LIVINGSTON, NJ, AUGUST 2, 2007 – Simon Property Group, Inc. (NYSE:SPG) announced today plans for a major renovation of Livingston Mall, a major shopping destination serving Essex, Morris and Union counties for over 30 years. Construction is expected to begin within the next several weeks with an anticipated completion in summer/fall 2008.
The 980,000 square-foot super-regional mall, anchored by Lord & Taylor, Macy's and Sears, originally opened in 1972 and received an updated look in 1991.
“We have established a very loyal shopper base over the years and through this renovation, we are confident that Livingston Mall will even better serve the needs of our customers, whether they are here to shop, dine, be entertained or just enjoy a welcoming and comfortable environment,” said Livingston Mall Manager Noreen Boyle.
“While we intend to focus on improvements that will appeal to all segments of our shopper base, we will place special emphasis on family-friendly amenities, especially since families account for much of the region's population base and growth, and Livingston Mall is such a popular destination for families to enjoy spending time together,” Boyle added.
The mall renovations will include new interior features/amenities such as additional seating areas, updated restrooms, with the addition of a family restroom, landscaping, lighting and flooring. Construction will begin soon and continue through November, then be placed on hiatus during the holiday season. Work will resume in January 2008 and is slated for completion in summer 2008.
Plans for exterior improvements and modifications, which feature new landscaping, signage and upgraded mall entrances, including a newly redesigned main, two-story glass entranceway, will go for review with the Livingston Planning Board shortly. With the impending approvals granted, the mall anticipates work would commence in early 2008, with a targeted completion date later next year.
LIVINGSTON RENOVATION
Specific projects include:
• Redesign of Center Court, featuring a new decorative elevator replacing the existing stairway and fountain along with a marble medallion embedded in the flooring on the lower level
• Enhance bridge rotundas at the upper and lower level escalator entranceways
• Architectural changes creating contemporary men's and women's restroom facilities, including new finishes, fixtures and lighting
• Upgraded mall entrances featuring new pavers, lighting, graphics and landscape features as well as a newly redesigned main, two-story glass entranceway
• Carpeted soft seating areas added throughout the mall for customer comfort and convenience
• New flooring installed throughout the mall with tile and the appearance of natural stone on the lower level and new carpeting on the upper level as well as tile in the concourse entranceways
• Redesign of the mall's common areas with new finishes and lighting
• New directional signage throughout the mall for an easy-to-navigate shopping experience
• Enhanced landscaping on the lower level mall entranceways
• New exterior signs, landscaping and directional signage at all vehicular entranceways
• Complete renovation of the South Orange Avenue monument sign
• Planned new interior children's play area
Boyle said that additional details about the renovation, including renovation timetable, color renderings and samples of new mall amenities and finish materials, will be announced in the near future. All work will be performed to minimize interference or customer inconvenience during the mall's operating hours.
The Livingston Mall renovation follows in the footsteps of the addition of a modern food court to the mall, a project that is well underway and is expected to be completed and fully operational late this fall. Once completed, the new food court will be located on the upper level near Macy's and include seating for almost 400. The refreshingly new area will also house seven tenants along with two food kiosks. Among those already scheduled to open are Burger King, Shoyu Japan, Subway, Popeye's Chicken, Sbarro and Master Wok.
In addition, construction is currently underway on a new Barnes & Noble, the nation's top bookseller brand. Located adjacent to the mall's main entranceway, the 28,000-square-foot location will offer a variety of selections, including over 200,000 titles as well as music, magazines, DVDs and videos. Shoppers will have an opportunity to browse the latest picks in literature and entertainment in a comfortable and inviting ambiance that will feature lounge chairs, reading tables and a delicious coffeehouse. The popular retailer is slated to be open to the public in fall 2008.
About Simon Property Group
Simon Property Group, Inc. is an S&P 500 company and the largest public U.S. real estate company. Simon is a fully integrated real estate company which operates from five retail real estate platforms: regional malls, Premium Outlet Centers®, The Mills®, community/lifestyle centers and international properties. It currently owns or has an interest in 380 properties comprising 258 million square feet of gross leasable area in North America, Europe and Asia. The Company is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana and employs more than 4,500 people worldwide. Simon Property Group, Inc. is publicly traded on the NYSE under the symbol SPG and has a current total market capitalization of approximately $50 billion. For further information, visit the Company's website at www.simon.com.
