Green Awnings No More: Orland Square Mall Renovation Moving Along

Shoppers walking into recently may have noticed a slight change lately.

The large teal-green awnings that once accented the floating Orland Square signs are now gone.  Planter-like boxes that will hold the new black-lettered entrance signs have been placed. Space has also been made for a new family service bathroom.

The work is all part of a plan announced by Simon Property Group in May to . The effort is the first of its kind since the middle 1990s.

Aside from the entrances and the new bathroom, carpeting is expected to be added on the upper level, turquoise colored beams will get a paint job and the elevator house behind the fountain will be redone, said Gayle Gleespen, spokeswoman for Orland Square Mall.

“The goal is to provide an overall better shopping experience, and get the mall into the 21^st Century,” Gleespen said.

Work will halt during the holiday shopping season, and while specific deadlines are not set, the renovations are scheduled to be completed during 2012.

Updates on the renovations, as well as pictures, will be posted frequently on the Orland Square Mall Facebook page.