Biltmore Fashion Park

Biltmore Fashion Park is a large outdoor shopping center located in Phoenix, Arizona. It is owned by Westcor, a company specializing in retail center development, which was purchased by Macerich in 2002. It is located in an upscale area of Phoenix, bordering the popular tourist sites of Scottsdale, Arizona and Paradise Valley.

History

Biltmore Fashion Park opened on 31 acres of land in the heart of the Biltmore region of Phoenix in 1963, anchored by San Francisco's upscale I. Magnin and The Broadway. It opened as the original upscale shopping and dining destination in Phoenix, situated next to a number of Phoenix's most well known landmarks, including the Arizona Biltmore Hotel, today part of The Waldorf-Astoria Collection, and the Wrigley Mansion.

During the 1960s and 1970s, The Gittings Portrait Studio photographed John Wayne, Bob Hope, Princess Grace of Monaco, Barry Goldwater, Red Skelton, Sophia Loren, Al Gore and many other celebrities who frequented the Biltmore.

In 1994, the center was purchased by Taubman Centers for $115 Million, helping Biltmore Fashion Park transform into the premiere luxury shopping destination in Phoenix. During the 90's, the Biltmore underwent a transformation. Both original anchors closed, with Saks Fifth Avenue taking I. Magnin's former space and Macy's taking The Broadway's former space. The center also introduced a number of new luxury retailers, including Landau, Cartier, Christofle, Cole Haan, Escada, Gucci, and Ralph Lauren. The Biltmore was also chosen as one of three sites nationwide for The Galleries of Neiman Marcus; however, Neiman Marcus folded the concept two years later.

The Biltmore continued to remain as the dominant luxury collection in Phoenix, drawing the metropolitan area's sole Allen-Edmonds, Apple, Elizabeth Arden, Rangoni Firenze, Stuart Weitzman, and Waterworks stores. Tommy Bahama also opened a flagship store at the center.

In 2006, the Biltmore underwent its first major renovation, with Macerich hoping to revitalize the aging exterior of the center. Macerich also transferred several stores, including Betsey Johnson and Gucci to the neighboring Scottsdale Fashion Square to make room for new luxury stores. This reconstruction hopes to give each store more individuality and making the shopping center more open to the public. The transplanting of stores was part of Westcor's mission to rejuvenate the center with more trendy and modern stores. The center signed younger stores to fill the vacancies, including CALYPSO Christiane Celle, Louis Vuitton, Patagonia, Vera Bradley, and the first Roberto Botticelli in the United States.

It is known for many upscale dining establishments. James Beard award-winner Christopher Gross of Christopher's Fermier Brasserie and Paola's Wine Bar top the list of Biltmore Fashion Park's 12 restaurants and eateries.

Anchors

• Saks Fifth Avenue (90,000 sq. ft.)
• Macy's (213,000 sq. ft.)

Restaurants

• California Pizza Kitchen
• The Capital Grille
• The Cheesecake Factory
• Christopher's Fermier Brasserie
• Oceanaire
• Sam's Cafe, a Southwestern Grill
• Steamer's Genuine Seafood
• Three Dog Bakery

Noteable Stores

• bebe
• Calypso
• Cartier
• Cole-Haan
• Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spas
• Escada
• Patagonia
• Ralph Lauren
• Roberto Botticelli
• Stuart Weitzman
• Tommy Bahama
• Vera Bradley

External links

• Biltmore Fashion Park

• http://www.AzBiltmore.com - AzBiltmore.com - Neighborhood Portal & Website of the Arizona Biltmore Estates

References

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