Developer Confirms Premium Outlet Mall Coming To Tulsa

Tuesday, August 19th 2014, 4:20 pm

By: News On 6

Two developers commit to building outlet malls in Tulsa, but likely only one will become reality.

Developers said it's hard to believe Tulsa could support two outlet malls, so there's a competition right now to be the first to secure big name retailers.

The City of Tulsa said one plan is from Simon, the property owners behind Woodland Hills Mall. Simon has purchased land on the east side of U.S. Highway 75 at 61st Street.

The city said Simon is already negotiating with potential tenants, some of which would be coming to Oklahoma for the first time.

City leaders flew out to the Simon outlet mall near San Diego and developers told them their premium Tulsa outlets would be similar, but much larger -- as big as 800,000 square feet.

That would dwarf the outlet mall currently in Oklahoma City which is only half that size.

Coincidentally, the competing plan comes from the same developers who built Oklahoma City's Outlet Shoppes.

Horizon and Collett would build their outlet in east Tulsa where Interstate 44 and 244 meet. The developers are already part-owners of the land.

The east Tulsa developers plan to design their outlet after the successful model they have in Oklahoma City and they'd like to start construction by next year.

Horizon and Collett say both the west-side and east-side developments are going after the same big name tenants - like Nike and Banana Republic.

They said whichever group woos the most retailers will likely win the tug-of-war.

Other developers plan to break ground on another shopping center in the day ahead. They plan to announce some of the new stores that will be part of The Walk at Tulsa Hills.

Crews have been prepping the area at 81st and Highway 75 for construction, which is set to begin next month.

Developers say the stores will support close to 500 full-time jobs.