Sneak Peek: Inside the Massive King of Prussia Expansion Opening This Summer

Image via Simon Malls.

This August, the King of Prussia Mall will no longer be divided between the Court and Plaza, thanks to the major expansion project that’s now wrapping up. “It will no longer be the Plaza and Court — it will be one King of Prussia property under one name,” says Simon Malls President David Contis. The new 155,000-square-foot connector will not only bridge the gap between the mall’s previous two encampments; it will also be home to 50 new shops and restaurants, a massive parking garage, and concierge services. We got a sneak peek inside the space that’s set to open August 18th — if it’s ready in time.

The connector is somewhat of a feat of engineering, with all 155,000 square feet built at least one story up in the air so that cars may continue to pass through on the road below.

One of the biggest features of the new space is a state-of-the-art parking garage, which indicates when lots are full, as well as escalator access to the different floors (not those creepy parking garage stairwells we’ve come to expect). Valet will also be available, with call or text options available to have your car brought around for you.

High ceilings. | Photography by Lauren McGrath.

The new connector boasts lofty, 22-foot-high ceilings, many of which open up to massive skylights. Unmarked storefronts still under construction line the corridor. Most were indiscernible, but some were not (coughLouisVuittoncough). Contis says of the 50 new stores coming to the new space, about half are luxury. Other stores include Jimmy Choo, Stuart Weitzman, DVF, Bottega Veneta, Carolina Herrera and Oliver Peoples.

Food court underway. | Photography by Lauren McGrath.

Aiming to be the furthest thing from your typical mall food court, the new Savor King of Prussia, featuring “fast-casual dining options,” is shaping up to be an airy space with common dining tables and charging stations. Eateries coming to the new space include Shake Shack, Sweetgreen, and local favorites Hai Street Kitchen and Sbraga’s The Fat Ham. A massive floor-to-ceiling window wall looks out over Macy’s; there’ are even plans to install a waterfall of sorts. In short, the new food area is going to be nothing short of an oasis when it’s all finished.

New store fronts and Simon Malls President David Contis. | Photography by Lauren McGrath.

As for the future of the mall in a landscape that sees department stores dying out nationwide, Contis says things are looking up at KOP: “Retail is Darwinian. Where you’re not productive, you will be replaced by stores that are productive.” (To wit: Sears – a retail dinosaur — was replaced by Dick’s and Primark not too long ago.)

“We’re not done,” say Contis. “There’s going to be a series of new stores coming in 2017 and 2018.” We’ll be on the lookout.