Washtenaw County’s newest destination shopping center is preparing for its grand opening later this month.
The 90,700-square-foot Arbor Hills plans to open Aug. 22 on Washtenaw Avenue between Platt Road and Huron Parkway.
The center was bustling last week as construction crews worked to complete the buildings’ facades and landscape the site. Portions of the buildings still need windows installed, and the center’s tenants are working to complete individual renovations.
Arbor Hills development on Washtenaw Avenue
The developers have 17 signed leases, including national, regional and local tenants
The developers estimate the project created 1,300 jobs through the planning and construction process. Together, the retailers have hired hundreds of full- and part-time employees.
“Construction is right on schedule,” said North Shore Properties Group’s Max Reiswerg, one of the project’s developers. “It’s going to be a nice opening.”
Arbor Hills has 17 confirmed retail and restaurant tenants, which includes a mix of national retailers — such as Anthropologie and The North Face — and local tenants — such as V2V and Running Fit. The project also includes about 10,000 square feet of office space.
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A driver climbs into the cab of his semi parked in front of Anthropologie in Arbor Hills shopping center on Washtenaw Ave. on Thursday, August 8, 2013
Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com
Confirmed restaurant tenants in Arbor Hills include Pizzeria Biga and Zola Bistro — a restaurant by the owners of downtown Ann Arbor’s Cafe Zola.
Reiswerg said there is one retail space available in the shopping center, and he’s negotiating a lease with a high-profile restaurant user for another space.
Arbor Hills broke ground in June 2012, and vacant commercial buildings and a former car dealership were demolished to make way for the center. Four buildings were constructed on the 7.45-acre site, with parking interspersed between the structures.
The project’s architects — New York-based BKSK Architects and Troy-based reForm Studios — designed the Arbor Hills buildings with textured brick, steel, wood and glass. Industrial-style reclaimed highway billboards are the focal point of the center’s design.
Reiswerg, along with co-developer Tom Stegeman, worked to meet some goals of the ReImagine Washtenaw initiative, including putting the buildings close to the street to promote pedestrian connectivity.
As of Friday, Aug. 9, the new traffic light at the intersection of Platt and Washtenaw was flashing yellow for drivers on Washtenaw. Soon, it will switch over to stop-and-go operation.
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An employee stocks the display shelves at a Sur La Table location in suburban Houston.
Photo courtesy of CITYCENTRE Houston
Among the tenants that plan to open Aug. 22: Glassbox Coffee & Juice, Madewell, My Urban Toddler, Hot Mama, Running Fit, Sur La Table, lululemon, The North Face, V2V, Paper Source and Anthropologie.
Many tenants plan to offer deals on the day of the grand opening, such as 15 percent off every purchase at Hot Mama boutique and a “mystery” discount to the first 25 customers at Madewell.
Running Fit plans to host a run in County Farm Park, and lululemon plans to host a trail run, CrossFit class and yoga class during the opening weekend.
Arbor Hills will celebrate its grand opening starting at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 22. The retailers' hours will be: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday; 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. The restaurants' hours will vary.
Lizzy Alfs is a business reporter for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at 734-623-2584 or email her at lizzyalfs@annarbor.com. Follow her on Twitter at http://twitter.com/lizzyalfs.