Representatives with McCain Mall and Simon Property Group of Indianapolis on Monday announced more details about a planned renovation to the North Little Rock shopping center, which include a 12-screen digital movie theater.
The renovation will begin at the end of April with an eye toward a November completion. The 60,000-SF movie theater, operated by Regal Cimemas in the old MM Cohn space, will open in October 2012.
(Photos: Click to see a slideshow of Monday's announcement and artist renderings of the improvement plans.)
The all-digital movie theater will be capable of showing 3D films. The theater will also offer stadium seating in each auditorium.
VCC, the Little Rock construction firm, will lead the renovation project.
Simon would not release a price tag for the renovation. An invitation for subcontractor bids posted by VCC on the the website BestPlanRooms.com lists a "project scope" of $5.5 million.
Other renovations include new family-friendly bathrooms, and elevator in the mall's center court, new flooring, new seating, improved lighting, new landscape features and other interior and exterior work.
Rebecca Scoggins, Simon's regional vice president, said the improvements are aimed at making McCain Mall the most "comfortable and accommodating" shopping center in Arkansas and "certainly North Little Rock."
She said the return of a movie theater to the mall will confirm McCain Mall as something beyond a shopping mall -- a "family entertainment center." McCain Mall hasn't had a movie theater among its tenants since the early 1990s.
The 752,763-SF mall sits on a 56-acre site at McCain Boulevard and U.S. 67/167. Its last renovation took place in 1993.
Dillard's, J.C. Penney and Sears are anchor tenants at the mall, originally built Pickens-Bond Construction Co., which was the largest construction firm in the state before its collapse in 1987.
More Details
At a news conference Monday morning, mall representatives announced specific projects for the renovation, set to be complete in November.
Specific projects include:
- Replacing the center court escalator with an updated version.
- Addition of a feature elevator in the center court for customer convenience.
- Addition of a family restroom featuring a nursing station on the mall’s upper level.
- Lower level restrooms redesigned and relocated near JCPenney.
- Redesign of two existing mall entrances including new glass vestibules as well as lighting and landscape features.
- Soft seating areas added throughout the mall for customer comfort and convenience.
- New flooring installed throughout the mall, which includes both tile and carpet in the common areas.
- Redesign of the mall’s common areas with upgraded ceilings, new finishes and lighting.
- Redesign of railings to include contemporary glasswork.
- Redesigned and updated Retail Merchandising Units.
- New directional signage throughout the mall for an easy-to-navigate shopping experience.
- New exterior pylon signage.
