Not content to let a tourist dollar go untouched, Anaheim's City Council has approved an upscale mall to be built near Disneyland. "GardenWalk", as the outdoor mall will be known, promises to bring upscale shopping to an area known for its ticky-tack t-shirt shops and souvenir bonanzas. The OC Register reports that the mall will keep tourists from straying outside of the Disney sphere of influence to places like Orange and San Diego.
GardenWalk plans to sell trendy attire at shops such as White House/Black Market and offer upscale dining options, including the Cheesecake Factory, when the first phase is set to open in October 2007. Agreements with three hotels are expected in about 30 days, said Bill Stone, a principal in Excel Realty Holdings LLC of San Diego, one of three companies in the mall. One hotel could offer indoor and outdoor water parks.
Construction on the 390,000 sq. ft. GardenWalk (featuring lush concrete walks) is expected to begin within the next month. (rendering via Anaheim GardenWalk web site)
· GardenWalk gets green light [OC Register]