At 4.2 million square feet, The
But starting this fall, the mall is planning to add up to 5.6 million square feet of space in hopes of drawing an additional 20 million visitors annually.
According to the mall's website, the new expansion will aim to attract customers with annual household incomes of $100,000 or more.
Unlike the existing mall, the new stores and lodging options will be in a "boutique" style. The expansion will also add up to 8,000 parking spaces.
The mall has become something of a
Management wants to cater to these higher-income customers by putting an emphasis on luxury retailers and by offering features like valet parking, a wellness center, multiple spas, a permanent museum-quality exhibition space.
They've already added a Radisson Blu Hotel, which is part of an Radisson's upscale chain. The mall is also looking to up the quality of its food offerings; food courts will be known as "food halls" and menus will feature less pizza and soda in favor of more sushi and wine.
The expansion will end up costing about $2.5 billion in total and will take place in several stages, according to the Pioneer Press. The first phase of construction will begin this fall and will cost about $250 million, adding about 50 new stores and expanding the mall to the north.
The Pioneer Press also reports that among the new amenities will be a state-of-the-art water park and accompanying resort with 300 to 400 rooms and an NHL-sized indoor skating rink.
Check out some renderings of the expansion below:
The mall recently added a Radisson Blu, an internationally-known hotel intended to attract higher-income guests.
This part of the expansion will begin in the fall (note the waterpark and resort hotel in yellow).
