Galleria at Sunset getting first renovation since ’96 opening

Expect to see some major changes at the Galleria at Sunset this year.

By fall, the mall’s multicolor motif of purple, orange and yellow will be history, replaced with a more sophisticated look achieved through the use of stone, dark woods, cream colors and sleek lines. The mall expanded in 2004, but the new venture is its first major renovation since opening in 1996.

It’s costing $7 million to renovate the 1.05 million-square-foot center, which houses more than 140 specialty stores, 11 fast-food restaurants and two full-service eateries. All stores and restaurants will remain open during construction.

“This is the right timing. We’re starting to see turnaround in our local and national economy,” Galleria at Sunset Marketing Director Heather Valera said.

Around the time that the renovations are scheduled to be finished, the Galleria at Sunset will be welcoming a two-story, 20,000-square-foot H&M and a Boutique Talulah. Express, Express Men’s and Bath & Body Works will move to accommodate H&M’s new store.

“A $7 million renovation as we’re starting to climb out of this economic slump we’ve been in speaks volumes. ... We hope this is the beginning of the trend,” said Bryan Wachter, government affairs director for the Retail Association of Nevada.

Wachter said that the Galleria has a following because of its location in Henderson, just off the Las Vegas Beltway and Sunset Road, not near any other regional malls.

The closest mall is Boulevard, which is about nine miles away.

“They have a regional competitiveness that some of our other shopping centers don’t,” Wachter said.

Valera said the Galleria’s recent sales are up low- to mid-single-digit percentages from in 2012.

“We’ve seen a stabilization, and then we saw a slight (sales) increase over the last year,” she said. “In 2013, those increases have been growing.”

Wachter said that retail overall in Southern Nevada is starting to flourish again, which underscores a rise in consumer confidence and that retailers have faith in the area and want to be here.

“Stores are always reinventing themselves, and with the advent of the Internet, they have to work harder to provide a better experience for shoppers,” Wachter said. “Our retailers excel at that, and it’s what allows us to provide a more comprehensive retail experience than you’d find elsewhere.”

Changes to the Galleria at Sunset will include new lighting, seating, tile, handrails and a new guest services center. The center court will be completely updated.

“It brings a new level of sophistication to the center,” Valera said of the project. “The food court is really going to go through a massive transformation.”

Also, a family restroom will be built, equipped with private nursing rooms and a family waiting area.

The project contractor is VCC USA .

The mall, which is owned and operated by Forest City Enterprises, has Macy’s, J.C. Penney, Dillard’s, Kohl’s and Dick’s Sporting Goods as anchor tenants. Specialty stores include Coach, Buckle, Forever 21, Abercrombie & Fitch and Victoria’s Secret.

Contact reporter Laura Carroll at
lcarroll@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-4588.
Follow @lscvegas on Twitter.