Pentagon Row Shopping Center Announces Renovations; Larger Ice Skating Rink Planned

The Pentagon Row shopping center has announced major renovations that would include more retail space, larger ice skating rink, and a new look for the 12-year-old plaza.

“With the 12 years going by, we felt like it was time to update Pentagon Row and bring some newer amenities,” said Robin McBride, vice president in the mid-Atlantic Region for Federal Realty Investment Trust, which owns the property.

The plaza, which hosts the center’s outdoor ice skating rink and summer concert series, will be the main target of the new renovations, according to a press release.

The ice skating rink draws 40,000 visitors a year and the renovation will allow the rink to take over a larger portion of the plaza in the winter.

“It’s busting at the seams right now,” McBride said.

In the summer months, turf will be set down to accommodate spectators for concerts.

Highlights from the renovations also include an additional 1,500 square feet of retail space for more outdoor dining options, new water fountains, and a stone fire pit.

The shopping center will also get some smaller touch ups such as new trash cans, light posts, and signs, McBride said.

Renovations started Monday and the plaza is expected to reopen to the public in various  phases beginning this summer, with the final project set be complete in November 2013.

All stores will remain open in the plaza while construction takes place.

The renovations come after two stores have left the shopping center in recent months, including Desi Living Innovations and Lucy athletic store.

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