Galleria at Sunset nearing end of $7 million renovation

The Galleria at Sunset’s $7 million renovation is almost complete and has a tentative end date of November.

While the outside remains the same, the 1.05 million-square-foot Henderson mall’s interior has fresh paint, new dark wood handrails and new flooring. Gone are the mauve walls and stained glass windows, replaced with clear glass and white paint. The oak and bronze handrails mostly are history, and dark wood can be seen in their place. New cream marble flooring is covering the area where colorful tiles showing off the old Galleria logo used to be.

Signage still bears the purple, turquoise and yellow motif of the old design, but marketing director Heather Valera said those will be changed to gold-yellow before the renovations are complete. She also said a mall expansion could happen in the first quarter of 2014 and would include an exterior renovation, although no specific date or details were ready to be released.

The mall also expanded in 2004, but this is its first major renovation since opening in 1996.

In this phase, sandstone on the bottom of columns was replaced by stone veneer of a more neutral beige color. The food court will have new furniture and increased connectivity so customers can plug-in their laptops and other devices while there.

“I think it’s important for any gathering place. It’s becoming an expected amenity everywhere you go,” Valera said.

The center houses about 140 specialty stores, 11 fast-food restaurants and two full-service eateries. On Sept. 19 a 19,000-square-foot, two-level H&M is opening.

“H&M has already seen great loyalty from its customers in the Las Vegas metropolitan area,” Daniel Kulle, U.S. President for H&M, said in a statement. “We are thrilled to expand to Henderson to offer more consumers in the community access to our quality fashions for the whole family.”

The new store will offer collections for ladies, men, young ladies and young men, with separate “store within store” sections for accessories, lingerie, and maternity. This location will also carry the Swedish retailer’s children’s collection, which features clothing for kids ages newborn to 14.

H&M, through its global garment recycling program, encourages customers to donate old and unwanted pieces of clothing from any brand while in the store. Customers who donate on opening morning will be entered to win a gift card valued up to $100.

“Having them here, it’s one of the most requested stores we’ve had over the years. It brings us more fashion-forward,” Valera said.

Other changes customers will see to the Galleria at Sunset include new lighting, seating and a new guest services center. A family restroom equipped with private nursing rooms and a family waiting area also was built.

The mall at 1300 W. Sunset Road in Henderson, which is owned and operated by Forest City Enterprises, has Macy’s, J.C. Penney, Dillard’s, Kohl’s and Dick’s Sporting Goods as anchor tenants. Specialty stores include Coach, Buckle, Forever 21, Abercrombie & Fitch and Victoria’s Secret.

Bryan Wachter, government affairs director for the Retail Association of Nevada, has said that the Galleria has a following because of its location, as it’s not near any other regional malls. The closest is The Boulevard, about nine miles away.

Valera said the Galleria’s recent sales are single-digit percentage increases from 2012.

Contact reporter Laura Carroll at lcarroll@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-4588. Follow @lscvegas on Twitter.