A year before its planned opening, Legacy Place has nearly leased all of its space with a slate of specialty stores and restaurants.
The 675,000-square-foot shopping center, which is expected to open next summer, has attracted more than 50 eateries and retailers. Legacy Place has room for only a handful more, said spokesman David Fleming.
Most malls open with about 80 or 90 percent of retail space occupied, but leases have already been signed for about 95 percent of the space at the open-air center and accompanying offices, he said.
"There's been tremendous interest in this site for a combination of reasons. One is location: Rte. 1 and Rte. 128, it's the bullseye of retail destinations," he said. "People have wanted to build retail in this area for several years, decades really."
A cinema, high-end restaurants such as Ruth's Chris Steakhouse, and stores such as Whole Foods and L.L. Bean are expected to draw shoppers from throughout the region.
Elan Sassoon, son of renowned hair stylist Vidal Sassoon, and his business partner Michael Barsamian are also planning to open a salon in the mall. The Green Tangerine Salon and Spa will offer laser hair removal, massage, manicures and pedicures in addition to haircuts, which will range from $50 to $90, according to the salon's Web site.
"I've been operating businesses in this region for 37 years, and I know the area and the clientele," Barsamian, owner of Lord's & Lady's salons, said in a press release. "Legacy Place's ideal location is going to help us draw from an exceptional trade area that's much wider than usual. We're looking forward to continuing our success at Legacy Place."
Borders, H&M, Banana Republic and Legal Sea Foods, are among some of the other businesses bound for the Providence Highway complex.
"People will drive to a Whole Foods Market, people will drive to an L.L. Bean. You can't get those stores anywhere," Fleming said. "Some of the other specialty shops, you may see them on Newbury Street (in Boston) but you can't get them anywhere else."
After breaking ground in April, developer WS Development is preparing the site for construction, all of which will be done Monday through Friday during the day, Fleming said.
Lindsey Parietti can be reached at lindsey.parietti@cnc.com.
