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When we last checked in on Downtown's The Bloc, we took to a 007-like snap-and-walk sesh to document the progress of its $160 million makeover. Yesterday, the former Macy's Plaza invited a handful of media folks (including us) to witness the grand removal of its corrugated metal roof, marking The Bloc's first major step towards its new open-air look.
Per development group The Ratkovich Company, the entertainment center's ceiling will be dismantled over the next two weeks; in June, construction will begin on the underground pedestrian walkway that will link The Bloc directly to the 7th Street/Metro Center station. The mixed-use hub's fashionable facelift will be complete in October, with new retailers slated to open their doors starting November.
In addition to confirmed retail tenants like menswear mecca Wingtip and gallery-like shop Free Market, we're told the directory will favor "boutique" fashion tenants over mainstream mall stalwarts. Ratkovich EVP and COO Clare De Briere tells us The Bloc's mix will "complement" neighboring shop/eat/play center Fig at 7th, which scored The Bloc's Victoria's Secret last winter. (See, no hard feelings!)
Above, take a visual tour through the under-construction redevelopment and stay tuned for more updates.