Simon to Renovate, Expand Iconic Fashion Centre at Pentagon City

By Adrian Maties, Associate Editor

The Fashion Centre at Pentagon City, the largest enclosed shopping mall in Arlington, is getting a makeover. Property owner Simon Property Group Inc. announced on April 16 its plans to renovate and expand the upscale shopping mall.

The Fashion Centre at Pentagon City opened in October 1989 and quickly became an important part of Pentagon City. The almost 1 million-square-foot, three-story mall is anchored by Nordstrom and Macy’s, and is home to more than 170 stores. The tenant roster includes Apple, Banana Republic, Victoria’s Secret, Sephora, Michael Kors, Henri Bendel, Hugo Boss and many others. Recently, Simon remodeled and expanded the restrooms on the Metro Level and added new family restrooms.

The multi-phase project calls for further improvements to the interior and exterior, the addition of new elevators and escalators and a redesign of the food court. Work will also soon start on a 50,000-square-foot expansion along Hayes Street that will include a new entrance, a new office lobby, two new levels of shops and restaurants, as well as valet parking. Simon will soon make public the list of new tenants.

“On the inside of the mall, we are planning a number of improvements to enhance our customers’ overall experience and improve the ambience of The Fashion Centre at Pentagon City, whether they are here to shop, to dine or just to enjoy a welcoming and comfortable environment,” said Laurie VanDalen, the mall’s general manager, in a statement for the press. “This project will completely transform the look and feel of our center.”

The project was designed by Dallas-based Omniplan Architects. Simon Property Group has retained VCC as the general contractor. The renovation and expansion project is expected to be completed in 2015.

Photo credit: Simon Property Group Inc.