Big changes are coming at Easton Town Center, the east Columbus mall and shopping plaza nearing its 20th birthday.
Developers on Monday announced plans for a multi-year, $500 million expansion that will add retailers, breweries and restaurants, a boutique hotel, and an outdoor events space.
Easton's expansion will be covered by a 10-year, 100 percent property tax abatement announced by Mayor Andrew Ginther in 2017.
The expansion will be anchored by a 40,000 square-foot Restoration Hardware store known as RH Gallery.
“RH Gallery is an extraordinary concept and we’re so pleased it will anchor this important next step in the evolution of Easton Town Center,” an Easton Town Center statement said.
The RH Gallery is expected to open before Christmas 2019, while the Aloft Hotel is scheduled to open in 2020.
Some excavation work for the expansion is already underway and has forced the closure of the Morse Road entrance to Easton.
The event space will be known as “The Yard” and will host live music and other entertainment. Easton officials say it will sit near Urban Hearth, an industrial-style building where people can “gather, relax and spend time with friends and family around the Hearth.”