Looks like Simon has updated their mall websites. Penn's website has quite a few pictures of the mall. I shot over to the Woodland Hills site, and the only pictures shown are those of what I assume to be updates to the facade and some of the interior. Kind of disappointing that they did not show the proposed changes to Penn Square.

Looks like Simon has updated their mall websites. Penn's website has quite a few pictures of the mall. I shot over to the Woodland Hills site, and the only pictures shown are those of what I assume to be updates to the facade and some of the interior. Kind of disappointing that they did not show the proposed changes to Penn Square.

I've always thought the interiors of Penn Square was far nicer than Woodland Hills. I've been to Woodland Hills once and its pretty underwhelming. Penn Square has the look of a top-tier, upscale mall and stores that OKC may never have like Nordstrom and Louis Vuitton would not look out of place there.

stores that OKC may never have like Nordstrom and Louis Vuitton would not look out of place there.I have to drive all the way to Dallas to go to Louis Vuitton store and Austin has one so I'm sure OKC could get one. But that might wishful thinking.

I've always thought the interiors of Penn Square was far nicer than Woodland Hills. I've been to Woodland Hills once and its pretty underwhelming. Penn Square has the look of a top-tier, upscale mall and stores that OKC may never have like Nordstrom and Louis Vuitton would not look out of place there.
The current Penn Square Mall was built in the mid to late 80's, I think the Woodland Hills Mall was originally built in the late 70's. Simon is all over the place on remodels, Barton Creek and Lakeline in Austin have been remodeled several time but the remodel I did in Midland, Texas was the first significant work since the mall was originally built in the late 70's.


I have to drive all the way to Dallas to go to Louis Vuitton store and Austin has one so I'm sure OKC could get one. But that might wishful thinking.
The Domain also has city subsidies as a brownfield redevelopment project of a former IBM manufacturing site. Some of those were used to lure retailers as well. We had to fill out paperwork every 3 months stating how many employees we had in our office to be given to the City of Austin to keep the subsidy in place.

Well and remember, Penn wasn't always an indoor mall, it got converted. So can you imagine what it would have been like today if it stayed outdoor. Most of the outdoor malls i've seen around the country get minimal changes made. I was at one in San Diego this week that basically looks the same as when it was built in the 60's! Yeah they changed some paint and store fronts, signage, etc. but the basic structure is pretty dated compared to the surroundings...and that's in a pretty fancy pants mall with Nordstroms, Loehmans, Sacks, etc. AND with an even fancier mall down the street with the Gucci, etc. crowd.

Penn, at least managed to keep their 80's colorful look in taste until the remodel in 2000. Now it looks like any other Simon mall, including Woodland Hills. I was in North Star in San Antonio and thought, man this place looks like a Simon Mall! I don't think they ever actually owned it, but it sure has the same look-and-feel. And from the outside, yet another example of how so many malls fail to update the exterior when they do the inside. At least Penn did SOMETHING when they remodeled so it doesn't still have that 70's Start patterned light crap. LOL

$695,000 building permit today to remodel the Gap.

That's a ton of money... Not sure if they are expanding or just remodeling.

I could live without a GAP, but that one is a joke, especially for Penn. Hopefully it's an expansion to their full line.

Not sure if this is news or not, but I saw via a friend's instragram that Forever 21 is finished and is open next to Express.

Not sure if this is news or not, but I saw via a friend's instragram that Forever 21 is finished and is open next to Express.

I haven't been to Penn Square in a while. Is this a Forever XXI or a regular Forever 21?

$695,000 building permit today to remodel the Gap.

That's a ton of money... Not sure if they are expanding or just remodeling.

They're connecting all the stores together inside like Woodland Hills in Tulsa, and possible bringing in Gap Body and Maternity since the ease of one big open store will have an effect.

I haven't been to Penn Square in a while. Is this a Forever XXI or a regular Forever 21?

I'm hoping an XXI, as they have better stuff and a respectable men's selection.

Did they finish remodeling the food court? If so, I will drive this weekend to see it

Did they finish remodeling the food court? If so, I will drive this weekend to see it

Was there this weekend. I saw no renovations and nothing even started in the food court.

