Orange outlets to get new look and new shops

Shoppers at The Outlets at Orange will see a transformed environment as Simon Property Group prepares to renovate the 864,000-square-foot center. The project, Simon’s third major redevelopment in Orange County since 2023, focuses on aesthetic upgrades rather than expanding the property’s physical footprint. Construction fencing is expected to be installed by the end of 2026, with the company aiming to complete the work before the end of 2027.

The renovation comes as the center faces declining sales. Taxable sales for the 12 months ended June 30 were estimated at $305 million, down from $312 million the previous year, according to data collected by the Orange County Business Journal. The center, which opened in 1995, currently houses more than 120 stores and 25 food options, with occupancy at 98 percent. Simon has stated that it maintains a waitlist for prospective tenants.

New retail anchors are part of the refresh plan. A Coach outlet with an attached coffee shop and patio seating, along with a new Michael Kors store, are slated for construction. These additions follow recent openings of Barnes & Noble, Vans, and Skechers. Jocelyn Gubler, Simon’s VP of Development, said the physical space must match the quality of the retail lineup to attract other major brands.

Specific improvements include repaving concrete walkways with more durable flooring and adding shade structures and seating areas. Lighting and store exteriors will be updated. A water fountain in front of the AMC movie theater will be replaced with a seating area designed for year-round use. Gubler described the goal as elevating the look and feel of the center to support its status as a destination for local and international visitors.

The project fits into a larger strategy for Simon, which operates a nationwide portfolio of malls and outlet centers. President and Chief Executive Eli Simon said on the company’s second-quarter earnings call that projects totaling more than $600 million were expected to begin construction in the second half of 2026. The company reported 96 percent occupancy across its shopping center portfolio at the end of the second quarter.

In neighboring Brea, Simon is finishing a $300 million overhaul that includes a new outdoor plaza, a 123,000-square-foot Life Time fitness center, and a 377-unit apartment building. The Brea mall is set to open fully in the coming weeks, with a Korean restaurant serving as the final addition. At The Shops at Mission Viejo, 50,000 square feet of new outdoor space is under construction, including two full-service restaurants and a two-story Arhaus store.

Mayor Dan Slater expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming changes at The Outlets at Orange. He said the investment would enhance the location’s reputation for entertainment and shopping. Gubler noted that the rebranding from The Block to The Outlets at Orange in 2012 was intended to clarify the retail offerings for first-time visitors, a strategy the new physical upgrades will now support.