Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Lenox Square Adding Some Big Names While Others Expand

Recent openings have included Brahmin, a handbag maker from New England that chose Lenox Square for its first boutique outside of Boston, and Clark's of England which opened its third metro store on the second level of Lenox (the others are at Perimeter Mall and Mall of Georgia). Fendi will open next to Bulgari on the main level. I previously reported this space was to be a Skecher's but instead Skecher's opted for the upper level space next to the recently opened Clark's. Fendi plans to open this fall, Skecher's should open in the coming days.

According to a few well placed sources, SIMON Property Group's Lenox Square is completing agreements for a number of new stores and a pair of expansions. (Lenox management refused to comment on the accuracy of these reports) On the luxury wing, both Salvatore Ferragamo and Louis Vuitton will expand their boutiques. Louis Vuitton, previously located where David Yurman is on the corner of the Luxury Wing, will grow its already large store near Ferragamo and Burberry. This time, Louis Vuitton will overtake the doorway / hallway separating it from Ferragamo and extend into the shuttered Mark Shale. This addition will add men's and women's ready-to-wear. Not to be left high and dry, Ferragamo plans to expand as well, taking a portion of Godiva, with Prada taking the other portion and somehow a piece of Mark Shale as well. Godiva being relocated would seem to be a tough sell for the chocolatier as they just expanded last year but perhaps the designers are willing will pay higher rent. Ermenegildo Zegna is also in talks for a space, possibly the recently shuttered Rowdy, or PURE Denim, which while not closed, needs to do so.

I have talked about Ermenegildo Zegna's Atlanta plans for years, not just because he shares my initials but because the designer is keen on having an Atlanta presence, renewed chatter indicates this may finally become reality. Herve Leger, owned by Max Azria, is eyeing the shuttered Bobby Jones spot. According to Wikipedia, Herve Leger currently has an Atlanta boutique, but that is not yet the case. In related news, Tom Ford, whose people were previously spotted scoping space in Lenox, and Paul Smith may both be contemplating Midtown but nothing firm is in place. None of this can be good news for Ben Carter and his plan to create the Rodeo Drive of Atlanta with "The Streets of Buckhead." Currently the project is on hold as Carter attempts to secure an additional $200 million in financing.

Personally, I see the vacant Mark Shale space as the perfect fit for Forever 21, a chain that has steadily grown both in number of stores and size of stores. Forever 21 recently took over multiple vacant Mervyn's locations on the west coast and have plans to open in the shuttered Virgin Megastore in New York's Times Square. Mark Shale's Lenox Store not only had a large selling floor but a giant storeroom and large breakroom. Even with the subtractions of space to other retailers, I think Forever 21 could do quite well in the space. Other possibilities for the mall, and in particular the shuttered Rowdy store on the luxury wing and the soon to close Calvin Klein store, would be Free People, Mango and Gilly Hicks. ToNeTo Atlanta

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8 comments:

Anonymous said...

How is the Mark Shale space relevant to the the expansions, its on a different side of the mall, next to Aldo and Pottery Barn and Banana Republic, not adjacent to the Luxury Wing

Atlantan99 said...

Anon,

From what I'm told, the Mark Shale store is shaped in such a way that is is useful to the Luxury Wing. If you were to walk out the doorway between Ferragamo and Vuitton, you'd see just how close the Mark Shale store is.

Thanks for the question and reading

Anonymous said...

What are your sources? LVMH?. Are these just rumors or are you simply basing your reports on Wikipedia and what you believe? Tom Ford, Prada, and Paul Smith?? C'mon seriously!? Didn't you report that Skechers was opening next to Bulgari?

Atlantan99 said...

Anon,

While I'm unwilling to disclose my sources for any information on this blog I will say that all content is believed to be accurate. The sources this info came from (yes, more than one) have been correct in the past and I believe are also on point in this case. While the Paul Smith and Tom Ford possibilities were just that, possibilities, the expansion of Louis Vuitton is on track. All other openings are more fluid as they have yet to be finalized.

Thanks as always for reading.

Atlantan99 said...

I received confirmation today that Louis Vuitton will expand and include a portion of Mark Shale as well as the hallway. This expansion will include the addition of ready-to-wear for men and women and is due to be complete by December.

Anonymous said...

I love your blog and usually you're spot on with your analysis. But I have to disagree with you on Forever 21? That store is more suited for Discover Mills, not Lenox - especially the main corridor.

Atlantan99 said...

Anon,

Let me start by thanking you for the kind words on the site and for the comment.

While I personally don't shop, nor would I shop at Forever 21, the sad truth is the current demographics that Lenox attracts would support the store.

Anonymous said...

Because theyre not at Atlantic Station, they do want an Atlanta address. They're taking over the former Saks 5th Avenue in Charleston, which is prime real estate being across from Gucci and Louis Vuitton.

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