Construction has been underway on a new enclosed Strip shopping center for a couple months. Tentatively known as Harmon Corner, the big $100 million 111,000-square-foot three-story mall is located next to the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood, directly across from the Cosmopolitan and CityCenter; thanks to the location, an estimated 80,000 people per day will pass through Harmon Center.
The developer, BPS Partners, bought the 2.17-acre property from the county in February 2010, paying $25 million cash, or $11.57 million per acre. The cost per acre raised some eyebrows at the time, with pundits doubting that BPS could get financing. Those eyebrows have since been lowered.
A large Walgreens will anchor Harmon Corner; Walgreen’s has a 99-year lease to occupy 20,000 square feet on two levels. Another 17 stores, including three restaurants with outdoor patio dining, will fill out the projec. Reportedly, the developer’s artist rendering has logos for Buffalo Wild Wings, McDonald's, and Orange County Choppers, but only Walgreens has been officially announced. Still, the developer is reportedly choosing among "21 deals for 17 spaces."
One controversial aspect of Harmon Corner is the size of its sign. The "Times Square-style" $10 million, 65-foot-tall, 320-foot-long video billboard is being opposed by neighboring casinos, especially Planet Hollywood (Caesars Entertainment), claiming that it will be a commercial eyesore. The sign is programmable and is being called one of the largest "high-definition flat-screen TVs" in the world.
Harmon Corner is tied into an existing pedestrian bridge to CityCenter, and a second bridge will be built over Harmon Avenue for ease of pedestrian traffic on the east side of the Strip. When completed, the bridge will be donated to Clark County. Both bridges will connect at a 2,400-square-foot solarium on the second level of the mall.
The project is expected to be completed in time for Christmas.
