Battlefield Mall begins work on lifestyle center

Demolition work began earlier this month on the soon-to-be lifestyle center, and retailers should be moved in and open for business by Thanksgiving. As for which retailers may be headed Springfield's way, mall officials are remaining tight-lipped.

The Gap, The Limited, Eddie Bauer, The Bombay Co. and Ozark Mountain Birdhouse all have closed in recent months, leaving many mall tenants speculating about the lifestyle center and higher lease rates. Express Men and Baker's Shoes have closed temporarily, while Express and Victoria's Secret have moved to temporary locations while renovations are made.

Rumors that a Pottery Barn and a Banana Republic are moving in have been squashed by corporate spokespeople.

Officials with Simon Property Group, Battlefield Mall's parent company, would not disclose an estimated cost for the new lifestyle center, saying only that it is a multi-million dollar investment.

The mall added several outward-facing stores in 2003 and 2004, including Chico's, Ann Taylor Loft and Coldwater Creek. The additional lifestyle center will be constructed just north of the existing lifestyle stores, next to Ruby Tuesday.

Retail space along the east wing will be spliced, with stores facing outward that have no interior entrances backing up against stores with no exterior entrances.

Also announced is a complete renovation of the mall to update its look and unify its scheme, said mall manager Rob Rector. That project, Simon's largest capital investment in the mall since 1982, is scheduled to begin at the end of March and be finished by Christmas.

Rector said the renovations will “marry the mall with the lifestyle center” and will involve new ceiling treatments, flooring in earth tones, more private and comfortable seating, expanded and family restrooms, new signage and more short-term leases for kiosk retailers.

Varsity Contractors in Springfield is handling the construction work. Wichita, Kan.-based The Law Co. is the general contractor, and Suttle Mindlin of St. Louis is the architect.

Click here to see Suttle Mindlin's rendering of the new lifestyle center.

Click here for the full story from Feb. 20.