my guess would be that PRIME Retail will raise the rent such that they'll feel the pinch, get squeezed, & there will be yet another flip flop of stores from across I-95 to (a la Polo, Coach, etc.).
Confirmed New Stores:
[ ] Saks Fifth Avenue: Off 5th
[ ] Gucci
[ ] American Apparel
[ ] Hugo Boss
[ ] Michael Kors
[ ] Kenneth Cole
[ ] Juicy Couture
[ ] Kate Spade
[ ] Tail Activewear Inc.
[ ] Papaya
[ ] BCBGMAXAZRIA
[ ] Cole Haan
[ ] LOFT Outlet
[ ] Lucky Brand Jeans
[ ] Guess by Marciano
[ ] Charlotte Russe
[ ] Gander Mountain (near by)
"When complete, Prime expects to have expanded the current shopping area by 35 percent and added 90 stores."
... they are adding 90 stores. Any guesses or hopes?
Sources:
http://www.staugustine.com/stories/100108/news_1001_012.shtml
http://staugustine.com/stories/043008/news_txt01_027.shtml
http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/030207/bus_8330751.shtml
http://www.primeoutlets.com/eventDetail.asp?cntrId=1079&eventId=14519
Kenneth Cole signage is already up. Haven't noticed any others yet.
Everything looks to be on shcedule for a November opening.
The place was packed Friday a.m. - they've really done a nice job with the outside remodel (which is where most of the new stores have set up). It's still a really weird mix though, once you walk through GUCCI & then go inside past knock-off tool(s), Wrangler Jeans, & Maidenform liquidators.......As it stands right now, you can buy a $600 pair of shoes and then continue inside & get a pair of purple slacks with an elastic waist & an extra large t-shirt with silk-screened cherubs on it. I wonder also if some of the higher end stores will have trouble remaining autonomous with the "one stop shop" that Saks Off 5th has become as they are carrying several of the labels within that have stand alone stores outside (i.e. Juicy, Kate Spade) - and if Friday's sales were any indication, they're doing it with better pricing as well.
You're right about the madness at the Outlets on Friday. Talk about PACKED! I took a walk through the mall a week before Thanksgiving and was really impressed with the expansion and the interior upgrades and changes. The fact that the stores along the front face of the mall open up to the street really enhances the activity levels. Throw in a few pedestrian friendly restaraunts across from the mall entries and that place will be hopping, IMO.