By Jorge Casuso
August 6, 2009 -- British clothing, Austrian crystal and sensible American sportswear will be among the offerings at Santa Monica Place when the mall reopens after a massive renovation exactly one year from now.
On Wednesday, Macerich -- which owns the quarter-century-old mall designed by Frank Gehry -- announced it had added five new retailers and restaurants to the mix of upscale offerings at the new, three-level, open-air shopping and dining destination taking shape Downtown.
They are Michael Kors, a lifestyle store that offers a full range of clothing and accessories; Ted Baker, one of the fastest-growing lifestyle brands in the UK, and Swarovski, a boutique featuring the renowned European crystal in designs for jewelry handbags and home accessories.
Also signing leases for space at the 550,000-square-foot mall are Angl, a collection of trend-forward fashions and accessories for young women, and Bernini, a Southern California retailer specializing in menswear and signature fragrances for men and women.
“These five retailers demonstrate the wide-ranging mix of great brands shoppers will find at the new Santa Monica Place,” said Anne Singleton, vice president of leasing, for Macerich.
“The diverse retail offerings – combined with what will be an incomparable food experience on our rooftop deck – will give Santa Monica Place an unusually strong appeal for both locals and visitors.”
The five stores that have signed on mark the third wave of leases announced by the giant mall owner.
In February, Macerich announced it was adding eleven new establishments -- including restaurants that feature Latin American cuisine, Mexican fare and handmade pizza -- to the eclectic menu of offerings. ("Mall Gets Second Wave of Tenants," February 13, 2009)
Slated to reopen on August 6, 2010, the indoor mall will have been literally turned inside out, making it an upscale outdoor extension of the wildly popular Third Street Promenade. Shoppers will be invited to enjoy an open sky and diners to take in a sweeping view of the Pacific. ("Santa Monica Place to Open in August 2010," May 7, 2009)
Three weeks after the opening, Nordstrom will hold a grand opening of its own, joining Bloomingdale’s as the mall's other anchor store.
