The promise of Parole as a retail magnet is closer to being realized this week as Westfield Annapolis unveils a $150 million mall expansion of 60 stores and restaurants just in time to capitalize on the holiday shopping season.
Tomorrow's opening will make the mall the largest in Anne Arundel County, at 1.5 million square feet. The completion of the 240,000-square-foot addition on Westfield's north side comes as building has kicked into high gear at Annapolis Towne Centre at Parole, a $400 million project of homes, shops and office space less than a mile from the mall.
At least 250 business and government leaders will attend tomorrow's opening, touching off four days of special events that include appearances at the new Under Armour store by Ravens star Ray Lewis and Olympic figure skater Kimmie Meissner.
As crews at Westfield worked furiously over the weekend, officials there said they were confident their ambitious 18-month project would be completed as scheduled. Ten stores are moving to the new wing; nine more stores and restaurants are not scheduled to be open until 2008.
"As we speak, stores are stocking merchandise," Lee Sterling, regional marketing director for the Westfield Group, the parent owner, said yesterday. "We are finishing up all sorts of things, painting and putting up window displays."
Westfield Group, an international shopping-center company based in Australia that owns 57 shopping centers in the United States, has signed up retailers Pottery Barn and H&M as the "mini-anchors" for the new wing facing Bestgate Road.
The expansion will also bring in new dining options, such as McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurant and Noodles & Co. (Southwestern-themed Austin Grill is scheduled to open next year.)
Among the changes are:
Four parking areas with more than 1,000 new spaces. Many of the spots are on rooftop structures built next to the stores.
A circular gathering area near Macy's, previously a popular place for young children, has been converted into an amphitheater for children's shows and events. It includes an elaborate water feature with a bridge.
Two new main entrances including trellises.
Leather couches replacing wooden benches in some areas.
The children's play area overhauled with a maritime theme.
The expansion is expected to add more than 1,000 full- and part-time positions to the current 3,500 at the mall's 150 specialty shops, five anchors stores and 11-screen movie theater.
