The proponents have been working nearly five years to overcomecost, permitting and site challenges to advance the super-sized LacMirabel, which will be built on a 320-acre site alongside Autoroute15 heading towards the Laurentian resort area. Likened in scope tothe Alberta's West Edmonton Mall--deemed the world's largestshopping center--and the Mall of America in Minnesota, Lac Mirabelwill be anchored by outdoor-gear outfitter Cabela's in a 170,000-sfexpanse.

There will also be a 100,000-sf Montreal Caldea Spa; 60,000-sfelectric kart track; and KidTropolis, a 70,000-sf "indoor city"billed as an educational program that also serves to keep theyounger set pre-occupied.

Both Gordon and Stahl are well schooled in large retail andentertainment construction initiatives, with Gordon Group havingbuilt the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas; Bridgemarketin New York City; and the Beverly Center in Los Angeles in tandemwith Taubman Centers. Stahl, meanwhile, oversaw the West EdmontonMall development prior to shifting his focus towards Lac Mirabel.US-based Morgan Stanley is a leading global financial services andadvisory company whose clients have invested billions of dollars incommercial real estate properties and securities.