Galleria to get major overhaul, new luxury stores

HOUSTON – Houston's top shopping destination is getting a major overhaul.

KPRC 2 got an exclusive first look at the Galleria's multimillion-dollar renovation, including details on the newest luxury stores on the way.

The CEO of Simon Property Group, David Simon, walked Dominique Sachse through the changes.

"Houston Galleria is one of the best retail assets in America," said Simon. "And over the next couple years we're spending $250 million to make it even better."

It all starts with a new wing; Saks Fifth Avenue will move to a new state-of-the-art building next to the current location.

"They open next spring, then we get the old Saks store back and then we create 110,000 new square footage of specialty retail," said Simon.

That will include 35 new luxury stores and restaurants, and eventually, residential space.

Galleria I and II are also getting a facelift.

"Even though it's a great physical environment right now, it can always be better," Simon said. "We're going to upgrade the flooring, the ceiling, the sight-line so that when we have the new Saks store, you can basically go see all the way through."

Escalators will be relocated near Neiman Marcus to help improve flow.

Outside the Galleria, you'll see construction on a new free-standing building called the Jewel Box. "It's going to be a 14,000-square-foot state-of-the-art luxury modern facility that will hold The Webster, which is a brand new retail company coming to the Houston area," said Simon. "This particular location is wedged between Tiffany to the East and Armani to the West and it overlooks Westheimer."

Simon also revealed three other new retailers coming to the Galleria: La Perla, a women's clothing store specializing in lingerie; Tod's, which specializes in shoes and leather goods and  Céline, a French ready-to-wear and leather retailer opening in 2016.

"You're going to see improvements everywhere," said Simon.

Most of the work will happen at night, so it won't disrupt shopping.

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Exterior of The Galleria