Mall of America Phase Two (Minneapolis, Bloomington: loan, construction jobs, theater)

[Laggard]

Man, what the hey happened to all the clubs and bars on the 4th floor?

[duluthian2008]

They left a few years ago due to some becoming bankrupt and some just not doing as well as they thought. Dave and Busters was going to locate a giant location occupying all of these empty spaces but backed out last year. The mall is still trying to fill these spaces.

[Astron1000]

Originally Posted by Globe199

Aren't they still waiting for more taxpayer money to finance the parking ramp? I thought they needed something like $200m for that alone.

The Minnesota legislature last week allowed the City of Bloomington to use public financing for infrastructure improvements for Phase II.

Originally Posted by Globe199

And whilst this may not exactly be a good example, a number of higher-end stores on Nicollet Mall have closed recently, including Saks and Ralph Lauren.

Actually only Ralph Lauren closed, but it's been replaced by luxury-oriented J.B. Hudson Jewelers. Saks is still there, but it's been re-branded as Saks Off Fifth, so now you can buy $300 men's shirts for $150. And a new Brooks Brothers has opened in City Center. I don't think the situation is dire.


BTW, here's the architectural sketch of Phase II. Kimpton has signed on as the hotel tenant:

[duluthian2008]

I have a few other sketches I will upload tomorrow.

[Jeanie Hoholik]

What's Gilly Hicks?

[nick is rulz]

Originally Posted by Laggard

Man, what the hey happened to all the clubs and bars on the 4th floor?

smoking ban killed em. Yay for banning personal freedom!

[golfgal]

Originally Posted by nick is rulz

smoking ban killed em. Yay for banning personal freedom!

Except they were long gone before the ban was even bill. They have been gone for a few years now.

[duluthian2008]

What's Gilly Hicks?

Gilly Hicks is the new Abercrombie and Fitch lingerie brand that is for girls from the ages of 18 and up. It is located on the second level, kiddie corner to Abercrombie and Fitch in MOA and there are currently 5 locations in the country. They estimate that when Gilly Hicks is to its full potential it will have 800 stores. Next to Gilly Hicks, Ruehl No. 925 is being built and will open in late spring or early summer. Ruehl No. 925 is also a new brand from Abercrombie and Fitch and its clothes are targeted for men and women ages 22-35. When this store is complete Mall of America will be one of two malls (the other is Natick Collection) in the world to have all five of the Abercrombie and Fitch brands in one place. Gilly Hicks store is split into eleven rooms, each selling something different. In the middle there is a long corridor that runs from the front Foyer to the back room, which sells bras. This corridor includes, leather furniture, a chandelier, fragrances, lotions and body wash all for sale. Gilly Hicks is design to look like an Australian Manor. It has a large porch streching across the front, with wooden furniture to sit on, and the inside is also designed to look like a home. I do have to say that this is the most impressive store I have ever been in in my life. Gilly Hicks was created to compete with Victorias Secret and also the new brand "Aerie" by American Eagle. Ruehl No. 925 will also be a very impressive store as it is designed to look like a apartment from Greenwich, New York. Below are a pictures of Ruehl and two links for Gilly Hicks photos.

Ruehl No. 925 (Above)

The Ruehl No. 925 above is an outdoor location at Easton Town Center.

*** It wouldnt let me upload anything from Gilly Hicks so below are a few links.
Google Image Result for http://lh3.google.com/_hDtFHux-GTQ/R5v0Q2r4bzI/AAAAAAAAAy4/8k-i7-7l9OY/s800/IMG_0256.jpg

Tenant Profile

[duluthian2008]

By the way here are the current MOA Phase Two Renderings.

Entertainment District (Top Floor).

Home District

Town Square.

Hotel Entrance.

Site Plan for floor 1.

I have more pictures of phase two but they are saved on my computer, not internet ones, does anyone know if I can someway upload those also?

[talktobrent]

Another 4th floor "entertainment district"? First off all, people don't want to go to a mall to go out. they associate malls with screaming kids and pretzel stands. Second, if they are going to put bars and entertainment in the mall it should be in a heavily trafficked area, not a ghostland of a top floor.