3 New Stores Coming To Long-Vacant Lord & Taylor At Old Orchard Mall

SKOKIE, IL — Three new businesses are slated to open next year at Old Orchard Mall at the site of the shopping center's former Lord & Taylor store.

Home furnishing brand Arhaus, mini golf experience Puttshack, and fashion brand Zara will open in a remodeled space as part of a multi-phase redevelopment plan at Westfield Old Orchard undertaken by mall landlord Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, or URW.

Serge Khalimsky, senior general manager of Old Orchard, said the announcement was only the beginning of the mall's transformation.

“Our community is at the forefront of every decision we make - we want to continue to innovate, expand and push the boundaries of what a lifestyle destination can be,” Khalimsky said in a statement.

“Whether that innovation comes from bringing in new retailers and experiences for our shoppers, enhancing the design of the existing mall, or incorporating a mixed-use development that aligns with our sustainable vision," he said, "we’re excited to continue to transform and elevate the center."

Mall representatives said the new apartments, restaurants, wellness facilities and outdoor amenities at the mall are all slated to break ground next year, with plans to open in phases starting in 2026.

“The transformational redevelopment now underway at Westfield Old Orchard will enhance experiences for Skokie residents and visitors, supporting the center as an economic engine for our community," Skokie Mayor George Van Dusen said in a statement.

"The Village looks forward to continuing its collaboration with Westfield Old Orchard to help Skokie thrive and remain the North Shore’s premier shopping, dining and entertainment destination for decades to come," Van Dusen said.

Last year, the village board approved an agreement with URW that declared the mall "blighted" and established a new business district there, with a 1 percent sales tax surcharge set aside to help fund an estimated $100 million redevelopment plan.

Several new retailers opened at Old Orchard last month, including clothing store Amour Vert, Bohme and Goyol Cashmere. Victoria's Secret/Pink, which shuttered at the mall in 2020, also recently reopened there.

Jewelry brand Gorjana is due to open this month, Canadian fashion brand Aritzia is set to expand to a new flagship space and lifestyle retailer Urban Outfitter and activewear brand Vouri are scheduled to open before the end of the year, according to mall representatives.

Of the 115,000-square-foot former Lord & Taylor space, Arhaus will reportedly occupy 24,000 square feet, Puttshack will open a 30,000-square-foot location and Zara will relocate from its approximately 23,000-square-foot space to a 40,000-square-foot one. Lord & Taylor shuttered its Old Orchard store in 2018. The space was subsequently temporarily leased to virtual reality operator Mass VR.

Read more:

• Old Orchard Upgrades Common Areas As Part Of Multi-Phase Redevelopment
• Westfield Old Orchard Redevelopment Plans To Include Medical Offices
• Old Orchard Owner Unveils Redevelopment Plan For Apartments At Mall
• Westfield Old Orchard Declared 'Blighted' As Sales Taxes Hiked 1%