What’s on tap for RECon 2016?
May in Las Vegas is when the dealmakers come out to, well, make deals, as the International Council of Shopping Centers hosts its annual RECon event at the Las Vegas Convention Center and Westgate Las Vegas Hotel. Held May 22-25 and attended by retailers and shopping center owners from around the globe, RECon will display such project wares as mixed-use destinations, outlet centers, and strip and lifestyle projects — and everything in between.
Talk in the aisles at RECon this year will likely range from the impacts of the 2016 presidential election, to experience and technology influences, to tenanting trends and confirmation that “global is the new local.” Yet, when the rubber meets the road, RECon is still about leasing space.
On the following pages, Chain Store Age highlights a series of shopping center projects that are among the highlights of what you will see at RECon 2016. And this is a small sampling, so pack comfortable shoes when you head to Las Vegas.
Easton Gateway
Columbus, Ohio
Developers: Steiner + Associates, The Georgetown Co., Limited Brands
Key tenants: Costco, Whole Foods Market, REI, Saks Off 5th, Field & Stream, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Golf Galaxy, La-Z-Boy, The Container Store, Pies & Pints, J. Alexanders, Melt, Charming Charlie’s
Construction status: Completed
Located on Interstate 270 near 670, the 54-acre Easton Gateway is Easton’s newest district, adding 585,000 sq. ft. of retail and restaurant uses to an immediate area that already boasts more than 5 million sq. ft. of best-in-class retail. Easton Gateway includes several large-format retailers, including Dick’s Sporting Goods, Field & Stream, Golf Galaxy, Container Store, Whole Foods and Costco, as well as nearly 150,000 sq. ft. of small- and mid-sized retailers and restaurants.
The project also includes significant parking capacity, with space for almost 3,000 vehicles. With I-270 to the east and Morse Road to the north, Easton Gateway enjoys both extraordinary access and optimum visibility: Nearly 200,000 vehicles pass directly by the center every day.
As the latest addition to Easton’s vibrant mix of more than 300 shopping, dining, entertainment and hospitality destinations, Easton Gateway draws from Easton’s more than 22 million annual visitors and prominence as one of the nation’s most recognizable mixed-use destinations. “Easton Town Center’s signature small-town middle-America theme has always been a complement to the density and connectivity of the built environment, conveying the sense of a vibrant downtown that has evolved naturally over time,” said Anne Mastin, senior executive VP real estate for Steiner + Associates. “While Easton Gateway is spatially distinctive and organized for convenience and accessibility, the project reflects many of the same thoughtful architectural details and innovative design elements that give Easton its familiar brick-and-mortar appeal.”
Added Yaromir Steiner, founder and CEO of Steiner + Associates, “This is a natural evolution of a time-tested project, as Easton is both the dominant retail destination and the premier leisure-time location in the region.”
Irvine Spectrum Center
Irvine, California
Developer and owner: Irvine Company Retail Properties
Key tenants: Nordstrom, Target, H&M, Apple Store, Anthropologie, Forever 21, Urban Outfitters, lululemon athletica, Brandy Melville, Hurley | Nike SB and Sur La Table are among the center’s 130 stores. Irvine Spectrum Center is home to the 6,400-seat Edwards Irvine Spectrum 21 Cinemas, the area’s first IMAX & RPX theatre with luxury seating, Dave & Buster’s, as well as Improv Comedy Club.
Among its 40-plus food tenants are major restaurants Javier’s, Yard House, Cheesecake Factory, P.F. Chang’s, Paul Martin’s American Grill, CUCINA enoteca, Wood Ranch BBQ & Grill, Tender Greens, and California Pizza Kitchen.
Recent additions include: BRIO Tuscan Grille, Del Frisco’s Grille, Umami Burger, Urban Seoul, CREAM, TLT Food, LYFE Kitchen and Pho Saigon Pearl.
Construction status: Open, operating and currently in the midst of a $150 million reinvestment project that will add more than 20 new stores, new landscaping, enhanced outdoor seating areas and state-of-the-art amenities.
At 1.2 million sq. ft. and located at the confluence of the I-405, I-5 and Highway 133, Irvine Spectrum Center is Southern California’s ultimate shopping, dining and entertainment destination visited by more than 17 million people annually. Having celebrated its 20th anniversary last year, Irvine Spectrum Center is in the initial stages of a $150 million reinvestment that includes the addition of more than 20 curated stores located within two new buildings on the former site of Macy’s.
Known for its stunning Mediterranean architecture, dynamic merchandising mix, diverse dining options and top-ranked entertainment venues, the center features a 108-ft. Giant Wheel from Italy with 52,000 LED light bulbs and a customized light show, nine custom-designed water features and a seasonal ice rink.
Irvine Company’s master plan around Irvine Spectrum Center includes 11 million sq. ft. of offices and 7,000 apartments upon completion.
“At RECon, our leasing team will be talking to innovative and exciting brands of retail and food uses that are already familiar with what Irvine Spectrum Center offers,” said Dave Moore, president of Irvine Company Retail Properties, “not the least of which are the 3,500 businesses, 80,000 office employees and a growing number of apartment homes that are a part of the company’s master plan for the Irvine Spectrum area.”
Santa Clara Square Marketplace
Santa Clara, California
Developer and owner: Irvine Company Retail Properties
Key tenants: Whole Foods Market will open a 50,000-sq.-ft. flagship store this summer, followed by fine-dining choices Fleming’s Steakhouse and Il Fornaio. Shops, fitness and fast-casual will include Sur La Table, Specialty’s Cafe & Bakery, CorePower Yoga, Books Inc., Opa! Authentic Greek Cuisine, Lula’s Chocolates and COMEBUY Drinks.
Construction status: Construction is nearing completion
The Irvine Company is bringing over 50 years of master building expertise to Santa Clara Square, a 100-acre sustainable community of office, specialty retail and “Main Street” that creates an urbanized ethos and lifestyle. Santa Clara Square will be a complete, walkable community within 30 acres of open space and parks. Notable features include world-class architecture, central Silicon Valley location, integrated 1.8 million sq. ft. of office space, 1,800 apartment homes, and walkable links to shopping and dining. The center’s architectural design is inspired by early California and Mediterranean styles, with outdoor terraces, lush landscaping and paseos.
An approximately 160,000-sq.-ft. shopping center, Santa Clara Square Marketplace will be home to Santa Clara’s first flagship 50,000-sq.-ft. Whole Foods Market, in addition to other fine and casual dining. The “Main Street” will have 40,000 sq. ft. of shops and dining, as well as a central plaza for community events. “At RECon, we’ll be meeting with retailers and restaurants and further sharing our plans for the Santa Clara Square campus. But this project is not the Irvine Company’s first foray into Silicon Valley,” said Dave Moore, president