Houston Galleria facelift, add 100,000 SF of retail

HOUSTON – Simon Property Group is revamping the Galleria. The new changes include a new 198,000-sf Saks Fifth Avenue store, a high-rise residential tower and the addition of a multitenant building for high-end luxury boutiques.

The existing Saks will be converted into a two-level wing that will house up to 35 luxury retailers and restaurants. Saks will open in its new location as a two-story department store, where the Macy’s on Sage is currently, in fall 2015.

Macy’s will consolidate into its Hidalgo Galleria store. The retailer has operated two stores in the Galleria since its 2005 acquisition of the Foley’s chain, which had a lease in the mall, as well.

Simon’s plans also include upgrades to the interior, exterior and parking decks of the mall. The overall plan will eventually add 100,000 sf of new retail space to the Galleria.

The Galleria, the nation’s fourth-largest shopping center, is jointly owned by an affiliate of Simon and Illinois-based Institutional Mall Investors LLC. The Galleria covers 2.2 million sf and includes about 400 stores and restaurants, two hotels and three office towers. Other upgrades to the Galleria, such as LED lighting in the parking garages and new directional signs, are underway.