UNCASVILLE, CT-Mohegan Sun says it will begin construction later this year on a 200,000-square-foot retail expansion at the casino resort property here.

Called the “Downtown District,” the expansion will feature entertainment, shopping and dining venues and is expected to be completed in early 2015. The project will be developed by a partnership of The Hampshire Companies and The Bronson Companies.

“We are excited to be adding The Downtown District to Mohegan Sun here in Connecticut, as these attractions and brand names will add yet another layer to the already existing excitement and overall experience,” says Mitchell Etess, CEO for the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority. “The project is moving along nicely with financing already in place and tenant interest is strong.”

Among the project's key features will include the Taste of New England Gourmet Hall, a pavilion of artisan food purveyors from throughout the six-state region; the 55,000-square-foot Marquee Cinemas 14-plex Premium Cinema and the more than 20,000-square-foot Kings Bowl, which offers upscale, retro-inspired bowling and dining, operated by Boston-based The Lyons Group. In addition, the expansion will also have a “High Street Fashion” component of retail shops that will join Coach, Tiffany, Sephora, Tommy Bahama, Puma and others already in operation at the resort. Mohegan Sun reports that already signed on as part of High Street Fashion is the PopNShop, a store that morphs on a monthly basis offering top designers, trunk shows, product debuts and special sales.