Is Forever21 Open?
Will they be carrying their mens line?

Was there this weekend. I saw no renovations and nothing even started in the food court.

Is Forever21 Open?
Will they be carrying their mens line?

The big sign on the west side of Penn Square says Forever 21 and not Forever XXI. According to somebody here that makes the difference and would mean they're not selling the mens line. I don't know if that's true though.

The big sign on the west side of Penn Square says Forever 21 and not Forever XXI. According to somebody here that makes the difference and would mean they're not selling the mens line. I don't know if that's true though.

Not true. I've been to many a Forever 21 which did carry men's clothing. Here's what Forever 21 Inc. has to saw about the difference between Forever 21 and Forever XXI.


What is the difference between Forever 21 and Forever XXI?
Forever 21 offers the latest fashions at a great value to our customers.
Forever 21 has been chosen as one of the top three teen shopping brands nationwide.
Thanks to the popularity of Forever 21, not only with young shoppers but also customers who are
young at heart, Forever21 has been able to create its flagship stores, Forever XXI, which occupy an
average of 24,000 square foot. per store.
Offering an exciting and spacious shopping environment with a variety of merchandise, Forever XXI
embraces everyone who wants the latest styles at a great value.

Not true. I've been to many a Forever 21 which did carry men's clothing. Here's what Forever 21 Inc. has to saw about the difference between Forever 21 and Forever XXI.
Well there you go. Somebody here said that about the XXI and they were wrong. Thanks for the correction.

The main, double-faced pylon sign on the corner of NWX & Penn has been broken for quite some time. The building is virtually full, rents are high and the Christmas shopping season has arrived, yet the electronic reader is off and many letters in the name are burned out.

What is wrong with Simon Property that they can't even get their sign working?

Wouldn't be surprised if it was just good old fashioned apathy.

I haven't seen a single renovation begin yet anywhere in the mall. What was the timeline for Simon's renovations?

I haven't seen a single renovation begin yet anywhere in the mall. What was the timeline for Simon's renovations?

I'm sure their waiting until after the holiday shopping season.

As predicted, they have started renovations this past week. The food court bathrooms are now closed for construction and scaffolding has started going up around the entrances.

I would like it if Penn square got a disney store, Orange Julius or an actual store tenant for the microsoft store instead of a kiosk. On a related note I noticed they started working on the food court, and is Ms. Fields and Sonic gone from Penn Square now? or are they just moving/renovating the places?

I would like it if Penn square got a disney store, Orange Julius or an actual store tenant for the microsoft store instead of a kiosk. On a related note I noticed they started working on the food court, and is Ms. Fields and Sonic gone from Penn Square now? or are they just moving/renovating the places?

I thought Penn Square had a Disney store back in the '90s.

Word on these boards was Microsoft was planning to open a full-line store at Penn Square as well.

I would like it if Penn square got a disney store, Orange Julius or an actual store tenant for the microsoft store instead of a kiosk. On a related note I noticed they started working on the food court, and is Ms. Fields and Sonic gone from Penn Square now? or are they just moving/renovating the places?

My understanding is that Sonic is gone for good. Mrs. Fields is moving down to the first floor under the escalators where the other cookie place is/was and that cookie place is leaving. I hope I don't have the cookie places reversed. From what I was told, the cookie place under the escalators was asked by the mall to move into a store front, but the rent was way more than they could afford so they are closing.

Does anyone know how the movie theatre revamp is progressing? Or if the food court revamp has begun in earnest?

Does anyone know how the movie theatre revamp is progressing? Or if the food court revamp has begun in earnest?

I haven't noticed anything being done to AMC unless their doing work inside the auditoriums and I can't see it from the outside.

They have started demolishing walls, ceilings, and tile floors in the food court. The old entrance structures are also being demolished now.

I haven't noticed anything being done to AMC unless their doing work inside the auditoriums and I can't see it from the outside.

They have started demolishing walls, ceilings, and tile floors in the food court. The old entrance structures are also being demolished now.

Thanks for the update, jn.

