Since last fall, Boston Properties, owner of Boston's prestigious Prudential Center in the Back Bay area since 1998, has started to see the fruits of its remerchandising of The Shops at Prudential Center. Today, retailers in the 466,000-sq.-ft. shops are averaging sales of $780 a square foot, which is attracting significant new retailers.
Last fall, Shaw's Supermarkets announced plans to open its 60,000 sq. ft. urban flagship store in Fall 2002. And to make room for more new arrivals to join existing anchors Lord & Taylor, Saks Fifth Avenue and Barnes & Noble, Boston Properties has embarked on a 150,000-sq.-ft. expansion of the shops.
New retailers recently joining the mix include J. Jill, El Portal, Berkshire Grille and Femme de Carriere, as well as an expansion by Levi's.
Bryan Koop, senior vice president and regional manager for Boston Properties, promises more announcements in the coming months.