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The Shops at North Bridge will receive a $40 million facelift and a new strategy to entice experiential, or interactive, retailers to open at the sprawling six-block shopping mall.
Construction on the interior will start this month, followed by exterior work. The renovations are expected to position the mall, at 520 N. Michigan Ave., as a “premier, experience-driven destination,” the mall announced last week.
“At The Shops at North Bridge, we’re investing in the future of experiential urban retail and the continued evolution of Michigan Avenue as a global destination,” Deb Mattes, senior general manager at Centennial, the mall’s management company, said in a news release. “This redevelopment is designed to create a stronger sense of arrival, encourage visitors to spend more time within the property and deliver an experience that reflects the energy and international appeal of Chicago.”
The Shops at North Bridge, 520 N. Michigan Ave., will undergo a $40 million renovation.
Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Renovations will include updates to its Michigan Avenue entrance, which will include a new glass facade backlit with an LED archway display. The second entrance, at Grand Avenue and Rush Street, will have digital displays, enhanced lighting and modernized finishes, according to a news release.
Inside, the mall's central atrium will become a gathering space with a suspended sculptural installation. There will also be a bar and lounge area, along with other upgrades throughout the mall.
The exterior renovations are expected to be completed in 2027, the mall said. It will remain open during construction.
The Shops at North Bridge is planning to update its central atrium.
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Provided by Centennial
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Rendering of The Shops at North Bridge, which is planning a $40 million renovation.
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Provided by Centennial
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Rendering of the second entrance into The Shops at North Bridge, which is planning a $40 million renovation.
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Provided by Centennial
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The rear entrance of The Shops at North Bridge, at the corner of East Grand Avenue and North Rush Street, will be updated with enhanced lighting and digital displays.
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Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
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Anchored by a four-story Nordstrom, the mall is also home to Eataly, Jellycat , Pop Mart and other retail and dining options.
Michigan Avenue has seen a number of new retailers and experiential businesses recently announced there, such as a flagship American Eagle Outfitters and the Candy Hall of Fame Experience , after years of high retail vacancies during the pandemic. The mall's reinvestment also follows the $170 million redevelopment plan at Water Tower Place , announced in April.
“The success of this project is directly connected to the continued success of The Magnificent Mile and downtown Chicago,” Amy Preston, managing principal at consulting firm Preston Design & Construction Consulting, said in the release. “This redevelopment represents a long-term investment in the future of the corridor — creating new energy, attracting new audiences, and contributing to the continued momentum of one of the world’s most iconic retail destinations.”
Luke Molloy, senior vice president at CBRE, the project's leasing team, said in a news release that The Shops at North Bridge will become “one of the greatest comeback stories in Chicago retail history.”
“The Shops at North Bridge first emerged as one of The Magnificent Mile’s premier retail destinations, and the fundamentals that originally drove its success remain firmly in place,” Molloy said. “The property sits at one of the most prominent intersections on North Michigan Avenue, benefiting from exceptional foot traffic and a day-time population density not found anywhere else in Chicago. It is anchored by the top- performing Nordstrom, and ownership is financially committed to curating a best-in-class tenant mix.”
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