As if Mall of America isn’t big enough already.
Canada-based Triple Five Group, which owns the 4.8-million sf enclosed mega shopping center and mixed-use complex in Bloomington, Minn., submitted plans to the city for a $500 million, 1.1-million-sf addition that’s dubbed The Collections at MOA.
The Minnepolis Star-Tribune reports that the expansion calls for 580,000 sf of new retail and mall space on three floors that would target luxury shoppers, a 180-room luxury hotel, 120 full-time residences atop the hotel, and 168,000 sf of office space. A health club is also a possibility.
The proposal also includes a third parking structure with between 600 and 650 more spaces in two underground buildings.
Ryan Cos. US Inc. is the general contractor for this project, which is Ryan’s first involvement in Mall of America. The architect DLR designed the addition. If approved, work would begin next April with an opening scheduled for October 2018.
The plans show the enclosed areas bathed by natural light through at least three large skylights. This expansion would come on the heels of a $325 million “front door” project—known as Phase 1C—on the Mall’s north side that is still under construction, and includes a new seven-story office tower, a 342-room J.W. Marriott hotel, and specialized retail.
The first part of Phase 1C—a new food court on the third floor—opened to the public last month. The first and second floors won’t been accessible until next year.
TripleFive’s latest proposal is the first step of a grander plan whose second phase reportedly would include an even larger, 2-million-sf addition for retail, hotel, and entertainment space. If all of these various phases are ever completed, the Mall would encompass 8.8 million sf.
Mall of America, which opened in 1992, currently attracts 40 million visitors a year, two-fifths of whom are tourists. It houses more than 520 stores, and hosts more than 400 events annually.
Related Stories
| Jan 2, 2015
Construction put in place enjoyed healthy gains in 2014
Construction consultant FMI foresees—with some caveats—continuing growth in the office, lodging, and manufacturing sectors. But funding uncertainties raise red flags in education and healthcare.
| Dec 29, 2014
New data-gathering tool for retail designers [BD+C's 2014 Great Solutions Report]
Beacon technology personalizes smartphone messaging, creating a new information resource for store designers. It was named a 2014 Great Solution by the editors of Building Design+Construction.
| Dec 28, 2014
AIA course: Enhancing interior comfort while improving overall building efficacy
Providing more comfortable conditions to building occupants has become a top priority in today’s interior designs. This course is worth 1.0 AIA LU/HSW.
| Dec 28, 2014
7 fresh retail design strategies
Generic ‘boxes’ and indifferent service won’t cut it with today’s savvy shoppers. Retailers are seeking a technology-rich-but-handmade vibe, plus greater speed to market and adaptability.
| Dec 8, 2014
How brick and mortar enables online retail
According to a shopping preferences study conducted by A.T. Kearney, as many as two-thirds of shoppers go to a physical store before or after making an online purchase, writes Gensler's Jill Nickels.
| Nov 24, 2014
Must see: Plans released for underwater city that could house 5,000 people
The design centers around a floating, 500-meter-wide sphere linked to a resource center on the ocean floor via a 15-kilometer, helix-shaped path.
| Nov 18, 2014
New tool helps developers, contractors identify geographic risk for construction
The new interactive tool from Aon Risk Solutions provides real-time updates pertaining to the risk climate of municipalities across the U.S.
| Oct 29, 2014
Better guidance for appraising green buildings is steadily emerging
The Appraisal Foundation is striving to improve appraisers’ understanding of green valuation.
| Oct 27, 2014
Report estimates 1.2 million people experience LEED-certified retail centers daily
The "LEED In Motion: Retail" report includes USGBC’s conceptualization of the future of retail, emphasizing the economic and social benefit of green building for retailers of all sizes and types.
| Oct 16, 2014
Perkins+Will white paper examines alternatives to flame retardant building materials
The white paper includes a list of 193 flame retardants, including 29 discovered in building and household products, 50 found in the indoor environment, and 33 in human blood, milk, and tissues.