Burlington Mall Releases New Details, First Tenant Of Makeover

BURLINGTON, MA — Caffè Nero will open its second location at the Burlington Mall in September as part of the first phase of the Village at Burlington Mall makeover. The project, which is scheduled for completion in September, will include more than a dozen new tenants, mostly restaurants ranging from fast-casual to sit-down options. The second phase, which will include exterior improvements and a new park, will be completed next year.

"Burlington Mall has been an iconic shopping and dining destination in Massachusetts and throughout New England and The Village at Burlington Mall will only enhance our shopper’s experience," Burlington Mall General Manager Justin Feldhouse said in a statement. "It’s truly an exciting time and we look forward to sharing further details of the redevelopment project in the near future."

The expansion will also include Cava Mezze Grill, a Mediterranean restaurant, according to an application approved by the Burlington Planning Board. Simon Property group, the mall's owner, has not, however, confirmed the Cava Mezze plan.

Simon Property Group is remaking the mall's former Sears store into a "lifestyle center" with pedestrian areas connecting the mall to a new, stand-alone, mixed-use development. The new 35,000 square-foot, single-story, retail and restaurant building will replace the Sears automotive center. Sears closed in April 2018 after 50 years at the mall.

The plan calls for a reduction of 18,000 square feet in retail space, but the mall's owners have said they are "aggressively pursuing high-quality tenants to populate the new facilities which are intended appeal to the area retail market."

Simon Property Group announced its plan to renovate the mall in April 2018, and expects the project to be complete in spring 2020. In its current configuration, the mall has 1.3 million square feet of space and more than 160 stores.