So, what exactly are we going to see at the Natick Mall Expansion?

I've received a lot of e-mail lately regarding potential new tenants at the yet-unnamed Natick Mall Expansion. Although we aren't likely to have an official word on what tenants will make it into the mall until about 6 months before the opening (which would put an possible announcement at March 2007), here's what I'm expecting to see when the mall opens to the public in September 2007.

• Anchor stores: Well, we already know this one. The larger anchor store will be a 144,000 sq. ft. Nordstrom, which will employ between 300-400 people. The Natick Nordstrom is also expected to include a small espresso bar in the store, along with a 200-seat bistro for upscale dining. The second anchor is a smaller 100,000 sq. ft. Neiman Marcus, though we haven't heard too much about what will be inside.
• Restaurants: None are official at this point, although GGP has hinted that there will be four sit-down restaurants in the mall. The strongest speculation/rumors seem to focus on The Cheesecake Factory, P.F. Chang's China Bistro, and Maggiano's Little Italy, along with one more eatery.
• Boutiques/stores: The final total of interior stores has ranged between 60 and 100 stores: at the moment, GGP claims that there will be around 80 stores, leaving room to fill the mall's existing upper-middle class retail gaps (such as the lack of a full-service Pottery Barn) and add a great deal of upscale retail. In an interview with the Worcester Business Journal, Tiffany & Co. and Louis Vuitton were mentioned explicitly as possiblities. From my own research, some other stores that would make a good fit in the mall include The Apple Store, RUEHL No.925, Pottery Barn, Restoration Hardware, JasmineSola, Barneys New York, BCBG, Max Mara, L'Occitane, Teavana, and Oil & Vinegar, amongst others.

So there's what I'm expecting to see in September 2007. Of course, comments and feedback are always welcome.