Developers Release Renderings Of Proposed Tulsa Outlet Mall

Horizon Group Properties has unveiled its renderings for "The Outlet Shoppes at Tulsa."

As we told you on Monday, it's slated to be built on the southeast corner of the intersection where Interstate 44 meets Interstate 244.

It's one of three proposed outlet malls for the Tulsa area. And all three of those developers are battling it out to get the business of retailers.

But the developers for this project are confident their vision of turning this field into an upscale outlet mall is better than the rest -- and it's all about location.

10/20/2014 Related Story: Another Upscale Outlet Mall In The Works For Tulsa

It's an east Tulsa intersection that sees more 190,000 vehicles a day. The perfect place, says Oklahoma's Commerce Secretary, for an outlet mall.

“This premier designer outlet, we think will put Tulsa on the map as a shopping destination in the region,” Oklahoma Chamber of Commerce Secretary Larry Parman said.

The Outlet Shoppes at Tulsa hopes to break ground next summer, but before the first shovel turns, there are deals to be made, especially with two other outlet malls hoping to call Green Country home.

“I think at the end of the day, the city is going to realize this is the best benefit for them, this site,” Gary Skoien, CEO of Horizon Group Properties, said. “And I think the retailers are going to realize this site has the most potential for drawing the largest number of tourist and shoppers.”

10/21/2014 Related Story: Proposed Outlet Mall Plans Could Bring 'Super Shoppers' To Tulsa

Skoien said the Tulsa area can only support one outlet mall, so essentially, the developer that gets the big retailers to commit first, wins.

"It's who gets the leases first. There's not gonna be, just to be very clear, there's not gonna be two outlet centers or three outlet centers in Tulsa," Skoien said.

Skoien's company, Horizon Group Properties is the same developer behind Oklahoma City's outlet mall. He said shoppers from the Tulsa area make up 20 percent of sales there.

He estimates if his outlet mall is built in Tulsa, it will generate $90 million in sales tax revenue over a 15-year period, all while adding 2,000 jobs.

East Tulsa is no stranger to malls. It saw the rise of Eastland Mall in the mid-80s, then watched its fall about 10 years later. But city leaders say the outlet mall will be different.

“This is a place for future growth” Tulsa City Councilor Skip Steele said. “Locating this outlet mall on this I-44 corridor is major for this area.”

Eastland Mall is now known as Eastgate Metroplex, a flourishing business complex. Steel says the old mall location was all wrong and off the beaten path.

But the location for the Outlet Shoppes at Tulsa, where two main highways intersect, gives the convenience shoppers are looking for when trying to find the best bargains.

Plus, Skoien said folks will generally only drive about ten or 15 miles to shop a traditional mall, but he said outlet shoppers will travel 80 to 90 miles to get good deals.

He said brands will be announced once 60 percent of the storefronts are leased; he wouldn't say how close they are to that number.

"The typical brands we have at our outlets are Saks and Polo and Coach and Michael Kohrs. Those are the kinds of brands you can anticipate here. We just opened, yesterday, a Gucci store in Kentucky," Skoien said.

Additional development, like hotels, restaurants and office spaces are planned for the area next to the outlet mall.

There are also plans for a 25-acre lake and a walking trail to connect it all together.

The builder responsible for Tulsa Hills would be behind the additional development, which is also the group set to sell Horizon Group Properties that land for its outlet mall.