Retail owners are continuing to make major investments in their mall properties as a way of evolving with consumer's changing retail needs. The latest project to undergo renovation is Manhattan Village, a 44-acre, 573,000-square-foot mixed-use retail property. The property is undergoing a massive makeover to the tune of $180 million, and JLL has hired Don Ziss as general manager to oversee the project. The project is currently under construction and is scheduled for completion in 2020. Until then, we sat down with Ziss to talk about the project and the project's goals, and why this new position was a good fit for him.

GlobeSt.com: What was the impetus to redevelop Manhattan Village, and why was this project a good candidate for redevelopment?

Don Ziss: The impetus for the redevelopment of Manhattan Village was to take an already successful asset with an excellent line-up of highly desired and successful retailers including Apple, Sephora, Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, Kiehl's and Williams-Sonoma, just to name a few, and enhance the shopping experience by making a seamless connection of the entire asset including the interior mall, exterior dining and retail and adjacent community center. The new Manhattan Village will be one single-statement center featuring a new, open-air Plaza and social gathering space enhanced with curated dining and retail options, taking full advantage of the location and climate Manhattan Beach has to offer. The customer's behavior has changed significantly in the last few years and the redevelopment of Manhattan Village allows us to add chef-inspired dining, entertainment and additional retail that offer unique experiences at each interaction, something customers expect today.

GlobeSt.com: What is the vision of the project?

Ziss: Situated in one of the nation's wealthiest beach communities, Manhattan Village is a 44-acre, 573,000-square-foot mixed use center serving Los Angeles County's affluent South Bay and Silicon Beach tech startup areas. At the heart of the redevelopment is a 53,300-square-foot expansion of curated open-air retail and restaurant space, adjacent to a fully renovated enclosed shopping center with an already strong tenant mix. A new full-service, upscale Macy's will replace the existing locations and become one consolidated 168,000-square-foot store. When complete, the new Manhattan Village will be a 648,000-square-foot indoor-outdoor shopping experience introducing modern luxury and coastal-chic, while embracing the allure and hometown feel of the West Coast lifestyle. The project is being developed in phases and is slated for full completion in 2020.

GlobeSt.com: Why was this position as general manager a good fit for you, and what will your role in the project entail?

Ziss: I have an extensive background in retail property management in Southern California. I am also a resident of the South Bay, so my connection to the community is key to ensuring the vision of Manhattan Village is carried out in all aspects of the redevelopment. On the project, I will be responsible for all property management during and after construction, ensuring the customer experience is first-class from pre-arrival to post-visit. My team oversees operations, security, marketing, specialty leasing and the center's concierge.

GlobeSt.com: Retail has undergone a massive evolution recently. What are some of the challenges of putting a project like this together, and how do you overcome those challenges?

Ziss: Some may call it a challenge, but the redevelopment of Manhattan Village is an opportunity. An opportunity to bring a sophisticated mix of dining and retail to Manhattan Beach. The leasing team is carefully selecting a curated mix of restaurants and retailers you won't see at a traditional shopping center. These new restaurants and retailers will be located throughout the center including a cluster of new restaurants within our new Village Shops, an outdoor dining and shopping destination right at Manhattan Village's front door. The Village Shops and Plaza area will create a place for the community to gather, socialize and celebrate coastal living.

GlobeSt.com: What types of tenants are you looking to fill the space, and what has leasing activity been like so far–considering it is early in the project?

Ziss: The new Manhattan Village will feature a unique mix of chef-inspired dining and retail to surprise and delight customers. Leasing activity has been very strong and JLL will be announcing the first group of newly signed leases prior to ICSC ReCon Las Vegas.

Instant Insights /

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