Mall Getting Makeover

Tysons Corner Center, the Washington, D.C., area's largest mall, will undergo a major renovation, adding an 18-screen AMC Theater complex, stores, a food court and restaurants in a space that formerly housed a J.C. Penney store.

Mall co-owner and manager Wilmorite Properties (Rochester, N.Y.) hired RTKL (Dallas) to serve as architect for the $100 million project, which is slated to start in January 2004 and be completed by August 2005. The work will be the first major renovation at the McLean, Va., mall since 1988.

“Combining the lifestyle and entertainment design elements of the expansion with the classic lines of the mall will provide the community with an enjoyable place for shopping and entertainment,” says RTKL vp Jeff Gunning.

Penney vacated its store at the mall last month. Redeveloping and expanding that space will add 350,000 square feet of gross leasable area to the mall, which currently has 2.1 million square feet. The mall has five department stores — Bloomingdale's, Hecht's, Lord & Taylor, Nordstrom and L.L. Bean — and more than 250 stores, restaurants and eateries.

Newcomers to the complex in recent months include Coldwater Creek, Teavana, Timberland and H&M. Chains slated to open stores there soon are Ann Taylor Loft, Brighton Collectibles, Chipotle, Dry Ice, Jendai, Inner Self and Talbots Mens.