Fashion Outlets of Chicago Gears Up For August 1 Grand Opening

CHICAGO, JULY 30,  2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Fashion Outlets of Chicago, a 530,000 square-foot luxury retail destination located just minutes from O'Hare International Airport and 15 miles from downtown Chicago, will open its doors for the first time to thousands of eager shoppers on August 1.

The first fully-enclosed outlet mall built in Chicago in more than two decades, Fashion Outlets of Chicago is nearly 95% leased and will be home to 130 stores, including anchors Bloomingdale's The Outlet Store, Neiman Marcus Last Call, Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5th and Forever 21, as well as outlet locations from high-fashion brands such as Gucci, Tory Burch, and Barneys New York. A number of brands are also opening their first outlet store in Chicago, including Longchamp, Vince Camuto, Ports 1961 and L'Occitane.

"Fashion Outlets of Chicago is a world-class destination that will cater to travelers, shoppers and visitors far beyond Chicago to around the entire globe," said AWE Talisman Board Chairman Arthur Weiner. "This development marks a shift in the retail outlet industry with the highest caliber of retailers, entertainment and culture."

U.S. outlet developers and managers AWE Talisman and Macerich led the retail project, integrating travel, art, retail and dining in an unprecedented fashion. "This is an exciting new model for what outlet properties can be," said Ed Coppola, President of Macerich. "Fashion Outlets of Chicago is a great fit for our portfolio of fortress properties that not only offer exceptional retail, but also the convenience and top-tier amenities shoppers want today."

Among the innovations is The Arts Initiative, founded and curated by Arthur and Miami-based gallery Primary Projects, which will feature highly interactive visual arts integrated into the architectural framework of the property. Popular contemporary artists, such as Daniel Arsham, Jen Stark and Bhakti Baxter, created art that ascends the sides of escalators, throughout vestibules and entryways and suspended from ceilings.

Fashion Outlets of Chicago will celebrate its grand opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday, August 1, and strolling live entertainment through Sunday, August 4. Shoppers will be treated to exciting performances and theatrics from Cirque Dreams, whose colorful characters dressed in award-winning costumes, will mingle throughout the mall with interactive antics, whimsical wit and pantomime. Informal modeling, balloon artists and face painters will also be on-site grand opening weekend from August 1-4.

Fashion Outlets of Chicago will maximize its accessibility to and from O'Hare International Airport with a first of its kind concierge service, operated by TSA-certified BAGS Inc., which gives travelers the option to check luggage and print boarding passes from Fashion Outlets of Chicago. Additionally, Fashion Outlets of Chicago will operate regular shuttles to and from O'Hare International Airport, as well as downtown hotels, with transportation partner Go Airport Express.

Located at 5220 Fashion Outlets Way, Fashion Outlets of Chicago is convenient to travel to via public transit. Shoppers are encouraged to take advantage of its proximity to the Rosemont CTA Blue Line stop. The Pace Suburban Bus Service will offer a free shuttle bus from the Rosemont Blue Line that will bring shoppers directly to Fashion Outlets of Chicago. Additionally, Fashion Outlets of Chicago is a five minute walk from the North Central Metra Rail line's Rosemont stop on Balmoral Ave.

For more information, visit Fashion Outlets of Chicago online.

About Fashion Outlets of Chicago
Fashion Outlets of Chicago, located in Rosemont, IL, is developed, owned and operated by AWE Talisman and Macerich. The 530,000 square foot fully enclosed structure spans two floors and includes a diverse portfolio of more than 130 outlets. The Fashion Outlets of Chicago will open August 1, 2013. For additional information, please visit our website, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @FashionChicago.

About AWE Talisman
AWE Talisman is the developer and manager of the Fashion Outlets designer outlet center brand (in Primm, Nevada, Santa Fe, New Mexico and Niagara Falls, New York).  In addition AWE Talisman, along with its partner Macerich, is developing the 530,000-sf Fashion Outlets of Chicago in Rosemont, Illinois, which will open in August 1, 2013.  For additional information on the Fashion Outlets of Chicago please see our website at www.fashionoutletsofchicago.com.

About Macerich
Macerich (NYSE:MAC), an S&P 500 Company, is a fully integrated self-managed and self-administered real estate investment trust, which focuses on the acquisition, leasing, management, development and redevelopment of regional malls throughout the United States. Macerich currently owns approximately 61 million square feet of gross leaseable area consisting primarily of interests in 58 regional shopping centers. Additional information about Macerich can be obtained from the Company's website at www.macerich.com.

SOURCE Fashion Outlets of Chicago