Trendy Fashion Retailer Leads $25M Overhaul of Mall at Prince Georges

HYATTSVILLE, MD — Trendy fashion retailer H&M will kick off a $25 million rejuvenation of shops, restaurants and entertainment venues at The Mall at Prince Georges in Hyattsville.

Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust will open a 20,000-square-foot H&M store in the fall of 2016, according to PREIT CEO Joe Coradino. The store will include men’s, women’s, children’s and infant clothing, as well as accessories.

The mall at 3500 East West Highway, Route 410, includes anchor stores JCPenney, Macy’s, Target, and Old Navy.

“It’ll be done in a number of phases, including bringing in a number of new retailers and restaurants and entertainment to really upgrade the merchandise mix,” Coradino told the Washington Business Journal about the renovation.

Coradino didn’t name other new tenants but said the overhaul will include more restaurants.

Along with its food court, the mall houses Outback Steakhouse and Olive Garden restaurants.

Bowling and kids activities will also be part of the mix, but the mall will not add a movie theater because there’s not enough room at the site.

H&M says its goal is to increase the number of stores by 10–15 percent per year, and at the same time increase sales in comparable units. The strong pace of expansion continues into 2016 with a planned 400 new stores net, mostly in existing markets.

The Business Journal says major renovation work at the mall will begin next year, including interiors and a new facade.

At least two earlier renovations updated the mall, which opened in 1959 as Prince George's Plaza. The mall operated as an open-air shopping center until it was enclosed in 1977. In 1991 and 2004, renovations were done to update the center.

The mall hosts events throughout the year, according to its website, including the Summer and FallConcert Series, Back to School, Halloween Trick or Treat, Shop with a Cop and more.

Local artists, musicians and performers are featured through the "Celebrate the Arts" program. A 12-panel mural,"Gorgegous Prince George's," created by over 142 Prince George's County Public School art students is displayed on the wall adjacent to Target. A Community Quilt created by the Prince George's African American Museum & Cultural Center, Culture Keepers is also located on the wall next to the murals.