Are there any new stores planned for the mall along with this upgrade?

If there is as big of a waiting list for stores to get into Penn Square as I've heard there is, I wonder why the mall doesn't evict some of the remaining low-end tenants like Payless to bring in a higher quality tenant?

Payless locations are a dime-a-dozen in OKC. It's really a waste of prime space at Penn Square.

I don't think they can legally evict someone if they are keeping their half of the contract. They could buy them out of their contract though.

Is the Microsoft Store a set-n-stone deal or was that just speculation?

Is the Microsoft Store a set-n-stone deal or was that just speculation?

I think it was announced by Microsoft it would be done before they did the temporary christmas one that both would happen, I don't remember a time frame on when

They did file for a building permit a few months ago.

Looks like AMC put up a new sign on Expressway recently.

Yep, it's a fair bit shorter than the old sign for Dickinson and it's just gold I think with AMC across it.

Also, renovations on the food court continue at a quick pace.

I saw that too. I am curious if AMC will add a movie listing on top of the sign once their renovations are complete.

I saw that too. I am curious if AMC will add a movie listing on top of the sign once their renovations are complete.

I was wondering that myself. The sign doesn't really look like that's an option, but stranger things have happened. Have you been in the theatre itself lately? How are the renovation inside progressing?

Lane Bryant is closing their Penn Square location. Plan is to be closed by end of this month. Rumor is Gap will be consolidating their stores into one big super Gap. Also rumored that Eskimo Joes is leaving. Penn is raising rent rates that is pushing out some stores. More are leaving. Just cannot remember the names right now.

We've known for awhile that Eskimo Joe's is leaving, but this is the first I've heard about Lane Bryant closing. Regarding Gap, I don't think it's a rumor, it's happening. I was in the mall this weekend and the Gap spaces were already under construction. Please share the other departures you've heard if you remember them.

Looks like AMC put up a new sign on Expressway recently.


Yep, it's a fair bit shorter than the old sign for Dickinson and it's just gold I think with AMC across it.

Also, renovations on the food court continue at a quick pace.

Unless I'm mistaken, it sure looks like they just slapped a bronze coat of paint on the old Dickenson sign, and put an AMC vinyl logo in it. It's extremely cheap looking and brings down the look of PSM in general, I'm really shocked Simon Properties allowed that thing to go there/stay there.

I was wondering that myself. The sign doesn't really look like that's an option, but stranger things have happened. Have you been in the theatre itself lately? How are the renovation inside progressing?

Haven't been in for a long time, so I am not sure. Anyone else?

Unless I'm mistaken, it sure looks like they just slapped a bronze coat of paint on the old Dickenson sign, and put an AMC vinyl logo in it. It's extremely cheap looking and brings down the look of PSM in general, I'm really shocked Simon Properties allowed that thing to go there/stay there.

I know I should wait till it is done to judge but from renderings and some of the early work most of this recent remodel seems like a step down from what it is replacing

I know I should wait till it is done to judge but from renderings and some of the early work most of this recent remodel seems like a step down from what it is replacing

I disagree. I think it's going to be nice once it's finished.

In addition to Eskimo Joe's and Lane Bryant...toll house cookies is gone. Sonic is gone. Lucca is gone. The following will not be offered lease renewals...Payless, Body Central and GameStop. They have whatever is left on their current leases and then they are gone. Not sure how long those are. Also, I'm hearing that more stuff is leaving the food court...just not sure as of this point. Simon is intent on up scaling.

That surprised me about Lucca, as they are a pretty well respected local boutique. They would fit well in Classen Curve.

I think Penn can really go to the next level though. Have they already negotiated leases or have active prospects for the soon to be vacant locations?

Unless I'm mistaken, it sure looks like they just slapped a bronze coat of paint on the old Dickenson sign, and put an AMC vinyl logo in it. It's extremely cheap looking and brings down the look of PSM in general, I'm really shocked Simon Properties allowed that thing to go there/stay there.

You'll know why Simon Properties allowed it when you look at their own pylon sign at the corner of NWX & Penn. It looks terrible and doesn't even illuminate.

