The identities of the 100 signed tenants had been revealed at yesterday's hard-hat tour of the sprawling retail complex situated on the northwest corner of the Dallas North Tollway and West Park Boulevard in Plano. The 70% of committed retail space puts the mall developer ahead of schedule, according to general manager Craig Perry, a Taubman veteran who had overseen its successful Short Hills, NJ project.

The Shops at Willow Bend's freshly appointed management team also includes Edward Ritenour as marketing director and James A. Clough III as facilities director, both of Dallas. Taubman's David Weinert is overseeing leasing. Before it's all done, Perry says there will be a dozen employees in place to oversee the mall's day-to-day operations.

The five-anchor retail center is Taubman's first venture into Texas. And, it's also the first Texas location for retailers Armani Collezioni, Bruno Magli, Bisou Bisou, Charles Jourdan Paris, Chiasso, Diesel, Hugo/Hugo Boss, Kabana, Lalique, Nicole Miller, Stuart Weitzman and Swarovski. Equally impressive are the anchors: 150,000-sf Neiman Marcus, 140,000-sf Lord & Taylor, 250,000-sf Foley's, 250,000-sf Dillard's and 130,000-sf Saks Fifth Avenue, which trails the grand opening by nearly three years and will push the mall to 1.5 million sf. To put the project into perspective, there is 567,592 sf of leasable tenant space, which is large enough to accommodate 284 single-family homes, according to Taubman calculations. More tenants will be announced in the spring and summer.

Perry told GlobeSt.com that the Aug. 3 opening weekend draw is projected to hit 250,000. Taubman is putting together a family-driven tenant mix that's tailored to attract upscale shoppers from all surrounding suburbs. Nonetheless, Perry says he still expects Willow Bend's opening will be warmly received by mall competitors, primarily Dallas' Galleria and Frisco's Stonebriar Centre. Since Willow Bend's announcement nearly two years ago, its need has been brought into question by many in the metroplex retail world. Perry says the 70% occupancy speaks for itself. The 120-acre site abuts another 100 acres that Taubman plans to develop into a hotel, office, medical and additional retail space, according to previously announced plans.

"Willow Bend's anchors and these first 100 shops set the tone for what promises to be a premier fashion destination rivaling the finest shopping centers in the nation," Robert S. Taubman, Taubman president and CEO, says in a prepared statement.

The Bloomfield Hills, MI-based REIT owns and manages 27 urban and suburban regional and super regional shopping centers in 12 states. It presently has retail centers under construction in Miami, Tampa, Palm Beach and Orlando.

Instant Insights /

1.4-Mil SF The Shops at Willow Bend Reaches 70% Leasing; Aug. 3 Opening Set

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