One of Nova Scotia's largest shopping centres is poised for a major upgrade.

Real estate company Ivanhoe Cambridge announced Wednesday plans to spend more than $55 million revitalizing the Mic Mac Mall in Dartmouth.

Renovations will include upgrades to the food court common area, with new seating, lighting and food options, according to a news release from the company,

"We believe in investing in our shopping centres, both to maintain the centre and to enhance our competitive positioning in the market," said Tamitha Oakley, general manager of Mic Mac Mall.

Work will also see the floor and handrails replaced throughout the mall, upgraded washrooms, and the relocation and replacement of some of the escalators to create more retail space.

The mall will remain open during the renovations, and the majority of the work is expected to be complete by the end of 2019, with the entire project finished by 2020.

Oakley said home decor retailer Linen Chest will open a store at the mall in part of the former Target space.

"They will have an interactive kitchen for cooking demonstrations and an espresso bar for their clientele. It's for that experience, it's all about the experience for the customer," Oakley said.

She said people can expect new stores to be announced at Mic Mac Mall in the future.

Ivanhoe Cambridge is a real estate subsidiary of the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec. It held more than $60 billion in assets as of the end of December.

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