TOWN CENTER TO GET MAJOR ‘RESORT-STYLE’ RENOVATION

Multimillion-dollar upscale renovation on way for Boca retail site.

As the popularity of online shopping continues to grow, the Town Center at Boca Raton is undergoing a multimillion-dollar renovation designed to keep customers flowing to its stores by offering amenities found in a luxury resort.

The mall recently completed construction on a “resort-style entrance” with a large roundabout dropoff, valet service and glass porte-cochères. Shoppers can now “text ahead” to retrieve their cars from the valet. Bellhop carts are available for shoppers with large items or multiple bags. Other additions include dog strollers, a café concierge and a shuttle service.

“We are continuing to grow and evolve,” said Sal Saldana, the mall’s general manager. “We have to recognize that times do change, and people need different things. We want to make sure that we meet people’s needs and expectations.”

Over the next year, the mall will also see a series of other upgrades, including new seating lounges with upgraded furniture and charging stations; new stone and porcelain tile floors throughout the mall; and a new boutique entrance between Macy’s and Saks Fifth Avenue with an “upscale valet.”

The mall’s center court will also be redesigned. The new plan calls for a stone fountain, back-lit frosted glass panels, white gypsum ceilings, seating lounges with contemporary furniture, and a unique polished metal chandelier.

The improvements are designed to create a brighter, more inviting and relaxing atmosphere, officials said.

“You will see a dramatic interior and exterior renovation,” Saldana said. “It is going to be truly iconic.”

The project is expected to be completed late next year and will not impact the mall’s operation.

The improvements come as the retail industry continues to struggle with the rise of online sales. With sales pinched by online retailers and fickle shoppers, mall owners and operators are looking for new and creative ways to keep people coming in the door.

At high-end malls and luxury shopping centers, operators are trying to woo customers by creating unique experiences that can’t be replicated online, says Steven Kirn, a lecturer in retailing management at the University of Florida.

Luxury shopping centers focused on services that make shopping more convenient and let customers feel like they are pampering themselves, Kirn said.

Town Center is known for its lineup of luxury retailers, including Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue and Bloomingdale’s. In addition to its six department stores, the mall features 220 other stores and national chains.