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Issue #12 December 6, 2013
Ala Moana Center, the largest open-air shopping center in the world, is undergoing another round of development, with construction scheduled to begin in earnest early next year and end in fall 2015. With the holiday season upon us, we decided to take a look at what’s in store for the world-famous retail destination.
The most evident indication of development was the closing of the Ala Moana Sears on Sunday, June 2. The 54-year-old Sears department store was one of the five main tenants at Ala Moana. The other four are Macy’s, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus and Shirokiya. The closing of the Sears Ala Moana is part of a Sears Holdings Corporation $270 million sale of 11 estates nationwide to Chicago-based General Growth Properties, the owner of Ala Moana Center.
The closing of Sears is part of General Growth’s $572 million redevelopment plan to recreate the entire ʻewa wing of Ala Moana Center, which will add approximately 650,000 square feet of additional retail space and more than 1,000 parking spaces in the mauka ʻewa parking structure. Of the additional 650,000 square feet, Hawaiʻi’s first Bloomingdale’s department store will occupy 167,000 square feet on three floors. Boutique tenants, large-format retailers, dining spots and entertainment will occupy the remainder of area.
“Ala Moana will provide an exceptional environment for the distinctive, upscale shopping experience for which Bloomingdale’s is world famous,” said Michael Gould, chairman and CEO of Bloomingdale’s. “It is a beautiful open-air shopping center that is a recognized destination not only for local customers from the Hawaiian islands, but also for visitors from the U.S. mainland, Asia and worldwide. In Hawaiʻi, we will offer global customers the unique Bloomingdale’s sense of contemporary style, as well as the attentive service that sets us apart.”
General Growth’s CEO Sandeep Mathrani said Ala Moana Center draws 42 million shoppers every year, with sales surpassing $1,400 per square foot, making Ala Moana Center General Growth’s most productive mall.
“Adding Bloomingdale’s to its stellar department store and retailer line-up only furthers Ala Moana’s status as a premier retail destination,” Mathrani said. “I believe the expansion and renovation of Ala Moana will set the standard of excellence for re-investing in a property.”
Besides the additions to the ʻewa wing, Saturday, Nov. 16, marked the opening of Ala Moana’s newly renovated center court. This includes a new center stage, an upgraded customer service center, new tenant shops (such as AT&T, Minamoto Kitchoan and Big Island Abalone) and improved common areas with an additional 2,000 square feet of space for larger walkways.
For updates on the construction at Ala Moana Center, go here.