Lane Bryant is closing their Penn Square location. Plan is to be closed by end of this month. Rumor is Gap will be consolidating their stores into one big super Gap. Also rumored that Eskimo Joes is leaving. Penn is raising rent rates that is pushing out some stores. More are leaving. Just cannot remember the names right now.

Did Auntie Annes move out or what? Also I'm very angry gamestop may be leaving Penn Square, I buy all my video games there and consoles

Did Auntie Annes move out or what? Also I'm very angry gamestop may be leaving Penn Square, I buy all my video games there and consoles

There's like 30 other Gamestop's in the metro. Lol

There's like 30 other Gamestop's in the metro. Lol

PS4 and 720 will be the beginning of the end for physical media. lol



Not surprised about the store closings. Isn't there still supposed to be a Microsoft store going in? That will take up a lot of space.

There's a GameStop less than a mile away in the Belle Isle shopping center.

It's real hard to get into the Gamestop at the Belle Isle Center especially during lunch hours or at 5. The PS4 DOES support used games and the next Xbox possibly might.

Why would Penn Square supposedly jack up rent? Wouldn't that drive out a lot of stores like the local ones in the mall?

I wouldn't be surprised if places liked A&F, Italia Express, That Gyro place, Gymboree ( due to Gap Expansion), The Cajun place next to Chic and Brookstone were gone from Penn

Landlords raise rent whenever they think the market will support it...if they have a waiting list of folks that want to move in and pay the higher rent, they will be more than happy to let the others go.

Belle Isle can be tricky at certain times, but then again doesn't that apply to Penn Square and any other place...just avoid the peak hours if you can

Why would Penn Square supposedly jack up rent? Wouldn't that drive out a lot of stores like the local ones in the mall?

I would assume to bring in more "upscale" stores to go along with what Larry said.

Why would Penn Square supposedly jack up rent? Wouldn't that drive out a lot of stores like the local ones in the mall?




That's why they are jacking rent...trying to run out some of the stores they don't really want. They want more upscale.

Good to see Payless leaving. For the longest time I have thought it was a terrible fit for the mall. You don't see Payless in truly upscale malls like Northpark in Dallas or Southpark in Charlotte. Penn Square needs to brand itself as upscale and exclusive, especially with competition from the new outlet mall. Stores like GameStop with locations in every strip mall don't belong there.

I hope A&F doesn't leave. I know the brand isn't what it once was but its still somewhat popular and the one at Penn is the only one left in the OKC metro.

Good to see Payless leaving. For the longest time I have thought it was a terrible fit for the mall. You don't see Payless in truly upscale malls like Northpark in Dallas or Southpark in Charlotte. Penn Square needs to brand itself as upscale and exclusive, especially with competition from the new outlet mall. Stores like GameStop with locations in every strip mall don't belong there.

I hope A&F doesn't leave. I know the brand isn't what it once was but its still somewhat popular and the one at Penn is the only one left in the OKC metro.

They need to get rid of that WINDSOR store in the mall ASAP, I find it an eyesore when walking past it. They should just put in a Rue 21 or Disney Store in it's place

Other than Toll House cookies, I'm not terribly upset at a single store you mentioned as leaving. I wonder who all is on the waiting list...?

I imagine they have some good names on the waiting list if they're willing to "push" that many tenants out.

They need to get rid of that WINDSOR store in the mall ASAP, I find it an eyesore when walking past it. They should just put in a Rue 21 or Disney Store in it's place

Agreed. Windsor looks like it belongs in Crossroads.

I imagine they have some good names on the waiting list if they're willing to "push" that many tenants out.

That is what I'm thinking.

Okay, I think I've finally figured out the Microsoft store.

Was able to pull the building permit. It will be a $3.5 million (!!) build-out of 6,572 square feet. And remember, that $3.5 million does not include fixtures or inventory, so this should be something special.

I believe it is going into the Bachrach space on the lower level.

Here is a floorplan:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/microsoft1.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/microsoft2.jpg



And here is a typical store:

http://www.thestreet.com/content/image/139065.include