Denver Pavilions Does It Again by Bringing First-in-Market Uniqlo to Downtown Denver

DENVER, April 8, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Uniqlo, the popular global clothing retailer, will open its first and much-anticipated Rocky Mountain region store at Denver Pavilions along the 16th Street Mall in the heart of the city's downtown area. The store will open in the summer of 2016 with over 22,000 square-feet of selling space.

"Retail activity is extremely important to our fiscal health, and our goal is to make Denver truly one of the nation's landmark retail cities," Mayor Michael B. Hancock said. "Bringing yet another international retailer to Denver Pavilions solidifies the area's key position to the region's economic and cultural development as well as to the city's retail growth agenda. Uniqlo's opening promises to draw an even greater number of residents, visitors and tourists to our exciting and vibrant downtown."

Uniqlo has a worldwide presence, with 1,500 stores in Japan, Australia, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, the U.K. and the U.S.  Introducing new global brands to Denver has become a part of Gart Properties' increasingly impactful strategy to build an international store network at Denver Pavilions.

Said Tracy Huggins of Denver Urban Renewal Authority (DURA), "It's a testament to Denver's continued growth and development that leading global retailers, such as Uniqlo are choosing to locate in the central business district."

Almost all of Uniqlo's U.S. locations are located on the east and west coasts. This will be Uniqlo's second store in the heart of the country after its planned fall 2015 opening in Chicago.

"Denver is a nationally renowned center of dining, shopping, sports and entertainment, along with being an outdoor paradise. The real estate and tourism markets are booming, and we are thrilled to be opening a store in one of the most beautiful, flourishing cities in the world," said Larry Meyer, CEO of Uniqlo USA. "We are excited to bring our high-quality, ultra-comfortable apparel, world-class customer service and modern, bright store aesthetic to the people of Denver."

Uniqlo sells comfortable, affordable and stylish casual apparel for men, women and children in natural and synthetic fabrics engineered to perform in varying climates and weather conditions.  The clothes are simple and essential yet universal.

"Uniqlo is poised to make a huge impact and take Denver by storm on the Denver retail scene with its internationally recognized casual wear clothing line," said Mark Sidell, president of Gart Properties, owner of Denver Pavilions. "Uniqlo will be a transformational addition to our already strong lineup of local, national and international retailers, and we look forward to welcoming them to Colorado." Uniqlo's flagship store at Denver Pavilions will be the only store in the state for one year following the grand opening.

The announcement comes amid strong leasing momentum at Denver Pavilions, including the opening of the first Henry's Tavern in the state, a major remodel at the 15-screen United Artists Theatre, the addition of Long Tall Sally and the expansion of global retailer H&M to include a third level featuring their new home accessories department and apparel designers in the downtown Denver flagship store.

"Denver has been experiencing an incredible economic resurgence, making it an ideal time to welcome the arrival of Uniqlo," Paul Washington, Executive Director of Economic Development for the City of Denver, said in a statement. "We're excited that they chose to open their first store in the entire region here in the Mile High City. The store's popularity around the globe is sure to bring even greater vitality to the 16th Street Mall, attracting shoppers from across the city, the state and the region."

Denver Pavilions is familiar with introducing first-in-market retail brands to the state. The shopping complex captured national attention in 2011 by securing H&M's first location in Colorado that opened to tremendous fanfare and lines around the block.

In addition to underscoring downtown Denver and Denver Pavilions as a premier retail, dining and entertainment destination, Uniqlo is expected to positively impact the downtown economy with new jobs and increased tax revenue.

Albus Brooks, City Council District 8, stated, "Uniqlo's presence will strengthen the retail environment in downtown Denver while also having a substantial trickle-down effect on local businesses."

"Opening the second Uniqlo store in the entire Midwest and Rocky Mountain region is a big win for Downtown Denver," stated Tamara Door, President and CEO of the Downtown Denver Partnership. "The first Uniqlo store in Colorado will become a shopping destination, serving to further boost the city's retail economy. The grand opening in the summer of 2016 is sure to be an event to remember."

Susan Cantwell of Gart Properties and Stuart Zall of The Zall Company represented Denver Pavilions in the transaction.

Since opening its first store in Japan in 1984, Uniqlo has grown to become an international leader with more than 1,500 stores worldwide. Customers and fans can share their excitement about these new stores via the company's social media channels, including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using #UniqloDenver. To staff the new stores and implement its global service standards, Uniqlo will be recruiting. For more information on open positions, please visit http://jobs-uniqlo.com/sa/#. 

In addition to creating local jobs, Uniqlo seeks to partner with local organizations and municipalities to give back to the communities where their customers live and work. 

To learn more, visit http://www.uniqlo.com/en/csr/.

About Denver Pavilions

Denver Pavilions is a one-of-a-kind retail/entertainment center in the heart of downtown Denver on the 16th Street Mall, providing a critical mass of 40 retail tenants, restaurants and entertainment venues. The open-air Denver Pavilions features three-story buildings on a two-block development that is linked by "The Great Wall," an interior structure featuring the word "DENVER," which has become the worldwide symbol of downtown Denver. With such marquee tenants as H&M, Maggiano's, 15-screen United Artists Theatre, Lucky Strike Lanes, Hard Rock Cafe and Forever 21, Denver Pavilions has become a retail magnet for the metropolitan region. Denver Pavilions is conveniently located for the downtown area's 110,000 office workers and growing residential base and is located on the 16th Street Mall, Denver's #1 tourist attraction.  For more information, visit www.DenverPavilions.com

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